SPEECH OF PROF. K.V. THOMAS,
HON’BLE MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC
DISTRIBUTION AT THE INAUGURAL SESSION OF THE PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS, 2013 ON
TUESDAY, THE 8TH JANUARY, 2013 AT KOCHI, KERALA:
Hon’ble Prime
Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh ji, Shri Vayalar Ravi, Hon’ble Minister
of Overseas Indian Affairs, Shri Oommen Chandy, Hon’ble Chief Minister of
India, officials of the Central and the State Governments, distinguished
delegates and participants, friends from the media, and ladies and
gentlemen: I welcome you all to Kerala,
one of the most beautiful lands on earth and truly, a ‘God’s own country,’ as
we celebrate the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
here now.
2. “Pravasi Bharatiya,” the non-resident Indians
can be compared to a heart located outside, yet pumping blood and strengthening
the whole body. They may be miles away
from India, yet their heart beats for India.
There is no country in the world that does not have an NRI. They are our ambassadors abroad, in each and
every country, throughout the world. The
world looks at India through them and it can fairly be said that the honour and
reputation that India today enjoys among the world community, to a great
extent, is through the achievements of our NRIs.
3. This
Divas is to express the gratitude of the nation to the NRIs for the hard work
that they do at foreign soil against all odds, their determination to win
against all hurdles, and their will power to keep afloat the flag of the nation
high in the sky – as representatives of a country whose strength lies in its
citizens, in their talent, in their output through blood, sweat and tears. The celebrations are also our assurance to
the NRIs that we will stand by them taking care of their every need, and that
they will not feel lonely in their lives in a far off place, that the love and
affection of the people of India for them will ever remain greener and grow
stronger with each passing day. I
congratulate all the Non Resident Indians on this happy occasion and sincerely
believe that as years roll by, an NRI will come to be known as a brand name the
world over for achievements, hard work and, above all, a love for peaceful
co-existence.
4. The
great advantage that India enjoys today is its young population. Naturally, with increase in educational
opportunities and socio-economic developments taking place at a fast pace, the
number of our youngsters who will be migrating to foreign countries will grow
enormously. Needless to say our policy
measures, through the Ministry for Overseas Indian Affairs, will keep pace with
the situations as they emerge in the coming days to see that the vibrancy
witnessed in our men and women moving abroad to fulfil their dreams continues
unabated.
5. And,
a word about Malayalees - no
discourse on NRI will be complete without a mention about the Malayalees who constitute a better
percentage of the NRIs. That the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated in
Kerala this year is but an act of appreciation for the courage, perseverance
and entrepreneurship qualities of the Malayalees,
who deserve special kudos. With these
words, I would like to conclude my speech and while congratulating all the NRIs
for their exemplary achievements so far, I would urge upon them to extend a
helping hand to the coming generations who may be in need of their guidance to
succeed in their chosen paths. Together,
we as Indians can excel in every land of the globe, and be a power to reckon
with, and an example to follow, in the coming days.
JAI HIND!
