Pampering the NRI is a dangerous business

The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) just went by creating a lot of sound and noise. Now, this is not anything new. Very many countries are already in the business of wooing their diaspora with incentives and offers for financial or other investments in their native states. India has in fact joined very late, considering that emigration of Indians had started over a century back.

BJP decided to tap the immense potential in the Indian diaspora during its time. Now Congress continues to entice NRIs and has included PIOs (people who can trace their origins to India in any devious manner imaginable!). After Jagdish Tytler, who was quite an embarrassment for Congress, this year has seen the peak where Manmohan Singh offered dual citizenships (in effect) to prominent PIOs. And Kalam gave away quite a lot of prizes to high-achievers of Indian-origin.

To maintain cordial relations with the diaspora is of paramount importance to India, in terms of return financial investments – last year India received the highest amount of money that any nation got from her diaspora.

Not only financial, but Indians are well, if not highly, regarded in other countries due to their peaceful, entrepreneurial, persevering nature that countries such as US, UK and others benefit from. Therefore, India is now trying to build a better image for herself in the developed world through her erstwhile citizens. Indians have climbed up their way to the higher echelons of power in US, Canada, UK and elsewhere, that it will only be logical for India to tap into their influence to gain currency among the ruling powers there.

But all is not rosy. The NRI/PIO is no idiot. He realizes his importance and stature in India and the regard reposed in him by our govt. And it is not rarely that he abuses them.

In the just concluded PBD, when an alleged supporter of Narendra Modi was being awarded, another PIO created a commotion by yelling in the hall. He was whisked away by the police for security fears at a place where India’s First citizen was present. But a few others defended his freedom of expression and right to protest.

Well Mr. PIO, these rights come with responsibilities. If you are not prepared to bear responsibilities, you cannot wish to stake your claim for the rights alone. Shouting in a non-political gathering is hardly a civilized form of expression, and that too where eminent Indians are present is a shameful act.

The govt. is all too aware that it is performing a balancing act when it gives the unruly NRI more rights. But it should learn to be tactical when it seeks the PIO’s purse to keep his haughty antics in check.

(Disclaimer: I’m an NRI too!)