Certain incidents in history may seem like not so significant during its time, but may have hidden reasons, the seeds to some epoch of great significance in future! Let us think of the exodus of people from India. First, many people went to England in the 19 century to claim a share of the British Empire’s pie. Many people settled, but among those eminent ones who returned actually helped India to become free from the British rule. Prime examples are Sri Aurobindo, Veer Savarkar, Mahatma Gandhi, Netaji Subhas, Pandit Nehru and Sardar Patel.
After the decline of the British Empire, America rose. People started flocking to the US, mostly as students. And now, people set out mostly for professional reasons, to have better opportunities and better lives. Many also went to some communist countries, especially to Russia.
But not too many went out of their land on their free will. Only a few centuries back one would find thousands of Indian slaves, young and adults were openly sold in the markets of the middle-east who were captivated as ‘booties’ during the periods of invasions of India. A rare example, a Brahmin boy Murshid Kuli Khan was sold in such a slave trade in the Middle East, later on he was lucky to come back to Delhi, became a finance expert in the Mughal administration and then later on the Nawab of Bengal. Young and adult males were employed as servants, soldiers, or labourers, while female slaves were traded as domestic servants and in harems. Historians estimate that between 11 and 17 million slaves crossed the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and Sahara Desert from 650 to 1900 AD. It is hard to imagine what happened to the women sold in those days in these markets but we know that the flesh trade continues.
A small office in Bhawanipore Depot in Kolkata witnessed thousands braving to set out for an unknown destination in order to give themselves and their children a chance for a better life. Although slavery was banned by then, the British business owners collected them as cheap ‘indentured labourers’ and brought them to faraway places, including South Africa, Fiji, Mauritius in the African region, and to Trinidad, Guyana, Suriname and many other islands in the Caribbean. The lives of these people were no less than slavery, but the significant fact is that they never forgot their roots and cultural heritage. While expatriates in Mauritius recently celebrated the 175 anniversary of their arrival, Trinidadians of Indian origin also celebrate their 165 anniversary of arrival on May 30 this year.
Many of the people in these countries have done great job in surviving a hostile environment and establishing themselves, but yet many face bigger challenges worldwide even now. Of the 30 plus million so called expatriates, a large number are not as lucky as some of the successful ones, say in the US. Living conditions of many are not so great, as it still is back home in the rural areas and the slums in India. Especially when the world economy is down, it has affected the people everywhere. The effect is harder when people live as minorities in many countries where rule of law does not always favour them or their voice is not loud enough to be heard by the world. Time has come for both the Indian Government and the successful Global Indians to explore further on how some of the ill-fated people of Indian origin around the globe can receive support and help they do not often get from their local sources. Whether the crying labourers in the Middle East, an abandoned or widowed person in a Western nation or some very unfortunate souls in Uganda, Fiji or Jamaica, more successful Indians everywhere can play a significant role in changing the lives of these people.
Time has come to really know and understand what is happening to the people of Indian origin in these countries and what more can be done. When other nations including China are landing in these countries to exploit new opportunities, why is the other ‘to-be superpower’ India and the Indian businesses and leaders not finding great opportunities in these countries? There are plenty of resources, both human and natural in many countries which, if organised, managed, invested and properly cared for, can lead to miracles. A good example is Mauritius. The question is which country is next?
1.2 billion People have many roles to play for themselves, for India and for the world. But 30 plus million living across the globe has a role and destiny in a way separate from others. One hopes that the destination is defined by the Global Indians in India and abroad with appropriate actions beyond mere survival activities or gathering of wealth. Many of the successful people of Indian origin, if they wish, can significantly contribute in the fields of technology and development.
But a very special area needs great focus: Enabling thousands of entrepreneurs to blossom among the Global Indians, which will eradicate poverty, illiteracy, ill-health and stagnancy of life altogether. We need, not only few to make place in the Forbes 400, but need millions of small time innovators, entrepreneurs and real game changers! Kumaramangalam Birla believes: “Ideas are all around you. Think beyond what you see.” Until we live in our own selfish world, the world is not going to be very rewarding place for many. That is what we all need to work on. In such times even George Harrison could mentor some Indians:” When you’ve seen beyond yourself, then you may find, peace of mind is waiting there.”
By: Kanchan Banerjee Editor-in-chief Email:kanchan@newglobalindian.com
