The Indian Panorama

Tag: OCI

  • 2025 has been a Momentous Year for the Consulate: Ambassador Pradhan

    2025 has been a Momentous Year for the Consulate: Ambassador Pradhan

    • By Indrajit S Saluja

    Ambassador Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, Consul General of India in New York, in an interview with The Indian Panorama on December 22, 2025, highlighted significant achievements of the Consulate in 2025, including the establishment of new satellite centers in Ohio, New Jersey, and Boston, extension of consular services on weekends and holidays, and improved VFS services. The consulate as of now handles 11 states, with plans to reduce the number to six, once the Boston consulate is fully operational.

    Here are edited excerpts from the interview.

    TIP: Please share with the readers of The Indian Panorama your achievements in 2025. What you dreamed  to achieve? What  you have been able to achieve? What you have not been able to achieve? And why you have not been able to achieve, if at all, that was the situation, and what you plan to do in future?

    CG: It’s always a pleasure to speak to you and through you to your  viewers and readers. But coming to this year, I would say this is the  last week, practically, of the year, 2025 and if I look back, this year has been quite momentous when it comes to the consulate services that we provide  to the community.  On first of August, we started our satellite centers in three new places in this consular jurisdiction. Now we have a VSF satellite center in Columbus, Ohio. We have one in Edison in New Jersey, and we have one in Boston, in Massachusetts. And if you remember, last year when the prime minister came, he announced that soon we will be having a new consulate in Boston. And I am so happy to say that now we have a consulate functional there. We have a consul general. And I would say in a record period of time, we have got a consulate functional over there. But more importantly, we cater to about 2.4 million strong Indian diaspora from here. And in addition to the Indian diaspora, we also cater to the American friends who go to India for tourism, for business, for meetings, and for various other purposes. So the effort has been to provide seamless, best quality service from here. Last year, we started to open the consulate  on Saturdays and Sundays for emergency services,  and also on other national holidays. This year, we continue to do that, and we worked with the Indian communities across the consular jurisdiction. We held consular camps in each and every state that we deal with. And now, as I said, from first of August, we not only have the satellite centers, but they are qualitatively different. Now, we signed a new agreement across the country, by the way, by which the VFS, which is our service provider, is now providing qualitatively far superior services. They charge $19 across the board for whatever service they provide. For  $19 now they are providing improved services in the sense that suppose somebody reaches a VFS center in Edison or in Columbus, Ohio, or in Boston or in New York City, and the applicant has not been able to fill the application, they will help the applicant to fill up the application. If for any  reason, the applicant has not got his photographs, or, let us say, photocopies of the documents, then VFS, without charging any additional money, would be providing photographs, would be providing photocopies of the documents. I am happy that 2025  was a very good year in bringing a qualitative improvement in the services that we provide. 

    TIP: What has been the  most significant achievement for the consulate in 2025?

    CG:  I would say, like I said we as a consulate, deal with, not only the Indian diaspora and the consular requirements. We also deal with  the businesses  and  have economic engagement. We deal with political engagement. I would say the year was quite good. We have reached out to, you know, all the states, to the elected leaders at federal level, to the elected leaders at State Assembly and State Senate level. We  look at the sub national cooperation. The governor of New Jersey went to India three months back, and that was the second visit in five years. The governor of Connecticut went to India in February 2025 and now in February 2026 the governor of Delaware is going. So,  I would say, in the year 2025 we had two governors from our jurisdiction visiting India.  It shows the dynamism in the relationship. It shows how the relationship is playing out in a very successful and positive way, even at state to state cooperation level. Because when Governor of Connecticut went to India, he went to different states. He met the chief ministers he met the business communities. He met the investment community, trading community. Same thing happened when the governor of New Jersey went. He took five universities with him, and all these five universities are having significant number of Indian students. So look at the connect. I cannot imagine another such relationship, where we have such  strong people to people connect. I would say 2025 was successful in every sense, in terms of our providing  qualitatively better services to our diaspora, to our community, the sub national cooperation, as I mentioned about, the visits of the governors, economic engagement have been quite successful. Look at the investment track, whether we are talking about FDI, whether we are talking about alternate venture capital investment. Recently, $72 billion of investment were announced in last one month only in the artificial intelligence space in India. So we saw Amazon announcing $35 billion investment. We saw Google announcing $15 billion investment. We saw Microsoft announcing their biggest investment in Asia when Mr. Satya Nadella met the Prime Minister and  spoke  about $17.5 billion of investment. And we also heard about  Apple investing.  $72 billion investment, just in AI space. That was the same week when the CEO of Intel met Prime Minister. So I would say the economic engagement between US and India is  quite deep and quite dynamic.  I would say 2025,  as I see it, was quite successful in my jurisdiction, from economic engagement to community engagement to political engagement. And if you look at the softer side, like our cultural engagement, people to people connect, was quite good.

    TIP:  How do you view the contribution of the Indian Americans, the diaspora in promoting these ties between this country and India?

    CG: This  is quite well known now that Indian diaspora takes the lead when it comes to building the relationship, not only in the softer side of culture, people to people contact, but even in critical areas, whether it is investment, whether it is trade, whether it is scientific, technological collaboration, whether it is political engagement. I think, this community has been playing a lead role and leadership from both sides, both in India and the United States. They appreciate that. So that is what you would see that, like I took the names of diaspora members who are leading technology companies having met Prime Minister, you would find the same thing when President Trump was celebrating Diwali, you would find many of the Indian American community people, tech CEOs, you know, being with him. I think you know they play a very critical role in every possible way.

    TIP: And how about the students who have come here to study? They are a sizable number, number one, and also they must be contributing a lot towards  better understanding,  better relationship between India and the US. How do you view that?

    CG: The student community is a is a very important community, because when we talk about the diaspora here today, 5.4 million strong Indian diaspora, most of them came here as students. And they have contributed to nation building of this country. Many of them are going back to India and contributing there as well. And even if they are staying here, both as nationals of India or nationals of United States, they are forming very formidable bridges between our two countries. But let us also not forget the remittances India makes  for the education of the student population  here People.. It is ‘s to the tune of $21 to $26 billion every year. These students  become an important part of the American society. People who go back, they become an important part of Indian society.

    TIP: As they say, it’s time to ring out the old  and ring in the new , , so let us know your mind. What do you plan  to do in 2026?

    CG: The new year 2026 , I’m sure would provide us opportunities to intensify our engagement with the community, not only in terms of providing them better services, but also working closely with them for all the objectives, like whether it is  promoting cultural collaboration between our two countries, or economic engagement between our  two countries, or engaging for scientific and technological advancement, because there  are huge complementarities between our two countries and our two economy and scientific communities sitting in New York. When you are dealing with the best of the minds here, whether it is Wall Street, whether it is the universities, whether it is the cultural minds, our job is to find the connect between two sides. Notwithstanding these engagements, the Prime Minister is very mindful about taking care of the Diaspora requirement. So I think you will see in 2026 the consulate having focus on all these things. Through you, I would urge your viewers, your readers, to give their suggestions, give their ideas about how we can improve the services . On   the consular side, our effort has been to have zero pendency, whether it is issuing of passports, whether it is issuing of OCI cards, whether it is issuing of visa or any other service, miscellaneous services. And our objective would be to work with the community, with the community groups, community leaders, to provide a service that, you know, people would find hassle free, people friendly, and people would find it accessible. So that is going to be the effort in 2026 .

    TIP:  I would request you to please give your message for the new year to our readers.

    CG: On behalf of the consulate and on my personal behalf, I would wish everybody a Happy New Year. I’m sure the year 2026 is going to bring new dimensions, new opportunities and new success stories of our collaboration, both between our two countries and between our two people. And I am sure the Indian diaspora, the Indian American community, which has been playing a very prominent role in this, would be doing the same. And when it comes to our diaspora here, you know, we would lay special emphasis on friends like you to work with us in making these objectives realities.

  • French journalist forced to leave India as MHA refuses to renew his work permit

    French journalist forced to leave India as MHA refuses to renew his work permit

    NEW DELHI (TIP): French journalist Sebastien Farcis, working in India since 2011, said he has been forced to leave the country after being denied the renewal of his work permit without providing any reason.

    Sebastien Farcis, who is married to an Indian and has the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status since 2021, said he was deeply attached to India, which had become his second homeland. “But with no more work nor income, my family has been pushed out of India without explanation, and uprooted overnight for no apparent reason,” Mr. Farcis said in a post on social media platform X.

    When asked to comment on the matter, there was no response from the MHA.

    Earlier this year, French journalist Vanessa Dougnac, who had been living in India for 22 years, left the country after the MHA sent a notice citing “malicious reportage” and visa violations, asking why her OCI card should not be cancelled.

    Mr. Farcis was the South Asia correspondent and bureau chief of Radio France, a national public broadcaster, and its world service, Radio France Internationale, a government-funded, independent broadcast organization.

    He had earlier received permits from the MHA to visit restricted areas, had reported from Sikkim on organic farming, and attended a G20 meeting in Jammu and Kashmir.

    He had previously been granted a journalist permit on September 1, 2022 for a period of one year. Upon applying for its renewal on August 9, 2023, he was informed on March 7, days before the recently concluded General Election was announced, that his application had been denied. No reasons were cited. His appeal against the decision in April did not elicit a response from the MHA.

    “On 17th June, I was forced to leave India, a country where I had lived and worked as a journalist for 13 years. Three months ago, on March 7, MHA denied the renewal of my journalist permit, preventing me from practicing my profession and depriving me of all my income. No reason has been provided to justify this work ban, despite formal and repeated requests made to the MHA. I have tried to appeal also, but to no avail so far,” Mr. Farcis said in a statement on X.

    He added that he had been working as a journalist in India since 2011 and obtained all the necessary visas and accreditations. “I have respected the regulations imposed in India for foreign journalists and never worked in restricted or protected areas without a permit. On several occasions, the MHA even granted me permits to report from border areas. Therefore, this work ban comes as a big shock: it was communicated to me on the eve of the Indian general elections, the largest democratic elections in the world, which I was hence forbidden to cover. This appeared to me as an incomprehensible censorship,” he stated.

    “This denial comes in a worrying context of increasing restrictions on the work of foreign journalists: after Vanessa Dougnac, I am the second French journalist in four months having to leave India under these conditions. At least five OCI foreign correspondents have been banned from working as journalists in less than two years. I have now applied for a new work permit and hope it will be accepted. In the meantime, as I am not able to work, I am forced to return to France,” Mr. Farcis said.

    Meanwhile, the New York based Journalists Beyond Borders has deplored that journalists are being harassed in India. The organization’s President Prof. Indrajit S Saluja has called upon the media fraternity to convey its displeasure to government of India.

  • FIA of Chicago and Consulate General of India, Chicago organized OCI / Passport Camp

    FIA of Chicago and Consulate General of India, Chicago organized OCI / Passport Camp

    Attendees at the camp (Photographs / Asian Media USA)

    CHICAGO, IL (TIP): FIA, Chicago in partnership with the Consulate General of India Office in Chicago organized an OCI camp at Manav Seva Mandir, Bensenville, Il on Dec 10, 2023. The camp was attended by more than 500 people of Indian descent families.

    The camp had focused mainly on two issues faced by the Indian diaspora – OCI Card and Passport issues. Consul General Mr. Somnath Ghosh was magnanimous enough to extend all the support from his office and more than six consulate staff members manned the inquiry and processing desk to answer and process the paperwork for OCI Cards.
    The event, aimed at providing comprehensive assistance to the Indian diaspora and OCI cardholders, witnessed enthusiastic participation from the community. The collaborative efforts between the Federation of Indian Associations and the Consulate General Chicago Office once more highlighted the commitment to fostering strong ties and enhancing support for the Indian community abroad. Unprecedented Interest: The overwhelming response from the community, as evidenced by more than 1000 telephonic phone inquiries, showcases the high demand for OCI services and assistance.

    Community Engagement: The Federation of Indian Associations, Chicago initiative, and full support from the Chicago Consulate Office, facilitated a robust platform for community engagement, fostering a sense of unity and support.

    Registrations: More than 550 individuals registered for the OCI camp, demonstrating the community’s eagerness to avail themselves of the essential services provided by the Consulate General Office.

    Active Participation: The camp witnessed the active participation of 590 individuals who took advantage of the services offered, including new applications.

    • OCI Card Services: The camp offered a streamlined process for various OCI services, including new applications, re-issuance, and addressing queries related to OCI cards.

    • Indian Passport Services: Attendees had the opportunity to engage with consular officials, seeking guidance and support on various consular matters, ensuring a seamless experience for all.

    • Informational Sessions: Expert-led informational sessions were conducted, covering topics such as legal rights, cultural exchange programs, and updates on the latest developments related to OCI regulations.

    • Adhaar card and Pan Card: The event also featured queries and assistance filling out forms and form attestation.

    • Visa applications: Participants had the chance to apply for an Indian Visa and submit the applications for the same.

     

    The Consul General and VSF Representative expressed gratitude for the FIA initiative and the community’s active participation. They stated, “The OCI Camp reflects our ongoing commitment to providing essential services and support to the Indian diaspora. We are grateful for the partnership with the Federation of Indian Associations, which has contributed to the success of this event.

    ” Dr, Rashmi Patel President of the Federation of Indian Associations Chicago remarked, “Collaborating with the [Embassy/Consulate General] for this OCI Camp has been a significant step towards strengthening our community bonds. We look forward to more such initiatives that benefit the Indian diaspora.”

    Furthermore, Dr. Rashmi Patel extended his heartfelt appreciation to Manav Seva Mandir and its volunteers for allowing us to use their facility and resources for this event. He also thanked all the participants for their active involvement including appreciating the volunteering work done by the Women Empowering Group. He also thanked the youth empowering group for their excellent services.

    Dr. Bhart Bhai Barai, community pillar, praised the super success of the camp and said that our community needs this type of camp at least twice a year. He appreciated the presence of the EC committee members Mr. Nitin Patel (Ex. VP), Mr. Vijendra Doma, and Dr. Hament Patel, who worked hard for the success of this event.

    Dr. Patel thanked the Media people from TV Asia Ms. Vandna Jhingan, India Post Mr. Soparawala. Hi India Mr. Ajai Agnihotri, Desi Talk Mr., Bhailal Patel, And Suresh Bodiwala From Asian Media USA

    The presence and creative feedback of FIA Trustees Bhailal Patel, Kantibhai S. Patel, Kantibhai N. Patel, Rajesh Patel, Hina Trivedi and Ajai Agnihotri secured the success. Dr. Rashmi Patel informed that to make this camp a success FIA provided 7 laptops 3 printers/scanners. Manish Jain and Aalap Patel provided Notary services throughout the day pro bono.

    FIA provided snacks and light refreshments throughout the day for all the attendees.
    (Press release by Asian Media USA)

  • Foreigners can also move Indian courts in domestic abuse case, says Madras HC

    The Madras high court has said that even foreigners can invoke Domestic Violence Act, 2005 in Indian courts and that the residence of women is immaterial.
    A single judge bench was hearing a case of an American couple holding Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards. The court has dismissed a plea moved by the husband seeking quashing of a domestic violence complaint filed by his wife in a Mahila court in Chennai. The husband had contended that he had obtained an ex-parte decree for divorce as well as custody of their adolescent twin boys from the Circuit Court in Farifax County in the USA.
    Justice S M Subramaniam observed that Indian courts cannot shut out an independent consideration of the matter just because a foreign court has taken a particular view. The couple had been married in Chennai and it was registered under the provisions of the Hindu Marriages Act, 1955.
    In orders passed on February 1, the court pointed out that under section 27 of the Domestic Violence Act, protection is extended to those who are temporary residents of India and Article 21 of the Constitution of India extends this protection even to a “person” who may not be a citizen of the country. “Thus looking from any angle, the respondent, who is aggrieved, is entitled to get protection under the Domestic Violence Act, 2005,” the court said.

  • Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

    Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

    Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated annually on 9 January to mark the contribution of the non-residential Indian community towards the development of the country. According the Ministry of External Affairs, 9 January was chosen for the observance, as on this day in the year 1915, Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa. He then went on to lead the country in its freedom struggle. Being celebrated since 2003, the year 2015 saw a slight change with PBD being celebrated every two years from then on. The convention allows NRIs to engage with the government and people of the land of their ancestors for mutually beneficial activities.

    It is sad that the day  has lost importance over the years under the Modi government.

    This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Non-Resident Indians (NRI) across the globe are coming together to celebrate the 16th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention in a virtual format.

    The Day holds great significance as it not only reconnects NRIs with their roots but celebrates their achievements as well. It also acknowledges the difficulties faced by Indian expatriate workers living abroad.

    Established in 2000, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is sponsored by the Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the Confederation of Indian Industries and the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region.

    A celebratory event is held on 7-9 January every other year in an Indian city: a forum for issues concerning the Indian Diaspora is organised and the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards are given.

    In 2006, the concept of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) was launched during the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention at Hyderabad on 9 January.

    In 2014, Pravasi Bhartiya Divas was held in New Delhi and was attended by 1,500 delegates from 51 countries. President Pranab Mukherjee gave the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards.

    In 2013, 11th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was held in Kochi from 7-9 January, where the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) is organizing partner of the summit. The President of Mauritius, Rajkeswur Purryag, was the chief guest at the official inaugural session. Canadian Minister Jason Kenney became the first individual of non-Indian heritage to address the gathering.

    The 12th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was held during 7-9 January 2014 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The Theme for this year was Engaging Diaspora: Connecting Across Generations.

    The 13th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was held during 7-9 January 2015 at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, Gujarat . The Theme for this year was “Apna Bharat, Apna Gaurav”.

    The 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, which was supposed to be held during 7-9 January 2016 at New Delhi, was cancelled under the MEA’s decision to make the event biennial.

    The 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was held during 7-9 January 2017 at Bengaluru, Karnataka. The theme for this year was “Redefining engagement with the Indian diaspora”.

    The 16th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2018 was held during 6-7 January 2018 at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.

    The 17th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas 2019 was held during 21-23 January 2019 at Varanasi, India. Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Jugnauth was the chief guest.

    History

    The decision to celebrate Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was taken in accordance with recommendations of the High Level Committee (HLC) on the Indian Diaspora set up by government of India under the chairmanship of L. M. Singhvi. The then Prime Minister of India,  Atal Bihari Vajpayee, received the report of the Committee at a public function at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi on 8 January 2002, and announced the “Pravasi Bharatiya Divas” (PBD) on 9 January 2002. The day was chosen to mark the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to India in 1915.

    The occasion is marked by special programs to recognise the contributions of NRI/PIO individuals of exceptional merit, felicitate NRI/PIO individuals who have made exceptional contributions in their chosen field/profession (Pravasi Bharatiya Samman and provide a forum to discuss issues and concerns of people of the diaspora. The event has been organized every year since 2003, and is sponsored by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs and the CII (Confederation of Indian Industry), initially sponsored by FICCI.

    The 8th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas took place on 7-9 January 2010 and was webcast live at the official Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs website, also covered live on social media via live blogging and live tweeting at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, an online platform powered by Kotak Mahindra Bank. An investment facilitation platform for overseas Indians, the Overseas Indians Facilitation Centre, was launched by India’s Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, with a view of strengthening ties with the diaspora for partnering in India’s growth story on the occasion.

    The 2012 Pravasi Bhartiya Divas was held from 7-9 January 2012. The venue was Jaipur, Rajasthan. Chief Guest of this event was the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Ms Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

    The 2013 Pravasi Bhartiya Divas was held from 8-9 January 2013 in Kochi, Kerala. Chief Guest of this event was the President of Mauritius, Rajkeshwar Purryag. The 2015 Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was held in Ahmedabad celebrating 100 years of Mahatma’s return to India. Chief guest was Mr Donald Ramtar, President of Republic of Guyana. The theme for this was “Apna Bharat Apna Gaurav” “Connecting Generations”.

    Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), the annual event for the Indian diaspora, was canceled for 2016. The format of the event, which is held between 7 and 9 January, has been changed as announced by the minister of external affairs and overseas Indian affairs Sushma Swaraj, in October 2015. As per the announcement, the event was being moved to different states every two years; a smaller event would be held in Delhi every alternate year.

    In 2017, the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was held from 7-9 January 2017 in Bengaluru. The theme of this edition was “Redefining Engagement with the Indian Diaspora”. The Ministry of External Affairs, under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had used digital modes to reach out to Indians abroad. The campaign Digital India also played a major role in bringing the success to Pravasi Bhartiya Divas. The plenary session ‘Leveraging Social Media for Diaspora Connect’ held on 9 January 2017, at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas looked at social media as a medium in connecting the Indian Diaspora.

    About PBD Convention 2021

    In a virtual format, the convention will be held and the theme of the 16th PBD Convention 2021 is “Contributing to Aatmanirbhar Bharat”. The Convention of PBD will have three segments and will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. It will also be addressed by the Chief Guest, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, President of the Republic of Suriname. Winners of the online Bharat ko Janiye Quiz for the youth will be announced.

    The inaugural session will also be followed by the two Plenary sessions. The first will be on the Role of Diaspora Aatmanirbhar Bharat and will be featured by the External Affairs Minister and Commerce and Industry Minister. And the second will be on Facing Post Covid Challenges – Scenario in Health, Economy, Social and International Relations that will be addressed by Minister of Health and Minister of State for External Affairs.

    The Valedictory Session will be the finale where the President will deliver his Valedictory address to mark the occasion of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.

    Here to inform you that the Youth PBD was also be observed virtually on the theme “Bringing together Young Achievers from India and Indian Diaspora” on 8 January 2021 and was anchored by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The Special Guest for the event is Priyanca Radhakrishnan, Minister for Community& Voluntary Sector of New Zealand.

    In January 2019, it was celebrated at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh to acknowledge the Indian Diaspora of Indian origin to share their experience, knowledge which can help in the development of the country.

  • NFIA HOSTS INTERACTIVE SESSION ON OCI AND INDIAN VISA WITH NEW YORK INDIAN CONSULATE

    NFIA HOSTS INTERACTIVE SESSION ON OCI AND INDIAN VISA WITH NEW YORK INDIAN CONSULATE

    Gunjan Rastogi (left) and Ajoy Dube participate in the webinar.

    NEW YORK (TIP): The National Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA) organized a virtual interactive zoom meeting on Thursday, April 29, 2021 with the Indian Consulate Office in New York, NY. Topics focused on clarifying changes/issues relating to OCI, emergency visa issuance and other related travel guidelines.

    NFIA, formed in New York in 1980, is the largest Indian American National umbrella organization looking after the interest of our community and also promoting US-India Relations.

    This effort was initiated and organized by NFIA’s Regional Vice President (RVP), Mrs. Gunjan Rastogi, who single-handedly spearheaded and successfully executed in a relatively short time frame. This was necessitated due to the fervent requests made by the Indo-American  community as well as the community-at-large to hold another session with the Indian consulate office in an effort to gain a better understanding of the OCI changes/issues. The consulate office included Honorable DCG, Shatrughna Sinha and Honorable Consul (CPV) Murugesan Ramaswamy and the zoom live event was attended by approximately 280 participants from all over the United States.

    The meeting kicked off with a welcome address by Gunjan Rastogi, followed by a moment of silence observed in honor of the COVID-19 victims in India. Next, NFIA president, Ajoy Dube made introductory remarks. The consulate office spent the first hour dedicated to the aforementioned topics which were clearly explained in an informative manner and this then transitioned into a Q&A session moderated by Mukesh Modi and Nilima Madan, both residents of the New York area. Several NFIA members attended were recognized at the event, including NFIA past presidents Subash Razdan, Sudip Gorakhshakar, Dr. Thomas Abraham and Angela Anand as well as NFIA Board members Raj Razdan, Dr. Hari Har Singh, Dr. Satish Mishra, Sunny Gabhawala, Aparna Hande, Prashanthi Harathi, Kamini Khare and Ashok Patnaik. Further, Mrs. Rastogi also recognized the presidents of the 13 supporting organizations who participated in the event: NIAASC, RANA, UPANY, Kerala Center, World Vegan Vision, India Home, Indian American Action Group, Metropolitan Asian Family Services, Navika Group of companies, Senior Community Center of Vaishnav Temple, Indo-American Senior Citizen NY, A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility and IALI.

    The event concluded with a vote of thanks and the RVP expressed her appreciation to both theconsulate officers and to everyone in attendance. The Deputy Consul General encouraged the viewers to keep sending any unanswered questions to the Indian consulate office. Everyone in attendance felt that the interactive session provided the details and cleared a lot of lingering doubts relating to the OCI and the issuance of the emergency visas.

    (Based on a press release by Gunjan Rastogi)

  • Indian Americans Welcome New Simplified Rules on Overseas Citizens of India Cards 

    Indian Americans Welcome New Simplified Rules on Overseas Citizens of India Cards 

    WASHINGTON (TIP): Indian Americans have welcomed the Indian government’s decision to simplify the process of maintaining Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cards, saying more overseas citizens will now opt for this form of residency. The OCI cardholders will now be required to get their document re-issued only once at the age of 20 instead of multiple times needed to be done currently, according to the Indian Union Home Ministry. “This will remove the confusion to many OCI cardholders on the process of renewing the card at the age of 20 and 50 and one doesn’t have to go through the whole OCI card renewal process again,” Dr Thomas Abraham chairman of the Global organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) told PTI on Thursday.

    “This will also encourage more overseas Indians to become OCIs and it will benefit India, through their travel, business and investment in India,” he said. Highly popular among overseas Indians, the OCI card provides long term visa-free travel and stay in India and gives the cardholders a host of privileges normally not given to a foreign national. So far India has issued about 37.72 lakh OCI Cards. The previous provision of OCI card holders below 20 years of age and above 50 years of age requiring to re-apply for a fresh OCI card every time their passport was renewed was causing a lot of anxiety and travel turbulence to people of Indian origin. “With a view to facilitate the OCI cardholders, it has now been decided by the Government of India to dispense with this requirement,” the Union Home Ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

    A person who has got registration as an OCI cardholder prior to attaining the age of 20 years will have to get the OCI card re-issued only once when a new passport is issued after his/her completing 20 years of age, so as to capture his/ her facial features on attaining adulthood.

    If a person has obtained registration as an OCI cardholder after attaining the age of 20 years, there will be no requirement of re-issue of the OCI card. “With a view to update the data regarding new passports obtained by the OCI cardholder, it has been decided that he/she shall upload a copy of the new passport containing his/her photo and also a latest photo on the online OCI portal, each time a new passport is issued up to 20 years of age and once after completing 50 years of age. These documents may be uploaded by the OCI cardholder within 3 months of receipt of the new passport,” the government statement said. “OCI process simplification guidelines, issued today (Thursday), truly make OCI a life-long visa. Previously, it was just a long-term visa,” New York-based social activist Prem Bhandari said. “Travelers with valid OCI, but renewed passports were denied boarding. The excruciating difficulties NRIs have gone through due to the tedious OCI renewal process after getting a passport renewed, are resolved once for all,” Bhandari said.

    At the same time, the GOPIO urged the Indian government to take steps to address other issues of the overseas Indian community as well.

    “GOPIO strongly urges the government to treat OCI cardholders who have invested in the business and creating jobs in India at par with Indian citizens and they shouldn’t”t be termed as foreign nationals by various government agencies while doing business including manufacturing and research in India,” Dr. Abraham said

  • Diaspora Welcomes Modi Government’s Simplificationof OCI Cards Re-issue Process

    Diaspora Welcomes Modi Government’s Simplificationof OCI Cards Re-issue Process

    Wants parity in privileges and benefits with Indian citizens in India

    GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham welcomed the simplification of process with regard to the OCI card, but urged the government of India to treat OCI Card holders who have invested in business and creating jobs in India at par with Indian citizens
    Jaipur Foot, USA Chairman Prem Bhandari who has been a relentless critic of the government policies on OCI Card, questioning how it could be a lifelong card when it required renewal time and again, said the Indian government has made a good beginning, but it has yet to meet the aspirations of the NRI community.

    I.S. Saluja

    NEW YORK (TIP): A notification posted by Press Information Bureau on April 15, 2021 at 7.02 PM (IST) speaks of a government of India decision which is expected to significantly ease the process for re-issue of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards. It says the Modi Government has decided to simplify the process. This decision has been taken on the directions of the Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The OCI Card has proved to be very popular amongst foreigners of Indian Origin and spouses of foreign origin of Indian citizens or OCI cardholders, as it helps them a hassle-free entry and unlimited stay in India. So far about 37.72 lakh OCI Cards have been issued by the Government of India. As per the extant law, a foreigner of Indian origin or a foreign spouse of an Indian citizen or foreign spouse of an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder, can be registered as an OCI cardholder. OCI card is a lifelong visa for entry into and stay in India with a number of other major benefits attached to it which are not available to other foreigners.

     Presently, the OCI card is required to be re-issued each time a new passport is issued up to 20 years of age and once after completing 50 years of age, in view of biological changes in the face of the applicant. With a view to facilitate the OCI cardholders, it has now been decided by the Government of India to dispense with this requirement. A person who has got registration as OCI cardholder prior to attaining the age of 20 years will have to get the OCI card re-issued only once when a new passport is issued after his/her completing 20 years of age, so as to capture his/ her facial features on attaining adulthood. If a person has obtained registration as OCI cardholder after attaining the age of 20 years, there will be no requirement of re-issue of OCI card.

    With a view to update the data regarding new passports obtained by the OCI cardholder, it has been decided that he/she shall upload a copy of the new passport containing his/her photo and also a latest photo on the online OCI portal, each time a new passport is issued up to 20 years of age and once after completing 50 years of age. These documents may be uploaded by the OCI cardholder within 3 months of receipt of the new passport.

    However, in the case of those who have been registered as OCI cardholder as spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or an OCI cardholder, the person concerned will be required to upload on the system, a copy of the new passport containing the photo of the passport holder and also a latest photo along with a declaration that their marriage is still subsisting each time a new passport is issued. These documents may be uploaded by the OCI cardholder spouse within three months of receipt of his/ her new passport.

    The details will be updated on the system and an auto acknowledgement through e-mail will be sent to the OCI cardholder informing that the updated details have been taken on record. There will be no restriction on the OCI cardholder to travel to/ from India during the period from the date of issue of new passport till the date of final acknowledgement of his/ her documents in the web-based system. All the above services of uploading documents will be provided on gratis basis to the OCI cardholders.

    Commenting on the government’s latest decision, USA based Global organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO International) Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham saidGOPIO welcomed the new directives simplifying the OCI Card process.

     “This will remove the confusion to many OCI card holders on the process of renewing the card at the age of 20 and 50 and one doesn’t have to go through the whole OCI card renewal process again,” said GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham. This will also encourage more overseas Indians to become OCIs and it will benefit India, through their travel, business and investment in India.

    “However, GOPIO strongly urges the government to treat OCI Card holders who have invested in business and creating jobs in India at par with Indian citizens and they shouldn’t be termed as foreign nationals by various Govt. agencies while doing business including manufacturing and research in India,” Dr. Abraham added.

    The government was forced to grant these concessions after the Diaspora leaders across the world raised their voice against the discriminatory policies which some openly condemned as double standards.

    Jaipur Foot USA Chairman Prem Bhandari in particular has been in the forefront of demanding revision of rules to simplify the process of renewal of OCI card. He is the one who questioned the nomenclature “lifelong card” when it had to be got renewed so often. Asked by The Indian Panorama for his reaction to the revised “simplified” process, he said, it is still not an ideal situation. OCI card holders need to be treated at par with Indian citizens, living in India, and should be allowed the benefits and privileges which an Indian citizen in India normally enjoys. He added that much more needs to be done, a sentiment which Dr. Thomas Abraham also voiced.

    The Indian Panorama will welcome readers’ comments on the issue which will keep kicking dust until a more NRI friendly approach is adopted by the government of India.

  • New OCI rules confuse and anger NRI’s

    New OCI rules confuse and anger NRI’s

    NEW YORK (TIP): Those who hold Overseas Citizen of India or Person of Indian Origin cards will now be considered “foreign nationals” in India, according to the Narendra Modi government’s new rules governing the rights and privileges of diaspora Indians. India’s Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notification on March 4, which includes new and sweeping restrictions on what OCI or PIO card holders can — and cannot — do in India. The notification says: “…the OCI cardholder shall be required to obtain a special permission or a Special Permit, as the case may be, from the competent authority or the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer or the Indian Mission concerned, namely: –

    (i) to undertake research.

    (ii) to undertake any Missionary or Tabligh or Mountaineering or Journalistic activities.

    (iii) to undertake internship in any foreign Diplomatic Missions or foreign Government organizations in India or to take up employment in any foreign Diplomatic Missions in India.

    (iv) to visit any place which falls within the Protected or Restricted or prohibited areas as notified by the Central Government or competent authority.”

    The new rules have come as a shock for many in the Indian-American community that is, according to at least one study and ample anecdotal evidence, largely in favor of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.  Thomas Abraham, chairman of GOPIO International, a major Indian diaspora organization in the US, told indica News: “This is a very drastic move by the government. Once a person is treated as foreign national, major OCI benefits are gone.”

    Some of the new clauses will hurt OCI cardholders doing business India, he said.

    “So far, they were treated on par with resident Indians. Once they are termed as foreign nationals, they have to take permission for many things including conducting research in a company owned by an OCI cardholder.”

    Abraham said he had been receiving calls from OCI cardholders doing business in India.

    “Businesspeople are very much concerned about this new rule,” he underlined.

    “GOPIO is studying these new clauses and getting feedback from our members. GOPIO will send a response letter to the government of India soon,” he said. One of the Indian Americans who have seen their business hit directly by the new rules is Dr Muhammed Majeed, founder of Sabinsa Corporation in New Jersey. Sabinsa, founded in 1988, is a manufacturer and supplier of herbal extracts, cosmeceuticals, minerals and specialty fine chemicals. In 1991, Majeed started Sami Sabinsa Labs in Bangalore.

    He has over 1,150 employees including scientists who do research work for him in Ayurveda-related products.

    Majeed, who said he was one of the sponsors of the event of Indian Prime Minister Modi at Madison Square Garden in New York, sounded bitter about the new rules.

    “Indians come back to India, I will give you a dream of India [is what Modi said]. But my dream is not to be treated as second class citizen in my own country,” Majeed said.

    He said that this new policy was making him think of moving his business out of India.

    He said he offers “value added products and cultivated products that were exempted from government permit, and now they say none of them are exempted.

    “If you are touching any biodiversity products you pay,” he said.

    “This rule is for only foreign nationals. And they found one loophole in my case that I have OCI card and I am a foreign citizen,” Majeed told indica News.

    The biological diversity act is not new. Majeed said: “Yes, but there were other sections and in that value-added products were exempted. “We offer Value added products,” he explained. “And we do research on natural products— the curcumin for example you buy, and many Ayurveda products and natural products. It comes under natural and it was exempted.”

    “Now the National Biodiversity Authority is saying we will tell you what research you do. The moment you apply to biodiversity board to do research, I fear that information could be shared with everybody. And also it takes months to get the permit. And they want money for each permit from foreign nationals,” he said.

    “It seems in 2014-15 they framed the rules and last year they started implementing and made it official on March 4. I learned about it after receiving a court notice last September,” Masjeed said.

    “This will shut down my entire business and have to move to other country,” he said.

    “No one in the world says you need a permission to do a research! Only India is asking to take permission to do research and we (India) are nowhere in research if compared with advanced countries. On top of that you are asking to take permission for research on each product!”

    He alleged the government says there is single-window clearance and no hassle and permit to run a business in no time, but it is not true.

    “We have 29 states in India and each state has a biodiversity board and it’s not uniform. If you are an Indian company you don’t need permission but foreign nationals need a permit and it would be biggest hurdle for us,” he said.

    “My company is 25 years old in India. I was the lone player when I started,” he rued. “Now, to come to India to do business as an OCI is a sin for which they will punish you.”

    An Indian-American community leader, Prem Bhandari, told indica News: “It’s too early to understand [the new rules] and people in the US are not aware of the change. We have to understand why they [the Indian government] did that.”

    (Courtesy Indica News)