Narendra Modi inaugurates Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, says working towards building world's largest startup ecosystem

Startups and non-resident Indian (NRI) mentors will be brought soon under one platform, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Varanasi on Tuesday. India is moving towards building the world's biggest startup ecosystem, Modi said, during the inauguration of the 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention at Varanasi.Lauding the efforts made by youth under the Make in India initiative, the prime minister said the country's youth is setting a record in the production of mobile phones, cars, buses, trains etc.Outlining the slew of measures taken by the government for the benefit and convenience of NRIs, he invited the gathering of NRIs to play a big role in research and development and innovation. He said the defence manufacturing could be a key sector of interest for NRIs.The government has been working on Reform, Perform, Transform and Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas, said the prime minister. He told the gathering of NRIs that they could play a big role in research and development and innovation.[caption id="attachment_5304331" align="alignleft" width="380"] File image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PTI[/caption]The government is working towards removing bottlenecks and delays in issuing passports. The prime minister said that all issues connected to passport would be addressed in Indian embassies abroad through a centralised system. The government is now working on chip-based e-passports too, he said and will make e-visa easier for NRIs.“Our government has simplified the process converting People of Indian Origin (PIO) cards to Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)," he said.He said 'NRIs are India's brand ambassadors. They are the symbols of our capacities and capabilities," he told the gathering. "People of Indian origin are in leadership roles in countries such as Mauritius, Portugal and Ireland," he said.Modi said India is in a  position to lead the world in several subjects. International Solar Alliance (ISA) is one such platform, he said. Through this medium, we want to take the world towards ‘One World, One Sun, One Grid’, the prime minister said.The three-day event starting from 21 January to 23 January is being held in Varanasi for the first time. The date for the event was postponed to enable people to visit the ongoing Kumbh mela in Uttar Pradesh. The theme of this year's convention is 'Role of Indian diaspora in building new India'.The Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Jugnauth is the chief guest of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention and Himanshu Gulati, member of Parliament of Norway, the special guest. “This is an excellent forum to engage with the Indian diaspora, which is distinguishing itself all over the world, " said Modi.  To keep watching India’s No. 1 English Business News Channel – CNBC-TV18, call your Cable or DTH Operator and ask for the Colors Family Pack (inclusive of 24 channels), available for Rs. 35/- per month, or subscribe to the channel for Rs. 4/- per day.To keep watching the Leader in Global Market & Business News – CNBC-TV18 Prime HD, call your Cable or DTH Operator and ask for the Colors Family HD Pack (inclusive of 25 channels), available for Rs. 50/- per month, or subscribe to the channel for Rs. 1/- per day.