The Hindu : National : Indian diaspora for proactive approach to settle problems

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Sunday, Jan 09, 2005

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National

Indian diaspora for proactive approach to settle problems

By Arunkumar Bhatt

MUMBAI, JAN. 8. Not all overseas Indians are rich and influential; some of them face socio-economic and political discrimination and marginalisation even in countries where they have been living for generations. They look towards India — the homeland of their forefathers — for support, but are unhappy that New Delhi continues to stick to its `policy of non-intervention.'

The problem is more serious in the Caribbean countries where ethnic Indians form a sizeable section of local society. These communities want New Delhi to be proactive and take their side. A powerful case for Indian intervention in support of the diaspora was made at the session on Issues of Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) held here today, the second day of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.

Chandresh Sharma, a member of the Trinidad and Tobago Parliament, and Ramesh Lawrench Maharaj, former Attorney-General of that country, wanted India to use its economic and technological clout in support of Indians facing `persecution and discrimination' and raise the issue at international fora such as the United Nations. They wanted India to emulate the United States, which was doing everything it could to protect American interests.

`Discrimination'

Mr. Sharma said that Indians were `denied government jobs and opportunities for education.' Mr. Maharaj said they faced `persecution' by the Government of the day, which `framed' them in cases and `used' the police and judiciary to `settle political scores.'

Mr. Maharaj later told The Hindu that the "Indo-Trinidads," as the community is known there, were `discriminated against.' Recently, more than10,000 Indians employed in sugar plantations were laid off. The Government did not keep its promise of giving them cultivable land. Now, it says that it has no such obligation. But the "Afro-Trinidads" working in a State-owned oil refinery have not lost their jobs though the refinery is nearly closed.

About 44 per cent of the 1.5-million population of Trinidad and Tobago is of Indian origin. Compared to persons of African origin, Indians, who are mostly descendants of indentured labour, are doing better because of their education and professional training.

Dual citizenship dilemma

The problems of Indians settled in Malaysia are exactly the opposite. Being a minority, they are facing an identity crisis and the locals are suspicious of them. The move on dual citizenship has added to their dilemma, as the locals could now doubt their loyalty, according to Dr. Denison Jayasooria, executive director of the Social Strategic Foundation, Malaysia.

C.M. Bhandari, Additional Secretary in the External Affairs Ministry, reiterated the Indian Government's policy of "non-intervention" and stressed that New Delhi could not do much beyond pursuing such matters at a bilateral level through normal diplomatic channels.

He said the Government would not do anything that would bring the Indian community in any country under any kind of pressure. "But this does not mean that the Government is withdrawn from the plight of the PIOs and would like to have Government-to-Government dialogue."

Direct contacts

Earlier, Mahendra Utchanah, secretary-general of the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin and former Mauritius Minister, called for direct cooperation and contacts among the Indians of different countries and recounted such joint activities taking place between the Indians in Malaysia and Mauritius.

Mr. Utchanah stressed on education and urged the Indian Government to set up a PIO university in the country with overseas campuses for the benefit of PIO students.

Ralph Ramkarran, Speaker of the National Assembly of Guyana, presided over the session. He stressed the need to take effective action and formulate a strategy to help the PIOs overcome problems of cultural identity and marginalisation so that the Indian diaspora could emerge as an international force.

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