Conference to bridge gap between Punjab and its NRI diaspora

Chandigarh, Jan 3 (UNI) Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) working president Sukhbir Singh Badal today said one of the main priorities of the Punjab government was to build a link between the state government and Non Resident Punjabis to encourage their participation in the overall development of their home state.

Speaking in a press conference here, Mr Badal said that the two-day 'Punjabi NRIs Sammelan' which will start from January 5 is a first step in this direction.

''The Punjabi NRIs Sammelan is a professionally-managed result-oriented event for projecting our vision for development of the state and avenues for the Punjabi NRIs to join in the process,'' he said.

On the first day of the 'sammelan', organised in cooperation with PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a select group of about 200 Punjabi NRIs, including industralist, parliamantarians and professionals from all over the world, would gather in Chandigarh.

The programme here would witness many sessions to discuss various issues including the steps and plans by the government for progress of the state, opportunities and ways to fecilitate NRI participation as investors and various legal issues pertaining to NRIs.

The second and concluding day meeting to be held in Jalandhar would have a much larger presence of around 3000 Punjabi NRIs, he added.

The event would be held annually on the same dates, he added.

He said that in accordance with its poll promise, the SAD-led government had set up an NRI Cell to adress the issues related to them and to encourage their participation in the development of the state economy.

He said that the SAD-BJP government had taken many steps to put Punjab on the global map. One such move, the proposed Mohali International Airport, would help the state take major strides towards progress.

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