The LENGTHENING SHADOWS OF GIRMIT By Rajendra Prasad in Auckland
The acronym NRI means Non Resident Indian, i.e any Indian Living abroad. An NRI can be a citizen of India or a citizen of another country. A Indian citizen whom becomes a citizen of another country will be becomes a Person of Indian Origin once he renounces his or her Indian citizenship. Such a person if he needs to visit India he can either apply for a Indian Visa (which is usually of 3- 6 months duration) at the Indian Embassy based in the country he is resident in. In the alternative he can apply for an Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) at the Indian Embassy of is resident country. OCI is not to be construed as “dual citizenship” as it does not confer political rights hence there is no fear of “dual citizenship” as certain countries do not allow their citizens to have dual or more citizenship. Generally a former Indian Citizen can produce copy of his rendered Indian Passport or his Birth Certificate to vouch that he is “Person of Indian origin” which is essential to apply for OCI
It was President of India the Honorable Manmohan Singh who saw through the creation of (OCI) Scheme to fulfilling the aspirations and expectations of overseas Indians by amending the Citizenship Act 1955 in 2005. Since then all Indian Embassies have been encouraged to recommend OCI to any NRI applying to visit India in lieu of obtaining a Indian Visa of a limited duration as it offers a plethora of benefits to the holder.
Strictly speaking, the OCI Scheme which was launched in 2006 provides for registration as Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) of Persons of Indian Origin who were citizens of India on 28th January 1950 or there after or were eligible to become citizens of India on 26th January, 1950 except who is or had been a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh or such other country as the Central Government may by notification in the Official Gazette specify
A registered Overseas Citizen of India is granted a) multiple entry, multipurpose ,life long visa for visiting India b) can remain in India indefinitely c) entitled to economic, financial and educational parity with regular Indians d) can own property under his or her own names e) ability to open bank accounts in Indian bank
The only limitation is inability to deal in transactions in agricultural properties and nil voting rights.
However a person whom was never a Indian Citizen by birth or attainment and was born overseas even though his parents or grandparents originated from India would not be apply to apply for OCI as first he has to prove that he is “Person of Indian Origin” and obtained a duly certified certificate known as “Certificate of Person of Indian Origin” by the Indian Embassy of the country the applicant is resident in. The procedure and processing time is very much longer for applicants for OCI under this category as documents authenticating the applicant is POI must be obtained by a laborious and time consuming process taking anywhere upto 6 months . This includes obtaining documents signed off by the Collector of the District in India from where the applicants’ parents and grandparents born or originated from.
Generally it is best this task be assigned to an “expert” in Indian Ancestry Search and fortunately ALANKIT ASSIGNMENTS (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD headquartered in Singapore has developed over time the expertise and the skills in Indian Ancestry Search and acquiring the relevant documentation. ALANKIT ASSIGNMENTS ( SINGAPORE) PTE LTD originally in May 2011 was recognized by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA- www.moia.gov.in) as a “accredited agent” in TRACING INIDAN ROOTS in India for a fee of Rps 30,000 or equivalent in foreign currency payable to the Indian Embassy of the country the applicant is resident in . Under this exercise of Tracing Indian Roots ALANKIT (SINGAPORE) will only furnish a brief report on the origin of the person or his parents or grandparents in India and such report cannot be used to substantiate a Person is of Indian Origin
Since the brief REPORT ON TRACING INDIAN ROOTS would not suffice to get the Indian Embassy to issue a “Certificate of Person of Indian Origin”. This is where ALANKIT (SINGAPORE) offers a further upgraded service of INDIAN ANCESTRY SEARCH & OCI DOCUMENTATION. Under this upgraded service for a Professional Fees of A$3000 (payable in full in advance and refundable in full less A$500 (administration Fees) if unsuccessful for genuine reasons at the end of 6 months from the date of the application)
Once commissioned, ALANKIT (SINGAPORE) will strive to obtain the Certificate of Person of Indian Origin for the applicant. Then for a further fee of A$100 (Administration Fees) as well as the OCI Processing Fees payable to the Indian Embassy (found in the India Embassy web-site), ALANKIT (SINGAPORE) will “fast track” the OCI Application working with the Indian Embassy and the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs in Delhi whom has been charged to issue the OCI Visas.
Both the TRACING INDIAN ROOTS as well as the INDIAN ANCESTRY SEARCH & OCI DOCUMENTATION is available to all NRs resident globally. Including Fiji Indians residing in Fiji and overseas
ALANKIT ASSIGNMENTS (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD contact details for the abovementioned services are: Contact Person: Mr Vivekananda Kuhadas (65) 91779270 Postal Address: P.O. Box 2064, Homebush West NSW 2140 Email: contact@alankit.com.sg & indianancestrysearch@gmail.com
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TRACING INDIAN ROOTS IN INDIA OVERSEAS CITIZENSHIP OF INDIA (OCI)
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Capricorn
Year 2013
Fame will come to you in the first half of this year. With fun and delight, you’ll be able to lead your life. Try to fight with tension and anxiety. You will earn much money during the end of the year.
