Buoyant Mood at PBD 2007

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

A representation of 1500 members of the NRI and PIO community at
the fifth
Pravasi Bhartiya Divas welcomed the recent initiatives
taken by the Indian Government. Organized by the Ministry of
Overseas Affairs, the Delhi Government and the Confederation
of Indian Industry (CII), the event has facilitated a forum for
an exchange of views amongst participants and the state and helped
define key areas of concern.

Infrastructure has ranked high in discussions, with the mutual
outcome that development in this sector is imperative. Agriculture
has also caught the attention of the delegates, and as Metdist Group
MD Apurv Bagri averred, active involvement in the rural sector would
ensure equal prosperity.

The mood at the conclave is bordering on euphoria over the changing
face of the Indian economy. Delegates are confident about the growth
prospects, and appreciative of the government’s efforts to
create the right investment climate. Implementation of ideas now
is a major challenge, says Bagri. Distance and experience of the
NRIs would bring clarity in tackling issues, adds management guru
C K. Prahlad. He also suggested a citation for world-class talent
in India, to promote excellence, on the lines of the Mc Arthur Genius
awards in the US.

Other economic and policy issues to be dealt with in this forum
would be liberalisation of the financial services sector and strengthening
of supply chain management.

Ganesh Chand, of Fiji University called for more bonding with the
parent country through more such NRI
events.

Photo: Hyderabad Street View Hospital by melgupta, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.