CHANDIGARH, APRIL 6: A delegation of 23 foreign youths of Indian origin under the ‘Know India Programme’ called on Punjab Governor and Administrator, UT, Chandigarh, General Dr. S.F. Rodrigues, PVSM VSM (Retd.) and discussed various issues of mutual interest. This programme has been started by Ministry of Overseas Affairs, Government of India with a view to create awareness among the youths about the phenomenal transformation taking place in India and strengthening their linkage with their motherland.
Interacting with the NRI delegation, General Rodrigues gave them the historical background of India, its rich civilization, its glorious past and its strengths with a leading status in the comity of nations in the World in the ancient times. He impressed upon them the need to reach out to the Indian diaspora across the world.
General Rodrigues said that the next century belongs to Asia and India has to play a pivotal role in meeting the global requirements of professionals and technocrats . The process of evolution has already started with the re-modeling of policies, programmes and institutional structures, incorporating innovative strategies to meet the global requirements. He said that India has a workforce of 400 million people and course of action has already been started at the national and regional level, to empower them with professional skills. He emphasized the need of creating a network for sharing perceptions and experiences through such programmes, which will be helpful in creating a conducive environment for our people to work in other nations as qualified technocrats to contribute in the global economy and prosperity of our nation.
The visiting students also posed some questions to General Rodrigues regarding the procedures and processes being applied for meeting various challenges and to suggest the tips for leading to supremacy of right thinking ideologies. He told them to go to our roots, learn from the past, make performance audit of our attitudes and take correctives for meeting the goals through broad vision and long term planning.
Mr. Vikas Partap, Commissioner NRI Affairs who was present on the occasion expressed gratitude to the Governor and Administrator, Union Territory, Chandigarh for giving impetus to the programme by sharing his views and experiences to the young professionals of the Indian origin. Joint Secretary, Ministry of Overseas Affairs, Mr. D.N. Srivastava and Secretary to Governor, Mr. M.P. Singh were also present on the occasion.
Later, the Administrator listened to the grievances of the people at UT Secretariat adhering to the schedule of the Public Hearing Session on first Monday of this month. He sorted out the most of the common and individual issues presented to him on the spot. During interaction with the officers, he told them to give priority to the societal issues including empowerment
of women through vocational programmes, working women hostel & girls hostel and also steering up drug de-addiction programmes.