Indian Embassy organises conference to discuss NRI problems

Various issues faced by the NRIs, including airfares, gold import and education, was discussed at a first-of-its-kind conference with participation from representatives of various Indian state governments and Indian community.
The main objective of the one-day conference held in Abu Dhabi yesterday was to improve the delivery of services for welfare of Indians by working together with various Indian associations and organisations active in the UAE.
Deputy Chief Minister of Goa, Francis D'Souza was also present on the occasion and addressed the event - "Working together: Improving Service Delivery".
Protector General of Emigrants, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, R Buhril, also attended the meeting.

The conference provided a platform for direct interaction with representatives of state governments and apprised officials of the issues being faced by the Overseas Indians in the UAE as well as in India.
Various programmes, activities and schemes being undertaken for the welfare of NRIs were outlined. Four working sessions were held on topics such as welfare measures for Indian migrants: government of India and state government initiatives and gievance redressal of Indians in the UAE.

Return and resettlement of Indian migrants was also be discussed during the conference. This is a first-of-its-kind initiative, involving state governments in direct interaction with the Overseas Indian Community.

The embassy also released a booklet giving outlines for Indians living in the UAE. Representatives of Indian associations in the country voiced their grievances related to Air India airfares, gold import and NRI education and welfare schemes.
D'Souza said Goa received 2.5 million tourists last year and expects this figure to reach 4 million this year. He outlined his government's priotities and also addressed the issue of AIDS disease in his state.
"Around 2 per cent of Goa's 1.5 million population is infected with HIV. However, the number of new HIV cases has come down in recent times and we are hoping this trend continues," he said.