While I was in India last month, I made it a point to read the local papers and watch the local news broadcasts. The purpose of this was to get a sense of the issues and concerns that were on the minds of the people and the press. Bush’s impending visit, the H5N1 (bird) flu, globalization, and the negative impact of the “MTV Generation” on the youth were frequent topics in the news and editorial pages.
Of greater interest to me were the numerous stories of NRI’s attempting to improve their villages. For example:
For a long time non-resident Indians have been donating for causes associated with their native villages or hometowns for schools, dispensaries or roads. In what is a rare example of donation targeted specifically for carrying out the battle against AIDS, cancer and TB in Punjab, a New York-based NRI today told the Punjab Government that he would spend $1 million (Rs 4.5 crore) on the project…. Mr [Surinder Singh] Dhall said: “If I am satisfied, I will donate even more than $1 million. It was my wish to donate for a larger cause and not restrict myself to building roads or schools in my native village.” [Link]
One reason I was in India was to attend a three-day conference sponsored by the alumni association of my father’s medical school, the Amritsar Medical College. The conference was organized in part to display the deteriorating condition of the college’s hospital and to generate interest in NRI investment into the campus. The response from the alumni was overwhelming; some graduates felt as though it was their duty to “give back” to the institution that had provided them with a living and with fond memories.
After Amritsar, I stopped by the Guru Nanak Mission Hospital, where I met a family friend from America who has committed himself towards improving this hospital and expanding its current capabilities. Again, I encountered an NRI who was devoting his time and money to a charitable cause in India.
And, even on the flight back to America (of all places), I ran into a friend who had spent three months in India managing the India-branch of his technology company. His interest seemed purely business-oriented, but in a larger sense he is still investing in the country.
The experience in India left me thinking: as an Indian individual who was born and raised in the United States, what is my moral obligation to providing anything to India or resident Indians, whether it be financial support, investment capital, professional expertise, or simple seva, or selfless service. The easy answer is, it depends. To be sure, it does depend on a lot of different factors, including one’s resources and availability. And, of course, each person will have their own sense of obligation towards India, if any at all.
Further complicating matters is the question of whether NRI’s are even welcome or entitled to improve India, a question that is currently being explored on The Great Indian Anomie blog:
It’s interesting how often people try to shut me up by calling me an NRI (Non Resident Indian). What does she know? She’s an NRI. How can she talk about issues in India? She’s an NRI. What right does an NRI have to talk about development in India when she sits in London choking over her Starbucks Mocha?… So what if she’s spent 97.57% of her life in India, the minute she finds herself in an non-Indian postcode – she’s an NRI. What is an NRI anyway? Someone who will never return? Someone who may return? Someone who sends remittances? Someone with a family name that sounds Desi? So India is off-bounds to an NRI, because she doesn’t live there anymore (even if temporarily). UK should be out-of-bounds to me because I’m not “from” here. I shouldn’t comment on the rest of the world – because well I haven’t seen it.
Another problematic factor is the rampant corruption in India, which NRI’s may not be accustomed to or comfortable with. For example, an NRI, Lajpat Rai Munger, built an engineering and IT college, but then simply gave it to Punjab University. Why?
Although the institute cost him Rs 210 million ($4.7 million), he would have none of it any more. The NRI from California says he was disillusioned with the Indian system. “Corruption and nepotism at every step have irritated me the most,” Munger told the agency…. “I gave up after finding that even after investing so much money in my country of origin, I had to grease palms at every governmental level – be it for getting approval for various courses or any day-to-day administrative matters.” [Link]
The attitudes of resident Indians and corruption aside, there remains the individual question of whether there is a moral obligation to give back in some sense. My answer? Shiet, ask me in about forty years.
If the driving force of the 21st century is going to be capitalism for one and all, shouldn’t we redefine “giving back” from the modern perspective? Why stick to the old line United Nations and World Bank definition of “giving back” as “doing good”?
Most NRI’s in the US do not belong to any charitable organization, do not contribute to any institution except, perhaps, their local temples, but by being highly productive members of the American economy, are “giving back” to the American society everyday. The same applies to NRI’s investing money in India OR Indians in India who produce wealth through some enterprise or the other.
Most of us are involved in CREATING value. Some of us are involved in DISTRIBUTING it correctly. But the latter group is not the only one “giving back.”
My basic premise is that development, when done correctly, is analogous to upliftment. That being said, I feel the following hold true.
Dhaavak: I agree with your posting;
India (or your SA country of choice) benefits immensely from the: 1. influx of investment 2. demands of accountability/higher standards/transparency
NRI-vestor: “I don’t have to pay twice the published fee to get my building plans approved in Chicago’s Zoning Bureau, why the hell should I do it in Amdavad’s Zoning Bureau?”
corrupt local zoning official: “this is not your USA; you don’t like? I will not give the permits”
NRI-vestor: “that’s cool, I’ve just sent an email to your boss, the local press, and my cousin at Thehelka.com“
You the investor benefit from 1. ROI (who wouldn’t take 7-10% growth over 3-4%?) 2. That warm-n-fuzzy feeling of helping develop your old country by getting jobs, electricity, and gleaming new buildings to her people… all the way to the bank.
Raajk: I disagree with your posting; how can you say:
Where do you think your identity is shaped? In terms of numbers India >> NRI’s. When you walk around the Western world, work in your office, learn in your university, shop at your grocery store, play tennis at your sports club, and chat with your neighbors, they don’t see you as completely distinct from your Motherland. They see you as an Indian-American/etc. I haven’t lived in India for a couple decades, however I get all the stereotypes, assumptions, and “benefits” (be they good or bad) tacked on. I’m sure its true for the majority of us who in perhaps the most remote way acknowledge our roots.
Furthermore, I believe our children, and children’s children, will be increasingly affected by this perception of India, as well as its ground realities, in the world. If you are a Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, or Zorastrian you have an even greater stake in India’s future. Your brand of religion, its quirks and nuances, are directly influenced by the goings-on back home, both by spiritual leaders and your bretheren. Don’t Catholics have a stake in Rome? How about Jews in Israel?
Hi.Everybody, You are doing a great work for the Mother Land.Just as bird goes out in the day time but always remember that she has a home where she/he can go and have rest.Just like this land of India will not forget what you are doing for the people of India. You are well aware th condition of India.This is divided in to two parts.One is rich and they are very rich and otherside when you pass through the Indian Rail you will know the mazority of Indian people are still living in a worst conditon. We have chosen to upliftment the children odf India because if you will personally contact me on my email: nldsin@yahoo.co.in.you will get that the children of India are at great risk.So you are welcome to raise these children.and you can write to us.
Thanks! Sudhir S.N.Lal AAS- Ministries 152A.West Arjun Nagar Agra-282001 U.P. India Cell: 919990665926
Respected Sir/Madam!
I am member of lower-middle class and most of our time passes, to live from hand to mouth. This major change came to my life after the death of papa (Dilshad Khan) on 27th October 1999 and after than things changed in a very bad manner, all the responsibility was brought on the young shoulder of my elder brother who was a student by himself and was taking his undergraduate studies. I am graduate from the university of Peshawar (NWFP) Pakistan in the session of 2006-07. After the completion of my graduation I joined a local NGO to gain experience as it was relevant to my previous course of studies, which is must here in Pakistan for the Master Level Studies in good colleges and universities. l want to continue my studies but unfortunately after the accident of my elder brother he is unable to maintain his duties so due to that very reason, i can’t continue my studies and I am suffering from financial cruces and losing the precious time of studies. I have managed each and every thing from my personal savings as I don’t want to be a burden of my family again, but the institution I had taken admission for Master’s in Business Administration( specialization in Business Finance, Basics Changes In Finance, Computer Buildings Designer, Human Recourses Managements and its Concepts) requires a complete setup for studies such as Tuitions Fee, Accommodation Expanses, Living Expanses, and other concern expanses. These all expanses I had paid from my personal savings and can maintain my daily routine by doing part time job but the main problem for which I am writing to your kind self and the very reason I am suffering to work on my projects back home on a computer which is making my efforts use less. Before this to use a computer of fellow or a friend doesn’t effect one’s privacy but as I am entering into a professional life I can’t share my projects with them because it is prepared after an extreme and continuous hardworking. It also noteworthy that the reason I am suffering and having problems to understand the new changes in our studies to communicate with worlds researches, new websites updates and know about the information which is always available on web because I am financially weak and cannot afford funds to buy a Computer Laptop for studies work which is easy to work on to make personal notes and one carry it any time with himself as my all friends have there own. I am a genuine student and my intentions are purely for higher education that’s why my application must be consider on the basis of humanity and sympathy, so it is therefore formally requested to your kind self to donate me a Computer Laptop so that I can continue my studies and to stable my self for the support my family as I am there only hope and prove my self a responsible human in the world by my acumens and potentials.
I would be grateful to your kind concern.
Yours truly, Farhan Dilshad.
Necessary details are as under:-
Name Farhan Dilshad F/Name Dilshad Khan (Late) D.O.B 13th March 1985 Nationality Pakistani NIC 16101-1281814-5 Passport No AC7718141 Qualification Bachelor of Science Group Engineering Group Session 2006-07 Profession Student Contact Cell 0092-345-9334001 Email Address fanni_khan1985@yahoo.com
Mailing Address House No 40/C, Mohallah Mir Afzal Khan, Mardan (NWFP) Pakistan.
Please you can make my life……………….God Bless You.
TO,