Indian President Pratibha Patil Saturday asked non-resident Indians (NRIs) spread across the world to come forward and play a greater participatory role in the country's development. Speaking at the valedictory function of the 8th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention and conferment of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards, President Pratibha Patil said: “As we turn the corner of the first decade of the 21st Century, it is in fact, becoming more and more evident that we live in an increasingly inter-connected world. Such a world requires that each one of you must play the responsible role of a global citizen.” “There is immense capacity that you have both in talent and in financial terms, that can be invested in India. We hope to see your greater participation in the coming years in the development of India. Of course, India's remittances from overseas Indians, estimated at over $50 billion last year, were the highest in the world,” President Patil added. “What is less known, though, is the fact that nearly 40 percent of these remittances – about $20 billion annually – come from overseas Indian workers in the Gulf consisting of temporary contractual skilled and semi-skilled workers. They often face harsh living and working conditions and are separated from their families for long periods of time. I take this opportunity to salute Indian workers in the Gulf,” Patil further added. Patil said NRIs' knowledge and expertise could be significant in India's march to become a developed country.
