PM grants ‘dual citizenship’, talks partnership

Among other incentives for the visitors was a special educational package for the NRIs. ‘‘To meet the educational needs of their children, we plan to reserve a certain percentage of seats in educational institutions here,’’ Vajpayee said.

The PM said that a compulsory insurance scheme for Indian workers migrating to the Gulf region would also be unveiled shortly. The Parliament is already considering a Bill to establish a welfare fund for overseas Indian workers. He announced the setting-up of a high-level advisory committee which would suggest new initiatives to the external affairs minister for enhancing cooperation with the NRIs and PIOs.

‘‘We would like to create an environment in India, which will make you want to return, not just for sentimental or emotional reasons, but with the conviction that you can excel in this country as much as you could anywhere else in the world,’’ the PM said.

Stressing that he was conscious of the need of India to be sensitive to the hopes, aspirations and concerns of its vast diaspora, the PM said the idea of celebrating the three-day diwas annually flowed from the recommendations of the high-level committee by L M Singhvi, ex-Indian high commissioner to the UK.

Singhvi, who headed the panel, said it has come out with an integrated blueprint of 160 recommendations for a ‘‘perfect partnership between India and the Indian diaspora’’.

On the occasion, 10 Prabasi Bhartiya Samman awards were given out by Vajpayee for exemplary contribution to the social, economic and political life of the host country.

Mauritian Premier Jugnauth said that to mark the arrival of first Indian labourers in Mauritius on November 2, 1834, his government would seek inclusion of ‘aapravasi ghat’ in UNESCO’s world heritage site. Dy PM L K Advani, several Cabinet ministers and MPs were present.