Visit of Honourable Mr. Vayalar Ravi, Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs to Maldives (04-07 November 2010)

 The Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs of the Government of India, Mr. Vayalar Ravi was received in Male Airport today by H.E Mr. Hassan Latheef, Minister of Human Resources, Youth and Sports, Government of Maldives and other senior officials, at the beginning of his official visit to Maldives. During his three (03) day visit to Maldives, coming at the invitation of Mr. Latheef, the Indian Minister will pay a courtesy call on the President of Maldives H.E Mr. Mohamed Nasheed and also meet the Minister of Housing and Environment H.E Mr. Mohamed Aslam, the Minister of Education H.E Mr. Musthafa Luthfy besides the host.

During his meetings with the senior officials of the local government, Mr. Vayalar Ravi is expected to discuss the issue of welfare of the Indian expatriate community in Maldives. Due to various infrastructural and tourism development projects going on in Maldives, there are presently about 28,000 Indian expatriates working in the country. A large number of Indian expatriates work in the construction sector. But the Indian expatriate community also consists of skilled professionals like doctors, nurses and technicians, teachers, engineers, managers, accountants and pharmacists  spread all over the country. Of the country’s approximately 400 doctors, over 125 are Indians. Similarly around 25% of teachers in Maldives are Indians, mostly at middle and senior levels.

On the occasion of the visit of Mr. Vayalar Ravi, the High Commission of India and the India Club have organised an “Awareness and Assistance” programme with the participation of the Departments of Immigration, Police, State Bank of India, Allied Insurance Company and Medical specialists to be followed by address by the Minister in Iskander School on 5^th November 2010 from 1400 -1800 hrs.

During the visit, besides meeting senior government officials and the Indian expatriate community in Male’, Mr. Vayalar Ravi is also scheduled to visit Gan in Southern Addu Atoll for interaction with the local government officials and the Indian expatriate community living in the region. The High Commissioner of India in Maldives Mr. Dnyaneshwar M. Mulay and senior officials of the Government of India including Dr. Karan A. Singh, the Protector General of Emigrants would be accompanying the minister on his trip.