At the outset, I wish all NGI readers of Middle East a very warm 41st National Day of the United Arab Emirates. We are proud of our Nation and its achievements in just four decades, of turning a vast desert land into one of the most modern technologically advanced and well governed countries of the world.
The NGI protocol has always been to build bridges across the Indian diaspora and create a forum for bringing us under an umbrella, one that underscores our strengths and triumphs but is equally honest about raising issues that concern us outside the home country and those that enjoy common purpose with the native land.
As NGI has matured into four international editions I find the onus on us to stay abreast of the times that much more pressing. For example, is it now the right time to put out a full-fledged web edition?
How does one use the social network to obtain a wider reach?
What should we do to bring the younger generation into the fold, one that was born and raised outside Indian shores and has a once or twice evolved limited relationship with India?
What are their priorities, how do we signpost the tomorrows for them?
These are questions that I am not the only one asking in some sort of isolated intellectual bubble. These are questions out there in front of global media which is going through a technological and content overhaul world-wide.
The fear of being left behind, not in any specific sphere but right across the board, is tangible. There is a new language out there. The idiom of the 21st century is impatient and does not sit well with traditional language usage and concepts of the twentieth century.
By the same token people want a knowledgeable media, one that has done its homework and seeks no shelter in rhetoric or in hyperbole. What they do have time for is an up close and personal dissection of issues that directly impact upon them. Be it the fight against corruption, the need for reforms in education, employment, environment, sport, the removal of prejudice per se, all these are fascinating and relevant and NGI is now pleased to say that it intends to whip up its content to become so much more ‘now’ and all your ideas and suggestions will be of great value.
