The Hindu : They are happy to be back home

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 11, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

They are happy to be back home

NEW DELHI, JAN. 10 . India's extended family is here and the legendary hospitality is in full show. And for the Pravasi Bharatiyas, it doesn't matter when they left or when they may visit again, right now they are happy to be walking the red carpet and just being "back home''.

"It is great to be here in India. I have learnt so much about our culture and country by being here for this divas. It has been a learning experience to help in organising this event,'' said Rajinesh Singh from Fiji, a third generation Indian on his first visit.

Alive with activity and confusion, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has certainly tried to create the perfect ambience for a "Pravasi Divas'' at Vigyan Bhawan here with stalls displaying the cultural richness of different Indian States, the delicacies served at mealtimes and the blaring Indian music. The exhibits also include a display of over 100 stamps taken out by other countries on India from the personal collection of Madhukar Jhingan. "There is so much happening here at the same time! The sessions are very interesting and I am really enjoying myself,'' said a delegate.

The morning session "Indian and the Diaspora: Vision 2020'' with Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, received much appreciation with most delegates attending the session. "We were very impressed with what he had to say. He spoke about the pride of India, democracy, human rights and on many other subjects. The sessions have been very informative,'' said Justice Ahmed Mossa Ebrahim from Zimbabwe.

Sentiments apart, there were many who saw this as a perfect opportunity for building contacts. "I think this is the right time for us to network. We not only get to meet people settled here but also interact with India's large diaspora,'' said businessman P. Mohamed Ali from Oman, managing director of Galfar Ltd.

Interestingly, the spiritual and religious elements of India were also present at Vigyan Bhawan with representatives from the Eskon Trust and Art of Living. The former however, got into some trouble with delegates as their persuasive collection of donations did not go down well with the delegates.

Also, while most delegates praised the sessions, they also commented on the level of confusion. "No one seems to know what is happening because there is too much going on! The sessions are interesting but I wish they had tried to focus on a specific theme,'' remarked a delegate.

But all in all, it was seemed that the Pravasi Bharatiyas would take back the Prime Minister's words. "We see all these posters that say `India is shinning'. And I think that right now, it is,'' said a delegate from the United States.

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