Kochi: Day One of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2013 highlighted the concerns of Indian Diaspora in Gulf Countries. Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed  said the emigration from Kerala to the Middle East countries has come down significantly and the reasons behind it must be studied.
“These are disturbing trends and we have to take cognizance of this. Keralites led from the front and constituted as high as 80 percent of all emigration to the Middle East during the 1970s,” said Ahamed at the Kerala session at the 11th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas which got underway here.
“This figure has started to come down and of late it stands at 55 percent,” he said.
“The Kerala government has to look beyond the industrial training institutes and polytechnics because the Middle East countries want skilled labour… This is a cause for concern, and there is need for the government of Kerala to look beyond the ITI-polytechnic formula to reverse this trend,” said Ahamed.
He added that more number of people are going to the Middle East from other southern states and also from other states in the country.
“Unskilled workers from Kerala are now getting replaced by English-speaking people from the Philippines,” said the minister.
He, however, pointed out that the biggest positive about Keralites is that the employers in the Middle-East consider them trustworthy.
The 11th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Â also saw state Minister for Non-Resident Keralites Affairs K.C. Joseph assuring representatives of the Kerala diaspora that he would discuss with the central government various issues raised by them.
Joseph touched upon issues like the scrapping of the customs rules which limits the quantity of gold that an air traveller can bring home.
Male passengers can carry gold worth Rs.10,000 and women passengers are allowed to carry gold worth Rs.20,000.
“If anyone brings in more gold than allowed, they are subject to paying duties. This rule should be scrapped and female passengers should be allowed to carry 100 gm and male passengers 50 gm of gold,” Joseph said at the special Kerala session.
He assured the diaspora that the Kerala government would soon launch the proposed Air Kerala project.
“We are aware of the difficulties that the diaspora face, especially when it comes to airfares. We will be starting our own airline at any cost,” Joseph said.
Last month, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had said that Air Kerala will be airborne Apr 14.
Joseph also spoke about the Kerala diaspora’s demand to strengthen the staff strength of Malayalee speaking officials at Indian embassies in the Middle-East countries.
This was the first time that a special Kerala session was held at the PBD.
The official opening of the 11th PBD will be Jan 8 when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh inaugurates it. President Pranab Mukherjee will give away the PBD awards Wednesday.