PM Modi inaugurates 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, thanks NRIs for supporting note ban

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Jan 8, 2017: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in the Karnataka capital city on Sunday.

The 14th edition of the three-day event began in the country’s IT hub on Saturday with the spotlight on the role of youth in transforming the society and India’s potential to play the role of a ’Vishwa Guru’ again.

Prime Minister said his government will soon launch a skill development programme for young Indians seeking jobs abroad.
 
Modi flashed a PIO (Person of Indian origin) card to say it supersedes the individual’s passport - as far as his ties to India are concerned.
 
When the PIO card is seen, "we don’t see the colour of the passport but the blood ties", Modi said to huge applause.
 
Referring to Mahatma Gandhi’s return from South Africa, Modi said this day marked the return to India of one of the greatest Pravasis and that his government’s priority was to convert "brain drain" into brain gain".
 
"NRIs and PIO have made outstanding contributions. Among them are politicians of great stature, scientists of repute, outstanding doctors, brilliant educationists, economists, journalists, musicians, engineers, bankers and did I mention our well known technology professionals," Modi said.