|
The External Affairs Minister, Shri Natwar Singh conferred Pravasi Bhartiya Samman – 2005 on the internationally renowned Economist and former Professor of International Trade at Delhi School of Economics, Prof. Jagdish Bhagwati at a function in Vigyan Bhavan here today. He is presently University Professor at the Columbia University and senior fellow in International Economics at the Council of Foreign Relations, USA.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Natwar Singh said that it has now been universally recognized that Indian talent is second to none. Wherever Indians have gone they have contributed richly to the country of their adoption. He said that one of the first task of the UPA government was to create the Ministry for Overseas Indian Affairs with a view to promote a mutually beneficial relationship with people of Indian origin. He recalled his association with Prof. Bhagwati during his days in Cambridge University.
Presiding over the function, the Minister of State for External Affairs (Independent Charge), Shri Jagdish Tytler said that the Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Awards are conferred on prominent Overseas Indians who have fostered understanding of India and have worked for India’s causes and concerns and made significant contributions or services to the Diaspora. He added that Prof. Bhagwati is described as the most creative international trade theorist of his generation and is a leader in the fight for freer trade. His most recent book, ‘In Defense of Globalization’ (Oxford, 2004), and has attracted worldwide acclaim. He is recognized for his immense contribution to economic thought and for enhancing the understanding of India through his academic work.
Shri Tytler said that Indians are making great strides in their chosen fields all over the world and are being recognized for their contribution in various technological and science fields particularly medicine, information technology, entrepreneurship and social service. The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs is working out to be a single window service organisation to facilitate greater interaction with the people of Indian origin. He dispelled the notion that India is merely interested in their dollars, and said that we seek their contribution in terms of sharing their experiences in the progress and development of India.
In his acceptance speech Prof. Bhagwati said that Indians have been able to mark in the overseas mainly because of the two qualities which are intrinsic to India. One of these is secularism and the other is a good educational and cultural background. In a fundamentalist attitude we cannot concentrate on better things in life and your horizons remain limited, he added. He welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement for granting dual citizenship to overseas Indians, but suggested that people of Indian origin while seeking such citizenship should not merely think of their rights but should also bear certain obligations to India in return for dual citizenship.
A number of eminent personalities were present on the occasion.
AK/SK/VN
|
