Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the merger of People of Indian Origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards. Inaugurating the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas In Gandhinagar today Mr. Modi said everyone will get the same benefits as he knows the problems faced by the Indian diaspora.

He also said that Visa on arrivaval facilities are being made available for several nations. The Prime Minister called upon the Indian diaspora to contribute their bit for Clean Ganga Mission as it is of great religious and environmental value. He said the mission is key to the economic development of 40 percent of India's population. He said opportunities awaits for the Indian diaspora in India.

Mr. Modi said he has met more than 50 world leaders so far and almost all of them want to work with India.
Mr Modi also inaugurated the Dandi Kutir- an unique exhibition on father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi depicting various stages of his life and work at Salt mount near Mahatma Mandir.

AIR correspondent reports that important sessions like opportunities in India, achievers of Indian Disapora, soft power in India's global engagement and relevance of Gandhian philosophy over the century are being organised at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas today.
This Pravasi Bhartiya Divas is different from previous ones.

This year is the centennial anniversary of the homecoming of our greatest pravasi Mohan Das Karamchand Gandhi who made possible for the diaspora to become a part of public discourse in India. First time the flagship mega plans of the Government of India seeks participation from the large and influential Diaspora community to help India grow and stand out in the league of nations.
These crucial plans like Namami Gange project, Make in India, Smart cities,Skill India programme are to shape the future of India and therefore being implemented in mission mode to meet the huge expectations of the Indians worldwide.