Union Minister of State for External Affairs General V.K. Singh on Saturday urged the young diaspora to be a part of India's growth story by tapping the opportunities the country offers through various programmes.
"India offers opportunities to be part of its growth story and realise your dreams through the government's flagship programmes launched to achieve developmental objectives," Singh said at the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas here, held as part of the 14th Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Day.
He said the Smart Cities Mission, Digital India, Skill India, Start-Up India and Swacch Bharat campaign are the Centre's flagship programmes for building a prosperous, skilful, enterprising, clean and futuristic country.
Asserting that global good could not be achieved by one country alone, as the global challenges were complicated, Singh said the Indian diaspora had to strengthen the bridges that connect it with the motherland and create new ones.
"You can transform your lives and that of India through four Ts -- talent, technology, training and team work -- as the Prime Minister's vision will make India the skill capital of the world by 2022," the minister told about 400 young members of the Indian diaspora.
By 2020, the average age in India will be 29, making it the world's youngest country with 64 per cent of the population in the working age group, he said.
The government had recently launched a platform for online registration of Indian students abroad, which will help the ministry estimate their exact numbers, map them and reach out.
Singh said the scholarship programme for diaspora children to pursue undergraduate courses in Indian universities and institutes had been revamped and extended to 66 countries from 44 and scholarship amount increased; besides a portal had been set up for online application and processing.
"We will be happy to offer expertise in your areas of interest. Training can also be through internships, volunteering or even philanthropy. The choice is yours," Singh said.
"Whether you are looking for adventure tourism, quality education, tech start-ups or even a market for novel utility products, India offers plethora of opportunities in cities and towns across the country," the minister said.
The government had recently launched a platform for online registration of Indian students abroad, which will help the ministry estimate their exact numbers, map them and reach out.
