Bihar Foundation Hosts Videsh Sampark Program with Ministry of External Affairs in Patna
Discussion Held to Address Issues and Challenges of Bihar Diaspora
The Impressive TimesPatna, Saturday, 20 June, 2024: The Bihar Foundation, Government of Bihar, in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, held the Videsh Sampark program today in Patna. The program was co-chaired by Shri Chaitanya Prasad, Development Commissioner, and Shri Muktesh K. Pardeshi, Secretary (CPV & OIA), MEA. The program was also attended by Shri Ankan Banerjee, Joint Secretary (DE), Ministry of External Affairs; Shri Neeraj Agarwal, Joint Secretary (CPV), Ministry of External Affairs; Shri Abhishek Singh, Joint Secretary (ED), Ministry of External Affairs; Ms. Tavishi Behal Pandey, RPO, Patna; and Shri Kundan Kumar, Resident Commissioner cum Investment Commissioner and CEO of Bihar Foundation. Senior officials from various departments of Bihar, recruitment agencies, and senior officials from district and police administrations were also present.
The program began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp and progressed towards its primary objective of raising awareness about various initiatives and schemes of the Ministry of External Affairs.
Shri Chaitanya Prasad, Development Commissioner, Bihar-cum-Member Secretary of Bihar Foundation, welcomed MEA officials to Patna. He expressed hope that their presence would bring strong resolutions to the problems faced by the diaspora of Bihar living outside the state. He highlighted the disruptions in communications caused by the ongoing riots in Bangladesh, the Sudan rescue operations, and the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasized the crucial role of the Ministry of External Affairs in re-establishing these connections.
Shri Prasad also pointed out the significant challenges faced by the Bihar diaspora, particularly unskilled laborers abroad, who often face discrimination and exploitation. He noted that many of these individuals have their passports and other documents withheld by employers, making it difficult for them to connect with home or return. Legal migration issues are critical for these laborers, many of whom are unaware of their rights. He urged continued support from the MEA to assist the diaspora of Bihar.
Shri Muktesh K. Pardeshi, Secretary (CPV & OIA), Ministry of External Affairs, expressed his pleasure at being back in Patna to work on creating opportunities and boosting investments. He emphasized the vital role state governments, provinces, and municipalities play in foreign affairs, using Bihar as an example due to its borders with Nepal and Bhutan. Shri Pardeshi highlighted the importance of state involvement during crises, including evacuations, compensation, insurance, and repatriation of deceased citizens.
He also underscored the significance of the program for the more than 40 million people from Bihar living outside the state, aiming to inform them about their rights for a better living.
Shri Kundan Kumar, Resident Commissioner cum Investment Commissioner and CEO of Bihar Foundation, highlighted the role of district administrations as first responders. He described the program as a workshop to address the problems faced by the diaspora, encouraging a two-way discussion for effective solutions. He emphasized the collaboration between the MEA and the Government of Bihar to enlighten both the diaspora about their rights and the district and police administrations about their roles.
The program included thematic sessions on various topics, including:
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