Sansad TV Perspective: Welfare of Indian Diaspora

In the series Sansad TV Perspective, we bring you an analysis of the discussion featured on the insightful programme ‘Perspective’ on Sansad TV, on various important topics affecting India and also the world. This analysis will help you immensely for the IAS exam, especially the mains exam, where a well-rounded understanding of topics is a prerequisite for writing answers that fetch good marks.

In this article, we feature the discussion on the topic: ‘Welfare of Indian Diaspora’

Anchor: Teena Jha

Participants: 

1. N.K. Premachandran, Member, Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs
2. Virendra Gupta, Former Ambassador & President, Antar Rashtriya Sahyog Parishad
3. Khanderao Kand, Director, Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies, FIIDS, USA & President, Global Indian Technology Professionals Association (GITPRO)
4. Sheba Nandkeolyar, President, IAA Australia
5. Sanjeev Mehta, Professor of Economics, Royal Thimphu College, Thimphu, Bhutan 
6. Dr. Archana Sharma, Senior Staff Scientist, CERN Laboratory, Geneva

Context: 

Highlights of the discussion:

1. Introduction
2. Indian Diaspora
3. Major recommendations
4. Challenges for Data Collection
5. Role of one stop centres
6. Improving Engagement with Diaspora
7. Government efforts

Introduction:

• In 2022, a parliamentary panel recommended to the government, suggesting that the potential of the diaspora community should be harnessed to serve as an effective tool in furthering India’s interest and influence globally.
• The committee recommended a clear and comprehensive policy framework to engage more proactively with the Indians living abroad.
• The profile and geographical distribution of the Indian diaspora present a great opportunity to promote the country’s soft power and cultural diplomacy abroad.
• The government recently filed its action-taken notes on the recommendations made in the standing committee report titled: Welfare of Indian Diaspora: Policies & Schemes.
  • Of the 55 recommendations made, the government has accepted 43.

Indian Diaspora:

• Indian diaspora refers to people whose origins can be traced to India or who are Indian citizens living abroad.  
• This includes Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIO), and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI). 
• The Indian diaspora comprises over 18 million persons of Indian origin and 13 million non-resident Indians – making it the largest overseas community globally.

Major recommendations by the committee:

• The Standing Committee on External Affairs chaired by Mr. P.P. Chaudhary presented its report on ‘Welfare of Indian Diaspora: Policies/Schemes’ on August 3, 2022.  
• Observing a lack of clear policy on the diaspora, the Committee recommended a clear policy document on the diaspora which would serve as a guiding principle for engagement with the community. 
• Indian Embassies must encourage the diaspora to register themselves, which would allow the Ministry to effectively implement various welfare schemes. 
• Emigration Management Bill, 2022 shall be introduced at the earliest as it seeks to establish an emigration framework, liberalise clearances, and strengthen welfare for overseas migrants.  
• Government shall integrate multiple portals such as e-Migrate, and the Centralised Public Grievance Redressal and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) to resolve the grievances of Indian nationals abroad without delay.
• It recommended a comprehensive rehabilitation scheme for migrant workers in coordination with the concerned Ministries, Departments, state governments, and stakeholders.
• Noticing the demand-driven international labour market compared to the earlier supply-driven system, the committee recommended improving the quality of domestic skills and standardising curricula across the country to ensure that migrant workers are able to go abroad and secure employment with better wages.
• Committee recommended a law and a one-stop centre for the benefit of NRI women over increasing cases of women being deserted in NRI marriages.

Challenges for Data Collection:

• One of the biggest challenges for the External Affairs Ministry is to collect accurate and comprehensive data on the Indian diaspora. This involves identifying and reaching out to members of the diaspora, which can be difficult given the diverse and scattered nature of the diaspora.
• Ensuring the accuracy and reliability of data can be a major challenge, as the ministry has to rely on self-reporting by members of the diaspora, which may not always be accurate or up-to-date.
  • The ministry must also take into account the varying degrees of assimilation and identification of members of the diaspora with their Indian heritage.
• Maintaining the privacy of personal information can be a challenge, especially given the sensitivity of the information collected by the ministry. The ministry must ensure that the data is stored securely and is not shared with unauthorised parties.
• The ministry must ensure that the database is regularly updated to reflect changes in the diaspora, such as changes in demographics, migration patterns, and cultural and political affiliations. This requires a sustained effort to maintain contact with members of the diaspora and to collect feedback on the accuracy of the data.
• Maintaining a comprehensive database requires significant resources, including funding, personnel, and technical infrastructure.

Relevance of one-stop centre with respect to women:

• One Stop Centres (OSCs) for women are particularly relevant for the Indian diaspora as they provide a safe and supportive environment for women who may face unique challenges while living abroad. 
• OSCs provide a range of services to women who are victims of violence, including domestic violence, sexual assault, and other forms of violence. 
  • The OSCs can provide legal, medical, and counselling services to help women cope with the trauma and seek justice.
• Women in the Indian diaspora may face social isolation, cultural adjustment, and other psychological challenges. OSCs provide counselling and psychological support to women to help them cope with these challenges.
• They can provide information and referral services to women on a range of issues, including legal rights, healthcare, education, and employment. These services can help women make informed decisions and access the services they need.
• OSCs can provide skill development and entrepreneurship support to women, including training in business management, marketing, and financial management. These programs can help women start their own businesses and become financially independent.

Improving Engagement with Indian Diaspora:

• Improving engagement with the Indian diaspora is a crucial task for the Indian government as it can bring significant economic, social and cultural benefits. 
• The Indian government can increase communication channels with the diaspora by creating dedicated communication channels, such as a diaspora-focused website, social media channels, and newsletters. This will help in disseminating information, creating awareness, and engaging with the diaspora.
• Engaging with local Indian communities in different countries can be an effective way to engage with the diaspora. Indian embassies and consulates can organise cultural events, seminars, and conferences in partnership with local Indian communities to engage with the diaspora.
• Organising regular outreach programs, such as community meetings, town hall sessions, and conferences, can help in engaging with the diaspora. These programs can be used to discuss issues concerning the diaspora, update them on the latest policies and programs of the Indian government, and provide a platform for feedback.
• It can promote investments in India by the diaspora by simplifying investment procedures and regulations. The government can also create a dedicated investment portal for the diaspora to facilitate investments.
• It can create programs that facilitate the diaspora’s participation in India’s economic, social, and cultural development. The government can create schemes such as volunteer programs, entrepreneurship support programs, and cultural exchange programs to encourage diaspora participation.
• Providing dual citizenship to the diaspora can be an effective way to improve engagement. This can encourage diaspora members to maintain ties with India, participate in its development, and make investments in the country.

Government efforts:

• The Indian government organises an annual Pravasi Bharatiya Divas event to connect with the diaspora and recognize their achievements. The event provides a platform for the diaspora to interact with Indian government officials, business leaders, and other stakeholders.
• The Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre (OIFC) was set up by the Indian government to provide information and guidance to the diaspora on investment opportunities in India. The centre also helps in resolving issues faced by the diaspora in their interactions with Indian government agencies.
• The Indian government introduced the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) Scheme in 2005, which provides a lifelong visa for the diaspora to visit India. The scheme also allows the diaspora to work, study, and invest in India without the need for a separate visa.
• The Indian government organises an annual Bharat Ko Janiye (BKJ) quiz for the diaspora to increase their knowledge of India’s culture, history, and economy. The quiz provides a platform for the diaspora to connect with their roots and learn about India’s achievements.
• The Indian government has launched several skill development and entrepreneurship programs for the diaspora, including the Skill India and Startup India initiatives. 
• The Indian government has set up the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) to provide financial assistance to the diaspora in distress. The fund provides support for emergency medical expenses, legal assistance, and repatriation of mortal remains.

Read all the previous Sansad TV Perspective articles in the link.

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