Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to focus on rural women's plight

Vayalar Ravi, the Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs, announced that the 8th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to be held at Vigyan Bhavan from January 7 to 9 would focus on empowerment of rural women.

He was addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Wednesday.

"The prime minister will inaugurate Pravasi Bhartiya Divas on January 8 and it will culminate with valedictory address and conferment of Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Award by President Pratibha Patil," he said.

Mauritus prime minister will be the chief guest at the function.

The minister said over 62,000 persons were being deported from various countries after being cheated by agents and contractors.

According to the minister, Gulf nations are now coming out with stringent measures against such elements and have set up regulatory systems to keep a check on their  activities.

"Our aim is to protect Indian women who are either married abroad or go for jobs in different countries. Those who go to seek jobs should be above the age of 30 and they should be provided with phone and the embassy officials are expected to be in touch with women so that their safety is ensured, he said.

He said growing menace of dowry harassment cases are also being reported.

"Our government is providing financial assistance in such cases in countries like the UK, Canada and the US. We want to help women in distress," Vayalar Ravi the minister said.

He agreed that not every one gets a chance to speak at such conferences and the ministry has decided to initiate the PBD concept abroad so that the Indians living abroad, who cannot afford to come India to take part in such functions, can air their feelings.

President CII Sunil Mittal said a main concern was transfer of money to India.

"Over $25 billion is remitted to India every year, but the money charged for transfer of money is huge. For transferring 50 pounds to a village in Punjab, we have to pay 8 pounds to the government. We want to bring this down," he said.