Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas

Introduction:

Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas is organized every year from 7 to 9 January. 9 January marks the return of Mahatama Gandhi in india from South Africa (January9, 1915). Special programmes are organized to recognize the contributions of NRI/PIO individuals of exceptional merit, felicitate NRI/PIO individuals who have made outstanding contribution in selected field/profession are decorated by Pravasi Bhartiya Samman. This event provides a forum to discuss issues and concerns that people of the Diaspora.
Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas is a brainchild of Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The first event was organized in 2003 and every year it is sponsored by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs and the FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry).

Some Notes from Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas 2010:
Indians Living Abroad should accept Tax Obligations:

Distinguished Global Indian Oration Series - 'The Role of the Diaspora' was a oration delivered by Prof. Jagdeesh Bhagwati , eminent economist and professor of Columbia University:

Indians living abroad and holding dual citizenship should accept tax obligations from their mother country just as they seek and often get many privileges and benefits that go to Indians living and working at home .

Prof. Bhagwati rightly pointed out that along with the improved rights, the diaspora needs to recognise obligations as well. Because the Indians living abroad seek privileges that go to Indians living here, they should accept tax obligations as well. Citizenship and its benefits must be associated with tax obligations.
Bhagwati Tax:
Tobin Tax is a small tax collected in US on capital inflows is associated with the name of Professor James Tobin and Prof Bhagawti advocates for a Bhagwati tax in the same line.

Investment Bonds for NRI / PIO:
Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi proposes launching Investment Bonds for NRI/PIOs to facilitate their investment in infrastructure projects in India. The proposal comes as India needs 430 billion dollar investment in infrastructure for ports, roads, energy and other sectors and expatriate Indians could play a crucial role in their development through these bonds.
On Voting Rights:
Overseas Indians are likely to get voting rights on their motherland by the next general elections. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh calls Pravasis to join active politics of the country.

Emigration Management Bill, 2009
Emigration Management Bill, 2009 is a new proposed legislation, which seeks to replace the Emigration Act, 1983 and make emigration a simple, transparent and efficient economic process, facilitate legal migration and ''enhance'' protection and welfare of workers , as per Veerappa Moily, Law and Justice Minister.

The problems of Indian workers abroad include mistreatment, confiscation of passports and irregular salary payments besides such hazards as illegal migration and human trafficking. Besides there is a need to ease investments by ''overseas Indians'' and protect Indian workers abroad against mistreatment.
Emigration Management Bill, 2009 seeks to replace the Emigration Act, 1983.

Pravasi Bhartiya Samman:
President Pratibha Patil confers the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award to 14 distinguished members of the Indian Diaspora for their achievements in life and contribution to the welfare of the Indian community and enhancing India's image overseas.

1. Mohinder Singh Bhullar : He is a successful businessman in Brunei Darussalam, is instrumental in the formation of the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Brunei Darussalam. He has assisted the Indian community in that Southeast Asian nation and has acted as a bridge between India and Brunei Darussalam.
2. Yanktesh Piramal Reddy : He is an Indian origin businessman in Fiji, has promoted tourism to India in a big way from the entire south Pacific region. He has also worked relentlessly for the protection of the interests of the Indian community in Fiji.
3. Ryuko Hira : He a successful Indian entrepreneur in Japan, is the director of the prestigious Japan-India Association. A leading philanthropist, he has supported several projects for the underprivileged in India. He has also sponsored and supported the translation and publication of the Mahabharata, Vedas, Upanishads and books on Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism into Japanese.
4. Dr. Ruby Umesh Pawankar: She has focused on the furtherance of India-Japan medical collaboration for a number of years. Recognized in Japan and worldwide for her outstanding contributions to science, she is the first Indian and first woman to be nominated as president of World Allergy Organization.
5. Suresh Kumar Virmani: He is a successful engineer, entrepreneur and businessman, is a founder member of the Indian Cultural Association in Oman. He has worked relentlessly for the welfare of the expatriate Indian community in Oman and has helped establish a number of Indian schools in Oman.
6. Pravin Jamnadas Gordhan: He is finance minister of South Africa, has distinguished himself as commissioner of the South African Revenue Service. He was a political activist who took active part in the anti-apartheid movement of that country, organizing and leading student movements.
7. Tholisah Perumal Naidoo: He is a publisher, journalist and founder of the Indian Academy of South Africa in Durban. He has been promoting Indian culture in South Africa for the past 25 years organising regular events like the Tyagaraja Music Festival and Festival of India and introducing the Nataraja Golden Peacock Award for Indian classical dances there.
8. Rajni Kanabar : She is a philanthropist who initiated the Tanzania Heart Babies project wherein Tanzanian children suffering from congenital heart defects are sent to India for open heart surgeries. Over 1,300 surgeries were performed in the last 27 years with the support of the Indian High Commission in Tanzania, Air India and Narayana Hrudayalaya in Bangalore.
9. Deepak Mittal: Mr. Mittal is an industrialist and financial expert, has successfully set up and operated many large state-of-the-art Indian joint ventures in Thailand. His efforts led to expanded trade between India and Thailand. He has also been involved in charity and social activities for the welfare of people in Thailand including the Indian community.
10. Lenny Krishendath Saith: He is minister in the Prime Minister's Office in Trinidad & Tobago. A strong advocate of bilateral ties between India and Trinidad & Tobago, he has consistently promoted the cause of the Indian diaspora in that Caribbean nation.
11. Dr. Azad Moopen: He is a physician turned entrepreneur who manages one of the largest healthcare networks in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. His group conducts free health camps for Indian labourers in remote locations in the GCC countries. He has also worked for the welfare of the Indian community in the United Arab Emirates.
12. Mani Lal Bhaumik: He is a scientist, author, educator and philanthropist whose books and lectures at prestigious institutions has significantly contributed towards a better understanding of the cultural and spiritual heritage of India. He sponsors an annual award for Indian children in California who excel in science and mathematics and has worked for the welfare of the Indian community in the US.
13. Ashok Kumar Mago : He has worked actively for the promotion of Indo-US political and economic ties through his association with a variety of boards and commissions in the past. He is chairman of the Indo-American Political Forum in Dallas, which seeks to educate youngsters to participate in the political process.

NRI Zone:
A non-resident Indian from Riyadh, Syed Zia-ur-Rahman, chief executive officer of Yahind.com requests the government to create a non-resident Indian zone which could act as a magnet for overseas investments in various sectors.