GIIS Queenstown Campus played a proud host to dignitaries and special invitees for the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2016 celebration. With a direct video link and broadcast of a live session by Honourable Minister of External Affairs of India, Ms Sushma Swaraj, students and faculty of GIIS had the unique opportunity to hear from and interact with members of the global community

To celebrate Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Conference 2016, members of five overseas missions, selected due to convenience of time zones, were invited to participate via live video link-ups on 9 January at GIIS Queenstown Campus. On a large live screen, communities in London, Dubai, Mauritius, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore joined the conference for a live session by Honourable Minister of External Affairs of India, Ms Sushma Swaraj and other top members of Indian parliament.

PBD Conference 2016 was an attempt to reach out to Indian Diaspora and address various issues concerning the India@aps@s development

PBD is celebrated in India on 9 January each year to mark the contribution of the overseas Indian community to the development of India. The day commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to Bombay on 9 January 1915.

For the event, Indian High Commission in Singapore identified and invited experts and notable dignitaries from overseas Indian committee in Singapore to attend the annual gala, which was jointly organised and hosted by Global Indian International School.

Honourable High Commissioner of India in Singapore, HE Vijay Thakur Singh and other dignitaries were welcomed to the event by the cheering crowd of students and members of staff led by Mr Atul Temurnikar, Executive Chairman and CEO of the Global Schools Foundation (GSF).

GIIS Queenstown Campus student Ramkrishna Prasad of Class 11A was chosen as the only representative from schools in Singapore to pose a question directly to Ms Swaraj.

GIIS students recited a soulful rendition of Sarva Dharma Prayer

The gala in Singapore began with GIIS students reciting the Sarva Dharma Prayer. Members of the audience were then treated to a captivating classical dance titled ‘Whirling lotuses’, where performers were decked in gold and white traditional costumes.

A second energetic dance performance named ‘Rhythms of India’ followed, culminating with dancers tossing pink and yellow flower petals on stage in an entrancing finale.

Perhaps the most cultural performance of the day went to a Class 8 student from Rajasthan, who wowed the audience with her deft puppetry skills. She had picked up puppetry after discovering it on a trip to India, and the crowd eagerly clapped to the beat of music that accompanied her performance.

The time then came for Singapore to join in on the live conference in New Delhi. Honourable Minister of State, General Vijay Kumar Singh, kicked off the day’s schedule of addresses by paying tribute to the contributions of members of the Indian diaspora who are currently based overseas.

Students performed on patriotic songs during the event

“A new year brings a new way of thinking, and accordingly, we have adopted a new format of Pravasi Bharatiya. We have the opportunity to reenergise the platform, in strengthening our bonds with the diaspora and Indians living abroad,” said Mr Singh. “They are spread across different regions, speaking many languages and practising a variety of cultures and faiths. The diaspora has sustained Indian values, culture and traditions, and this in turn has resulted in a strong appreciation of what our country has offered to the world,” he adds.

He gave notable mention to Ms Priti Patel, Britain@aps@s Minister for Employment, who he called a “diaspora champion”.

Ms Patel then took the stage and reflected on her role in strengthening the relationship between the country’s Indian diaspora community and the British government, with both sides currently working together with strong bonds.

This was followed by Ms Swaraj delivering her keynote address in Hindi, where she emphasised the proactive role her government has taken in tackling issues, and the efforts made to improve lives of Indians, both living in the country and based abroad.

Mesmerizing classical dance by students spell bounded all the audience

Ms Swaraj asked those currently based overseas to consider coming back to their homeland or contributing to initiatives, such as the Clean India campaign that encompasses building toilets in villages and schools.

“India has changed and there are all kinds of opportunities to earn and make a good living. Today, the time has come for you to rethink about coming back to India,” said Ms Swaraj.

The floor was then opened to questions from the five participating overseas missions. Questions ranged from how Indians could contribute to initiatives, to a question from Kuala Lumpur on why a scholarship programme for diaspora children was put on hold in 2015.

In response, Ms Swaraj clarified that the programme was not stopped, but put on hold for the year so that the government could make reforms that included refining the list of participating institutions.

Proud moment for GIIS student Ramkrishna as pose a question to Minister of External Affairs of India, Ms Sushma Swaraj

GIIS student Ramkrishna then had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pose a question to Ms Swaraj. He enquired about any new initiatives on the horizon of the GIAN, a Global Initiative of Academic Networks. He also checked whether the idea of a university solely for Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) would come to pass.

In response, Ms Swaraj said that under GIAN, external faculty are given a lump sum amount to teach in reputed institutes for a semester or even less. Faculty of Indian origin are welcomed, as they know the country and the context of educating young minds there.

She also informed that the idea of a PIO university has been dismissed. “There has been some discussions and deliberations, but having a separate university would create a separate class. We want them to intermingle, so we are thinking about increasing the quota for Non-Resident Indians and PIOs in current institutes,” she explained.

“The event was a great opportunity for students to reflect more deeply on issues of the Indian diaspora. The event allowed students and faculty to reflect on issues that are of global importance. It’s both fitting and a great honour for GIIS to be able to play host to the reputed event,” said Mr Temurnikar.

For more images - https://goo.gl/qQBH6c
For the event highlights - https://youtu.be/wvwhd5sl1cY