Press Release

Subject: Diaspora interaction with Dnyaneshwar M. Mulay Secretary (CPV & OIA), in Ottawa

1. On 15 November, 2016, High Commission of India, Ottawa organized an interactive session with Mr. Dnyaneshwar M. Mulay, Secretary (CPV & OIA), Ministry of External Affairs for the leaders and representatives of prominent Indian associations based in Ottawa and Montreal.

2. Acting High Commissioner Arun Kumar Sahu started the function by introducing Secretary Mulay to the participants, which was followed by a comprehensive and fruitful discussion on India’s outreach programmes involving the diaspora, including the forthcoming Pravasi Bharatiya Divas and India Development Foundation of Overseas Indians (IDF-OI). The representatives included: (i) Mr. Sukhwant Nanner, President, India Canada Ottawa Business Chamber;(ii)Mr. Harry Sharma, Head, Canada-India Centre for Excellence, Carleton University;(iii)Mr. Kashyap Desai, President, Gujarati Association; (iv) Ms. Vandana Sharma, India-Canada Association;(v)Ms. Geeta Chaudhary, Odiya Association;(vi) Mr. Deepak Menon, Indo-Canadian Press Club;(vii)  Mr. Biju George, Indo-Canada Community Centre;(viii)  Ms. S. George, Indo-Canada Community Centre;(ix) Mr. Ram Chander, Kannada Association; (x)Ms. Jaya Bharatu Reddy, Kannada Association;(xi)Mr. Rama Mohan- Telugu Association; (xii)Mr. Bala Madaparthi, Festival of India;(xiii) Mr.Shiv Chopra, Overseas Friends of India;(xiv) Mr. Jagmohan Humar, Mahatma Gandhi Peace Council, Carleton University;(xv) Mr. Vinay Purohit - Mukul Hindi School; (xvi) Mr. Kishor Patel, Indo-Canada Alliance De Montreal;(xvii)  Mr. Rakesh Sharma, Indo-Canada Alliance De Montreal;(xviii) Mr. Daljit Singh, Indo-Canada Alliance De Montreal; and (xix) Mr. M. Acharya, Indo-Canada Alliance De Montreal. Video messages of External Affairs Minister, Mrs Sushma Swaraj pertaining to PBD 2017 and IDF-OI were also played.

3. Secretary Mulay in his address briefed the audience about the welfare work being done by the Government of India for the overseas Indians, as well as Consular and Visa matters. He invited all Indo-Canadians to participate in larger numbers in the 14^th   Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention being held in Bengaluru, Karnataka from 7-9 January, 2017.  He explained the initiatives being taken by GOI to reconnect with Indian diaspora, through education, culture, tourism and investment.  He also briefed the participants about India Development Foundation of Overseas Indians (IDF-OI), a not-for-profit Trust to facilitate Overseas Indian philanthropy in social and development projects in India, such as Swachh Bharat Mission and Namami Gange (Clean Ganga) project. Overseas Indians can contribute to Clean Ganga Fund through IDF-OI.  This was followed by Q& A session.  Secretary reassured the diaspora of GOI’s support in addressing their grievances and concerns.

High Commission of India, Ottawa

16.11.2016