India

The ITHACA project is implemented by the European University Institute (EUI) in cooperation with ICMPD, Real Instituto Elcano (RIE), London Metropolitan University (LMU). The project aims to contribute to the rising research and policy interest on migrant transnationalism and its effects on countries of origin and destination as well as on migrants themselves (and their families). The project concentrates on transnational mobility for economic purposes, i.e.

With the financial inclusion program introduced in 2014, India has managed to open more than 118 millions account in less than a year. Regarding migration (both domestic and international migration), the program has connected payment banking networks with the mobile companies so that the remittances can travel faster.

IndiaSkills is a joint venture between Manipal Education from India and City and Guilds from the UK to produce 500 centres and 1 million learners in 5 years with the aim of redefining the way education and training is delivered in India. It will enable students to obtain internationally-recognized skills-based qualifications in a wide range of industries, beginning with retail, hospitality, banking and English language training.

The Swiss Federal Office for Vocational Training (OFFT) and the Switzerland-India Chamber of Commerce launched a pilot project for technical training based on the initial polymechanic vocational training provided by Swissmem in 2008. The certificate of "Multiple Skilled Production Technician" was awarded to the first 18 professionals who followed a two years training program in the industrial sector.

The Governments of India, the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates launched a pilot project to test and identify best practices in managing the temporary contractual employment cycle. The lessons learned from the pilot project will form the basis for developing a comprehensive regional framework that can be carried out on a much larger scale.

In response to persistent demands for "dual citizenship" particularly from the Diaspora in North America and other developed countries and keeping in view the Government's deep commitment towards fulfilling the aspirations and expectations of Overseas Indians, the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) Scheme was introduced by amending the Citizenship Act, 1955 in August 2005. The Scheme was launched during the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention 2006 at Hyderabad.

The introduction of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme, is designed to help “increase incomes of the poor directly and reduce expenses incurred on distress migration.” Through agro-food processing, sericulture and other village enterprises, India hopes to “check rural-urban migration by gainfully employing people in villages.”

Know India Programme of the Ministry is a three-week orientation programme for diaspora youth conducted with a view to promote awareness on different facets of life in India and the progress made by the country in various fields e.g. economic, industrial, education, Science & Technology, Communication & Information Technology, culture. KIP provide a unique forum for students & young professionals of Indian origin to visit India, share their views, expectations & experiences and to develop closer bonds with the contemporary India.

Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre (OIFC) was established in 2007 with the objective of supporting the Indian Diaspora connect better with India and assisting them in deepening their economic and intellectual engagement with India. Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, Government of India, set up OIFC, a Public Private Partnership, in association with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), India’s apex industry chamber.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated on 9th January every year to mark the contribution of Overseas Indian community in the development of India. January 9 was chosen as the day to celebrate this occasion since it was on this day in 1915 that Mahatma Gandhi, returned to India from South Africa, led India’s freedom struggle and changed the lives of Indians forever.