Three
lakh granted overseas citizen status
AAT
News Service
The
number of India’s overseas citizens is about to touch
the three lakh figure. The grant of such status to these
many overseas Indians has taken place within less than three-years
time. Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) facilitates life-long
visa-free travel to India and certain economic, educational
and cultural benefits.
The
exact number of people granted overseas citizenship status
till July 31, 2008 is 2,85,611. Out of them, over 1,20,000
are from the US. Other countries where sizeable numbers
have been given OCI are the UK, Canada, Australia and Sri
Lanka.
The
scheme came into operation from December 2, 2005 in response
to a long and persistent demand for ‘dual citizenship’,
particularly from overseas Indians in North America and
the Western world. The decision was also based on the government’s
deep commitment towards fulfilling the aspirations and expectations
of overseas Indians.
Any
overseas Indian applicant who is comfortable with his present
citizenship status in the country of his residence can apply
for OCI. The OCI is not to be construed as ‘dual citizenship’,
since it does not confer political rights.
The
Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, had announced at the Pravasi
Bharatiya Divas 2005, held in Mumbai the grant of OCI to
all People of Indian Origin (PIO), where local laws permit
‘dual citizenship’ in some form or the other except
Pakistan and Bangladesh.
India
has the second-largest diaspora in the world. The overseas
Indian community estimated at over 25 million is spread
across every major region in the world. It constitutes a
diverse, heterogeneous and eclectic global community, representing
different regions, languages, cultures and faiths. The common
thread that binds them together is the idea of India and
its intrinsic values.
Overseas
Indians comprise PIO & NRIs and today are amongst the
best educated and successful communities in the world. In
every part of the world, the overseas Indian community is
recognised and respected for its hard work, discipline,
non-interference and for successfully integrating with the
local community. Overseas Indians have made significant
contributions to the economy of the country of residence
and have added in considerable measure to knowledge and
innovation.
The
Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs has taken up the mission
to promote, nurture and sustain a mutually beneficial and
symbolic relationship between Indians and overseas Indians.
The
ministry seeks to offer customised solutions to meet the
varied expectations of the overseas Indian community and
lends a strategic dimension to India’s engagement with
the diaspora. The expanding number of overseas Indian citizens
is part of the government’s efforts in this direction.
