NRIs’ role crucial for India’s progress: Kalam
Mar 30, 2009
Source: Gulf Today

Former president of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam has called upon non-resident Indians to contribute to the development of India.

Addressing a gathering of members of the ruling families of the UAE and UAE-based prominent Indians in Dubai on Sunday, Kalam said that Indians living abroad are bubbling with energy and Ideas. They are wondering how they can contribute in the development of India.

"This energy should be channelised properly for India's development," he said.

Kalam was speaking after launching India Matters, a new monthly magazine of the Consulate General of India in Dubai.

Launching the magazine, Kalam was joined by Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of Dubai Culture Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Health Minister Humaid Mohamed Al Qutami, Indian Ambassador to the UAE Talmiz Ahmed and Consul General of India in Dubai Venu Rajamony.

Kalam said that he has met at least three million young people below 17 years of age.

"I always ask them to repeat 'Dream transforms into vision, vision transform into action.' When they repeat I give them real world example that is the UAE. The UAE is a great example. I greet the rulers and the people of the UAE for bringing this change," he said.

Speaking about the current challenges Indian economy is facing, Kalam said innovative ideas needed to enrich the economy. He said that Indian economy has survived because it has "checks and balances." He said that Indian banks are conservative that helped in managing the crisis. India's psyche of saving also played a role. However, the reduction in export and outsourcing is a cause for concern.

Thus agriculture, rural and small scale industry can be promoted too manage the gap, he suggested.

Speaking about the magazine, Kalam elaborated his view on the importance of India for the world and the region. He encouraged strategies for showcasing the current Indian developments to various parts of the world, to generate joint programmes.

He said, "I would like to suggest in your issues, the publication of case studies in promoting business and science and social activities for mutual benefit to India and Gulf countries. During the next decade India will have challenges with will propel a number of business opportunities."

"It has to be a bridge in connecting India and UAE, success stories of Indian in the UAE should be highlighted," he said.

Earlier, introducing the publication, Consul General of India in Dubai Venu Rajamony said that India has been a close business and trading partner of the UAE for centuries. In view of the global slowdown and the financial crisis, India and the UAE should focus even more on each other and strengthen their long standing economic and business ties.

Addressing the gathering, Indian Ambassador to the UAE Talmiz Ahmed spoke about the growing bilateral relations between the two countries and its evolution into a strong partnership in the field of commerce and trade and evolving into a strategic partnership with diversification into new areas such as security, defence and energy.