Thaindian News

New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) NRI Matters, an online platform for the Indian diaspora to get advice on financial matters and share their thoughts, has again launched an event whose winners will get a chance to attend next year’s Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Jaipur.

NRI Power Podium, in its second edition, gives a chance to non-resident Indians to share their views, voice their opinions and get a chance to win the all-expenses paid trip to the annual Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Jan 7-9.

“This year, the participating global Indians will present their views on ‘Business Ideas for Cohesive growth’ — a theme that complements the focus on inclusive growth at this edition of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas,” said Tania Dey, editor of NRI Matters.

“Among them, two best applicants will get to fly to Jaipur to attend the function,” Dey said, adding the campaign is supported by Kotak NRI Banking.

The event is expected to draw a host of dignitaties like President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi and Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

Power Podium 2010 had received a total of 13,215+ signups and over 600 applications - all in a period of just one month. “This feat was archived in the Limca Book of Records,” said Dey.

Through the contest, the NRI Matters tries to sensitise overseas Indians on the issues that concern Indian economy.

“Last time, three applicants were chosen to represent the Indian Diaspora at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. It was more than an exhilarating experience for them. They got to share a few words with luminaries like filmmaker Meera Nair, former UN diplomat Shashi Tharoor and tech evangelist Sam Pitroda,” Dey added.

“Conversing one-on-one with Sam Pitroda helped me understand better issues concerning information for global Indians,” said Karan Ratti, one of the three champions of Power Podium 2010.

Most of the people who have signed up for the contest have shown keen interest to reconnect with their motherland and do some short of business or charitable activities in India.

“East or West home is the best,” Rajeev Awasty, who moved to US almost 20 years back said in his posting on the website. Awasty has shown interest to start real estate business in India.

“I would get in the real estate business in India and start my company there. I feel the real estate business in USA operates on a very different level of professionalism, along with keeping speed with technology, I feel that the same can be incorporated in India.”

Mohammad Amanul Haque, who is based in Saudi Arabia, desires to meet President Patil. “I would like to ask: Why not the Government of India grant equal privilege to our national game rather than cricket.”

Apart from getting non-resident Indians and people of Indian origin to share their views and experiences, NRI Matters offers expert advices to them on issues concerning finance, real estate, investment, citizen law and taxation.

A few months ago, NRI Matters had developed a new web-application that allowed people — notably members of the diaspora — to light a virtual diyas at the homes of their loved ones, anywhere in the world, becoming a popular way of wishing ‘Happy Diwali’.