Disillusioned diaspora

I was one of the privileged invitees to meet and greet a visiting Indian Goodwill Delegation of Parliamentarians at the Indian Consulate recently. The take home message as interpreted by me was Lage raho Munna Bhai – even with your most mediocre performance, as long as your remittance fills the Reserve Bank with foreign exchange, the government is happy (with no inspiration to reach your potential). I was sad and disappointed to hear that a Pravasi Bhartiya is only valued for the money they send home and not for the deep sense of commitment and passion we feel for our motherland.

The leader of the delegation, a senior MP from the ruling party, reiterated the laurels of the few outstanding non-resident Indians specially in the USA who would have accomplished even more had they been given an opportunity in their homeland, adding to the national pride of India. The Indian government must look at the plight of an average Indian who lives and dies as a second class citizen in another country. The issue of migration is much more complex than chasing the sunshine. If our remittance is used for this kind of goodwill global tour and many other questionable enterprises, then we have the right to question the accountability, transparency and sincerity of our rulers. Indians now are far more refined, confident, educated, well informed, objective, analytical and assertive, not to be silenced by words of meaningless praise. Indians leave their country for varied reasons but one of the striking characteristics most of them share is their unconditional allegiance to India. The visiting dignitaries were offended by questions like the rampant corruption, inaction against the current politicians with criminal records, the safety of women, and the unrelenting saga of lack of water and electricity and poor roads, as well as 70% of undeveloped villages. Roadside urination is so common that it’s not even considered undignified or unhygienic. Nearly 60% of Indians do not have access to respectable toilet facilities.

These are some of the questions I would like to use for brainstorming at the grassroots level before the next government is elected. Our Consul General, Arun Kumar Goel in his brief tenure of less than a year, has established himself as a true goodwill ambassador with genuine concern and understanding of how much we want to connect with India and help in every possible way to retrieve our lost glory. I was hoping for similar spirit and sentiments from our visiting parliamentarians, rather than merely patting our backs as a mark of their accomplished goodwill world tour.

During my recent visit to India I was impressed with the emergence of a no-nonsense attitude, new awakening of our youth and the ability to unite to bring reform. Maybe replacing octogenarians with young leaders will bring the change we have been patiently waiting for since six decades.

Satyamev Jayate!

Shailja Chaturvedi West Ryde, NSW

Seniors

Seniors Week

Celebrations 2013

Sun 24 Mar 10:30am-2:30pm

Sri Om Care (Sri Om Foundation) holds annual Seniors Week Celebrations at Auburn Town Hall, No. 1 Susan Street, Auburn. The program includes multicultural concerts and talented performances by children, youth and the seniors along with talks by eminent doctors and the release of a special edition of Prathama, Seniors News Magazine. Details Jay Raman 0410 759 906.

Misc

Australia Chapter of Aam Aadmi Party

The Australia chapter of the Aam Aadmi party (AAP) invites volunteers across Australia to join and work towards education and awareness, expanding membership and for raising funds towards this political movement. For information or to volunteer in AAP activities, email aap.aussie@ gmail.com or contact Namita 0426 250 072.