INDIA IS A GROWING WORLD FORCE
IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND SOFTWARE
Vice President Shri
Bhairon Singh Shekhawat has said that India is a growing world
force in Information Technology and Software. Our achievements
in the fields of atomic energy, space and Defence have also been
spectacular. Shri Shekhawat was addressing to the Indian Community
during the Indian High Commissioner’s Reception at India House
in Seychelles.
Following is the
full text of the address of the Vice President of India to the
Indian Community during the Indian High Commissioner’s Reception
at India House:
"It is great
to be here in your company. I feel at home in the India House.
I hope you also share the same feelings.
I am happy that Indian
community has a substantial presence and diverse spread in this
beautiful island country. Many of you are occupying important
positions in Seychelles and contributing substantially to the
development and prosperity of this country, strengthening its
beautiful pluri-cultural fabric. It is a matter of great pride
that the Indians here are respected and loved by the local people
and there has been a great degree of cross-cultural fertilization
over the 200 odd years since the first batch of Indian immigrants
reached these islands.
The Indian diaspora
in recent times has been engaged in forging a constructive and
symbiotic relationship with the motherland. Our Government encourages
their active participation in all areas of national development.
Overseas Indians are presently over 20 millions, dispersed over
more than a hundred countries all over the world. Many have excelled
in their adopted countries. Together they constitute a formidable
force, both in themselves as well as in holding potential for
ploughing back their resources and acumen to the motherland. You
are well aware that our government organised the first Pravasi
Bharatiya Divas (PBD) in January this year which will now be an
annual feature. We value the participation and views of all our
brothers and sisters living abroad. I am aware that the Indian
community here has evinced interest in seeking dual citizenship.
As you know, this has been considered for a few countries in the
first stage and legislation on the subject is being brought by
the Government.
India
has fascinated the rest of the world since time immemorial. The
cultural ethos of our country has the capacity to stay deep rooted
in the minds of its people, no matter where they live. It is the
Indian way of life, all-embracing, tolerant, multi-cultural, spiritual,
which is our heritage and strength. This has been augmented by
the Indian thirst for knowledge which has today found expression
in our country being among the foremost in the knowledge revolution.
Friends, today, India’s
growth impulses are vivid and evident to everyone. India is developing
fast. Our economy is steadily growing with a sense of confidence
and abiding optimism. I am happy to inform you that Indian economy
is resilient and is on fast track of growth. It is among top ten
economies in the world and sixth largest reservoir of technical
and professional manpower. GDP is growing at over 6 percent. GDP
growth target in next five years is 8 per cent. Inflation is very
low, at present it is only 3.72 per cent. We are not only self
sufficient in food production which is over 200 million tonnes,
we have also become exporters of food grains and we have food
stocks of over 35 million tonnes. Total annual exports from India
amounts to 50 billion dollars. The country has foreign exchange
reserves to the tune of 85 billion dollars. India is a growing
world force in Information Technology and Software. Our achievments
in the fields of atomic energy, space and defence have also been
spectacular.
I take this opportunity
to compliment you all in Seychelles for having integrated themselves
so well into the local milieu and for making significant contribution
to the growth of the island nation, which is indeed the pivot
on which Indo-Seychelles cooperation stands. Every one of you
is India's overseas ambassador and also an inheritor of our shining
legacy. With your unwavering commitment to the country in which
you are living, you are the bridge of understanding on which the
cordial relations between India and Seychelles should continue
to flourish.
I extend to you
heartiest greetings on the auspicious occasion of Onam, the festival
of harvest, which was celebrated yesterday with much gaiety and
enthusiasm in Kerala and other parts of the country. Here also
you must be filled with the spirit of Onam. May this festival
bring happiness and prosperity to all of you."
