Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Modi: Overseas Indians are ‘role models for other immigrants’

The government is establishing procedures for making descendants of indentured labourers living in Fiji and other countries eligible for OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) cards, prime minister Narendra Modi said last Sunday (8).

“Starting with Mauritius, we are working to put in place procedures so that descendants of Girmitiyas could become eligible for OCI cards. We remain committed to addressing similar difficulties of PIOs (People of Indian Origin) in Fiji, the Reunion Islands, Suriname, Guyana and other Caribbean states,” he said in his address at the 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Bangalore.


Girmityas are descendants of indentured Indian labourers who were brought to Fiji to work on sugarcane plantations in the mid-1800s.

Modi also urged people to convert their PIO into OCI cards, reiterating the government’s decision to extend the deadline for these card conversions from December 31 last year to June 30, without any penalty.

“From January 1 this year, beginning with Delhi and Bangalore, we have set up special counters at immigration points for OCI cardholders. We want it to become a symbol of global migration, achievements and aspirations of the diaspora,” he said.

Observing there were over 30 million overseas Indians globally, he said they were not just respected for their numbers, but for the contributions they have made to the societies they live in.

“The NRIs and PIOs have made outstanding contributions to their chosen fields. They are role models for immigrants from other backgrounds and countries… They take our values and culture wherever they go. The Indian diaspora have contributed their best towards progress in their host country,” Modi said.

He added that the remittance of close to $69 billion (£57bn) annually by overseas Indians made an invaluable contribution to the Indian economy.

Talking about ‘brain drain’, Modi said his government was taking steps to convert that into “brain gain”.

“When people spoke of brain drain, it was believed that the brighter people went abroad seeking employment opportunities… but I was asking people that whoever are left behind in India, are they dumb? It is our endeavour to convert that brain drain into brain gain,” he said.

Modi also announced that the government was planning to launch a skill-development programme, Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojna, for Indian youth who seek employment overseas.

More For You

Uganda-high-commission-event

The event also focused on Uganda’s role in cultural diplomacy and sustainable development.

Uganda high commission hosts heritage event in London

THE UGANDA high commission in London hosted an event highlighting Uganda’s cultural heritage and investment opportunities at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Building. The event featured a performance by the Watoto Children’s Choir.

Uganda’s high commissioner to the UK, Nimisha J Madhvani, addressed the gathering, welcoming guests and speaking about the country’s cultural diversity.

Keep ReadingShow less
Maha-kumbh-pilgrims-reuters

Devotees arrive at the river bank to take a holy dip at Sangam during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, India on January 28, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)

India says 420 million pilgrims have visited Maha Kumbh

INDIA’s government announced on Friday that more than 420 million pilgrims have taken part in ritual bathing at the Maha Kumbh, a Hindu religious festival.

Organisers say the estimate is based on artificial intelligence and surveillance cameras used to track attendance.

Keep ReadingShow less
Bird-flu-Getty

There have been 27 confirmed cases of bird flu in England and one in Scotland during the current outbreak. (Representational image: Getty Images)

England bans 'bird gatherings' to contain avian flu spread

THE GOVERNMENT has announced a ban on "bird gatherings" in England as part of efforts to contain the spread of avian influenza.

The ban, which comes into effect from midday on Monday, will apply to fairs, markets, and shows involving various bird species.

Keep ReadingShow less
Matt-Jukes-Getty

Matt Jukes, the UK’s head of counterterrorism, has called for a social media ban for children under 16. (Photo: Getty Images)

Nine-year-old among youngest referred for far-right deradicalisation

A UK charity working to counter far-right radicalisation has seen children as young as nine referred for support.

Exit Hate UK, which helps individuals leave extremist movements, said its youngest-ever referral was nine years old, with the average age of those seeking help being about 15, according to The Times.

Keep ReadingShow less
Streeting hails India’s global role as Labour backs bilateral relations

Wes Streeting addresses the Republic Day reception at the Guildhall in London last Tuesday (28),joined by Sir Lindsay Hoyle and Vikram Doraiswami

Streeting hails India’s global role as Labour backs bilateral relations

WES STREETING spoke of the priority prime minister Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour government attach to relations with India when he addressed a Republic Day reception at the Guildhall in London last Tuesday (28).

But the secretary of state for health and social care won over the large Indian crowd by paying an unexpected tribute to Rishi Sunak.

Keep ReadingShow less