|
The Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s office, Shri Prithviraj Chavan has said that India does not look at the overseas Indians as sources for attracting foreign investment. Rather, we are more interested in strengthening our cultural links and having greater interaction with the countries of their adoption because these countries too are unique cultural melting points like India. Speaking to a group of 24 Indian overseas youths here today, Shri Chavan said that today India, in itself, has emerged as a centre of attraction for its progress in various fields. These youths have gathered in India for a Three-week Internship Programme for Diaspora Youth (IPDY) organised by the M/o Overseas Indian Affairs from 22nd August to 11st Sept., 2005.
Shri Chavan said that Indian democracy is a unique experiment keeping in view the cultural and social complexities of a vast country like India as also the fact that we opted for universal adult franchise right from the first day. He said that the Internship Programme, which has now been de-linked from the Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas as a regular programme in itself, gives the youth of Indian Diaspora, throughout the world, a chance not only to see the various facets of India but also to interact with the grass root institutions not only in the big cities but also in the rural areas of the country.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri S. Krishna Kumar, Secretary, M/o Overseas Indian Affairs said that the IPDY seeks to address the fears that might have persisted in the minds of the forefathers of Indian Diaspora that the 3rd and 4th generations of overseas Indians may lose their links with the country of their origin. Through this programme, the Government has provided an opportunity to the overseas Indian youths to see India from their own perspective. `It may be that India as you see during your Internship may turn you as our Cultural Ambassador and you may make a significant contribution in strengthening your country’s bonds with India’, he added.
The Interns who are in the age group of 16-26 years and belong to US, Thailand, Canada, South Africa, Fiji, Malaysia, Israel, UK and Zambia are being given a comprehensive orientation to diverse aspects of Indian Society during the Internship programme. They have already visited several premier institutions in the field of art & culture, history & heritage, science & technology, education, health care & media in and around Delhi. They have also visited Agra and Jaipur as part of sightseeing & study of India’s history & heritage. They are now looking forward to their ten-day attachment in the State of Uttaranchal. Here, the participants will be exposed to development and governance at the State & grassroots levels and interact with the premier institutions & civil society bodies. This attachment programme commences on 31st of this month.
AK/SK/JA
|
