Sunday, January 07, 2007

R2I # 9 - Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

5th Annual Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is underway in Delhi now. This is event was started by the previous BJP Government and seems to have become an annual affair. Each year, Indian diaspora from all over the world assemble and rub shoulders with the powers that be in India. And each year, Indian Government announces some sop or the other but not the full citizenship (at least not as yet..).

This year, the Indian Government has announced, Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card holders will be considered on par with Non Resident Indian (NRI). Some areas where this will likely benefit are:
  1. Adoption: Process will be streamlined to make it easier.
  2. Domestic airfares: Now can pay in Indian Rupees.
  3. Entry to National Parks: Pay the same fees as others Indians for entry in to national parks and sanctuaries, but will continue to considered as foreigner and pay higher fee for entry in to national monuments like Taj Mahal & Qutab Minar etc.,
Bengal Tiger: This should answer your questions raised in my earlier post..

ps: Why hold it only in Delhi? Since its commencement, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas event has been held only in Delhi. Why only the capital? Why not other cities?

4 comments:

  1. govt should do more efforts to gain from NRI's ... and its NRI's duty to serve the country ...hope this day will work

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  2. I was pleasantly surprised that Pravasi Malayalee Association offices were seen all over Kerala and I am sure they also have an yearly get together in Kerala. I believe similar associations must be encouraged by each state and the center. Continuing the dialogue with NRIs is a good practice and will bring more benefit to the country than to the individual NRI.

    Raman

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  3. Wasn't last year's pravasi diwas held in Hyd ?

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  4. pdxguy

    Yes.. you are absolutely right.. last year it was in HYD.. thanks for pointing it out..

    ReplyDelete