Swaraj to Indian diaspora in Germany: Keep one foot in India

Putting the spotlight on the India growth story, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has exhorted the well-heeled Indian community in Germany to put one foot in India and be part of the country’s development initiatives.

Addressing a select group of the Indian community at a reception hosted by India’s ambassador Vijay Gokhale in Berlin, Mrs Swaraj who is on a two-day visit to Germany asked the Indian community to contribute to India by keeping at least one foot in India. She stressed that it’s the right time to return to India. “I would also like to appeal to the people, who wish to continue to stay here that at least keep your one foot in your own country. If the father is here, son should go back to his own country or if the son is here, the father should return to his own country (India),” said the minister.

Germany is home to 143,000 Indians, which includes Persons of Indian Origin and Indian passport holders. There are 10,000 Indian students pursuing higher education in Germany. Alluding to the German proposal to clean up Ganga river, she appealed to the Indian diaspora to whole-heartedly contribute to the “Clean Ganga Mission” as well as ‘Swachh Vidyalaya’ initiative which is aimed at providing a functional toilet in every school toilets.

Asking the Indian community in Germany to be a part of India’s development, she said the country has witnessed a “momentous change” since the NDA government came to power with a clear majority. Speaking about the rise in India’s global stature since May 2014, the minister emphasised on how the Indian government had not only rescued 4000 Indians from the crisis-hit Yemen but also rescued 1900 foreign nationals from the war-torn West Asian country.

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