Economic slowdown and terror, the two defining strands for India in 2008, have both cast their shadow on the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention, the annual gathering of the expat Indian community.
The question whether the global economic slowdown will have a silver lining for the expatriate Indian community is likely to dominate event this year. This is especially significant in the light of the fact that remittances from migrant workers have outpaced official aid flows and foreign direct investments (FDIs) as the largest source of overseas funds.
On the other hand, just as the recent terror attacks in Mumbai has attracted world attention, the convergence of a galaxy of very important persons here has caught the eye of the terrorists. Already a threatening message has been received from the self-styled Deccan Mujahideen, the outfit that initially claimed the responsibility of the Mumbai terror attacks. To preempt any such mishap, the city police is on a high alert and taking all precautionary steps.
The convention, which is in its seventh edition this year, has ?Engaging the Diaspora? as its theme this time. But as past editions have shown, the event has fallen into the trap of not going beyond symbolism as grievances by the community have grown. ?India will gain if it takes a broader, more holistic view of its relationship with its diaspora, not a narrow utilitarian one,? says Brij V Lall, Professor, Australian National University.
As India seeks greater investment, the comparisons between how India has engaged with its diaspora compares unfavourably ? not just with China, which has made a spectacular success of its relationship with its diaspora ? but also with countries like Philippines and Korea, the lower valuations of Indian stocks as an attractive entry point notwithstanding. Dr Thomas Abraham, chairman, Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), feels since there has been net outflow of foreign exchange ?it would be prudent of the Indian government to provide higher interest rates to attract more funds from the diaspora?.
As many as 1,500 representatives are expected to gather from January 7 to 9 in Chennai. They will be welcomed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who will inaugurate the event, which will be conclude with an address by President Pratibha Patil. Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi and over 30 Union and state ministers, besides a host of resident and non-resident Indian and international achievers in various fields will address the sessions of the three-day convention.
The earlier six conventions helped the government understand the expectations of the pravasi community and take a number of new initiatives, including the overseas citizenship of India, Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre, conceptualisation of PIO university and formation of the Prime Minister?s Global Advisory Council of People of Indian Origin. The latest institution would be the India Development Foundation, expected to be announced by the Prime Minister during the Chennai PBD convention.
Among other benefits are the registration of over 3 lakh people of Indian origin who have registered as overseas citizens of India. They have got registration certificates and universal visas as well as life-long visas, with no restriction on the duration of stay in India. As many as 235 PIO youth aged group of 18-26 have visited India under the Know India Programme and acquainted themselves with the richness of their cultural heritage and the progress made by the country in diverse fields. The scholarship programme has benefitted 220 children of the Indian community.
The convention will have wide-ranging discussions in plenary sessions, concurrent and regional working sessions, trade and industry exhibitions and a market place to hold one-to-one meetings to identify investment opportunities in key sectors and show-case the corporate profile of India Inc.
There will be four plenary sessions and each would be addressed by a Cabinet minister. External affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee will be the chief guest of the first plenary session ? India As An Emerging Power: The Diaspora Factor. Commerce and industry minister Kamal Nath will address the session on Reflections On Current Economic Crisis: Diaspora Concerns. The third plenary on Diaspora Interaction With The States will be addressed by agriculture minister Sharad Pawar while railway minister Lalu Prasad will address the fourth session on Indian Diaspora: Preservation of Language and Culture.