Speech by Her Excellency the President of India, Shrimati Pratibha Devisingh Patil at the Social & Cultural Centre at Abu Dhabi, Uae

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am happy to visit the India Social and Cultural Centre, and address members of the Indian community. The global Indian Diaspora, spread across several continents has made India proud both by their contribution to the country of residence, and to their mother land - India.

Our trade links with the Arab world have seen Indian pearl traders reaching the shores of Dubai, Sharjah and Fujairah centuries ago. From there it has been a long journey for the community. Today, the Indian community is estimated to be around 1.75 million strong, making it the largest expatriate community in the UAE. Besides, with its presence in almost all spheres of economic activity, the Indian community has emerged as an important expatriate community for the host country. Be they skilled workers involved in the construction of modern high tech buildings, or professionals in the knowledge based sectors, or those in health care, hospitality and tourism, they have played a vital role in forging the abiding links between India and the UAE.

Let me congratulate each one of you for this contribution. You have earned a reputation for being disciplined, hard-working and law-abiding. You are a microcosm of India, reflective of its vibrant diversity and its talents. We are proud of your achievements. I am equally happy to note that the UAE Government has been extending support to the Indian community for its socio-cultural needs.

Over time, the profile of the Indian community in the Gulf is undergoing transformation. Though large numbers of Indian skilled workers were employed in the UAE in the 1990s as a result of the construction boom, gradually more and more professionals in the fields of finance, banking, insurance and information technology have gained employment in this friendly country. This transition in the profile of the Indian community is reflective of the UAE economy, which is gaining momentum in the knowledge-based service sector. By providing highly skilled service at a competitive cost, your role has proved to be important for the UAE economy. Your sustained remittances over the years have contributed to the foreign exchange reserves of India. I would also like to mention that India is the biggest recipient of remittances by expatriates.

Despite the global economic downturn, the Indian economy has witnessed rapid and sustained growth rate. The macro-economic fundamentals are sound and we seek to further expand our growth. Our infrastructure financing needs are estimated to be 1 trillion US Dollars in the next five years. India offers a large and a growing market. The UAE is also going through a significant transformation. The space for India to play an increasing role in this transformation is widening. More employment avenues will open up in knowledge-based industries like IT, finance and insurance, as the UAE economy is bracing for a larger role by the service sector. This will ensure that there will be a demand for senior executives and professionals for some more years to come. I urge the Indian community to retune itself and remain responsive to the changing needs of this country. The UAE will remain as one of the largest trading partners for India and a gateway for Indian exports to the region.

I am also aware of the challenges and aspirations of the expatriate Indian community. The Government of India and the UAE Government are engaged in continuous dialogue on various matters concerning Indian labour. There is already an existing Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs in India and the Ministry of Labour in the UAE. New schemes have been proposed by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs to ensure the welfare of Indian workers in the UAE. I am happy that during my visit, I will be launching, the Indian Workers' Resource Centre, to provide a 24 hour helpline and counselling services for Indian workers in the UAE. This will be an important step to take the grievance redressal mechanism to the doorsteps of the large number of Indians, who are in distress and in need of urgent assistance.

I am impressed by the Indian Social and Cultural Centre and its facilities. That the Indian community has accomplished this task of establishing an impressive institution, reflects a strong sense of responsibility you feel, as members of the Indian community. While financial status may provide materialistic comforts, it is a sense of belonging to a group, and being a part of a cultural and social identity that generates a sense of well-being and satisfaction.

Let me congratulate the founding members of this institution for having envisaged a viable and a vibrant cultural centre for the benefit of the Indian community. I urge the President and the members of the Board of Trustees of this institution, to continue their earnest efforts in catering to the diverse needs of the Indian community. I would like to emphasize that each one of you as members of the vibrant Indian community has done India proud. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to each one of you, for your contribution to strengthening our relations with the UAE. I wish you and members of your family all the very best.

Thank You. 
Jai Hind!