The Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas is celebrated every year to mark the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South-Africa to India in 1915.The year 2015 deserves special mentioning as it is a commemoration of centenary year of Gandhi's return to India.When Gandhi returned to India,he was not just an ordinary NRI.South-Africans,even today,love to say with justifiable pride to Indians that"You gave us Gandhi and we gave you the Mahatma."
The Indian diaspora is an asset to India.The Prime Minister,on the occasion of Pravasi Diwas,in Gandhinagar,stressed that the Indian diaspora ought not to be seen in terms of dollars and pounds,but much beyond that.He praised the overseas community for providing not only monetary gains to India but also human capital and thoughtful leadership.
Our attitude towards Indian diaspora has transited from indifference to treating them as an asset.The Indian community in South-Africa,led by Mahatma Gandhi played a vital role in influencing our national movement in pre-independent days.Yet,we failed to recognise the significance of Non-Resident Indians(NRI) and Persons of Indian Origin(PIO) until the dawn of the twenty-first century.As the maxim goes"better late,than never",the role of Indian government in according them due dignity,though belated,deserves appreciation.
India's call to its vibrant diaspora,today,is limited not merely to the elitist section.It has a mass appeal comprising white-collar as well as blue-collar individuals.We recognise India's aspirations vis-a-vis diaspora,but also diaspora's aspirations vis-a-vis India.India's aspirations with respect to diaspora pertains to their contribution in sending remittances,foreign investments and providing creative leadership and human capital which raises the country's economic standing.Nevertheless,the Indian government's efforts in merging PIO and OCI schemes together,life-time visas to overseas Indians and other initiatives like 'Trace the root' programmes are directed towards fulfilling the aspirations of diaspora vis-a-vis India.
Most importantly,our diaspora community helps in enhancing India's image as a credible soft power.In the age of globalisation,economic diplomacy has gained credence which is a function of a nation's soft power.In countries like USA,Canada and Australia,Indian diaspora forms a sizeable population and ignoring their concerns could hardly be afforded at any cost.It is not to be forgotten that the landmark Indo-US nuclear agreement was partly carried forward through the persistent efforts by the Indian community residing in USA.Therefore the Indian diaspora is as much an asset to India as its native citizens.
Our attitude towards Indian diaspora has transited from indifference to treating them as an asset.The Indian community in South-Africa,led by Mahatma Gandhi played a vital role in influencing our national movement in pre-independent days.Yet,we failed to recognise the significance of Non-Resident Indians(NRI) and Persons of Indian Origin(PIO) until the dawn of the twenty-first century.As the maxim goes"better late,than never",the role of Indian government in according them due dignity,though belated,deserves appreciation.
India's call to its vibrant diaspora,today,is limited not merely to the elitist section.It has a mass appeal comprising white-collar as well as blue-collar individuals.We recognise India's aspirations vis-a-vis diaspora,but also diaspora's aspirations vis-a-vis India.India's aspirations with respect to diaspora pertains to their contribution in sending remittances,foreign investments and providing creative leadership and human capital which raises the country's economic standing.Nevertheless,the Indian government's efforts in merging PIO and OCI schemes together,life-time visas to overseas Indians and other initiatives like 'Trace the root' programmes are directed towards fulfilling the aspirations of diaspora vis-a-vis India.
Most importantly,our diaspora community helps in enhancing India's image as a credible soft power.In the age of globalisation,economic diplomacy has gained credence which is a function of a nation's soft power.In countries like USA,Canada and Australia,Indian diaspora forms a sizeable population and ignoring their concerns could hardly be afforded at any cost.It is not to be forgotten that the landmark Indo-US nuclear agreement was partly carried forward through the persistent efforts by the Indian community residing in USA.Therefore the Indian diaspora is as much an asset to India as its native citizens.
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