PBD meet: India welcomes its own

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh inaugurated the meet by fullfilling a promise that his government had made last year - to grant Overseas Citizenship India cards to Persons of Indian Origin.

Dr Singh presented the first Overseas Citizenship India cards to two PIOs during the PBD inaugural ceremony - Nirvruti Rai (right, below) and Iftar Ahmed Sherief (right, top).

Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Dr Singh said, "Last year in Mumbai, I had declared our government's intention to make sure that one day, every PIO living anywhere in the world can aspire to become a citizen of our sacred Motherland. Today we have delivered on our promise."

Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs said in his speech that the procedures to grant OCI cards are being simplified.

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