Reception
to Hon. Minister E. Ahammed at Kerala Center
Photos:
(Left) Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed speaking at a program
organized by Indian American Kerala Cultural and Civic Center and NORKA-NA at
the Kerala Center. Sitting from L. to R: Dr. Thomas Abraham, Consul General
Pramathesh Rath, Zach Thomas, Geroge Abraham and Dr. Javad Hassan (Partially
visible). ( Right ) Audience
Govt.
of India Committed to Address All Issues of NRIs: E Ahamed
“The
Government of India, led by Shri Manmohan Singh, is fully committed to address
all the issues and concerns of Non Resident Indians (NRIs) around the globe,”
E. Ahamed, India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, declared on Sunday,
October 10, 2004 at the Indian American Kerala Cultural and Civic Center. He was
addressing a group of nearly a hundred community leaders representing various
Indian American Associations in the New York Tri-state area, during a public
meeting organized to felicitate the Indian leader from the state of Kerala.
While
referring to the issue of Dual Citizenship, Ahamed said, the Indian Parliament
passed a Bill to grant dual citizenship to the people of Indian origin and the
Bill received the President's assent on January 7, 2004. Among other things, the
Citizenship (Amendment) Bill - 2003, which amends the Citizenship Act -1955,
would simplify the procedure to facilitate the reacquisition of Indian
citizenship by persons of full age who are children of Indian citizens and
former Indian citizens. The Bill grants of overseas citizenship of India to
persons of Indian origin belonging to 16 specified countries and Indian citizens
who choose to acquire citizenship of any of these countries at a later date.
“The rules, regulations and requirements are still under process and very
soon, this will be a reality.”
“The
issues and problems faced by the Non Resident Indians across the globe are quite
diverse,” the Minister said. “Each region has its unique problems and even
before joining the Government, I have been representing their concerns, urging
the Government to address them.” While praising the contributions of NRIs, he
said, “With the remittances from the NRIs across the globe, Indian economy has
been able to overcome many challenges.”
On
the issue of right to vote, the Minister said, “I had moved a Bill in the
Parliament giving the 20 Million NRIs the right to vote.” But, he cautioned,
although the Government is willing to consider the issue, there are many
obstacles in implementing the policy. On every issue, there is so much good will
from the part of the Government, the Minister said, but, when it comes to
applying them, there are several hurdles and the Government is taking every step
possible to implement them. “Ultimately, I want to reiterate again before you,
the UPA Government has a categorical commitment to promote the wellbeing of NRIs
around the globe,” he told the NRI leaders.
Earlier,
in his opening remarks, Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chairman of GOPIO, complimented the
Manmohan Singh Government for creating a Ministry for Non Resident Indians and
drew the visiting Minister’s attention to the tax on global income of Not
Ordinary Citizens (NOR) who have chosen to settle back in India after their
retirement. In an emotionally charged welcome address, E M Stephen, president of
the Kerala Center, said, “Minister Ahamed is a founding member of Kerala
Center, who had attended several meetings when the concept of founding the
center was under discussion. “There is no need to formally welcome you, Mr.
Minister, as this is your home,” he said.
Pramathesh
Rath, Consul General of India in New York, described, the Minister, who is
currently on a visit to New York to address the United Nations as “a
distinguished lawyer” who has been very active in Indian political area for
several decades. Stating that Keralites in the United States are the second or
third largest group, Rath praised their contributions. He said, “NRIs have
changed the image of India across the globe, through their hard work and
contributions to their adopted lands.”
Zach
Thomas, official representative of the Kerala Government and in charge of
Non-Resident Keralites Affairs in North America (NORKA-NA), praised Ahamed as a
person who is humble, ever available and is always willing to help those in
need. He went on add some of the initiatives NORKANA has taken up in the recent
past, mobilizing support for the needy back home in India.
Gopalan
Nair, Board Chairman of the Center, described Ahamed’s visit to Kerala Center
as “home coming of a champion,” as the Minister has continued his close
affinity with the Center since its very inception. Javed Hassan, an entreprenur,
told the audience, “Ahamed is a true son of Kerala” who speaks his mind
without any fear. Alex Vilanilam of the World Malayalee
Council presented a memorandum to the Minister, bringing to his attention some
of the pressing problems of Keralites living abroad.
He appealed to the Minister to structure the NORKA system and help create a Data
Bank of NRIs around the world. Vilanilam’s
memorandum also brought other issues including tax on NRIs
deposits and developing economic zones in Kerala.
Among
others who felicitated the visiting Minister were, V K Madhavan Kutty, U.S.
Nazeer, John Issac, Dr. Parveen Chopra, Jayachandran, Abraham Mammen, and Dr.
Abdul Aziz.
While
introducing the Minister, George Abraham, General Secretary of Indian National
Overseas Congress, said, E Ahamed has been an active member of the Kerala State
Muslim League Working Committee, and was an elected Member of the Kerala
Legislative Assembly for five terms from 1981. As an elected MLA, he served on
several important committees of the Government of Kerala. Since 1995 onwards, he
was the National-Secretary, Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). In 1996, he was
first elected to the Indian Parliament and since then, he has been elected five
times to the Lok Sabha.
Ahamed
was the Chairman, Committee on Government Assurances of Lok Sabha, Member,
Standing Committee on Railways, Member, Standing Committee on External Affairs,
Member, Consultative Committee on Civil Aviation, Chairman, Joint Committee on
Food Management in Parliament House Complex, Member, Consultative Committee on
Civil Aviation, Member, Joint Parliamentary Committee on Pesticide
residues in safety standards for soft drinks, fruit juice and other beverages,
Member, Central Haj Committee. He is a Member, Executive Council, Aligarh Muslim
University since May 2004. After his election to the Parliament for the fifth
time with the distinction of being the sole elected member from the ruling
coalition from Kerala, he was Ahamed was appointed Minister of State for
External Affairs. George Abraham said, “For decades, the honorable Minister
has been advocating our cause; he has been representing our voice and has been
the unofficial representative of Keralites around the globe.”
Kerala
Center President Mr. E. M. Stephen welcomes Minister of State for External
Affairs E. Ahamed to the reception organized by Indian American Kerala Cultural
and Civic Center and NORKA-NA at the Kerala Center. Sitting from L. to R: Dr.
Thomas Abraham, Consul General Pramathesh Rath, Minister E. Ahamed, Zach Thomas,
Geroge Abraham and Dr. Javad Hassan
