Although it took India years, the country has finally realized that, how much NRIs can do for India, its 20 million strong overseas Indians dotting the globe who earn at least US$160 billion annually, which is more than a third of India's national income, can well change the face of its economy.
In this respect if we isolate NRAs from our state, Assam, probably is just a drop in the bucket. NRA numbers are very small compared to other Indian communities. However as very recently, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee said India doesn't need the riches of NRIs, "it needs the richness of their experience and global exposure". In case of Assam, NRAs can play a significant role by bringing in the richness of their experience and global exposure to our State.
There are four areas where NRAs can contribute to our State:
1. As a direct investor in the state, e.g., individual investors from US have set up a hospital recently. NRAs can also introduce potential investors from other countries to Assam.
2. Voluntary contributions such as delivering lectures in symposiums, college - school conferences in our state.
3. Government of Assam can hire NRA expatriates who have excelled in their individual fields. For Example Late Rajiv Gandhi in 80s got Sam Pitroda to head the Technology mission in India. One of the biggest success of that mission was the rapid modernization of Indian Telecom sector.
4. Philanthropy - NRA organizations from overseas must take a very active role in this regard and coordinate with NGOs or the Government of Assam for the utilization of money sent from overseas. Barring a few individual initiatives, there has not been an organized and credible medium for NRAs to fund social work in our State
Now the big question is how serious is Assam Government about involving NRAs? The seriousness needs to be shown with deeds, not just with words. How soon can Assam govt. make its decision-making process transparent for NRA involvement? And, how consistent are the policies?
The first step would be for the government to set up a cell under CM's office which will be single point of contact for the NRAs to work with the Government of Assam and its people.
Recently, we met Assam Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi here in New Jersey; I was quite impressed with his enthusiasm to get help from NRAs. He is planning to come to USA again in the summer of 2004 for the annual Assamese get together.
NRAs from USA can take this opportunity to understand exactly how the contributions can be made working in tandem with the Government of Assam or NGOs, etc.
There is also a talk of NRA convention in Guwahati in the near future. There are all encouraging signs. But all these gestures, all these efforts, will come to naught if the government does not actively ensure that the initiative does not fizzle out to become yet another 'me too' thing just because states like Andhra, Maharashtra and Punjab are trying to woo their respective NRI communities.
- by Ram Dhar, New Jersey
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