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Big B to play new role for UP NRIs: The Indian Express
Lucknow, Dec 01:The chhora Ganga kinarewala, who went on to become the Big B, will now encourage NRIs to go for charity in their native state of Uttar Pradesh, especially in the eastern part, and the government will provide all necessary help to avoid bureaucratic hassles.
Lucknow, Dec 01:The chhora Ganga kinarewala, who went on to become the Big B, will now encourage NRIs to go for charity in their native state of Uttar Pradesh, especially in the eastern part, and the government will provide all necessary help to avoid bureaucratic hassles.
On Thursday night, the State Development Council decided to send out the message to NRIs from UP’s brand ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It said the donation can be in any form — from assuring total immunisation to a child till the age of five to building a hospital.
The council, meeting for the third time since inception, also decided to set up a foundation, in the shape of an NGO, which will be headed by a prominent non-government personality. The NGO will have a website to tell those staying outside UP how willing the government was to help if they wish to give something to their birthplace. ‘‘We have inputs that of the nearly 60 lakh NRIs, 20 per cent are from eastern UP. Many of them are willing to give something for their village but face hassles in dealing with district officials. Now, the DMs themselves will send letters to the NRIs, stating they will be given top priority,’’ state Chief Secretary Akhand Pratap Singh said.
The foundation, which will be an autonomous body, will take shape within a week or two. The State Innovation in Family Planning Services Agency (SIFPSA) will work as a secretariat for it and provide government support.
Earlier, former Tourism minister Ashok Yadav had initiated a ‘‘trace your roots’’ scheme, in which the government helped NRIs trace their ancestral homes. ‘‘It attracted good response. There were some NRIs who did not remember their place of birth but recalled certain facts about it and we helped them trace their villages,’’ Yadav said.
‘‘The NRIs will have to give a specialised project on what they want for their native place and SIFPSA officials, with the DMs, will give details of the expenditure. Not only NRIs, but those settled in other states can also donate anything for the place where they or their forefathers were born,’’ Singh said.
The council, meeting for the third time since inception, also decided to set up a foundation, in the shape of an NGO, which will be headed by a prominent non-government personality. The NGO will have a website to tell those staying outside UP how willing the government was to help if they wish to give something to their birthplace. ‘‘We have inputs that of the nearly 60 lakh NRIs, 20 per cent are from eastern UP. Many of them are willing to give something for their village but face hassles in dealing with district officials. Now, the DMs themselves will send letters to the NRIs, stating they will be given top priority,’’ state Chief Secretary Akhand Pratap Singh said.
The foundation, which will be an autonomous body, will take shape within a week or two. The State Innovation in Family Planning Services Agency (SIFPSA) will work as a secretariat for it and provide government support.
Earlier, former Tourism minister Ashok Yadav had initiated a ‘‘trace your roots’’ scheme, in which the government helped NRIs trace their ancestral homes. ‘‘It attracted good response. There were some NRIs who did not remember their place of birth but recalled certain facts about it and we helped them trace their villages,’’ Yadav said.
‘‘The NRIs will have to give a specialised project on what they want for their native place and SIFPSA officials, with the DMs, will give details of the expenditure. Not only NRIs, but those settled in other states can also donate anything for the place where they or their forefathers were born,’’ Singh said.