NRGs are assets for adopted country: Vyas

Palanpur, Jan 17 (UNI) The Non-Resident Gujaratis (NRGs), who are scattered across the globe, were not illiterate labourers but assets for the adopted country, said state minister of health, tourism and NRI division Jaynarayan Vyas today.

He made this observation after inaugurating a conference on Gujarati Diaspora, which is jointly being organised by Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University and Non-Resident Gujaratis Foundation of the state government, held at Killa Chandra Hall of HNGU.

The three-day long conference is being held at two places -- Patan and Mehsana. Its aims is to highlight the contribution, achievements and problems (social and economic) faced by non-resident Indians (NRIs).

Addressing the function, Mr Vyas dated back to the medieval period and recounted that the Indians began to migrate out of the country in the 13th century.

''The NRGs scattered globally are not just the illiterate labourers, they are the assets of any country,.''he said.

He said the NRGs have proved their mettle not only technically but in every field.

''We are proud even after centuries of the settlement abroad their emotional attachment carry them to India,'' he said, adding, ''My department was all set to extend full co-operation to them.'' HNGU cice chancellor K K Shah gave a brief account of Patan-based UGC Area Study Centre for NRIs, saying the centre has been working for the augmentation of the relation between the higher education and NRGs.

He said Prof Adesh Pal, the head of the English department, has been giving exemplary services for the augmentation of communication and research work in this respect.'' He called upon the youngsters to join HNGU for their higher studies.

Among the prominent personalities who attended the function included Sunil Nayak president of Association of Indian American of North America (USA), Kapil Kapoor former Vice-chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University (Delhi), M F Salat, former secretary in Ministry of External Affairs J C Sharma, Institute of Hotel Management and Information Technology director Kamlesh Mishra, HNGU's S K School of Business Management head Prof B A Prajapati and many prominent scholars and people from different fields.

Besides, a large number of the NRGs who had been in the state during their usual visit to their native state attended the inaugural function.

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