Some time ago I read an email about the contributions of NRA towards their motherland. After reading it, it made me think about what has been done and what can be done. In the article it was pointed out what the other NRI does towards their motherland and what the NRAs are doing.
I must admit that, reading the letter, if I compare to the other states, it would appear that the NRA are doing very little to the motherland. Why are they are doing so little? There are a few things that come to mind. One of them is that, unlike the other states we, the NRAs, are only a handful of people. The second point is that unlike the other NRIs, we have been here for only a couple of decades. Furthermore, most of the NRAs are professionals rather than the business community (like the NRI from many other states in India).
However, this should not be an excuse to shake off our responsibilities and duties towards our motherland. Even though the NRAs are few in number, they are all professional and highly qualified with well-established jobs. They have vast amount of experience in their respective fields, which would tremendously help towards the growth and development of Assam.
So, what can be done?
Think small.
In Europe and America most of our compatriots live far apart. It is not practical for people to meet on a regular basis. Therefore, I feel that we should work with small groups and take up some real achievable goals. I say this because if we take up too large a project, we have to involve a good number of people, a big fund and involvement of the Government. So, it comes as no surprise that oversized projects often fail.
I can think of the following projects, which can be done easily with small numbers as well as small funds.
- Adopt a school
A small school in a village could be adopted to improve the condition and standard by giving books, living condition, sanitation, school dinners, etc.
- Adopt a library
Many libraries in Assam including the district libraries in major towns have fallen standards. We can adopt one of them to raise the standard by providing books, reference materials, journals and IT facilities.
- Adopt a village
To improve hygiene, sanitation water supply, etc.
- Adopt a road
A small stretch of road can be improved and looked after by providing lights drainage and maintenance.
- Plant a tree (or more)
Each NRA can plant a tree in their respective place and maintain it through their family or friends.
- Establish a small forest
In Assam we are losing innumerable number of rare and valuable trees each year. We can replace them by planting and establishing a small forest and maintaining it.
- Adopt an animal
We can adopt an animal in a Zoo.
- Provide and maintain a public toilet
To educate the population to use the toilet facilities properly and to realize the benefit of this service.
These types of schemes have to be organized in conjunction with local voluntary organizations so that they can look after, maintain and liase with us on regular basis. I personally found that the help of organizations like Rotary Club and Lions Club are valuable.
Apart from this people from various professional backgrounds can organize lectures, surgeries, and meetings during their visits to Assam and give their advice to do things in a better and organized way. We can also offer expert advice to various established government and non-government organizations in respective fields. These are some examples of small but effective and achievable ideas. By thinking small we can achieve a lot.
- by Dr Nripen Barkataki. Dr Barkataki is a General Practitioner in England. He has done MBBS from Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh, Assam, and MD from Delhi. He is an active member of the Rotary Club, Seaham. He is the Assistant Secretary of the Assam Association of the UK.
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