'PIOs dialogue with India', an event organised by the Global Organisation of People of Indian origin and held in the wake of the three-day Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, highlighted the problems faced by Indians settled in other countries.
Several participants complained of being sidelined or facing discrimination in their countries.
Empathising with such PIOs, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi said, "Many of you have complained to me about your problems in your adopted countries. Please understand that India can move only through diplomatic channels. We cannot interfere in the internal affairs of another country in the same manner that we do not allow anyone else to interfere in ours. We have a moral duty to look after you and we will do it on a different level, without direct interference.
"We will let that country know that we are concerned. We can tell that government to provide you security.
"We have set up an advisory committee to the Prime Minister. This committee will have eminent PIOs as its members. You can interact with each other and with the Indian government through the website set up by the committee."
Inviting the delegates present to donate for charitable causes in India, Ravi said, "If you wish to construct a school or hospital in your native village in India, we are here to do it for you. We will do all the work through recognised NGOs. We guarantee that your money will go to the right place."
He also lamented the fact that since he was the Parliamentary Affairs minister, he could not travel much. On a lighter note, he added, "Even though our Parliament is more noise and less action, I still have to be here".
He outlined the steps taken by the Indian government to ensure the wellbeing of its citizens abroad. "Let me remind you that we have shelters in every embassy where women can stay if they are under any threat of violence or trouble. We have a Memorandum of Understanding with all the countries in the Middle East about work conditions. Saudi Arabia is the only country we don't have an understanding with.
"We have told them that minimum salary must be $250 a month and that the salary must be paid through a bank. We maintain a record of every person traveling to the Gulf and we know where they are working," he explained.
Text: A Ganesh Nadar | Photographs: Sreeram Selvaraj
Image: Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi
Also see: 'I have convinced our Diaspora that India cares'
Advertisement
