Every year, India celebrates Jan 19th as the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (Overseas Indians Day). On this day in 1914, Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa and provided leadership to the freedom struggle against British colonial rule. I have not been to one yet, but know of people who have participate in this event. From what I have heard is that this celebration was simply party time for the rich and famous! But no doubt that it is a major initiative on the government’s part to network and mobilize the globally scatterred people for its development.
I recently came across this interview by Overseas Indians Minister Vylar Ravi www.nrifm.com He cited two exciting plans of the forthcoming 2007 NRI day for the second generation of Asian Indians worldwide – a) PIO University to provide world class professional college options, b) Know India program, where government plans to fund high school/college age overseas youths to come and visit India.
Looks like government of India is getting beyond addressing the migrants and their needs. And now is trying to win the allegience of the next generation to the land of their forefathers. This is surely an attempt to woo the coming generations to stay connected with India. Let’s see how this is recieved by second generation Indians worldwide.
It is generally said that one should never forget one’s roots. “Roots” can have a subjective meaning because for people of Indian origin born and brought up abroad, it would be difficult connecting with the indigenous culture.As the recent Ambani family split revealed, it is not easy for the second gerneration of even a family to stay together. Its more a matter of how India also changes with changing times and whether they can relate to it genuinely.
As for education, it is strange that so many educational insitutions are floated but the legacy of realy education advocated by our spiritual stalwarts is overlooked- check out quotable quotes in Make your passion your profession
Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog.
Cheers! Sandra. R.