Indian diaspora urged to join in nation-building

INDIANS living abroad have been asked to help with “nation-building” efforts so that the country emerges stronger after the coronavirus crisis.

Paying tribute to the diaspora community, external affairs minister S Jaishankar likened them to an extended family “transplanted from the motherland to distant shores”. They had “flourished into an evergreen tree, with its lush branches spreading across all the regions and continents”, the minister added.

His comments came during an address at the 16th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (Indian diaspora day), which was marked last Saturday (9). It recognises the contribution of overseas Indians towards the growth and development of the country.

January 9 was chosen as it was on this day in 1915 that Mahatma Gandhi, the “greatest pravasi”, returned to India from South Africa and led the country’s freedom struggle.

“Certainly, it is our ambition to build the capacities and strengths commensurate to one of the leading economies of the world. To do that, we recognise the need to think, plan and act more strategically. What is underway may be a national endeavour, but it is one very much based on global partnerships,” Jaishankar said.

He added that the India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative was aimed at building greater capacities and enhancing the country’s contribution to the world. “Involving the diaspora in that endeavour is natural. To start with, they have always been enthusiastic contributors to nation-building,” he said.

The minister noted how India responded to the pandemic through the larger framework of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” to enhance its capacities at home to make a larger contribution abroad. “We, in India, have responded through the policy of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, building stronger capacities at home to make a larger contribution abroad. It is natural that we seek to involve our diaspora in that process, as they have a well-earned reputation as high achievers,” he said.

He said the community represented the best of India’s culture, ethos and values in foreign countries. “As high achievers, they have enhanced the prestige of India, especially as some have risen to occupy the tallest positions in their country.”