INDIAN DIASPORA AND ITS RELEVANCE

 Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian Diaspora.

Diaspora is a Greek word meaning “scattering of seeds”. Until 1993 it was defied as dispersion of Jews in gentile nations. Actually Diaspora is a consequence of international migration. And migration is the term that has been used from pre-colonial era. But gradually international frameworks have defined it as a condition when group or community settles beyond the border of their nation state and maintain their ethnic identity.

Same with the people of Indian origin are living in almost 139 countries today. This covers nearly twenty five millions people having INDIANISM in their hearts.

Historically the process of Indian emigration can be categorized into following four phases-

1.      Pre-colonial era

2.      Colonial period(old Diaspora)

3.      Post colonial(New Diaspora)

4.      Free passengers (skilled or semi skilled workers) since globalization

During pre-colonial period there had been starting of Indian trade with Middle East counties. Merchants of Gujarat, Bengal and Tamilnadu were settled there. In ancient time due to propagation of religion like Buddhism many Indian scholar settled around different parts of south East Asia. In Saltnata age many Indian poet, artesian were taken to Arab with Muslim rulers.  

In colonial period during tyranny of British rule many labours, farmers were forcefully sent to new colonies of Latin America and Africa,Ceyloneunder GIRMIT and KANGANI system. The crisis of agriculture, small industries and famine in that time also pushed emigration of skilled Indian people to new industrialized west nation.

After Second World War situation was changed. Now colonial powers had to leave their dominance over third world. The population of under developed nation found developed world more affluent at this time. A large part of Indian migration was toward US UK Canada. Even Indian Diaspora from other former colonies also migrated to these nations, process called “twice migrated” due to ethnic violence of Africa and Fiji.

The new Diasporaor free Indians is name of recent migration of Indians to western countries. Since 1973 demand of expertise labor in oil exporting countries increased. A large part of south Indians like Kerala were migrated there for search of better employment.

By the above explanation we can see the varsity of Indian Diaspora pattern. Well defiantly the question arises why this so old phenomena is being important now or what is the relevance if Indian Diaspora.

India has the second largest Diaspora in the world. In recent years the achievements of these emigrants have come in sharp focus. Many of them receiving great honorable post in developed countries like(TULSI GABBARD,NINA DAVULURI ) US, UK. Moreover in the wave of globalization when there is free flow of technology, services, commodities,one can see the opportunities of development in the strong bond of our nation with Indian Diaspora.Overseas Indians share a strong bond with their country of origin. This is reflected in their language, cultures and traditions that have been maintained, often over centuries, and continue to be vibrant and unique. It is now being witnessed in the growing popularity of Indian films, dance, music, arts and culture on foreign shores, the strong surge in remittances back home, and the return of many to live and work in India and in their increasing engagement with India's development.

How did India change its Diaspora policies and why?

It is started with the Mahatma Gandhi’s efforts in South Africa for Indian Diaspora. The struggle was visualized as a segment of emerging nationalism hence it was Gandhi’s policy of identification and cooperation. But soon after independence in Nehru’s foreign policy it Diaspora became important agenda as he not only thought about betterment for them as other politician were thinking in that time but he also wanted cooperation from them.But after Africa and Kenya homeland issues during 1960’s proved Indians Diaspora in Africa as an obstacle more than an asset in diplomatic relations. Moreover Indian settlers thought Nehru as Hindu communistand refused any assistance. This widen gulf was finally filled by Mrs. Gandhi who dubbed Indian settlers as AMBESSDOR OF INDIA. During 80’s pro Diaspora feeling increased as inflowing of remittance from gulf countries was attractive. So finally a paradigm shift can be seen in our foreign policy.

Letus see our government incentives and policies toward this approach-

In 1977 seminar held in Delhi to consider the current status of oversees communities and their issues. Finally in 2000 a committee was framed by ministry of external affairs to make a comprehensive study of Indian Diasporaand recommendation for constructive relationship with them. The study can be viewed in spheres like education,culture,health,international trade developmentetc where names like AmartyaSen ,Pt. Ravi Shankar,V.S. Naipaul etc are prominent.

Three main recommendations of report about PIO CARD scheme (dual citizenship), PRAWASI BHARTIYA DIWASA, PRAWSI BHARTIYA SAMMAN AWARDS have been adopted.

Some recommendations of report related with the Issues that often suffer overseas citizen are-

1.Misbehaving of officials at security and custom desk, hygiene problem at airports.

2. Regulatory requirement of government related with tax certificate clearance.

3. Welfare of Indian women married to NRIs/PIOs.

4. Problems of overseas Indian labour (indianrecent agreement with tajakistan)

5. Involvement of Diaspora in SEZ,FDI,other projects and their financial cooperation.

            Some new initiatives that government has come up with –

1.      Gandhi PrawasiSuraksha Scheme- (MGPSY) for overseas India workers in ECR (emigration check required) Countries aims to encourage and enable the workers to meet their three major needs. It helps them to save for their pension in old age through NPS-Lite (National Pension Scheme); save for their return and resettlement and obtain free cost of life insurance cover.

2.      Know India Program-it is a three-week orientation programme for Diaspora youth conducted with a view to promote awareness on different facets of life in India and the progress made by the country in various fields e.g. economic, industrial, education, Science & Technology, Communication & Information Technology, culture..

3.      Study India Plan- It will enable overseas Indian youth to undergo short term course in an Indian University to familiarize them with the history, heritage, art, culture,socio-political, economic developments etc. of India.

4.      Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children-launched by MOIA in 2006-07 to make higher education in India accessible to the children of overseas Indians and promote India as a center for higher studies.

5.      Overseas Indian Youth Club-The purpose is to keep the overseas Indian youth in touch with the developments in India and create a sense of belonging towards their Country of origin.

6.      Tracing The Roots Scheme-launched in 2008 to trace the details of applicant.

 In recent time Indian Diaspora is vastly distributed across the world but within an year or two some nations have been in news for the issues of Indian overseas communities. The policies of some developed and developing countries do affect Indian interest. We can have the examples of some of them-

1.      Malaysia-HINDRAF has been in news recently.it is a community of hindu right action force which is working for preservation of their minority rights against government. In 2007 government banned it as a national threat to security.

2.      UAE-gulf countries having both blue and white collar workers from india but there have been always news of their physical abuses, delay in wages ,restricting passport etc.

3.      Ireland-SawitaHallapanwar’s abortion news made everybody shocked as refusal of abortion by official authority that led to her death.

4.       Norway-Indian parents are accused for abusing their children by court.

5.      Saudi Arab-Nitaqatlaw (naturalization) that made mandatory recruitment of locals in private sector. It became worrisome for Kerala.

6.      US-its immigration bill that is hurting Indian IT sector as it makes mandatory for firms with temporary foreign employees to pay a fee for each such non-US national. It may also prevent any firm from hiring people on H1-B visas if 50% of its employees are not Americans. Also a issue of killing in gurudwara.

7.      UK-same visa issue and Sikh genocide and its activism.

8.      Mauritius-its president was chief guest in PBD-2013.

9.      Turkey-anti government protest and uprising gave threat to Indians and racism is another issue.

There is also some another countries a Sri Lanka (Tamil ethnic), china (Indian spouses in china and their PIO card issue), Syria (Indians suffering due to civil war).

With our all initiatives we became successful to create small India even outside of country. Our socio-culture linkages became strong by the efforts of cyberspace, films, Diaspora writings etc. even globalization helped a lot to create new phenomena of Transnationalism (process by which immigrant build social linkages with host and destination country).with the rapid progress in field of social,economical,religion,political ties,the concept of BRAIN DRAIN converted into BRAIN CIRCULATION (two way flow of professionals, educational).

            But we need to be cautious about making generalization of Diasporas as there may emerge new identity tendency within its member on basis of cast, religion, language etc. so next step in our Diaspora policy should be conclusion of its pro and cons.

REFERENCE-

1.      IGNOU

2.      MINISTRY OF OVERSEAS AND MINISTERY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

NEHA SRIVASTAVA