– R.K. Sinha
Now almost every day there is news in the media on the remarkable achievements of Indians settled outside India. From becoming the President of the World Bank to becoming the President of a country, Prime Minister, MP, etc. Indians are becoming. The matter is not limited to this. Indians living in every corner of the world have filled the coffers of their country to the brim with their money. The figures of the Reserve Bank till February 2023 show that the NRI deposits of the Reserve Bank have reached Rs 136 billion. NRI stands for Non Resident Indian (Non Resident Indian). It is clear that about three crore Indians and NRIs are doing concrete work to make their country happy. That’s why it would be wrong to think that they forget India as soon as they go to the seven seas.
It’s not like that. Wherever they go, they remain Indians. He is identified as an Indian. They also take pride in being considered Indian even after many generations. Once the great Kenyan hockey player Avtar Singh Sohal was telling that Indians have been settled in Africa for more than 125 years. Now their fourth-fifth generation is living there. Many Indian families from Africa also settled in Europe, Canada, America etc. But wherever they go they call themselves Indians. Sohal has represented Kenya in four Olympic Games. He has also bought a flat in Chandigarh. Indians settled in some African countries say that if there is a crisis, they can turn to India. That’s why they keep their property in India also.
In the strong economic health of the country, there is no less big contribution of those anonymous Indians who send money to India every year. Generally only those who are big investors are discussed in the media. When any state invites investment in itself, its eyes are kept only on big companies. I agree that their investment is also necessary, but if only the citizens of their country invest in their country, then it remains enjoyable. The real thing is that money should come into the country. Whether it is sending Indian IT engineers working in America’s Silicon Valley or skilled-unskilled laborers working in Dubai or any part of the Gulf.
It is known to everyone that it is possible to improve the infrastructure in the country due to the coming of money from outside India. But it should also be kept in mind that India is not just a geographical reality for the Indian diaspora or NRI. For Sikhs, India is their Gurughar. The same situation is with Buddhists and Jains as well. Sanatani Hindus do not see anything other than India at all. The allegiance of the Muslims is also unquestionable towards India. The common Muslim of India repents in the name of Pakistan. Some Muslims are still not ready to change with the times. Before Eid, thousands of Muslims returning from Gulf countries are found at any airport in Delhi, Mumbai or Kerala. All of them are coming to celebrate Eid with their family members and best friends.
Indians are unable to distance themselves from India even after settling in Africa, Canada, America, Britain etc. They preserve their culture and cultural heritage there. Indian women generally wear sarees on occasions like Diwali and Holi, wedding ceremonies etc. Most of the Indian dishes are cooked in homes. While the Indians of Mauritius speak French and Creole fluently, the Indians of East Africa are proficient in Swahili. But, they never give up the language of their forefathers, Bhojpuri and its folk songs.
Of course, all these Indian diaspora are truly our brand ambassadors. That’s why the central and state governments should always keep bringing new schemes for their interests. They should also be given better returns on their investment, so that they keep sending more and more money to the country.
This is a very ideal time for India. The whole world is facing the brunt of recession, so we have overall peace here. Business is going smoothly. Incidents like the caste riots of Manipur should not happen in our country too. Just look at the condition of neighboring Pakistan. There, there is a situation like a civil war. However, India will have to continue to strengthen its economic position. Now the whole world also respects the one whose financial condition is right.
(The author is a senior editor, columnist and former parliamentarian.)
Read the Latest India News Today on The Eastern Herald.
