The Uttar Pradesh government rolled out a red carpet welcome to some 250 members of the Indian diaspora Jan. 4, in Agra at the first “UP Pravasi Diwas.” Addressing the gathering Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said the two-day meet was meant to jumpstart a never-ending and meaningful dialogue with the diaspora on the development of the state.
“I am overjoyed to see such large number of NRIs here and must admit that the gathering has exceeded my expectation,” Yadav said, announcing the event would be held annually from now on though in different venues. “We are here not only to welcome you in the Taj city but also to make you partners as the state endeavors to get its rightful place in the country,” he added.
Other state ministers addressed the gathering outlining the needs of the largest state in the country.
Sixteen NRIs with roots in Uttar Pradesh were given the ‘UP Ratna’ awards by the chief minister and his wife, Kannauj Member of Parliament Dimple Yadav.
Thirteen MoUs were also signed at the event, Indo-Asian News Service reported. Also present during the inaugural event were some Bollywood celebrities including film directors Sudhir Mishra, Muzaffar Ali, and veteran actors Sanjay Khan and Zayed Khan.
State Minister Balwant Singh Ramoowalia announced the government would draft policies and schemes to attract the 25-million strong Indian diaspora to the state, adding that immediate and serious engagement with the NRIs was imperative to bring in investment, create business opportunities and guide India’s workforce.
Sanjiv Saran, principal secretary in the newly-created NRI department, talked about the focus on solving grievances of NRIs and helping investors in the state. Sharan announced that a new portal for NRIs would be launched to resolve their issues.
“Technology, like creating forums for solving issues related to business establishments and showcasing the ease of doing business in the state would not only encourage investment opportunities but also connect the NRIs back to their roots,” said the Secretary General of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, A. Didar Singh, addressing the gathering.
Charu Mathur, CEO of Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre at the Ministry of Overseas Indian affairs, focused on the joint responsibly of both state and the Centre to give a pleasant experience to the NRIs in their business ventures in India.
Also in attendance at the convention was a strong contingent of Indian descendents of “Girmitiyas,” those taken from U.P. and other states two hundred years ago to work on British plantations around the globe. The state government promised to engage soon with these descendents for economic and social initiatives in the state, Indo Asian News Service reported.
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