India President for private investment in health, education at diaspora meet

Jaipur, Jan 10 (PTI) President Pratibha Patil pitched for harnessing private investments in the crucial areas of health, education and skill development at a time of "economic uncertainty" and asked the overseas Indian community to be partners in the country's development. Addressing the valedictory session of the three-day 10th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), the annual gathering of Indians residing abroad and persons of Indian origin overseas, in this northwest Indian city on Monday, Patil said India has lifted tens of millions of its people out of abject poverty but the country still has a "very long way to go." "Health, education and skill development were key areas of the strategy of inclusive development in India's 11th (Five Year, 2007-12) Plan, and they will continue to be focus areas in the 12th Plan. We must ensure that these sectors receive adequate resources and to ensure that resources are spent to achieve maximum efficiency in terms of outcomes," she told over 1,900 delegates from 60 countries across the globe who attended the meet. "We also need to harness private investment in these areas at a time of economic uncertainty and profound change in the world. We will continue to actively engage with the overseas Indian community as partners in the development and progress of India," she said. The President also presented the ‘Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards’ to 15 eminent overseas Indians, including to the Chief Guest of PBD 2012 Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of Trinidad and Tobago. She recalled that PBD is celebrated every year from January 7 to 9 to commemorate the return to India of Mahatma Gandhi who had taken up residence in South Africa, after his "successful struggle" against apartheid there. Patil also said efforts to promote greater exchanges between the youth as an important aspect of forging linkages and maintaining the tradition of close bonds should be maintained. Lauding the contributions of overseas Indians, Patil said the footprints of the Indian Diaspora are wide-spread with its presence felt in every continent. PTI