President Pranab Mukherjee has called upon the Indian Diaspora to take part in programmes like GIAN — Global Initiative of Academic Networks — under which NRIs can visit India for short-term academic assignments with institutions of higher learning, including IITs and IIMs.

Delivering his valedictory address at 14th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, he said the Diaspora can also make use of the fellowships and scholarship programmes offered by the Department of Science and Technology and Biotechnology, to explore avenues for joint research and development.

“We have a young population which needs to be equipped with professional and technical education of the highest standards. By taking part in such collaborations, our institutions, entrepreneurs and innovators can enrich our education sector and skilling efforts,” he added.

Similarly for Diaspora, the President said, the opportunities for contributing to India and being a part of its exciting growth story are many and varied. “Be it ‘Make in India’, ‘Start up India’, ‘Digital India’ or ‘Swachh India’; all these programmes provide ample opportunities for you to participate, contribute and benefit,” he added.

The President said, “As far as the vulnerabilities of expat Indians are concerned, I would also like to flag the concerns of women in India marrying into NRI families.

“Even as the government and its agencies deal with this issue, the concerns of this particular section can be most effectively addressed by the local Community Organisations. I take this opportunity to call upon the Indian Community Organisations abroad – many of whom have been awarded today, to continue complementing the government’s efforts by working in tandem.”

Praising the achievements of the Diaspora, the President said “I want to draw attention towards several NRIs who are temporary migrants in the Gulf region and South-East Asia. They are Indian citizens who migrate for employment as low-skilled and semi-skilled labour. They toil hard day and night, and save to send the fruits of their labour as remittances to India, to maintain their families back home. These remittances are the largest by any Diaspora, at 12 per cent of the total global remittances, amounting to $69 billion in 2015.”

The President also lauded the government’s efforts in helping Indians living in strife-torn areas.

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