Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday dwelt upon the global recognition of Indian talent.

Modi, who inaugurated the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention in Bhubaneswar, asserted that India will remain the world’s youngest and most skilled population for decades, meeting global skill demands.

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Many countries now welcome skilled Indian youth, and the Indian government is committed to ensuring that Indians going abroad are highly skilled through continuous skilling, re-skilling, and up-skilling efforts, he highlighted.

“Pravasi Bharatiya Divas has become an institution to strengthen the bond between India and its diaspora”, he further added.

Together we celebrate India, Indianness, our culture and progress along with connecting to our roots, he said.

“It is India’s responsibility to assist the diaspora during crisis situations, reflecting a key principle of India’s foreign policy. Over the past decade, Indian embassies and offices worldwide have been sensitive and proactive”, he spoke on the occasion.

Recounting the previous experiences of people who had to travel long distances and wait for days to access consular facilities, Modi said that these issues were now being addressed, with fourteen new embassies and consulates opened in the last two years.

He added that the scope of OCI cards was being expanded to include Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) of the 7th generation from Mauritius and the 6th generation from Suriname, Martinique, and Guadeloupe.

Highlighting the significant history of the Indian diaspora worldwide, he heaped praise on their achievements in various countries as an important part of India’s heritage.

He urged that these interesting and inspiring stories should be shared, showcased, and preserved as part of our shared legacy and heritage.

Seeking the creation of a database to identify the villages and cities in India from where the people of Indian origins originated and the places they settled, he called for the documentation of their lives, how they turned challenges into opportunities, which could be showcased through films and documentaries.

The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of studying and researching the Girmitiya legacy, proposing the establishment of a university chair for this purpose. He also urged organizing regular World Girmitiya Conferences and directed his team to explore these possibilities and work towards advancing these initiatives.

The Prime Minister acknowledged the significant role of the Indian diaspora in India’s independence in 1947 and remarked that the diaspora continues to contribute to India’s growth, making India the world’s top recipient of remittances.

Modi highlighted the importance of the GIFT CITY ecosystem in meeting the financial services and investment needs of the diaspora and encouraged them to leverage its benefits to strengthen India’s journey towards development.

“Every effort by the diaspora contributes to India’s progress”, said Modi.

Emphasizing the potential of heritage tourism, stating that India is not limited to its major metro cities but also includes Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities and villages, which showcase India’s heritage, the Prime Minister urged the diaspora to connect the world with this heritage by visiting smaller towns and villages and sharing their experiences.

The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of spreading the true history of India in the countries where the diaspora resides. He noted that the current generation in these countries may not be aware of India’s prosperity, long period of subjugation, and struggles. He urged the diaspora to share India’s true history with the world.

Stressing on the significant role of the diaspora in making local Indian products global, Modi urged them to purchase “Made in India” food packets, clothes, and other items, either locally or online, and include these products in their kitchens, drawing rooms, and gifts. He remarked that this would be a substantial contribution towards building a developed India.

The Odisha, Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Manjhi, Union Ministers S. Jaishankar, Ashwini Vaishnaw, Pralhad Joshi, Dharmendra Pradhan, Jual Oram,and Union Ministers of State, Shobha Karandlaje, Kirti Vardhan Singh, Pabitra Margherita were present among other dignitaries graced the event.