INDIAN DIASPORA/ MOIA/SCHEMES FOR ID

The Indian Diaspora, comprising People of Indian origin and Non-Resident Indians, as India itself, constitutes a heterogeneous and global community, representing diversity of forms, types, geographies and times of formation

We could look at them as a significant strategic resource for India as they have considerably added to knowledge, innovation and development across the globe.

Contemporary flows from India are of two kinds: The first is the emigration of highly skilled professionals, workers and students with tertiary and higher educational qualifications migrating to developed countries, particularly to the USA, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. This flow started after Indian independence and gathered momentum with the emigration of IT professional in the 1990s. The second is the flow of unskilled and semi-skilled workers going mostly to the Gulf countries and Malaysia, following the oil boom in the Gulf countries, mainly from Kerala and other south Indian states. Of late, however northern states in India like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have also emerged as the leading states of origin for such migration. Diaspora associations also help to channel remittances, capital and investments to benefit not only home communities, but also by developing partnerships with host country counterparts, benefiting both. The same can be said of the exchange of skills, cuisines, ideas, knowledge and technology.

Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA)

Its Mission is to establish a robust and vibrant institutional framework to facilitate and support mutually beneficial networks with and among Overseas Indians to maximise the development impact for India and enable overseas Indians to invest in and benefit from the opportunities in India.

1. To bring a strategic dimension to India's engagement with its Diaspora.

2. Tap the investible diasporic community in terms of knowledge and resources in diversified economic, social and cultural areas.

3. Offer customized solutions to meet the varied expectations of the Overseas Indian community

Global Indian Network of Knowledge

(Global-INK), an electronic platform to facilitate transfer of knowledge with the objective of leveraging the expertise, skills and experience of Overseas Indians.

The Representation of Peoples Amendment Act, 2010 has been passed conferring voting rights on overseas Indian passport holders.

Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)

Keeping in view Government's deep commitment of engaging Persons of Indian Origin with the land of their ancestors in a mutually beneficial relationship, the Overseas Citizenship of India(OCI) Scheme was launched in August, 2005 by amending the Citizenship Act, 1955. The OCI Scheme is operated by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Scheme provides for registration as Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) of all Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) who were citizens of Indiaon or after 26 January, 1950 or were eligible to become citizens of India on 26 January, 1950

The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) is conferred on Non-Resident Indians, Persons of Indian Origin or Organizations or Institutions established and run by Non-Resident Indians or Persons of Indian Origin, who have excelled in their fields which has enhanced India's prestige in their country of residence and who have made

(i) significant contribution towards better understanding abroad of India and supported India's causes and concerns in a tangible way;

(ii) significant contribution for the welfare of the diaspora;

(iii) notable contribution in philanthropic and charitable work and for social and humanitarian causes in India and abroad;

(iv) significant contribution in building closer links between India and its diaspora in the economic, cultural and scientific fields; and

(v) for eminence in their skills which has enhanced India's prestige in that country.

It is conferred by the President of India as a part of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention. PBSA is the highest honour conferred on overseas Indians.

The objective of the Ministry's Know India Programme is to help familiarize Indian Diaspora youth, in the age group of 18-26 years, with developments and achievements made by the country and bringing them closer to the land of their ancestors.

The Ministry is implementing a comprehensive e-governance project on migration. The e-Migrate Project aims to transform emigration into a simple, transparent, orderly and humane process. The Project is aimed at improving the quality of services to emigrant workers and help reduce, to a great extent, corruption, malpractices and irregular migration and thereby facilitate legal and orderly migration. After eMigrate system is launched; employers in ECR countries will find an easy, fast and transparent way of conducting recruitments from India.

Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF)

 Overseas Indian workers face a number of risks. The nature of risks include high costs of migration, non/delayed/under payment of salaries, poor living and working conditions, physical abuse, fraudulent recruitment practices, difficulties in resettlement on return, financial insecurity, and vulnerability against emergencies.

Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) Scheme provides

1. emergency medical care

2.  financially sustainable social security and support services

Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana (MGPSY)

"Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana (MGPSY)" is a specially designed social security scheme for the unskilled and semi-skilled Overseas Indian workers, with ECR passports and employed on temporary work permits across 17 ECR countries.

The objective of the scheme is to encourage and enable such overseas Indian workers and by giving government contribution to (a) save for their return and resettlement, (b) save for their pension and (c) get a life insurance cover against natural death.

 Prime Minister's Global Advisory Council of People of Indian Origin (PMGAC-OI)

The functions of the Council are:

(i)Serve as a platform for the Prime Minister to draw upon the experience, knowledge and wisdom of the best Indian minds wherever they may be based;

(ii)Develop an inclusive agenda for a two-way engagement between India and Overseas Indians;

(iii)Consider ways and means for accessing the skills and knowledge of the Indian Diaspora for meeting India's development goals and facilitating investments by Overseas Indians into India                                                 

REFERENCES:

• MOIA WEBSITE
• INDIA YEAR BOOK

~PRATIK POMANNAWAR