Chennai, Jan 9 : Union Minister of State for Industries Ashwani Kumar has said that India is still a good growth story, as its economic fundamentals are strong.

Addressing the session ''Building Bridges: Trade and Investment'' at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2009 here, Dr Ashwani said: "A GDP growth of 6.5 per cent is expected, even while most countries are suffering economic downturn."

He stressed that the diaspora must bring funds into India. "At the same time, it should engage in skill-building activities in the country," he added.

Gopinath Pillai, Ambassador-at-large and Chairman, Institute of Asian Studies, Singapore, said that compared to the Chinese Diaspora, Indian Diaspora has brought in less investments, but on the other hand, it has brought better skills which is also of enormous significance.

He suggested that to properly utilise the skills of returning workers, they should be involved in developmental activities.

Hari Pandey, President, Wealth Management, North American Region, ICICI Bank Group, Canada, stressed that overseas Indians must show the world how to invest in India.

Continuing the emphasis on education and knowledge exchange at the concurrent session on ''Education and Diaspora Knowledge Network'', D Purandeswari Devi, Minister of State for Human Resource Development, urged the Indian diaspora to supplement the efforts of the Indian Government to make India a knowledge-based economy.

The Minister outlined the educational initiatives of Sarva Siksha Abhiyan and Mid Day Meals Scheme, which have attracted more students to schools.

However, she urged, there is a long way to go as seven million children are still out of school and the short fall in faculty is about 25 per cent. (ANI)