UPA-II report card highlights Govt. initiatives for Overseas Indians

New Delhi, June 1 (ANI): The UPA-II report card on Tuesday highlighted its initiatives undertaken for the Overseas Indians in the last one year.

Mentioning about Govt.'s initiatives for Overseas Indians, the executive summary of the UPA's "Report to the People" stated:

"Prime Minister's Global Advisory Council of Overseas Indians has been set up to draw upon the experience and knowledge of eminent people of Indian origin in diverse fields from across the world. The first meeting of the Council was held on 7th January 2010 at New Delhi."

"The Global Indian Network of Knowledge (Global INK) is an electronic platform that will connect people of Indian Origin from a variety of disciplines, recognized as leaders in their respective fields, not just in their country of residence but globally as well, with knowledge users at the national and sub-national levels in India."

"The eighth edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) convention was held in New Delhi on 7th to 9th January 2010. The Convention was attended by over 1500 delegates from different countries. On this occasion, Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards were conferred on 14 overseas Indians. The third mini-PBD called "PBD-Europe" was held at the World Forum in The Hague on 19th September 2009."

"The government approved the proposal for setting up the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) in the Indian Missions in 17 countries where emigration check is required, and the Maldives, in August 2009. The ICWF will enable extending on site welfare and emergency relief to overseas Indians in distress." (ANI)