An article by Prahlad Sabnani, Retired Deputy General Manager, State Bank of India
Today there are more than 3.2 crore NRIs living all over the world. About 25 lakh Indians leave India for migration to other countries every year. Indians living abroad have not only strengthened the reputation of India by raising the flag of Indian culture but have also made it very credible.
Overseas Indians have not only established themselves in other countries with their working style, but have also earned countless achievements for themselves in these countries. The overseas Indians living in these countries are also increasing their participation in the economic, social, cultural and political sectors there.
NRIs are often characterized by a lack of patriotism, but this assumption is absolutely wrong. Apart from benefiting from foreign economic opportunities, they have also created a distinctive cultural identity. While NRIs are physically away from their country, their soul is at home and works for the country. It is the culture of India that makes it so powerful.
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is celebrated in India every year on 9th January. The invaluable contribution of overseas Indians to the economic development of India is especially remembered on this day.
17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is being celebrated from 8th January to 10th January 2023…
This year also on this auspicious occasion, the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrations have been organized from 8th January to 10th January 2023 in Indore city of Madhya Pradesh. Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will be celebrated on the first day of this special event, on January 8, 2023.
The second day- 9th January 2023 will mark the launch of the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention 2023 and the third day-10th January 2023 will conclude the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention.
The Prime Minister of India, Honorable Shri Narendra Modi, and the President of India, Smt. Draupadi Murmu will also participate in these programs.
We are many in numbers and we have to go beyond boundaries and work as a force, as a thought for our country and world peace…
“My family has taken Canadian citizenship and I had to give up my Indian citizenship, but that doesn’t mean I am leaving India. It’s impossible to uproot the roots of India because it runs through our veins and has deep roots in our hearts.
It is important for us not to miss out on economic opportunities. As we take advantage of opportunities in other countries, we can create great possibilities for our country as well. My soul was very sad while handing over the Indian passport, but I accepted it as a separate opportunity.
Just imagine what a difference there would be in the global structure politically, economically and culturally if there were a large number of Indians in every foreign land. You go to any corner of the world, you can see how we keep our culture alive. We celebrate all our traditions and festivals; Also, we learn good things from other traditions, which helps to broaden our mind in many ways.
It is the teaching of our culture that keep yourself flowing, don’t let it get stuck.”
Indians migrated to different countries during three different periods
In three different periods, Indians were sent on migration to different countries or they went on their own. Firstly, millions of Indians were sent to the British Colonies (countries ruled by Britain) as laborers during the British rule over India.
Today, the coming generations of Indians in these countries have become very influential and some of them have even reached the positions of Prime Minister or President in these countries.
After India gained political independence from the British, a large number of Indians settled in other countries as the diaspora. At that time a sizeable section of them had acquired some sort of technical skill such as artisans, plumbers, electricians, etc.
“Blue collar” jobs were easily available to these people and a large number of these Indians started living as expatriates mostly in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and other Middle East countries. At that time, employment was easily available to NRIs in these countries even in small shops.
There was also a rise in interest in other countries by Indian intellectuals, professionals, and educated people
After this, intellectuals, professionals and Educated class people also started getting attracted towards other countries and settled in countries like America, Britain, Canada, Germany, France, Italy etc. as overseas Indians. Today, these NRIs are working in good positions in these countries as engineers, doctors, professors, etc.
Many of them are working very successfully today as CEOs in big companies of these countries. In many other countries like America and Britain, today most of the doctors and engineers are people of Indian origin and in the financial sector of these countries, citizens of Indian origin are mostly found. Read how India’s negative image has shifted around the world at https://journals-times.com/2022/01/30/how-india-stacks-up-internationally/
These overseas Indians have a very important role in boosting the economies of these countries. Another important area in which citizens of Indian origin are becoming very successful today in these countries is the field of politics.
In the above three periods, the Indians who went to different countries from India, following the great Indian culture, have made a special place in these countries as citizens of Indian origin and they have gained a special status and trust among the citizens of these countries. have done it.
Today, citizens of Indian origin are not only playing an important role in the development of their respective countries, but also do not lack any kind in serving their motherland-India. In this sequence, recently the World Bank has issued a report stating that Indians living abroad 10,000 million US dollars in the year 2022 remittance.
Remittances are likely to be made in India, which is 12 percent more than the remittances of US $ 8,940 million made in the previous year in 2021. India continues to rank first in the list of remittances being received by various countries across the world.
Remittances from the diaspora are one of the most reliable sources of foreign exchange inflows. The dollar (or Euro or Dinar) transferred by NRIs increases India’s creditworthiness and foreign reserves. The amount they contribute to India’s total foreign reserves is nearly 25%.
Foreign investment by NRIs in various Indian companies is also increasing at a very fast pace. Its good effect is also being seen that the natives of these countries are also increasing their foreign investment in India, due to which the total foreign investment in India is increasing at a rapid pace.
Overseas Indians in these various countries are acting as a bridge between India and these countries in terms of foreign trade and foreign investment. People of Indian origin are also associated with many institutions of these countries and keep inspiring these institutions to take a soft approach towards India.
If more amount is being sent to India through remittance by the Indians living abroad, then it is strengthening the economic condition of India because of this, the reserves of foreign exchange in India are continuously increasing, which makes the Indian rupee more valuable in the international market.
It is proving helpful in providing stability and is proving helpful in providing speed and strength to the economy in India. Along with this, new investment is increasing in India and due to which new employment opportunities are being created here. In this way, the citizens of Indian origin living outside India are also making their incomparable contribution in the economic development of India.
Things has changed after 2014 in the favor of NRIs
Especially after the year 2014, a big change is also being seen. That is, now people of Indian origin are becoming the voice of India in these countries, due to which the image of India is continuously improving in these countries.
In the earlier period, India was known as a poor and helpless country. But, today the situation has completely changed and now India is being seen as a prosperous and strong nation in these countries. The ideology of Indian culture is being properly represented by the overseas Indians today.
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