Posted on 12/13/2004 8:05:09 PM PST by CarrotAndStick
NEW DELHI: For Indians settled in the US who are serious about doing something for the country they left behind, but are clueless about how to go about it, there is finally a solution at hand -- the CII Council of Indian Americans.
The brainchild of tech visionary Sam Pitroda, the council formed by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) was launched in New Delhi on Monday.
This initiative has been designed "to institutionalise the Indian US-based diaspora's engagement with India," said Pitroda, who was known as the "telecom czar" during the regime of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.
"It will help build stronger ties between India and Indian Americans. The idea is to create a platform that can help Indian Americans channelise time, energy and emotions on the country of their origin," said Pitroda, the chairman of the council.
"You have a need here and you have a need there. The idea is to synchronise them. For those who want to give, there is plenty to do."
The council will also help build a database of Indian Americans and provide India access to talent and resources in the US.
Pitroda's enthusiasm for the idea was infectious. "If you were born in a village in Punjab that has a serious water problem, and didn't know what you could do, you can approach the council. It will put you in touch with the right people."
Moving beyond the dry talk of business and investments, Pitroda provided an emotional flavouring to this network mechanism.
"It's not about investment opportunities or business. It's about focusing on emotions of those who left home, who have their roots here."
Pitroda identified rural economy, education, healthcare, water, energy and tourism as six key areas of concern where Indian Americans can make a real difference.
Besides, there is a bigger cultural dynamic at work with second and third generation Indian Americans bringing their unique attitudes and insights to the common problems.
"Bright young Indian kids in the US are looking for interesting experiences. In the process, they change and they change India," expounded Pitroda.
CII president Sunil Kant Munjal sounded equally upbeat. "The council would act as a clearing house for exploring opportunities in both directions," he said.
Anil Kumar, who co-chairs the council, said it would act as a catalyst for Indian Americans to contribute their technical and management expertise to joint programmes for India's development.
As long as we're not at war with India I suppose it's alright
Sorry to disagree. Being an American demands more than just being here for the money. Chanellize India in India if you don't love this country first.
Perhaps they should also consider doing something for their adopted country.
Privatizing foreign aid is a good thing.
Good. Go home. Stay there. Eat a cat. Worship a cow. Whatever. We don't care. Don't come back.
If they're not on welfare and they're not a security threat
Really when these children grow up, go back to India and change it for the better then I'm supportive.
Let them learn American values and help to advance their country for the better.
If they're not on welfare and they're not a security threat
Really when these children grow up, go back to India and change it for the better then I'm supportive.
Let them learn American values and help to advance their country for the better.
If they're not on welfare and they're not a security threat
Really when these children grow up, go back to India and change it for the better then I'm supportive.
Let them learn American values and help to advance their country for the better.
the best thing about living in America and not in India
is that in America people tend to use proper toilet facilities and in India people tend to use the sides of the roads
and anywhere and everywhere else that is convenient when the need arises.
SORRY FOR THE TRIPLE POST
My computer froze, triple clicked
What happened to assimilation, the "melting pot" and becoming 100% American, like previous generations of immigrants? My ancestors didn't channel England, they settled America. When they got off that boat in 1690, they never looked back. If you are here as a temporary worker, that's one thing, but if you are here with the intention of becoming an American citizen, you should become one. Our Lord said: "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other." Matthew 6:24 He was referring to money, but he could have just as well been speaking about loyalty to a country.
Mexico too has home town associations (HTA) among their "citizens beyond borders" that send dollars and know-how home to the land of their hearts.
Columbia University's professor Jagdish Bhagwati identified India and Mexico as the world's two most active in this form of diaspora. Economic diaspora, I suppose. Citizens beyond borders. Soon the home country will demand the right to tax their incomes here. That's the plan, I bet.
It's the guest worker part of globalization. Now you know the rest of the story. IMO.
Meanwhile Americans are called upon to fight to defend our country and the ever increasing numbers of our diverse cultures and their stomachs.
Gone is the melting pot that made America great. Not entirely gone of course. Most(?) come here for the right reasons, America.
They bring their problems here, Arab Muslims' hatred for Jews and Israel and India's hatred of Pakistan. Groups are formed, lobbying done, "citizen" pressure applied to our Congress and elected leaders demanding that we side with them against their (not our) enemies.
BTW, proud to be a bigot if putting America first requires it.
(Yes, I know that a lot of Silicon valley companies are owned by Indians. So?)
They come here for the money. They siphon off the wealth made possible by the blood of our troops, shed over 200 years and longer, to settle this land. And then they preach us a sermon about tolerance.
Good point. That made America possible!
Starting companies in Silicon valley -- for which I have seen more than one suggestion that we Americans should be grateful (as if we're too dumb to do it) -- DID NOT make America possible. It's a benefit of the sacrifices of Americans past and present.
BTW, in my comments above I mixed temporary and permanent residents. The posted article seemed to suggest to me that some Indians believe that no Indian should ever become truly American.
Certainly it is the policy of the corrupt government of Mexico that no Mexican should ever become truly American.
My beloved country has become an international economic flophouse.
Many in America have turned into nothing more than money-grubbing whores.
Every decision is based on money. It has, sadly, become a master to many.
I friend of mine, raised here, left a lucrative Wall Street IB track to go to India and run the campaign of a woman running for government there. I thought it was great. I think he's the type of guy Pitroda has in mind.
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