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.
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