NRIs deserve better, But they should also contribute more

The over 30 million Indians settled abroad take pride in India’s growth story, which is being talked about all over the world today. The desire to have their say in the electoral process stems from their undiminished love for the land of their forefathers. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s declaration at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas function on Friday that all Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) “will get a chance to vote by the time of the next regular general elections” in 2014 is, therefore, welcome. The right to vote will be given to only those who continue to remain Indian citizens, holding Indian passports. Obviously, those holding the Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) cards cannot have this right as they have ceased to be Indian nationals. The Prime Minister’s call to overseas Indians to return and join politics and public life is also food for thought.
The Indian diaspora comprising the NRIs and the PIOs can draw greater satisfaction by contributing more to the socio-economic development of the country where their roots lie. They have enough and safe opportunities to invest in industrial and other ventures to help speed up the growth of India. Keeping their savings in banks, as Dr Manmohan Singh pointed out, will not serve the purpose. India needs enormous funds to have world-class infrastructure, health care facilities, educational institutions, etc, and in all these areas the Indians settled in other countries can play a significant role. We must learn from China, which has become what it is today mainly because of the huge investments made by the Chinese living abroad.
If India grows into a major world economic power, obviously it will be in a better position to take care of the interests of the Indian-origin people wherever they are. The government, however, has to remove the road-blocks which come in the way of those NRIs who plan to invest in India. There is need to have a single-window clearing system for NRI projects. This will save the NRI investors from the harrowing experience they have to undergo in getting clearances. The officials dealing with NRI projects must be made to change their negative and discouraging mindset. The NRIs and the PIOs have been, no doubt, given considerable facilities, but they definitely deserve more.  

Source: The Tribune, Chandigarh, India.

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