India to encourage 'reverse brain drain': Kalam

New Delhi, Feb 23: President A P J Abdul Kalam today announced the government would encourage a ''reverse brain drain'' to attract some of the brightest and talented children of India and ensure their return to their motherland.

Addressing a joint sitting of Parliament, he appealed to the overseas Indians to engage more actively in India's development.

''We admire their spirit of enterprise and would like to see them more actively engaged," Dr Kalam said, while pointing out that India had been paying special attention to the protection and welfare of overseas Indian workers, especially those in West Asia and the Gulf.

The President pointed out the fulfilment of the long standing demand of the Persons of Indian Orgin for the introduction of Overseas Citizenship of India card.

On the demand for the setting up of a PIO University, Dr Kalam said ''we are now working on a proposal in this regard.''

UNI