Modi Announces Merger Of PIO & OCI, Lifetime Validity

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi created history at Madison Square Garden on September 28 as he addressed a record breaking footfall of Indian Americans at the giant indoor stadium on Sunday morning. Modi’s speech at Madison went viral within hours of the live broadcast both among the Indians and the Indian American community. The crowd went wild with the Prime Minister’s speech and social media burst forth with hashtags of #ModiinAmerica and #Modified.

A much important issue that Modi addressed on Sunday was that of PIO (Persons of Indian Origin) card holders. As Modi declared to the huge crowd, PIO holders will now get lifetime validity and exemption from police registration. This is an endeavor to facilitate visa-free travel to India, rights of residency, ownership of property (non-agricultural), participation in business and educational activities in the country.

This announcement in particular also comes as a pleasant surprise for many Pondicherrians living abroad, notably in France. Pondicherry which was under French rule until 1962 had many citizens opt for French nationality, many of them are now settled in France but have family and assets here.

A Person Of Indian Origin is a form of identification issued by the Central Government of India, to a person of Indian origin or their spouse who holds a passport in any country other than Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Modi has also announced the merger of PIO and OCI (Overseas Citizens of India) cards. OCI cards are made available for people of Indian origin living in other countries. The merger of these two cards could make PIO card holders eligible for the same benefits that are enjoyed by OCI card holders and facilitates a simplified process.

“I have been told that due to differences between PIO and OCI people face difficulties, especially those who have spouses who are not Indians. I am happy to announce that we will merge the PIO and OCI schemes and make it into one,” Modi said.

“Happy?” he asks the cheering crowd. “There is even more to come,” he says with a smile.

France Eager To Get More Involved In Pondicherry

A deputation led by François Vandeville, Co-operation Counselor, French Consulate, Delhi, recently met with the Chief Minister N. Rangaswamy. The 45 minute long meeting was described as a courtesy call by the Chief Minister’s Office.

Also part of the delegation were  Jeany Vesgillon, Director of French Institute, New Delhi. Together, they held discussions with the Chief Minister on the future prospective of various areas in Puducherry. Philippe Janvier Kamiyama, Consul General of France in Pondicherry, was also present.

According to Vandeville, France wanted to mainstream and boost its presence in Pondicherry not just for the sake of the past, but for the future and what it could hold as well.

“We believe that Puducherry can help us outreach our future not only in the field of education but in other areas also. The idea is to develop the French International Lycee Francais de Pondicherry here which has been offering several international programmes. The school is not only for students from France but has to serve Indian citizens all over the country,” he said.

The Chief Minister responded that the Puducherry government would be glad to respond to the plea and asked the delegation to furnish the administration with information of the type of aid they would need for the proposed expansion. Both sides, as it is apparent, are looking forward to a greater expansion of the white town in Puducherry.