The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas kicks off in Hyderabad on Saturday. On the anvil of the biggest government-organised event for the Indian Diaspora, Minister of State for Overseas Indian Affairs Oscar Fernandes spoke to rediff.com Managing Editor Sheela Bhatt about how the do is different this time. Excerpts:
What's on the agenda for the 4th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas?
Knowledge of the Indian Diaspora will be the main theme of the event. We will try to get the support of our people who have achieved top positions in science and technology.
Apart from the issue of dual citizenship, we will take up the issue of remittances. We are working on a scheme named Remittances Gateway by which NRIs [non-resident Indians] will be able to remit money faster.
The prime minister will issue the first certificate under the dual citizenship scheme to a Person of Indian Origin.
We are also seeking investment. We will take up the issue in a big way. We are keeping in mind that knowledge is more important than money. We want to tell them -- we care for them, the country cares for them.
When they want to do something for India, we are here to facilitate them.
Complete Coverage: Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, 2006
Why Hyderabad as the venue?
India doesn't mean New Delhi alone. The first two PBD events were in New Delhi, then in Mumbai and now in Hyderabad. We haven't decided our next venue. But to know India we have to move beyond Delhi. It will give an idea to the Indian Diaspora about our progress.
What are your concrete achievements since May 2004?
We have carved out a separate ministry [for overseas Indians]. That shows the importance we give to our people.
Our people in the West and in the US are working in top positions. Then, there is the Middle East where many blue-collar workers and semi-skilled workers are living. We will have to deal with their problems.
This time the PBD event is more focused on local opportunities and the need of the local people. At the same time, it will be a business opportunity for the NRIs.
One complaint is that NRIs should not mean only Indians living in the US or the West. There are vast communities in the Middle East too.
We are opening the gateways for remittances, which will help our workers abroad. The finance minister will make arrangements to ensure faster and easier ways to remit money to India.
We are also thinking of some kind of insurance that will help them in case of death, or an accident, or an eventuality like when they are deported.
Some people say NRIs are bored of the PBD because nothing concrete comes out of it.
That may be true. It's a message for us who are working to make it happen. But every time a lot many new people also come [smiles], and that will make the difference.
How are you going to attract investment?
My ministry provides a single-window system. The process is being evolved. NRIs feel that clearances take time. Things are changing -- for the better.
India's economic status has improved. You may have personal reservations but from a business point of view India is the new destination.
Photograph: Sondeep Shankar/ Saab Pictures
