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MUMBAI: In less than four years since the government gave Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) a second chance to reconnect with the country of their forefathers, more than half a million foreign nationals have acquired the coveted <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/search?q=Overseas%20Citizenship> Overseas Citizenship of <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/India> India (OCI). Popularly known as ' dual <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/search?q=dual> citizenship', OCI <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/search?q=OCI> was first mooted in December 2005 to woo the rich and influential Indian diaspora from across the world. Recently, the scheme was in news when Nobel laureate V S Naipaul, whose ancestors belonged to UP's Gorakhpur, was given a hard time by overzealous babus in London <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/London> when he applied for the card. Naipaul was asked to provide documents to prove that his ancestors indeed lived in India. The Naipaul case apart, figures sourced by TOI <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/search?q=TOI> suggest that the scheme has been a success especially among PIOs living in the First World. By the end of March 2010, the government issued 5,73,324 dual citizenships in 91 countries. Nearly half of these were American citizens followed by British, Canadians and Australians. A common factor was at least one of their ancestors had been an Indian. The primary benefit of having an OCI status is that the holder gets a lifelong visa to visit India and stay as long as he wants. Second, unlike other foreign visitors, he does not need to register with local police on arrival. But, it's also a misnomer to assume that OCI grants any real "citizenship". It does not give the PIO <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/search?q=PIO> a right to vote or contest elections in India. He also cannot hold constitutional posts or buy agricultural land in the country. Read more: Dual <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Dual-citizenship-a-hit-amongst-PIO s/articleshow/6185207.cms> citizenship a hit amongst PIOs - India - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Dual-citizenship-a-hit-amongst-PIOs /articleshow/6185207.cms#ixzz0xhAXaROU <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Dual-citizenship-a-hit-amongst-PIO s/articleshow/6185207.cms> Bruno Gomes * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Goa-launch of the well-received *Into The Diaspora Wilderness* by Selma Carvalho on Aug 29, 2010 (Sunday) at 11 am at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao. Meet the author, buy a signed copy (only Rs 295 in Goa till stock lasts). http://selmacarvalho.squarespace.com/
