NRI opportunities for the government of India

BY PAWAN LUTHRA

As we go to print, India has just celebrated its 14'" Pravasi Bharatiya Divas inBengalurn. Heralded as the largestever gatheringof overseasIndians, the event wasattended,as per official estimates,byover 7,000 delegates, of whom 1500 were NRis and 500 wereAoating NRTs.This from over 30,000,000 Rls globally.Yes, less cban 0.007%of the target audience werein attendance.

Once the annual conference isover, it may be worthwhile for thosein charge to question whether thereis a better way toengage with global Indians.That they want roengage isclear from the ongoing stagingof the PravasiBharatiya Divas (PBD),buris chis annual talk festwinningand makinginroadsinthe hearts and minds of theNRls? Do they deservemorefromthe governmentof India?

On onehand, wben NRis relinquish their citizenship or residence status,they are lessof a responsibility of the Indian government. Yet, what the NRI has to offer roIndia, should be enough of an incentivefortheIndiango,rernment to work throughwaysof greater engagement with chiscommunity.

The 30 millionnon residemIndians arelargelyhighlysuccessfulin their new country. According co an estimate from a leadingUSsource, "If NRis were a country, their GDP would be in excessof US$800billion,equalto 40%of India's GDP, eventhough their population isless than3°/,, of resident lndians."There alsois an estimate chatNRls' remittances to India stood at US$68.91billionin2015, accounting for over 4%of the country's GDP. This is growingas moreIndiansfan out across the globe.

Looking at the financial returns alone, without takinginro account the softpower opportunities which this community can exert, this is an extremely important resource which shouldbe marshalled and used to work towards India's growth.

With an estimated 500,000peopleof Indian originin Australia,wedorepresent a very smallpart of the'Iodiaspora'. But what we lackinmm1bers,we do make up inpassion for all things lndian.JLIStlook at the turnout duringd1e India-Australia cricket series,or d1erevenue figures from Australia when majorBollywood blockbustersare released, cobecome awarethatwhile the"Indiancan betaken out of India, itisharder cotaketheIndia om of theIndian".

On a more practical basis, PBD details need ro be circulatedin the community much earlier in die year ratherthan a few weeksprior co9January. MostIndian Australians plantheirIndia tripduring thisholiday rimemuch earlierin the year, and knowingdetailsof PBD may allow for agreater participation. Perhaps workingon a delegation representing Australian Indians to attend asa cohort, may bring further momentum from the community.

PBD is but oneoccasion of the many opportunities for theIndiangovernment to engage with dielocal community lnvit:ing greaterinteraction from the community such as an Australia India Day for an openfonm1 to meet with consular officials,could beone such new opportunity, by way of example.

Afterall, thepassion for providing greateroppornmities forLidiais shared by both Indian governmentofficeshere, and the local Indian community.