Online think tank of overseas Indians

Online think tank of overseas Indians
Indians having an idea, but wondering how to go about it will soon have an online guide the knowledge and resources of the 25 million-strong overseas Indian community. Whether it is designing a new management course or launching a new enterprise, they can log on to a 'knowledge network' of overseas Indians and seek information from the 'virtual think tank'.
This electronic platform, to be activated in a month's time, will enable Indians abroad to contribute meaningfully to their homeland through the network without having to communicate in person. The online network will be formally launched on Thursday by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as he inaugurates the seventh edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, the annual conclave of the Indian diaspora.
"It will take a month for the Global-Indian Network of Knowledge (Global INK) to be activated, and it will possibly develop into the biggest link between those living here and overseas Indians," K Mohandas, secretary, Ministry of overseas Indian affairs told reporters here on the opening day of PBD-2009. "The network will be regulated, but anybody can register free and seek information in specific areas," he said.
The idea has been in the air for some time now, but the interactive knowledge network using information and communication technology has been developed by Tata Consultancy Services. "The idea is to make competent overseas Indians engage with our people," Mohandas said.
The global meltdown and terrorist threats have not affected attendance at PBD-2009, where more than 1,500 participants from 48 countries have registered so far. "The response has been quite enormous, especially in view of the general slowdown in the world and perceived adverse conditions," Mohandas said. The registration figure represented a 50% increase over the last edition.
Earlier, the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas exhibition focussing on trade and industry opportunities in the country was inaugurated in conjunction with the global meet by minister of state for parliamentary affairs and planning, V Narayanasamy.
Speaking to the media on the occasion, overseas Indian affairs minister Vayalar Ravi sought to assure persons of Indian origin that problems and bottlenecks that hindered their investment plans in the country would be removed. The Indian economy was poised to grow despite the global economic crisis, he said, and referred to the recent stimulus package for the economy unveiled by the Prime Minister.
NEWS ITEM: Thank to Times of India