(a) whether the Government has taken any initiative to engage with the Indian diaspora around the world including the Odia community;
(b) the details of programmes apart from the celebration of Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas that have been undertaken by the Government in this regard and;
(c) the programmes envisaged to be initiated by the Government in future for the Indian diaspora abroad?
MINISTER OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS General (Retd.) V.K. Singh
(a) to (c): Yes, Madam. Government have taken several initiatives for engaging the Indian Diaspora around the world. The major initiative is the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas, which is one of the largest diaspora engagements in the world. This Ministry does not organise programmes based on region, caste or creed. Besides Pravasi Bhartiya Divas, this Ministry organizes various other engagement programmes namely Regional Pravasi Bhartiya Divas, Know India Programme, Study India Programme, Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children, Tracing the Roots and issues Overseas Citizen of India(OCI) cards for eligible applicants from the Indian diaspora abroad irrespective of their region, caste or creed. In addition Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Awards are also given to distinguished NRIs/PIOs for excellence in various fields. The details of the programmes are enclosed as Annexure. New programmes for the Indian Diaspora abroad are formulated by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs from time to time taking into account the various needs for engaging the Indian Diaspora.