The Vice-President Hamid Ansari on Friday maintained that remittances made by the Non-resident Indians (NRIs) form an important element in country's balance of payments.
Speaking at the Pravasi Bharatiya Awards Ceremony at Mahatma Mandir here, the Vice-President maintained that recent policy measures towards liberalising the economy by the BJP-led NDA Government would further galvanise the involvement of the overseas Indians.
"The continuing liberalisation of the Indian economy, and the most recent policy initiatives taken or proposed by the Government, are expected to galvanise the involvement of the Overseas Indians in the many fields of economic activity," he said during his address at the Valedictory Function of the 13th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2015.
"The more affluent segments of the NRI groups are increasingly a source of investments in diverse fields including information technology, healthcare, energy, mineral resources, retail, hospitality, gems & jewellery among others," he said.
The 15 award winner NRIs included Microsoft CEO Satyanarayan Nadella and Guyana President Donald Rabindernauth Ramaotar and Mahendra Nanji Mehta, a Uganda-based businessman among others.
The awards are conferred on Non-Resident Indians and on Persons of Indian Origin, or on organizations and institutions established by them, who have made significant contributions in any of a set of eight fields in which they have through their individual contributions brought name and fame to India and Indians, a statement by Ministry of External Affairs said.
At the Valedictory Session, the Union External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj mentioned that The Diaspora comprising of the NRIs and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) "is close to Prime Minister Modi-ji’s heart. Where-ever he has gone, he has made a passionate appeal to NRIs and PIOs to be partners in India’s ongoing journey of development and national resurgence."
Cutting across continents and countries, from America to Africa and from Australia to Argentina, persons of Indian origin and NRIs are making their presence felt in countless ways, big and small.
"The event saw the largest-ever registrations of around 4,000 delegates for PBD 2015. All the sessions were house-full and there were several interactive sessions held for the first time. The event was very successful," Syed Akbaruddin, MEA Spokesperson told media persons here.