I am an alumni of IIT Delhi- B.Tech. (Mechanical Engg) 1981 and M.Tech (Management and Systems) 1983. I joined IAS in 1983. Presently, I am posted as Principal Secretary, Infrastructure and Industrial Development , Externally Aided Projects and NRI Affairs, Govt. of U.P.

As you may be aware, the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas is being celebrated at Gandhinagar, Gujarat from 7-9 January, 2014. The State of U.P. is participating with great enthusiasm at this event and the delegation from U.P. at this event would be led by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Akhilesh Yadav.

You may also be aware that the Government of Uttar Pradesh has taken a slew of measures to connect the UP NRIs and PIOs with their roots. Hon’ble CM has launched a website for UP NRIs (www.upnri.com) recently which provides all information that  NRI/ PIOs may need either for visiting or investing in India or in the hour of any crises abroad or if their family members have any problem back home in India. A 24×7 helpline (+91 8005 140000) has also been set up for NRIs. A Migrant Resource Centre is being set up shortly in Lucknow to help the migrants to various countries learn the language and skills as may be required.

The Government is also in the process of setting up UPNRI awards to recognize and honour the diaspora from Uttar Pradesh who have done well abroad in various walks of life and also those who have contributed to the devlopment of the State of U.P. These awards would be given at the first NRI Day at Agra on the 28th of February, 2015. Thereafter, i.e. from the year 2016 onwards, UP NRI Day would be celebrated  5-6 January of each year.

Since you would be in touch with a number of PRIs and PIOs who hail from U.P.,  I request you to pass on this message to all those who are in touch with you. I will also be grateful if you could share the list of their e-mail addresses so that we may get in touch with them directly also. I would like to invite you and all to the  Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas in Gandhinagar in January 2015 and also the UP NRI Day on 28th February in Agra.

Look forward to a line in reply,

Yours sincerely,

Sanjiv Saran IAS
Principal Secretary to Govt. of U.P.
Department of Infrastructure and Industrial Development and NRI Affairs
Room No. 401, Sachivalaya Annexe Bhawan,
Lucknow-226010 (India)
Phone: +91 522 2238316, 2215510
Fax: +91 522 2239306
Mobile: +91 96215 08881
e-mail: psiidup@gmail.com