VP Naidu says Indian diaspora act as country's ambassador

Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Monday said that the Indian community living in any corner of the world will act as the country's ambassadors.

While addressing the Indian community reception hosted by Ambassador of India to Guatemala, Sajeev Babu Kurup, Vice President Naidu highlighted the heritage attached with the Indian community.

"That Indian Community in Guatemala is fortunate to be the inheritors of a great heritage of timeless values," Naidu said.

As per the Ministry of External Affairs press release, Naidu said that the Indian diaspora in spite of living in any corner of the world has contributed to the country and also to the world.

Irrespective of their occupation the Indians are able to add to the material and cultural capital of the country and the world by demonstrating, as ambassadors of our great country, Vice President Naidu added.

He called for reforms for the betterment of people's lives.

"Equal opportunity for all, reaching the unreached, banking the unbanked, funded the unfunded is the need of the hour", Vice President Naidu said.

On that note, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana in 2014 aiming at ensuring access to financial services, namely banking savings and deposit accounts, remittance, credit, insurance, and pension in an affordable manner.

While highlighting the traditional values of India as Satya, Dharma, Prema, Shanthi, Ahimsa and Seva, Naidu said that these ideals are to be credited for the respect given to the Indian diaspora.

He further extended good wishes to the families residing in Guatemala.

Vice President Naidu ended on a positive note that "India's message to the world has been peace, inclusion, co-existence and harmonious development of individuals and society as a whole constantly nurture."

The Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Shri Jaswantsinh Bhabhor, the Members of Parliament and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

Earlier on Tuesday, India and Guatemala on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for expanding cooperation in the area of diplomatic training witnessed by Vice President Naidu and his counterpart Dr. Jafeth Ernesto Cabrera Franco.

Guatemala is the first country that Vice President Naidu is visiting in his present capacity and it is the highest level visit between the two countries since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972.

Vice President Naidu is on a five-day visit to Latin America's Guatemala, Peru and Panama commencing from May 6. This is the Vice President's first overseas visit after assuming office last year.