Ram Narayanan has sent this email For more information please contact him. --Editor

An untold story from Pravasi Bharati Divas conference in January 2003 is the opening of a new channel of communication with people of Indian origin living outside India - a special website. www.IndiaDevelopment.org

This website is dedicated to building a talent pool of those interested in the rapid development of India. The site provides an easy to use method which should be of *especial interest to Indian Americans who have expertise in almost any field* to register themselves, provide their background, offer suggestions or submit proposals.

The India Development web site is devoted to generating new ideas for increasing India's growth rate by at least 2%. As its name suggests www.IndiaDevelopment.org is totally focused on development. It seeks new ideas, expertise and investments from well wishers of India, whether based within or outside of India. It's goal is to create a TALENT BANK - looking for out of the box thinking and creative ideas that can put India into the ranks of the advanced countries of the world.

The site identifies a number of focus areas. For example:

. Village economy development

. Agro business (for domestic and or export markets)

. Water harvesting and water management

. Tourism and Hospitality

. Defence Research and Development

. Research and Development in technologies useful to Internal / Homeland security

. Bio technology

. Genetic Engineering

These are only examples. Talent in almost any field is welcomed. Site visitors can choose other areas that interest them.

India is also seeking new ideas in Leadership and Change Management within the government and for ways to increase Foreign Direct Investment, especially Investment from America.

Developing a data base is an important step to best match India's needs with the expertise of Indian Americans. With that in mind the site is set up in a businesslike manner. To provide all the information which is being asked will require less than 10 minutes of time depending on how much information a person chooses to provide.

If you have any questions, please contact: Sharad M. Marathe smm@uts.com

Best wishes,
Ram Narayanan
US India Friendship
http://www.usindiafriendship.net