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President Ram Nath Kovind today said, the recent success of Indian scientists and technicians in developing two COVID vaccines is a major achievement for the Aatma-Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan which is driven by the spirit of global well-being. The President said India’s vision of Aatma-Nirbhar Bharat has five key pillars of economy, infrastructure, demography, democracy and supply chains. He added that the idea of ‘Aatma-Nirbhar Bharat’ does not mean seeking self-centered arrangements or turning the country inwards but is about self-belief leading to self-sufficiency. President Kovind was delivering the valedictory address of Pravasi Bhartiya Divas Convention, 2021.
Mr Kovind said, India has been at the forefront in forging a global response to combat the enormous challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. He said India supplied medicines to nearly 150 countries, making the world look at India as the ‘pharmacy of the world’.
He said the COVID-19 pandemic has led to severe travel disruptions. He appreciated the role played by the Ministry of External Affairs and Missions abroad for reaching out to the diaspora by facilitating their travel in these difficult times. Mr Kovind added that in response to the pandemic, members of Indian diaspora in several countries came together in ensuring critical medical supplies, helping stranded students, caring for the elderly, raising funds and providing meals to the vulnerable. The President said, India has one of the largest diaspora populations of nearly 30 million, residing in every corner of the world today. He said, it has been aptly put that ‘the sun never sets on the Indian diaspora’.
He said, the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is also an occasion to recall Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals for individual and collective life. He said Gandhiji’s emphasis on Indianness, non-violence, ethics, simplicity and sustainable development remain our guiding principles. On this very day in the year 1915, Mahatma Gandhi, the greatest Pravasi Bharatiya returned to India.
Mr Kovind also said, the nation is indebted to Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee whose vision re-energised the links with the diaspora. The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrations started in 2003 when he was the Prime Minister of India. The President conveyed his congratulations to all the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awardees and appreciated their efforts to promote better understanding of India abroad.
