PM proposes University, Employment Council for PIOs

New Delhi, Jan 7 (UNI) Appealing to overseas Indians to invest lavishly in a 'New India' basking in its development saga, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today announced his government's intentions to establish a university for overseas Indians, a Central Council for the Promotion of Overseas Employment and an Indian Overseas Facilitation Centre.

Kickstarting the three-day 5th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrations, being attended by around 1200 prominent PIOs from about 50 countries Dr. Singh called for an intense interaction between overseas Indians and the people of India to inspire Indians at home to take a broader view of the world.

The conference, organised by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), has its theme ''Rooting for the Roots: Meeting India's Development Challenges''.

Reminding the impressive gathering that he had proposed to establish a university for PIOs at the last year's edition of the conclave, Dr Singh said the proposal had been under active consideration of the government.

''We envisage the proposed university as oriented to meeting the needs of the overseas Indian community in the most sought after disciplines, including Engineering and Management. Our aspiration would be to impart quality education at par with the best universities in the world.'' Dr Singh, whose half-an-hour speech was frequently greeted by the high-profile gathering that included Chief Guest and Singapore Deputy Prime Minister S. Jayakumar, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vyalar Ravi, said the proposal to establish an Indian Overseas Facilitaion Centre was presently being developed and examined.

The Centre, he said, was envisaged as a source of investment advisory services for overseas Indian investors and could be an effective instrument to liaise with members of the Indian Diaspora on matters related to investment in India.

With regard to the constitution of a Central Council for the Promotion of Overseas Employment, he said this proposal was being examined by the government.

Dr Singh had a special word of thanks for the Indian American community for their stellar role in the passage of a law on the civilian nuclear energy cooperation involving the two countries.

''This is an important step forward not just in India-US bilateral relations but also an essential first step that will enable India to engage in cooperation in Civil Nuclear field with other countries that are members of the Nuclear Suppliers Group,'' he said.

On the occasion, he also released a compendium of four publications, brought out by the OAS ministry, dealing with a plethora of issues, including investment opportunities in India, for the benefit of non-resident Indians.

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