The Uttar Pradesh government rolled out a red carpet welcome to some 250-odd members of the Indian diaspora Jan. 4 for the ‘UP Pravasi Diwas’. Uttar Pradesh will soon develop policies and schemes for the 25 million Indian diaspora to have better relations with them, state minister Balwant Singh Ramoowalia said on January 5th.
On the penultimate day of the maiden ‘UP Pravasi Diwas’ in Agra, India, the minister, who was in charge of the event, said immediate and serious engagement with the NRIs was imperative to bring in investment, create business opportunities and guide India’s workforce.
On initiatives of the Uttar Pradesh government, Sanjiv Sharan, principal secretary in the NRI department, talked about the newly formed department that would focus on solving grievances of NRIs and helping investors in the state.
A coffee table book was also being conceptualized for promoting the policies and familiarizing NRIs with progress and opportunities in the state, he added. Saran said the department would launch a new portal for NRIs to facilitate and resolve their issues.
FICCI secretary general A. Didar Singh spoke about the importance of connecting the Indian diaspora both emotionally and through technology. “Technology like creating forums for solving issues related to business establishments and showcasing the ease of doing business in the state would not only encourage investment opportunities but also connect the NRIs back to their roots,” he said.
Congratulating the Uttar Pradesh government for the great initiative of engaging NRIs with their roots, Charu Mathur, CEO of the Overseas Indian Facilitation Center at the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, focused on the joint responsibility of both the state and the Center to give a pleasant experience to the NRIs in their business ventures in India.
Addressing the NRIs and PIOs, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said the meet was a beginning of a never-ending dialogue between them and the state government and assured them of all help.
He said that the whole idea behind the ‘UP Pravasi Diwas’ was to reconnect the diaspora with their roots in the state and work on a common and meaningful dialogue of development of the state. “I am overjoyed to see such large number of NRIs here and must admit that the gathering has exceeded my expectation,” he added.
Announcing that the event would be an annual affair, Yadav said that only the venues will change and would rotate among the major cities of the state. “We are here not only to welcome you in the Taj city but also to make you partners as the state endeavors to get its rightful place in the country,” he added to a round of applause.
“I am overjoyed to see such large number of NRIs here and must admit that the gathering has exceeded my expectation,” Yadav said, announcing the event would be held annually from now on though in different venues. “We are here not only to welcome you in the Taj city but also to make you partners as the state endeavors to get its rightful place in the country,” he added.
Other state ministers addressed the gathering outlining the needs of the largest state in the country.