Poor response from NRI Kannadigas to Pravasi Divas

Concerned over poor response from NRI Kannadigas to the forthcoming Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, the Karnataka government has decided to step up efforts to reach out to them for participation in the event next month.
Karnataka is hosting the 15th edition of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Bengaluru for three days from January 7.
"It is for the first time the event is being organised in Karnataka and we are trying to get higher participation from NRI Kannadigas. So far, we have more than 320 NRIs registered, out of which NRI Kannadigas are only 10-15," Non-resident Indians (NRI) Forum, Karnataka, Deputy Chairman Arathi Krishna told reporters here.

There is not much awareness about the event among NRI Kannadigas because the event was mostly held in north India. Not only that, they don't even know that there is a separate NRI cell in the state to address their grievances, she said.
The event is important for NRI Kannadigas, Krishna said, because the state government is unveiling a 'new NRI policy' under which norms are eased to attract investment and support system would be provided to address labour, property, marriage and visa related issues.
Krishna was here in the national capital to discuss with the External Affairs Ministry officials and other associations about preparations for the event.

"The strategy to attract more NRIs was discussed in the meeting. The Centre has extended support to the state to attract more NRI Kannadigas to the event," she said.
There are about four lakh NRI Kannadigas and most of them are located in the US and Gulf nations.
The NRI Forum Karnataka is a government agency formed in 2008 with the responsibility of helping promote the interests of NRIs who invest in Karnataka.