The latest manifesto to have caught on is the concept of 'Reverse Brain Drain' Before getting into the specifics of such a possibility, it would do us a lot of good, to analyse why there was brain drain in the first place. Having introspected, perhaps the circumstances, lack of opportunities and various obstacles faced by the youth, could have inspired many to study and make their careers overseas.
Now, to label them unpatriotic is a case of sour grapes, most often, yet some hardcore self proclaimed seasonal patriots would indulge in cribbing and holding parents accountable for not 'educating' their wards adequately about the benefits and loyalty to their Motherland. Really? The advent of the social media has information travelling at lightning speed, in fact much faster than a parent who waits and watches 'TV News' would know. Information is given to parents by their wards over Skype before the next bulletin. So who's ignorant here? Coming to the crux of the matter, the 'brains' overseas get a first hand information of everything that is happening, and are aghast, appalled and afraid. Of vicious hate propaganda, venom and frustration built up inside. Of the violence anger generates and dangerous consequences of mob rule. Anger is present everywhere, you follow the traffic rules, have a dozen behind you cursing, (like following rules is a crime) standing in line and waiting for your turn, is unthinkable. Survival of the fittest rules supreme. Just barge in and elbow your way to the front. Respecting and making way for senior citizens and disabled, 'not happening, I don't have the time'. You want to spend an evening out at a Lounge bar, dress appropriately, but a nagging fear of moral policing lurks all the time. Use public transport, be prepared for jeers and leers. Staying out late, rape is inevitable. You look different in front of others in your State, racism is rampant. Everything ultimately is YOUR fault. And who are the ones propagating these crimes? The youth most often. So, instead of standing on a high pedestal selling dreams to the gullible youth, isn't it a bounden duty of our leaders to first inculcate a level of tolerance, inspire people to live in harmony, teach them the benefits of co-existence, create a platform where everyone has their own right to live their lives and then build an edifice of dreams for a progressive India? When you have hordes listening to you in awe, treating your word as the gospel truth, this is way too easy. A leader's word will be followed, but how many have really inspired the youth? Every manifesto is heavily laden with their own personal agendas and of course jibes and digs at the Opposition. Invariably, there is a "follow the leader principle," which filters down to the lowest level inculcating a different mindset conditioned to build up a hate for the opposition, with severe disastrous consequences. And then, the protests, political dharnas, riots, communalism would again break free, life comes full circle, once every decade.
Now pan the camera to the NRI, ask him what he feels about a normal day in these circumstances. Mind you, he might have been born here, but having lived his formative years away, he has no clue about the fast paced changes and frustrations developing each moment. Overseas, they live their lives in a sweet cocoon, the only stress being to deliver before deadlines at work, traffic back up, driving on a snowy day and sweating it out if 'nanny' has an off day. 'Is that stress' ?, you would ask. Exactly my point. Pitch them in a metro scenario in India, a month to spend with relatives at a wedding. You would know the frustration and pains they take to keep pace with Modern India. 'Oh! So high handed, wasn't he educated here' is a common refrain. Yes, indeed but what have you given him in return? He keeps himself update with the happenings back home. So according to some, an NRI is expected to return home to look after his aged parents, not for his progress or his contribution to the nation. Why don't we Indians learn to cut the umbilical cord at the right time and give children their space, choice of career and a right to live their lives the way they want to? Must a child be saddled with a guilt conscience if he lives abroad? Everyone of us is going to age, and have some ailment over a period of time. Just because we chose to be beside our parents ( again opportunites were not manifold for the previous generation) must we project an injured façade each time a child aspires to live his dreams? We as a nation need to grow up, look beyond at the world outside, take a few leaves, learn, practice the policy of 'Live and let live'. Then perhaps, we could begin to build a dream for the 'returning Indians'. Promise them peace and dignity first. Then hope.
Finally, why is this piece finding its way in a 'Relationship' Blog? Simple. The art of practising tolerance, living in harmony and learning to respect other fellow human beings, is the answer.
Now, to label them unpatriotic is a case of sour grapes, most often, yet some hardcore self proclaimed seasonal patriots would indulge in cribbing and holding parents accountable for not 'educating' their wards adequately about the benefits and loyalty to their Motherland. Really? The advent of the social media has information travelling at lightning speed, in fact much faster than a parent who waits and watches 'TV News' would know. Information is given to parents by their wards over Skype before the next bulletin. So who's ignorant here? Coming to the crux of the matter, the 'brains' overseas get a first hand information of everything that is happening, and are aghast, appalled and afraid. Of vicious hate propaganda, venom and frustration built up inside. Of the violence anger generates and dangerous consequences of mob rule. Anger is present everywhere, you follow the traffic rules, have a dozen behind you cursing, (like following rules is a crime) standing in line and waiting for your turn, is unthinkable. Survival of the fittest rules supreme. Just barge in and elbow your way to the front. Respecting and making way for senior citizens and disabled, 'not happening, I don't have the time'. You want to spend an evening out at a Lounge bar, dress appropriately, but a nagging fear of moral policing lurks all the time. Use public transport, be prepared for jeers and leers. Staying out late, rape is inevitable. You look different in front of others in your State, racism is rampant. Everything ultimately is YOUR fault. And who are the ones propagating these crimes? The youth most often. So, instead of standing on a high pedestal selling dreams to the gullible youth, isn't it a bounden duty of our leaders to first inculcate a level of tolerance, inspire people to live in harmony, teach them the benefits of co-existence, create a platform where everyone has their own right to live their lives and then build an edifice of dreams for a progressive India? When you have hordes listening to you in awe, treating your word as the gospel truth, this is way too easy. A leader's word will be followed, but how many have really inspired the youth? Every manifesto is heavily laden with their own personal agendas and of course jibes and digs at the Opposition. Invariably, there is a "follow the leader principle," which filters down to the lowest level inculcating a different mindset conditioned to build up a hate for the opposition, with severe disastrous consequences. And then, the protests, political dharnas, riots, communalism would again break free, life comes full circle, once every decade.
Now pan the camera to the NRI, ask him what he feels about a normal day in these circumstances. Mind you, he might have been born here, but having lived his formative years away, he has no clue about the fast paced changes and frustrations developing each moment. Overseas, they live their lives in a sweet cocoon, the only stress being to deliver before deadlines at work, traffic back up, driving on a snowy day and sweating it out if 'nanny' has an off day. 'Is that stress' ?, you would ask. Exactly my point. Pitch them in a metro scenario in India, a month to spend with relatives at a wedding. You would know the frustration and pains they take to keep pace with Modern India. 'Oh! So high handed, wasn't he educated here' is a common refrain. Yes, indeed but what have you given him in return? He keeps himself update with the happenings back home. So according to some, an NRI is expected to return home to look after his aged parents, not for his progress or his contribution to the nation. Why don't we Indians learn to cut the umbilical cord at the right time and give children their space, choice of career and a right to live their lives the way they want to? Must a child be saddled with a guilt conscience if he lives abroad? Everyone of us is going to age, and have some ailment over a period of time. Just because we chose to be beside our parents ( again opportunites were not manifold for the previous generation) must we project an injured façade each time a child aspires to live his dreams? We as a nation need to grow up, look beyond at the world outside, take a few leaves, learn, practice the policy of 'Live and let live'. Then perhaps, we could begin to build a dream for the 'returning Indians'. Promise them peace and dignity first. Then hope.
Finally, why is this piece finding its way in a 'Relationship' Blog? Simple. The art of practising tolerance, living in harmony and learning to respect other fellow human beings, is the answer.
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