President meets youth of Indian origin

October 13, 2009 08:45 pm | Updated 08:45 pm IST - NEW DELHI

President Pratibha Patil along with participants of the 12th know India programme for Diaspora youth at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi on Tuesday. Photo Anu Pushkarna

President Pratibha Patil along with participants of the 12th know India programme for Diaspora youth at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi on Tuesday. Photo Anu Pushkarna

Interacting with a group of diaspora youth, President Pratibha Patil on Tuesday asserted that the country will soon emerge out of the financial downturn and up its growth rate.

Interacting with a group of 36 youngsters of Indian origin from over 11 countries at Rashtrapati Bhavan here, Ms. Patil highlighted the progress made by the country on the socio-economic fronts. She said India has been affected by the global economic downturn, but because of some policy interventions the effect has not been as severe as it has been in several countries.

The President said though the country’s progress rate did come down from 9 per cent to little more than 6 per cent, it was being hoped that the rate would pick up next year. She also informed the youth about the country’s ability to conduct general elections with an electorate as vast as 740 million.

Referring to the country’s diversity, the President said: “You (the youth) have visited Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh…you must have noticed the difference in traditions, culture and landscape…at the same time there is unity in diversity. India is multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural and we work all together to make India hold its head high.”

She said India was working towards creating an inclusive society where all sections and the marginalised are taken forward.

The President also spoke about the country’s freedom struggle, which was based on the principle of ahimsa (non-violence) and said India believes in harmony and tolerance.

The group of visitors were part of the 12th Know India Programme for Diaspora Youth, an initiative of the Union Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs.

The three-week programme is aimed at providing diaspora youth an insight into the different facets of life in India and the progress made by the country in various fields -- economic, industrial, education, science and technology, communication and information technology and culture. This year the participants came from countries like South Africa, Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Fiji Islands, United Kingdom, Malaysia and Israel.

“It is a totally different environment that we got to see at the two places that we travelled to. While Bangalore was busy, Himachal Pradesh was laidback and its people warm and friendly. It was an enriching experience,” said Pathma Seelan Subramanium from Malaysia whose ancestors were from Tamil Nadu.

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