#169: Indian Diaspora | Rishi to Rachin

GS2 Indian Diaspora

Rachin! Rachinnn! 

Ahmedabad shouted on top of its voice on Oct 5

Occasion? Opening match of Cricket World Cup

Similar cheers went on WhatsApp last month

Occasion? Rishi Sunak offering prayers at Shri Akshardham Mandir

One thing is common between the two. What?

One word: DIASPORA

Yep! You read it right - GS2: Indian Diaspora.

The same diaspora whose members are now considered Rashtradoot

What makes India celebrate Rahul+Sachin in Black jersey?

Remember seeing elders in your family going gaga over Rishi Sunak at Akshardham? Why?

What fills You with a sense of pride seeing the likes of Sundar Pichai & Satya Nadella sitting in top chairs of American Corporations?

Simple answer: BELONGINGNESS

For the longest time, we were given excuses in socialist India

Our genes were referred as weak

Our bodies were claimed unfit for competitive sports

Our minds were deemed incapable of dealing with pressure

..and suddenly!

You see a person with a story similar to yours sitting in top chairs of the world

What does that give you? 

Simple answer: RELATABILITY

It makes it easier for you to relate to success.

It tells you, you can ‘Do It; Whatever It Takes!’

Now, see this image👇🏼

4 heads of the country hand in hand with the World Bank President.

A President who calls himself best example of Make in India

How does this help India?

Other than remittances, cultural extension & diaspora diplomacy, India wins👇🏼

• Soft Power

When Joseph Nye gave this concept, he might have foreseen how India would do it!

Attraction & appeal that comes with those like Ajay Banga, Rishi Sunak and Rachin Ravindra is remarkable

• Tech Powerhouse

Likes of Satya & Sundar showcase the talent. Indians back home find MNCs setting base here for talent pool

• Enhanced global say

Lobbying is legal in America

Indians are leading the game in Canada

Portugal, Ireland, Singapore already have had an Indian-origin head of state

But what is the government doing for the diaspora?

From OCI to diaspora diplomacy, 

here are some pointers for you to quote in #UPSC Mains GS2 answers:

• Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas

2003 onwards, the day of Gandhi’s return to India, 09 January (1915) is celebrated.

It acknowledges contributions of diaspora in India’s advancement

• Overseas Citizen of India

Came as a response to ‘dual citizenship’ call from diaspora.

It does not recognize the demand but offers concessions to NRIs under a statutory arrangement.

Other than these, NDAs return to power in 2014 has given a fresh impetus

Diaspora Diplomacy is now at the center of India’s foreign policy

Conclusion 

(pointers for Mains answers)

• 4C approach to diaspora: Care, Celebrate, Connect, Contribute 

• India has stopped looking at diaspora only from remittances perspective.

• Diaspora is now a ‘living bridge’ to access resources, skills, markets & information.

• To nurture this bridge, the relationship has to be dynamic, collaborative and expressive from both the ends

The purpose of writing this story was to give you confidence in your own Bal. Buddhi. Vidya.

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