18th
Points of Views
via SAJAforum
… The average NRI’s fall from grace in India has been precipitate. The vacuous condescension that marked earlier attitudes has been replaced by desperation to find some accommodation somewhere. The big NRI players have no problem — they have seen their social worth in the West keep pace with India’s soaring reputation as a rising power. But the small fish whose tie and a twang once enabled him to lord over his less fortunate brethren in India has seen envy replaced with disinterest.
To the NRI confronted with a precarious descent into obscurity, there is only a small solace: interventions on the net. Taking advantage of a more connected world, the professional NRI (who knows no other identity) has stepped up his battles to cast India in his own confused image. No Indian website is free from the voluminous but pernicious comments of the know-all, ultra-nationalist NRI banging away on the computer in splendid isolation. From being India’s would-be benefactors, the meddlesome NRI has become an intellectual nuisance, derailing civil discourse with his paranoia and pseudo-superiority. It’s time he was royally ignored.
- Swapan Dasgupta
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3) NRIs have set up numerous Chairs in US universities which are promoting solid fact based research on India past, present and future. Two examples are the Center for the Advanced Study of India at University of Pennsylvania and the Center for India Studies at Stonybrook. Another group has taken the lead to start the Indian School of Business in Hyderabad. There are many other examples of an informed, confident, connected community as opposed to the picture that is presented of “..NRI banging away on the computer in splendid isolation.”
4) There are many NRI individuals who are doing pioneering work such as Infinity Foundation which reflects the personal commitment of one individual to promote a scientific and fact based understanding of Indian ethos and civilization. Another example is the universally respected Professor Subhash Kak Head of computer science at Oklahoma State university. There are many others.
5) The real story is that there is now a Global Indian who is confident of his ability to function from a position of strength in any part of the world. He or she is mobile and can seamlessly transition from New Delhi to New York, from Bangalore to Palo Alto and back. He or she will port his opinions and values and he will express them. India is a vibrant and tolerant society and can accomodate all views. The new India is about global connectivity and inspite of all defensive and restrictive efforts to the contrary these links will only strengthen and there will be increasing flow of ideas, commerce, cricket, Bollywood and yes matrimony also.
- Response, Rakesh Kaul
