Pravasi Bharatiyas are India’s brand ambassadors, says PM Modi

“I consider you all, pravasi bharatiyas, the brand ambassadors of India on foreign soil,” Modi said, drawing loud cheers of “Bharat Mata ki jai” from the assembled gathering made up of delegates from across the world. He said that India has made rapid progress in the last few years, and this has piqued the interest of people in many parts of the world.

He reminded the gathering that India will host the G20 summit in 2023 as the chair of the multilateral forum, underlining that it was a “big opportunity” to make the world aware of the country’s past experiences to attain a sustainable future.

“G20 is not just a diplomatic event but it should be turned into a historic event of public participation where one can witness the sentiment of Atithi Devo Bhava,” he said.

India’s “voice and message” on the global stage has a distinct significance, he said. “India’s strength will grow further in the days to come. And so will the curiosity about India. And that is why the responsibility of the Indians living overseas also grows manifold. The more you know about India, the more you will be able to tell others,” he said.

He listed the country’s Covid-19 vaccination programme, attaining the status of the fifth largest economy, manufacture of Tejas fighter jets, INS Vikrant, Arihant-class submarine, and growing popularity of digital transactions among the achievements that have drawn the world’s attention.

His words had a distinct echo of the remarks made by former Prime Minister A B Vajpayee in 2003, during the inaugural edition of the convention. Vajpayee had then urged the overseas Indians to “project the truth about India to the world in a credible and effective manner” and counter “propaganda”.

According to the MEA, as on December 31, 2021, there were 3.2 crore NRIs and PIOs living abroad.

For the ongoing convention, which will culminate on Tuesday with President Droupadi Murmu awarding 27 overseas Indians for their achievements in various sectors, over 3,500 registrations were made by people from across 70 countries. On Monday, as Modi spoke, many delegates could not enter the hall at the Brilliant Convention Centre, a privately-owned commercial property, here due to paucity of space.

In his speech later, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan apologised to the delegates over the issue. “The hall may have fallen short in accommodating all, but there is no dearth of love and affection for you,” he said.

Chouhan also heaped praise on Modi. “If there is anyone who can tell the west and Russia that we need peace not war, then it is Modi. During the Ukraine crisis, our students came out holding the Tricolour, both Russian and Ukrainian troops gave them way,” he said.

While Guyana President Mohamed Irfaan Ali was the chief guest at the event, Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi was the special guest of honour.

In his speech, Ali praised Modi’s leadership during the pandemic, saying that while the world shut its borders, India stepped up. “You (Modi) showed the world what real love and hope is when you shared vaccines with the world,” Ali said, adding that policies should be tailored to make the diaspora integral, instead of incidental, to a nation’s progress.

Santokhi pitched for a “diaspora fund” to help the community showcase their capabilities and skills. Modi held bilateral meetings with both the Presidents on the sidelines of the convention.

Modi also released a commemorative postal stamp, ‘Surakshit Jaayen, Prashikshit Jaayen’, and inaugurated a digital exhibition on the theme ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav – Contribution of Diaspora in Indian Freedom Struggle’ during the day.