Pravasi Bharatiya Divas: PM on ‘Brain Gain’, Note Ban & More

PM Modi announced plans for the Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana, targeted at Indian youth seeking overseas employment.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the gathering at the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas 2017 celebrations. (Photo: Twitter/@PBD2017)

Speaking at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the government would launch a skill development programme for young Indians seeking jobs abroad.

We will shortly launch a skill development programme, the Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana, targeted at Indian youth seeking overseas employment.

Narendra Modi, Prime Minister 

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.

Encouraging all PIO Card holders to convert their PIO Cards into OCI Cards, Modi said "we have extended the deadline for PIO card conversions to OCI from 31 December 2016, until 30 June, 2017 without any penalty."

PM Hits out at Critics of Demonetisation

Hitting out at the opponents of demonetisation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said those terming the government's move as 'anti-people' were “political worshippers" of graft and black money.

While thanking the Indian diaspora for supporting the government's steps against corruption and black money, he said:

You know we have undertaken a big responsibility in fighting black money and corruption. Black money and corruption have gradually made our polity, economy, society and the country hollow. It is unfortunate that there are some political worshippers of black money who term our actions against it as anti-people.

Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

From ‘Brain Drain’ to ‘Brain Gain’

Referring to the brain drain phenomena, he said "we want to change brain drain to brain gain".

Modi also welcomed the efforts of Indian diaspora to strengthen the country's partnership with the overseas Indian community. "We don't see the colour of the passports, but the relations written by blood which matter the most," he said.

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

Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

Portugese PM Gifts PM Modi a Ronaldo Jersey

Ahead of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, PM Narendra Modi was presented a Ronaldo jersey by his Portugal counterpart Antonio Costa (Photo: PTI)

Earlier, Portugese Prime Minister Antonio Costa presented PM Modi with a jersey signed by Cristiano Ronaldo.

(With PTI inputs)