MEMORANDUM TO THE
HIGH LEVEL INDIAN DISPORA COMMITTEE SUBMITTED BY
THE GLOBAL ORGANIZAITON OF PEOPLE OF INDIAN ORIGIN (GOPIO)
NEW YORK, JUNE 1, 2001
With
several millions of the new generation of people of Indian origin (PIO) born
and brought up all over the world, Govt. of India should re-evaluate India’s
cultural ties with its children outside India. With a new global community of
people of Indian origin, The work of Indian Council of Cultural Relations should
be expanded especially to reach out PIOs in the developing countries. The
govt., semi-government and private agencies should also promote more travel of
PIO children and youth to India.
Many Indian establishments such as hotels and
tourist attractions are charging outrageous price from PIOs who are currently
non-Indian citizens. This brings bad impressions and feelings amongst NRIs and
PIOs. Steps should be taken mitigate this problem.
The recent announcement by the Home Ministry of
implementing an old law of the requirement of reporting the presence of foreign
citizens by the host of the house or establishment is an outrageous law. With
millions of PIOs and their young children expected to visit India each year,
this law could create major problem for the host families. The local police
could also harass PIO families back in India. This law should be removed right
away. If it is the security concerns to implement the law, it should be made to
citizens of those specific countries.
With the opening of the economy, Indian
professionals have started practising in adopted countries as well as in India.
However, those who have taken citizenship outside India find it difficult to
regain their professional license. These issues should be sorted out with all
the licensing boards.
PROBLEMS OF RETURNING NON-RESIDENT
INDIANS FROM THE MIDDLE EAST
WHEREAS in the last three decades, the Non
Resident Indians in the Middle East have been contributing substantial foreign
exchange remittances,
NOTING that this foreign exchange played an
important role in helping India tide over a foreign exchange crisis a few years
ago,
WHEREAS a recent study released by the
University of Kerala reveals that a large number of non-resident Indians that
have returned from Middle Eastern Countries are facing serious financial
problems, and
NOTING that these financial problems lead to
various social problems in the adjustment of the returning communities, and
NOTING that this alarming situation arising out
of the appalling plight of non-resident Indians is a huge problem in the state
of Kerala, and
FURTHER NOTING that this situation also applies
in many other Indian States,
URGES the Government of India, the Government
of Kerala and the other states to immediately take appropriate action to
mitigate social and economic problems facing Non-resident Indian returnees from
the Middle East.
RAJYA SABHA SEATS FOR NRIs
WHEREAS, people of Indian origin represent a tremendous resource in intellectual, technical, scientific, professional, trade, and entrepreneurial skills with high potential and keenness to contribute to the well-being and prosperity of their Motherland,
URGES the Indian cabinet to appoint a few prominent members of NRIs who are Indian citizens as Rajya Sabha members so as to reinforce the bonds between India and the PIOs.
VOTING RIGHTS FOR INDIAN CITIZENS LIVING
OUTSIDE INDIA
WHEREAS, about 30% of the PIOs and NRIs living outside India are still citizens of India,
WHEREAS, most of the countries provide opportunities for their citizens living outside their countries to participate in the election process of their countries,
WHEREAS, India is yet to establish a mechanism to provide such as opportunity its citizens numbering about 6 million,
URGES Government of India to initiate the process of providing voting rights, through a constitutional amendment, to Indian citizens living outside India.
PROMOTING NRI/PIO PARTICIPATION IN SOCIAL
AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICE ACTIVITIES IN INDIA
A large number of NRIs and PIOs have launched foundations and non-profit service organizations to help India in its social service and educational activities. To make them more effective and to reach to a large number of people, a separate cell should be opened within the government to promote such activities.
PROMOTING PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL
INTERACTION WITH PIO PROFESSIONALS
CSIR and other government agencies should work
toward participating NRI and PIO professionals to interact with Indian
counterparts. A large number of NRI/PIO professionals are willing to spend
their time. However, this has not progressed due to lack initiative in this
direction.
PROVIDING SCIENTIFIC/MEDICAL/TECHNICAL
BOOKS AND JOURNALS TO INDIAN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
NRIs and PIOs could donate and/or contribute
scientific and professional journals to educational institutions in India. The
major hurdle is a collection point, transportation and distribution. If the
govt. or some agencies come up with a program, Indian institutions will benefit
substantially.
SUBMITTED ON BEHALF OF GOPIO
Dr. Thomas Abraham, President
GLOBAL ORGANIZATION OF PEOPLE OF INDIAN ORIGIN
P.O. Box 1413, Stamford, CT 06904, USA
Tel: 203/329-8010, Fax: 203/322-2233
E-mail: gopio@t-three.com, Web: www.gopio.net