annual report1-final.qxd - Overseas Indian

Plenary Session 5
Panelists at the plenary session on ‘Diaspora Knowledge Network’ in Hyderabad on January 8, 2006.
Chair:
Opening Remarks:
Speakers:
PLENARY V
DIASPORA KNOWLEDGE NETWORK
Montek Singh Ahluwalia,
Deputy Chairman,
Planning Commission
S. Krishna Kumar
Secretary, MOIA.
Abdul Waheed Khan,
ADG for Communication and
Information, UNESCO
Steve Glovinski,
Consultant, UNDP
Alok Srivastava,
Consultant, UNDP
Ravi Seethapathy,
Chair, Shastri Indo-Canadian
Institute
Dr. N.S. Rajendran,
Secretary, Youth Affairs,
Malaysia
Ramalinga Raju,
Chairman, Satyam Computers
Ahluwalia elaborated on the idea of starting
knowledge networks by developing a database of
experts in various fields. Citing the alumni network
of IITs as an example, he said that there was a need
now for an umbrella network to enhance the potential
of such networks. He referred to the model and
idea that the UNDP office in New Delhi was working
on with respect to realisation of the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs). He emphasised the
need for sustainable traffic among the networks.
Dr. Abdul Waheed Khan, Assistant Director
General, Communication and Information, UNESCO,
in his presentation, referred to the importance of such
networks by highlighting the fact that an international
news magazine had a cover story on the topic in its
latest issue. He mentioned the problems of poverty
and the digital divide which restricted the growth of
knowledge societies. He stressed that networks
should be inclusive in nature. Freedom of expression,
access and respect for cultural diversity were essential.
India had an important place and role to play in the
knowledge era. Advantages such as proficiency in
English language, edge in IT, a strong learning tradition
and spread of a rich Indian knowledge diaspora
across the world were listed. He said that given these
advantages, the question should be: “How can our
diaspora invest their knowledge in our country”
Though brain drain was often mentioned, Dr. Khan
said that brain gain had to be recognised as well. The
ideas of President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam were cited
to emphasise the point. Information and communication
technology (ICT) had a major role in knowledge
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