Indian diaspora in Belgium hails Patil’s address

September 15th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) is organising the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas-Europe (PBD-E), a regional diaspora event, at the Hague in the Netherlands Sep 19. The event, to be held at the World Forum, is to "celebrate the success of Indian diaspora and unite them for a better India".

September 11th, 2009 Belgium wants EU to probe Opel-GM decisonsBRUSSELS — Belgium wants the European Union to investigate the sale of General Motors Co.'s European unit Opel amid misgivings Germany allegedly sought to protect its own plants at the cost of others. "I think the German government sought its own advantage," said Belgian vice premier Joelle Milquet after it became clear that the plant in Antwerp would be wound down but none would be closed in Germany.

September 4th, 2009 NEW DELHI - India has only now begun to tap its 25-million diaspora in 130 countries to boost its growth, unlike China that owes much of its economic miracle to the overseas Chinese, says a study released Friday. Indian companies have tapped into the Indian diaspora less well than the Chinese firms into the Chinese diaspora, says Tarun Khanna, professor at the Harvard Business School and a contributor to the study called The Global Indian Firm.

August 20th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has lauded the role of the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) for promoting the interests of the overseas Indian community. "GOPIO has emerged as a leading organisation providing a unique platform to the vast Indian overseas community for promoting their interests and realising their aspirations," Manmohan Singh said in a message on the 20th anniversary celebrations of GOPIO being held in New York Aug 20-23.

August 18th, 2009 Port-of-SPAIN - The Indian government is willing to help in the installation of a monument at Trinidad and Tobago's Nelson Island where nearly 147,000 Indians arrived between 1845 and 1917 to work on the sugar plantations, an official said. D.N. Srivastava, joint secretary in the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA), Monday told a press conference: "Whatever requests come to us for both the installation of a monument at Nelson Island, and the enhancement of the systems and facilities at the Indo-Caribbean Museum would be fully considered and supported." The press conference was jointly organised by the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) and the Indian High Commission at Gaston Court, Chaguanas.

August 12th, 2009 NEW YORK - An organisation of Indians settled abroad will be celebrating its 20th anniversary here through a convention Aug 20-23, on the theme "People of Indian Origin: Strengthening Global Connections". The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO International) will hold the event that will provide an opportunity to deliberate on the global Indian diaspora, evaluate the body's progress in 20 years, to network, exchange ideas and connect with Persons of Indian Origin and Non Resident Indians.

July 17th, 2009 THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - Kerala will ask the central government to change electoral laws to enable NRIs to vote, state Finance Minister Thomas Isaac said in the state assembly Friday. The minister was responding to a query by Indian Union Muslim League leader P.K.

July 10th, 2009 NEW DELHI - After the US and Asia, the next mini Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), a conclave of the Indian diaspora, will be held in September in the Netherlands, in Europe. The Hague in the Netherlands will be the venue for the third mini PBD Sep 19.

June 4th, 2009 NEW DELHI - India will deepen its ties with its 25-million diaspora in 130 countries that has emerged as an important force in respective countries of domicile, President Pratibha Patil said Thursday. Our ties and kinship with the diaspora make us acutely conscious of their well-being and to be sensitive to their concerns, the president said in an address to a joint session of the new parliament that convened after the national election last month.

January 8th, 2009 CHENNAI - The following are some of the highlights of the seventh edition of the three-day Pravasi Bharatiya Divas that concluded here Friday: - Nearly 1,500 delegates from 48 countries - Maximum number of 270 delegates from Malaysia followed by 127 from the US - Thirteen prominent Indians abroad presented the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman - The Global Indian Knowledge Network launched to create a virtual think tank by connecting the diaspora - Qualified professional holding overseas citizen of India card can soon practice in India - Smart card to be issued to all Indian workers immigrating from June 1 - Diaspora recognises that India's growth story remains positive and presents them opportunities for investing - Consensus for increased diaspora participation in health, education and rural development under public-private partnership - Chief ministers and senior cabinet members of six states outline opportunities during separate interactions with delegates

January 7th, 2009 CHENNAI - Qualified overseas Indian professionals, with Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards as well as others, can soon practise in India, it was announced here Thursday. The government will extend its new scheme permitting qualified professionals holding Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards to practise in India to other members of diaspora possessing similar qualification.

January 6th, 2009 CHENNAI - Colourful giant billboards and tight security welcome 1,500 delegates and dignitaries at the venue of the seventh Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, the country's annual convention to connect with its diaspora starting here Wednesday evening. Delegates from over 40 countries are scheduled to participate in the three-day event Chennai Trade Centre.

January 6th, 2009 CHENNAI - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will Thursday launch three major initiatives to bring India closer with its 25 million diaspora in 130 countries in areas covering knowledge, investment and philanthropy. The Global Indian Network of Knowledge, or Global INK, will provide opportunity for professionals - individuals and organisations - among overseas Indians to engage as partners in development projects.

December 25th, 2008 NEW DELHI - Over 1,500 delegates will participate in the forthcoming annual jamboree of the people of Indian origin, to be held in Chennai in the first week of next year. Surinam Vice-President Ramdien Saredjoe will be the chief guest of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas' (PBD) 2009 edition, which will be held Jan 7-9.

December 25th, 2008 NEW DELHI - The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs Friday warned against a diaspora meet being held under the aegis of an organisation called 'Pravasi Bharati' in Thiruvananthapuram in January and clarified that it was not affiliated to any government body. The organisation called Pravasi Bharati does not have any affiliation with the central government or the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, the office of the Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi said here.