Bangalore: The Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children has been revamped extended from 44 to 66 countries while the number of scholarships has also been increased.  This Scholarship enables Diaspora youth to pursue undergraduate courses in Indian Universities and Institutes. This was informed by Gen (Dr) VK Singh (Retd.), Minister of State for External Affairs, while addressing the inaugural session of Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on Role of Diaspora Youth in the Transformation of India, held today in Bangalore.

The Minister said that living far from home as students is challenging.  “We must work to make it easier for students to focus on excellence– whether they are Indian students abroad, or NRI students or other foreign students in India. To help the government understand the student related issues and possible solutions, the Youth PBD 2017 includes plenary sessions on issues faced by Indian students abroad and NRI and PIO students in India” Gen Singh said.

The Minister informed that the government has recently launched a platform for online registration of Indian students abroad – it is voluntary, which will help the government estimate the number of such students, map them and also reach out to them in a more effective manner.

The Minister mentioned in this Youth PBD 2017 that about 4 Ts through one can transform lives as well as India. These are Talent, Technology, Training, and Teamwork.  “By 2020, the average age in India will be 29 making it the world’s youngest country with 64% of the population in the working age group. The Prime Minister’s vision will make India the skill capital of the world by 2022,” he added.

Highlighting the linkage between skills and entrepreneurship, the minister said that the skilling eco-system should also lead to innovation and techno-entrepreneurship which, directly or indirectly, result in social good. The Youth PBD 2017 has a plenary session on Start-ups and Innovation which have a social impact in India.