Over 6000 Non-residential Indians (NRIs) and People of Indian-Origin (PIOs) have gathered in India for the 3-day Pravasi Bharatiya Divas gathering, the biennial event that celebrates the Indian diaspora.
Speaking at the event in Bengaluru, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said a Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana would be launched shortly to enable Indians to earn more abroad and adjust better to overseas societies.
He said India is one of the world's biggest labour exporters: around 30 million Indians live abroad and last year remitted $69 billion to the country.
Under this new scheme, specially designed courses, of durations of 15 days to one month, would be taught to youth seeking jobs abroad.
These courses will range from housekeeping to cooking and other basic skills that would enable Indians to understand what their overseas employers require of them.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the scheme is aimed at training and certification of Indian workforce keen on working abroad in select sectors and job roles, in line with international standards, to facilitate overseas employment opportunities. The scheme will be implemented by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).
