India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj may still be in the hospital recovering from a recent kidney transplant, but that is not stopping her from reaching out to Pravasi(s) or Non Resident Indians (NRIs).
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In spite of her condition, Sushma Swaraj has invited NRIs and Indian diaspora to the upcoming Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD) through a heartfelt video. The event is to be held on January 7 to 9, 2017 in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
“I personally invite you all to Pravasi Bhartiya Divas. Please grace the event as it is celebrated only for you people. We dedicate this event to all those Indians who have worked hard and established themselves in a foreign land, where they had gone as a labour. The event is dedicated to all those Indians as well who have made India proud at the global level.”
The 64-year-old minister has been unwell for quite some time and was undergoing dialysis. Now, after the kidney transplant, she will be discharged in another seven to ten days, hospital authorities have informed. “The minister has been shifted out of the ICU to a private ward of the Cardio-Neuro Centre. Her post-surgery recovery is on the expected lines,” said Dr M C Mishra, Director at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi.
While talking about the NRI participation and issues faced by Indians abroad, Sushma said, “This time, we are celebrating Bhartiya Pravasi Divas in a different way. We have discussed various issues, problems, subjects related to NRIs in this whole year.
Earlier, there were only monologues, speeches, but no participation. This year we will present all that we discussed during the entire year. You can participate in the event and add your own valuable inputs. The final drafts will be sent to the government and different ministries so that all the issues faced by Indian diaspora can be covered.”
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Besides this, Sushma also mentioned what else can be expected at the upcoming PBD 2017. “Apart from some Indian delicacies on offer, you will get to witness the diversity of the Indian culture. You will be shown how modern India is growing and what the present Indian government has achieved till now. So, please accept my invitation and mark your presence at this year's Pravasi Bhartiya Divas 2017.”