Running gave me a second life: Fauja Singh

Marathon legend Fauja Singh runs with participant
 at Panchkula on Sunday. 

Panchkula, January 8

“Running has given me a second life,” said 100-year-old Fauja Singh, a veteran athlete, for whom athleticism is the only thing he knows, loves and prays. Here to flag off the 2nd Panchkula running and living marathon, including a cross-country half marathon (21.097 km), cross-country (10 km) and cross-country (5 km), the athlete was seen promoting sports among the youth.

“I was a zamindar before shifting my interest in athletics. All a person needs is to work hard and sincerely; diet and kits are exceptional things,” said Fauja Singh.

Adding further, “I have been to many places, including Lahore, during my early days. Even in England, people run not only for fun but to overcome their problems. Everyone should get themselves engaged in one activity or the other,” said Singh.

Fauja Singh was also seen narrating his experiences to the people surrounding him. Fauja further added, “My speed has gone slow due to my growing age. I am not facing any physical illness and all I want to see is young blood of the country fit.”

On the other hand, the athlete also feels a special attraction towards the City Beautiful. “I have been to many places, including abroad, the people here are as good as the city. I hope to see a big event been organised here,” said Fauja.

Earlier the veteran athlete completed a small round with the participants. A total of 150 participants participated in the run. The cross-country run started from a hotel in Panchkula and passed through trails along the Ghaggar.

“It was a great fun to participate in the run, however, the overall patch was not good, but somehow I managed to complete. My favourite patch for running is the area adjoining the Sukhna Lake,” said Stephen from South Africa, who is currently residing in Chandigarh.

Awards comprising T-shirts, water bottles, belts and other running gears were given to the first three finishers in each of the runs as well as to the first veteran finisher and first woman finisher.

PCA recommends disciplinary action against policemen

Lethargy and delay in case of forgery against PGI staffer

Chandigarh, January 8
The Police Complaints Authority (PCA) has recommended disciplinary action against police officers of the Sector-11 police station for their lethargy and delay as they sat on a complaint of forgery against a PGI employee for two years.

In its order, the PCA stated, “In view of the lethargic approach and inordinate delay in investigation, the SSP is requested to take disciplinary action against the police officers of the Sector-11 police station responsible for lethargy and delay.”

“It is a serious matter concerning a premier medical institute. The complaint deserves urgent, serious and fair investigation. Lots of evidence appeared to show, prima facie, that an order was never issued by the department, but was fraudulently created,” said Justice NK Aggarwal, Chairman, PCA.

As per the complaint filed by Surinder Chadha, his niece Priyanka allegedly committed forgery as PGI employee while applying for leave several times. The complaint stated that she applied for medical leave in January, 2009, but went to Canada without informing the employer.

As per the allegations, Priyanka allegedly forged an office order dated March 23, 2009, purported to have been issued by the PGI director, granting her earned leave for 30 days from April 24, 2009, to enable her to appear in the CAMRI examination in Canada.

The office order was shown to have been endorsed to Priyanka by the head of her department, the accounts branch. It was alleged that the document was fraudulent.

A police report was lodged by the chief security officer with the PGI. The complainant alleged that the police had not made any progress even after a report regarding forged signatures of the senior administrative officer with PGI was forwarded to the department of radio-diagnosis on October 21, 2009.

The PCA observed that the senior administrative officer with the PGI had written to the Under-Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, New Delhi, stating that Priyanka had applied for visa to Canada on a forged document, which was never issued by the office.

Father can’t be tried for abducting child

Chandigarh, January 8
In a significant judgment, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has made it clear that a father cannot be proceeded against for abducting his own child.

The development is significant as the police in this part of the region was registering cases against one of the parents in matrimonial disputes on the allegations of abducting his or her own child.

In a first, Justice Ranjit Singh said the father was the natural guardian and could not be dubbed as an abductor of his own progeny.

The ruling came on a petition filed by Aman Kumar against the State of Punjab and another respondent. He was seeking directions for quashing an FIR dated May 1, 2010, registered under Sections 363, 365, 506 and 34 of the IPC at the Sadar Police Station in Amritsar city.

In the FIR, the petitioner was accused of kidnapping the younger son by his wife from her lawful custody.

The petitioner had approached the high court for quashing of the FIR on the ground that being a father, he cannot be accused of abducting his own son.

As the case came up for hearing, the petitioner and his wife confirmed that the dispute or differences between them had been resolved and they were now living together happily along with their children.

Justice Ranjit Singh ruled: "It is rather good to see that the couple has shown some sense and have decided to reconstruct their marriage by removing their differences. This will be good for young children as well, who need love and affection of both the parents."

"Since the parties have decided to stay together, they need to be encouraged. The FIR, which has, otherwise, been lodged against the petitioner, would also not reveal any offence, as the petitioner being natural guardian of the child could not be accused of abducting his own child," the court observed.

"The case is made out for quashing the FIR on the ground that no offence is revealed from the allegation made in the FIR and also on the basis of the compromise…. The present petition is allowed. The FIR dated May 1, 2010, and all subsequent proceedings arising there from are hereby quashed," the HC said.

Raninder urges deras to support Cong

Patiala, January 8

Unfazed by the decision of his uncle Malvinder Singh to join the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Congress candidate from Samana Raninder Singh Tikku today said the Akali Dal is heading for a defeat in Samana.

Without commenting on Malvinder, Raninder said that considering the 'good performance' of the Congress, he has been receiving support from various quarters of the constituency. "The Congress certainly has an edge, on account of the poor performance of the SAD-BJP alliance government, but still I am fully prepared for the electoral battle in Samana", he said, while adding that "Ladai de akhare wich, takkar barabar di hundi hai" (I take it this way that in a poll battle, it would be an evenly poised battle).

Speaking to mediapersons, Raninder said that he would open two election offices in Samana on Monday and an aggressive election campaign would be started in the entire constituency.

Raninder further said that to chalk out the strategy for the impressive election campaign, he has convened a meeting with the Congress leaders of all the villages of his constituency, today. Refuting charges of his opponents that he was new to the constituency, Raninder said, "My family has nurtured the constituency from more than past two decades. My father Capt Amarinder Singh was an MLA in 1992 from Samana. My mother Preneet Kaur is representing Patiala Parliamentary Constituency since 1999."

Asked about the Dera Sacha Sauda followers vote in his constituency, he said that being the nominee of a secular party, he has appealed to all the deras and sects to vote for the Congress for the overall development of the state. "There is complete 'gundaraaj' in Punjab with Badal's unleashing reign of terror against the Congress workers and leaders. I am sure, the people of the Punjab would teach Akali's a lesson by voting the SAD-BJP alliance out of power in the elections", he said, while adding that the Congress would register victory in the elections with a comfortable margin.

Manpreet to contest from Maur too

Bathinda, January 8

Anticipating a tightrope walk in Gidderbaha due to recent political alignments, PPP chief Manpreet Singh Badal has decided to contest elections from the newly carved out Maur segment in Bathinda district as well.

Earlier, he had announced Sukhpal Singh Bhullar, an award winning farmer, as his party candidate from Maur. Manpreet said he would file his papers from both the constituencies tomorrow. He said he would not take a convoy of vehicles at the time of filing the nomination. “Only some family members and a few legal experts will go to the office of the returning officer,” he said, adding, “I have told my supporters to keep it a simple affair and not to create problems for people in the urban areas”.

His decision to contest the election from Maur as well indicates that he is trying to play safe following a revolt in the Congress whose dominant section has announced to support the ruling SAD.

He said the decision should not be seen as his weakness but he had to do so because “the SAD and the Congress will adopt all sorts of tactics to defeat me. My victory would mean the political end of the SAD”.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal will file his nomination papers on January 10. However, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh will file his nomination papers tomorrow.

NO PPP RALLY AT MAGHI MELA Even as most parties will hold their political rallies at Maghi mela in Muktsar on Jaunary 14, the PPP has decided otherwise. PPP chief Manpreet Singh Badal has said, “Instead, we have planned to hold a political conference, which will be named after Basant festival, at Muktsar on January 22," he said. “It is our policy decision not to hold political conferences at religious functions. Political conferences often create problems on such occasions,” Manpreet added.

Malvinder: Will fight from Samana if asked

Chandigarh, January 8

Pradesh Congress chief’s brother Malvinder Singh today said he was ready to contest from Samana against his nephew Raninder Singh if asked to do so by the SAD.

Malvinder, who visited Samana today, said he had not asked the SAD for the party ticket. “In fact, Badal Sahab (CM Parkash Singh Badal) offered me two seats, but I did not accept the offer”. He was now open to contesting from Samana if the SAD offered him the ticket, he said.

A rather bitter Malvinder said he had decided so because his nephew Raninder had not kept the ‘rehat maryada’ and his sister-in-law had effectively blocked the party ticket to him from the Patiala parliamentary constituency.

Malvinder maintained he held a special place in the hearts of the common man and the people of Samana. “I managed the affairs in Samana for five years when my brother (Capt Amarinder Singh) was Chief Minister and can confidently say that I did not allow any injustice to take place. I am respected because of this”, he claimed, adding his flock was waiting for his “hukum”.

Getting into the battle mode, Malvinder has decided to target Preneet Kaur’s prime supporters. He said his first priority would be to ensure the defeat of Congress candidate from Rajpura Hardyal Singh Kamboj, who was primarily responsible for resisting his candidature from Patiala Rural or Samana. Kamboj, a Preneet confidant, has a rural base in Patiala district.

Malvinder said Raninder should have followed the ‘rehat maryada’ and come to him to discuss his candidature. “I would have readily given up my claim”, he said. “Raninder is acting like a child claiming he was ignorant that his mother had applied for a ticket for him.”

Malvinder has only good things to say about his brother, who supported his candidature.

Patiala: Putting an end to all speculations about the possibility of contesting the elections from Samana, Malvinder Singh today canvassed for former MLA and SAD Samana candidate Surjit Singh Rakhra urging the electorate to vote for the SAD. Keeping his words of not speaking anything against his brother at any platform, Malvinder did not utter anything against Capt Amarinder Singh.

Malvinder, who drove in his personal car from Patiala, was accompanied by Rakhra, who sat besides him and both were seen arriving and going back together from the two venues where they had addressed supporters in Samana. However, today’s happenings ended the speculations of a triangular contest between the scions of the royal family and Rakhra.

Addressing supporters at Samana town, where Rakhra opened his first election office near the bus stand, Malvinder said he would expose the Congress working and urged everyone to vote for the SAD and their candidates. 

Amarinder’s brother exits Congress to join SAD

Chandigarh, January 7
Malwinder Singh, the younger brother of Capt Amarinder Singh, today bid farewell to the Congress and joined the Shiromani Akali Dal after being denied the party ticket from Samana.

Welcoming him into the SAD fold, beaming party president Sukhbir Singh Badal took potshots at the Congress, “The move is going to work like an atom bomb and ruin the dreams of the Congress of coming to power.”

Malwinder said he was joining the SAD unconditionally but would not contest the election. He would, however, canvass against the Congress in the state.

Malwinder’s switch-over has come as a big setback for the Congress and is, perhaps, aimed more at causing a dramatic effect than denting the Congress vote bank. Though the move by Sukhbir to make Malwinder cross over to his party speaks highly of Sukhbir’s ability as a political fighter, Malwinder’s exit from the Congress will not mean much in practical terms as he is considered a political lightweight.

The Samana seat that was denied to Malwinder has been given to Capt Amarinder Singh’s son, Raninder Singh. The SAD has already fielded Surjit Singh Rakhra on this seat.

The political scene in Punjab after the announcement of the Assembly elections has seen some unexpected events. First, the People’s Party of Punjab (PPP) suffered a big jolt when its founding members quit to join the Congress.

Then, SAD patron Parkash Singh Badal agreed to be pitched against his brother in Lambi.

Now, Malwinder, a classmate of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and a friend of AICC president Sonia Gandhi, has switched sides. Without naming the persons responsible for denying him a ticket, Malwinder announced that he was ending his 35-year-old association with the Congress as “the party is no longer what it used to be.

The entire value system in the Congress has changed”.

He, however, made it clear that he would not speak against his brother or any person, but would oppose the Congress and support the SAD.

Malwinder had been allotted the Samana ticket in 2007, but he claimed that he withdrew from the contest on the assurance that he would get the Patiala seat in 2011. However, after the delimitation process, he opted to reclaim Samana.

Malwinder has claimed that after he left the Army in 1975, he had been nurturing Samana and Chatrana constituencies. But he has been denied the party ticket repeatedly due to opposition from vested interests.

“I was a candidate for Samana before Raninder. His candidature was filled by his mother (Preneet Kaur) later,” he said without elaborating further.

“I am not contesting from anywhere. I am not here to look for a seat but I am here (SAD) on the issue of principles. I will campaign for the SAD and do it in favour of the SAD candidate in Samana too”.

Politically speaking, the exit of Malwinder from the Congress to join the SAD will cause lesser damage to the Congress than if he had decided to contest from Samana as an Independent.

In Punjab, some varsities & colleges only on paper

Chandigarh, January 8

With nearly three weeks left for polling, the ruling SAD-BJP government in Punjab appears to be claiming credit for some public initiatives it never took.

If one goes by the recent advertisements that have appeared in the leading dallies, the state government claims to have set up four new universities and 17 new colleges in its five-year tenure. However, records of the University Grants Commission (UGC) reveal a contradictory picture.

No new state university has been set up in the state since 2006, say the records. Only 13 new colleges have opened so far and that too under the Union Government’s scheme for expansion of higher education.

Under this scheme, the UGC has so far established 374 colleges countrywide, including these 13 set up in the educationally backward districts of Mansa, Nawanshahr, Ferozepur, Amritsar, Sangrur, Gurdaspur, Muktsar, Moga, Faridkot, Bathinda, Fatehgarh, Sahib, Patiala and Kapurthala.

These 13 colleges are constituents of Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjabi University, Patiala, and Panjab University, Chandigarh.

As per the scheme, the UGC provided Central assistance to the tune of one-third of the total capital cost with ceiling of Rs 2.67 crore per college. The balance, if any, was to be paid by the state government, besides the recurring costs (salaries and wages) of running these colleges.

Unfortunately, the state, which has been too quick to claim the credit, is yet to give its share of the recurring costs to the tune of Rs 1.5 crore per year to the colleges, which are already functional and are being run by the respective university funds.

According to senior officials of the Education Department, the sanction for salary component worth 75 lakh per college has been granted almost two months ago but they failed to explain the reason for delay in release of funds.

Interestingly, the UGC withdrew its approval and funds from two colleges, one at Guru Har Sahai and the other at Verka (Amritsar), as these colleges were built in the previous financial plan but the government had represented them as “new”.

The college at Guru Har Sahai is already operational and the Punjab Government has not given a single penny for it so far. This issue was raised in the last Senate meeting of the Panjab University where Vice Chancellor RC Sobti informed that the state government had verbally promised to ‘adopt’ the college if University Grants Commission funds didn’t come through.

However, nothing happened after that and the matter continues to hang fire.

When asked Punjab Education Minister Sewa Singh Sekwan failed to give the government’s side of story and evaded all queries on pretext of being busy with elections.

Education Secretary Husan Lal also refused to comment.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s media advisor Harcharan Bains too ducked the queries and passed the buck on to the Chief Minister’s press secretary, Opinder Singh Lamba.

Lamba claimed that apart from 13 colleges, the government had set up “four private universities” — Chitkara University, Banur, Guru Kaashi University, Talwandi Sabo, Dayanand Anglo Vedic University, Jalandhar and Central University, Bathinda.

And surprisingly, while the government is claiming credit for setting up the Chitkara and Guru Kaashi Universities, these campuses of these institutions were in fact built several years ago.

The Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party government, during its tenure, has just recognised these two institutions as universities.

Regarding the Dayanand Anglo Vedic University, the government did give the necessary approvals but the initiative is entirely of the DAV management.

“It’s our endeavour. We bought the land two years ago and the construction is being done with our own finances,” said Satish Sharma, Director colleges, DAV management.

The Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, was established through the Central Universities Act 2009 and is again the Union Government’s initiative. 

India must fully tap investment potential of NRIs, PIOs: Pranab

JAIPUR: Citing example of China, finance minister Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday said that India too needs to fully tap the investment potential of NRIs and their entrepreneurial skills and promote inclusive growth. 

"We have not yet reaped the full benefits of India's great diaspora. The most obvious area remains that of investment and entrepreneurship. For instance, in China a large chunk of foreign direct investment has come from overseas Chinese," he said, while addressing the 10thPravasi Bhartiya Divas in Jaipur. 

Though there have been "large ticket investments" by NRIs and PIOs, he said, "it is far less than the potential and perhaps too concentrated on the formal sector. Rather, we must pursue an alternative model. One that is more balanced and holistic in a socio-economic sense". 

Overseas Indians, he said, should increase their contribution in social and economic areas like education, healthcare, and skill development and supplement the efforts of the government to promote inclusive growth. Mukherjee made these remarks while addressing a gathering of about 1,900 Non-Resident Indians and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs). 

The non-resident Chinese have been playing a major role in the development of China and invest substantial in the domestic economy. 

Indian government, Mukherjee said, has been trying to improve the access of the poor and the vulnerable to vital public services by creating entitlements backed by limited legal guarantees which include the right to information, the right to work in rural areas and the right to education. 

Efforts, he added, were made to put in place right to food law which would ensure subsidised foodgrain for the poor population. 

Mukherjee said India does not require just financial contributions from its diaspora, but dedication of time, ideas and endeavour. 

On the economy, he said that though the year 2011 has been "an eventful one", India's achievements over the last few years have been commendable. 

"Though we have witnessed ups and downs, this period has transformed our country and catapulted it into the centre stage in the world...We are widely recognised as a major driver of global growth," he said. India is a member of the G20 and, within the G20, it is considered a part of the systemically most important 7. On the issue of brain drain, the Finance Minister said "the movement of the diaspora is no longer unidirectional as it was in the past. What started as a brain drain, has now become a brain gain, not just for India but the world as a whole". 

Today mobile Indian professionals and entrepreneurs, Mukherjee said are contributing across the global economy and enhancing its resilience in these troubled times. 

"Many have also returned to the home turf and are engaged in its socio-economic fabric. Still others have set up enterprises or professional relations that span national boundaries," he added. The entrepreneurial skills of the Indian business community settled abroad are a matter of envy for other nations, he said. 

Foreign firms are increasingly aware of the sharp business acumen of the Indian entrepreneur and managers. "They have come to respect our business houses and practices," Mukherjee said.

NRIs will get right to vote in Indian elections, promises Manmohan Singh

JAIPUR: Fulfilling a long-standing demand of its diaspora, India on Sunday said it would allowNRIs to vote and participate in the election process. 

"Pursuant to the law that was enacted to enable Non-resident Indians to vote in our national elections, the government has issued notifications for registration of overseas electors under the Representation of People Act, 1950," Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said. 

"This constitutes the first major step to enable Indian residents abroad to participate in our election process," the prime minister said while addressing the annual Pravasi Bharatiya Divasdiaspora meet here. 

He said the diaspora plays an important role in the growth and development of the country. The government recognises it, and was committed to address their concerns and fulfil their demands. 

"The government and people of India recognise and value the important role being played by Indian communities living abroad. We believe that Indian diaspora has much more to contribute to the building of modern India," the prime minister said. 

"We propose to facilitate, encourage and promote this engagement. Over the past year, we have taken a number of steps towards this end," he added, as he formally inaugurated the 10th annual diaspora meet, the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) here. 

Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi said NRIs would be able to exercise their franchise in upcoming elections. 

"Indian nationals living abroad can now exercise their franchise in India at the time o f the elections," Ravi said. 

Now those NRIs who have registered with the embassies of their respective countries of stay, would be eligible to vote in the upcoming assembly elections in five states including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur. Polls will take place in these countries between Jan 28 and March 3. 

Ravi said objective of the government was to further increase engagements with diaspora. "Our objective is to raise the level of engagement to go beyond mere investment related issues and address a broader agenda." 

"We believe that this will provide the vast majority of you the opportunity to benefit from as well as contribute - each in your own way - to India's development story," the minister said. 

Later talking to media person, Ravi said this year's Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is the largest congregation of Indian diaspora. 

He said almost 1,900 delegates from around 60 countries were participating in the three-day event. 

PM addresses Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas

JAIPUR: There was chaos on day 2 of the 10th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh addressed the meet here. 

Former West Indies cricketer Brian Lara, who was part of the delegation led by the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Kamla Prasad Bissessar, was asked to sit in a separate room with TV installed with other members. Later the officials from the ministry of overseas Indian affairs came and took them to main hall. 

Several NRIs were miffed with the organizers as the main hall of Birla Auditorium, which has seating a seating capacity of 1350 people and around 1550 delegates had reached venue to attend the inaugural session. 

The event was chock-a-block by early Sunday morning and many VIP, including, VS Vyas, member of PM economic advisory council and deputy chairman of state planning commission were denied entry. 

Speaking at the meet, Singh called for more contribution from NRIs towards the growth of India and said the government would extend all help to NRIs for this. 

"The government and people of India greatly recognise and greatly value the important role being played by Indian communities living abroad. The Indian diaspora has much more to contribute towards the building of modern India. We propose to facilitate, encourage and promote this engagement," prime minister said. 

Singh further said that amendments have been introduced in the citizenship act to give recognition to the spouses of NRIs abroad. "In the last parliament session, we introduced a bill intended to merge and streamline people of Indian origin and overseas citizens of India scheme by amending the citizenship act. 

"This will rectify some of the anomalies in this scheme and provide for an overseas Indian card which will be given to the spouses of such Indians," he said. 

On Saturday, and a special pension and life insurance scheme was announced that would benefit over 5 million unskilled and semi-skilled workers employed overseas mostly in Gulf countries on temporary contract visas. 

Around 1,500 NRIs from 65 countries are attending the three-day annual conference that aims at attracting overseas Indians to contribute in their ways for the development of the nation. 

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived here on Saturday evening by a special aircraft and was received by Governor Shivraj Patil, chief minister Ashok Gehlot and Union minister Vayalar Ravi at Sanganer airport. 

PM to inaugurate 10th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas today

The venue of the three-day-long 10th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, Birla Auditorium, on Saturday turned into a miniature India as over 1,300 NRIs from about five dozen countries mingled with each other on a sunny day.

The conference, which would formally be inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday, has given them opportunity to find their roots in the country and also to think to pay back by setting up industries and investments in other areas, including infrastructure.

Rajasthan Government, Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), and Union Ministry for Overseas Indian Affairs, the joint host of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, had left no stone unturned to give a red carpet welcome to the people of Indian origin. Other than historical monuments, all the Government buildings have been illuminated tastefully. The entire Pink City has turned into a festive mood as NRIs thronged the markets for shopping.

As there were only two seminars on Saturday — one on “Management of water for future” and “Solar energy: investment and R D”, most of the delegated visited tourist spots like Amer Fort, Jantar Mantar, City Place and other sites.

Vayalar Ravi, Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs, laid the foundation stone of the proposed Pravasi Bhawan at Situpura industrial area on the outskirts of the capital. The largest team of NRIs, nearly 200, has come from Malaysia. Harvinder Singh, a third generation Malaysian, has come here with his son. Other than visiting Golden Temple at Amritsar, he is here to explore the possibilities of investing in renewable energy sector.

“Before coming here I had gone through Rajasthan Government’s policy for wind and solar energy as western part of the State is ideal for generating pollution-free power,” he told The Pioneer.

Ashok Bhat, originally belong to Dungarpur and engaged in real estate business in California, for the past three decades, said “As two thermal power plants and one atomic energy plant is coming up in Dungarpur and Banswara area, if the State Government comes out with right kind of approach this could become the industrial hub of the State since these areas are close to Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.

Bhat has submitted a proposal to the State Government to have an industrial park, which would help in attracting investment. He has the plan to visit Nathdwara Temple near Udaipur before returning to California.

Harvinder Singh and Bhat are not the only ones who are interested in investing here as they feel India is emerging as big economic power.

10th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas off to a vibrant start in Jaipur

 Artists perform Rajasthani folk dance at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas-2012 conclave outside the B.M. Birla Auditorium in Jaipur on Saturday. 

Theme of this year's convention is ‘Global Indian: Inclusive Growth'

The 10th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas conclave got off to a flying start here on Saturday with a colourful display, depicting the rich and vibrant Rajasthani culture, followed by half-a-dozen parallel brainstorming sessions convened on subjects such as water management, solar energy, health care, tourism and tapping the potential of youth.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will formally inaugurate the prestigious annual event with his address at the main venue, the B.M. Birla Auditorium, on Sunday. The chief guest, Indian-origin Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Kamla Persad Bissessar, arrived here on Saturday.

The theme of this year's three-day convention is “Global Indian: Inclusive Growth.” Over 10 Union Ministers as well as Chief Ministers of six States are scheduled to address the delegates on different aspects of the country's development process.

Among those taking part in this flagship event will be about 1,500 NRIs and persons of Indian origin from 54 countries, leading businessmen, industrial magnates, government functionaries and young entrepreneurs.

Ms. Bissessar met acting Rajasthan Governor Shivraj Patil and Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot here. Mr. Patil apprised her of the desert State's cultural heritage and the rapid strides being made in the modern scientific and industrial realms.

The Trinidad and Tobago Premier asked Mr. Gehlot to consider teaming up for a proposed oil refinery here, while pointing out that oil and natural gas production comprised 40 per cent of the gross domestic product of her country. Ms. Bissessar said her country had 100 years of experience in this sector.

Mr. Gehlot later told journalists that the State government would not expect huge investments from the event's participants, but would like to enhance interaction with the diaspora and seek their suggestions for giving a suitable direction to development: “This [event] would enable NRIs from all walks of life to come and see what is happening in their country.”

The Prime Minister is scheduled to interact with the State Council of Ministers for an hour at the Raj Bhavan here after inaugurating the conclave. Mr. Gehlot and his Cabinet colleagues are expected to apprise Dr. Singh of the State government's performance and difficulties over the past three years.

Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi inaugurated the Protector of Emigrants (POE) office at Sitapura on the outskirts of Jaipur. He said the ninth POE office established in the country would render assistance to the large number of people from the State who went abroad for jobs, particularly to the Middle East. The new office would do away with the need for prospective emigrants to travel to Delhi for emigration clearance, while the registered recruiting agents could file their applications online.

Addressing a seminar ‘Solar energy: Investment and R&D,' Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah said the sector could help preserve the global ecological balance. He emphasised the need for increased efficiency and better technology for harnessing the true potential of solar energy. The national diaspora could consider making investments for generating capacity and R&D, Mr. Abdullah said.

Speaking at a seminar ‘Health and wellness: Partnering with the diaspora,' Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said the share of healthcare in the GDP should be enhanced from the present 1 per cent to 2.5 per cent. The Centre was considering allowing medical practitioners having post-graduate degrees from the United States, Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand to practise in India, Mr. Azad said.

President Pratibha Patil will address the closing ceremony of the conclave on Monday and give away awards to NRIs and PIOs in recognition of their achievements in different fields.

The three-day event has been jointly organised by the Overseas Indian Affairs Ministry, the Confederation of Indian Industry and the State government.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas kicks off

he Indian-origin Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, will be the chief guest at the 10th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, which kicked off in the pink city Saturday. President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and many Union ministers and chief ministers will address more than 1,500 delegates from 24 countries. The diaspora community will discuss the means and ways for how they can “contribute to the inclusive growth of the country” during the three-day annual event in Jaipur. This year’s conference will also deliberate on the ways to engage the young diaspora community in the country’s growth and also creating awareness among them about the rich and diverse culture of India. The event in the previous years had created a platform for the government to inform the diaspora community about its new initiatives for them and the investment opportunities in the country. The diaspora community would get a chance to raise their problems before the government. Union minister of overseas Indian affairs Vayalar Ravi said that the annual event organised by his ministry was crucial for the government to take action on NRIs’ voting rights and providing life-long visas for the persons of Indian origins (PIOs). He expressed his hope that many new initiatives would emerge after the Jaipur PBD. Connecting NRIs and PIOs with the panchayati raj would get priority among the new initiatives of his ministry, Mr Ravi said. “NRIs and PIOs will be naturally close to their villages. The government will encourage them to adopt a school or a hospital in their villages,” Mr Ravi said. Mr Ravi, however, said seeking investment was not his ministry’s job. The chief ministers who are going to address the delegates can invite investment in their respective states, he said. More than 10 chief ministers, including Gujarat’s Narendra Modi and Kerala’s Oommen Chandy, will be present at the event. President Patil will confer awards on NRIs and PIOs who have excelled in various fields during the closing ceremony of the event on Monday.