India’s Time Has Come - Now, It is Time for the Diaspora to Act
In June this year, media outlets in the U.S. and other parts of the world were filled with laudatory articles about India, prompted by the U.S. visit of India prime minister Narendra Modi. For those who witnessed the way the Biden Administration rolled out the red carpet, with pomp and splendor, it was evident that India’s time has come. Even a decade earlier, observers could sense that India was regarded in the U.S. -- and the West more broadly -- as just another developing nation. In contrast, today India is widely acknowledged to be not just the world’s most populous country, but also the world’s fastest-growing large economy, one that may soon become the third largest.
This sea change is especially apparent to the generation of Indians who left the country in the 1960s and 1970s. At that time, the country, newly independent of colonial bondage, was gripped by obstacles and seemed unable to move out of the doldrums. Today, India presents a starkly contrasting picture: a technological and economic titan on the world stage. This transformation reflects to a large extent the reality of the Indian diaspora whose members left a struggling country only to become pioneers of innovation and economic success in their adopted nations. The time has come for members of the diaspora to circle back, to leverage their success and invest in India's burgeoning potential.
A unique opportunity is at hand. The generation that emigrated from India during the 1960s, often referred to as the “first wave,” is now at a point in their lives where they have amassed considerable resources, knowledge and networks. Their direct connection to their motherland, coupled with their global successes, positions them to contribute significantly to India’s economic development. However, it is essential to act promptly. The succeeding generations, while they may maintain cultural ties with India, might not harbor the same sense of commitment to India. The further removed these generations are from their Indian roots, the more diluted this connection becomes. The opportunity for this first wave to make a significant impact is now. Motivated individuals of the global Indian diaspora should seize this moment and contribute to India’s impressive growth story.
It is important to underscore, however, that as members of the Indian diaspora contribute to their homeland's development, they must also continue to invest their energies and resources into their adopted countries. These are the nations that have facilitated their dreams, enabling their journeys from hopeful migrants to successful global citizens. The diverse cultures, innovative ecosystems, and opportunities offered by these countries have played a key role in shaping their successes.
Honor the Roots, Nourish the Adopted Soil
Indeed, it is the delicate balance of honoring the roots while nourishing the adopted soil that marks the diaspora's unique position. It is not a question of choosing between the two, but a dual responsibility that the Indian diaspora bears. The same tenacity, ingenuity, and spirit of giving back that they apply to their efforts in India should also continue to drive their contributions in their adopted lands.
The influence of the Indian diaspora is truly global. By nurturing their relationships with both India and their adopted countries, they can create a powerful symbiosis that fuels growth and prosperity across borders. It is a role that comes with its challenges, but also unparalleled opportunities to make a meaningful impact on the global stage.
India after winning her independence from Britain in 1947 was a fledgling nation grappling with the challenges of partition and the ambitious task of building a democratic society. Amid economic hardships, political uncertainties, and limited opportunities, the only viable option for many of the country’s brightest -- particularly dynamic young students -- was to seek greener pastures elsewhere. America, Britain, Canada, and Australia were among the favored destinations.
Fast forward six decades, and the country that many left behind has been transformed beyond belief. India is at present the world's fifth-largest economy and is projected to become the third-largest by 2030. It is also one of the world's largest startup ecosystems, a software outsourcing behemoth, and a burgeoning hub for advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, quantum computing and pharmaceuticals.
Meanwhile, the global Indian diaspora has gradually grown to some 32 million people, making it the largest in the world. The United States is home to the second-largest Indian diaspora, with around 4.9 million people. The diaspora has been instrumental in helping shape the world’s perception of India. They have shown through their ingenuity, resilience, and hard work that their roots in a once struggling nation did not define their future success.
From the boardrooms of Fortune 500 companies to the innovative hearts of Silicon Valley, the success of Indian expatriates is hard to ignore. This success extends beyond the realm of business to government, politics, academia, healthcare and media, to name a few. They have not just prospered in their respective fields, but have also elevated them, becoming beacons of excellence in the process.
What does this global Indian success mean for India today? It presents an opportunity for this capable and influential diaspora to leverage their international success for the benefit of the land of their birth. The time has come for India’s diaspora to actively engage in the narrative of India’s future growth story.
The Indian government's steps towards fostering a more investor-friendly environment have cleared a path for diaspora members to contribute economically. Tax reforms, ease of doing business, and promising sectors like renewable energy, digital technology, and healthcare present lucrative investment opportunities. By investing in Indian businesses, the diaspora can help stimulate job creation, promote innovation, and drive economic growth. At the same time, the diaspora can play a crucial role in helping India’s leaders understand where the risks and blind spots are - because if these are ignored, these could lead to future challenges.
There's also a profound need for knowledge transfer. The diaspora, seasoned in the ways of global business and innovation, could play a pivotal role in mentoring the next generation of Indian entrepreneurs and innovators. By sharing their experiences and insights, they can equip these ambitious minds with the tools needed to compete on a global scale.
A Time for Action
The Indian diaspora has already begun harnessing its potential to uplift their homeland. They are contributing significantly through various organizations and initiatives that are making a tangible difference in India. At least three types of initiatives are discernible.
At one end of the spectrum are large, organized efforts such as the AID India Forum (AIF), which has harnessed the power of the diaspora by mobilizing volunteers primarily among Indian professionals in the U.S. The forum has initiated various projects across India, focusing on education, health, women's empowerment, and social justice. These projects have helped millions of underprivileged Indians to break free from the chains of poverty and social injustice.
Another initiative in the same category includes Pratham, one of the largest non-governmental organizations in India, which focuses on high-quality, low-cost education for underprivileged children and youth. Pratham's US chapters are largely run by members of the Indian diaspora, raising crucial funds and spreading awareness.
Another remarkable initiative is Indiaspora, a nonprofit organization founded in 2012 whose mission is to inspire and position the global Indian diaspora as a force for good. It builds bridges among diaspora leaders in various countries and professions among themselves, as well as with leaders resident in India. Indiaspora is globally active in the areas of philanthropy and social impact, nonpartisan political and civic engagement, entrepreneurship and innovation, bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, and connecting with the diaspora's next generation.
Foundations that Drive Change
In addition to large organized efforts such as AIF, Pratham and Indiaspora, members of the diaspora have also established philanthropic foundations to drive social change. For instance, at Johns Hopkins University, the Gupta-Klinsky India Institute works to improve society in India and beyond through research, education, policy, and practice, particularly in the field of health care. The institute works with experts across government, academia, civil society, and the private sector to advance knowledge and develop bold, world-changing ideas by orchestrating a diverse network of Indian partners.
The Wadhwani Digital Initiative is another prime example. This initiative leverages technology to provide free education and skill training to millions of students and entrepreneurs. It aims to empower them to succeed in the modern economy, thereby contributing to India's economic growth.
The Akshaya Patra Foundation offers an inspiring instance of how diaspora support can make a transformative impact. An India-based NGO, Akshaya Patra has been striving to address classroom hunger and promote education by providing wholesome meals to children in government and government-aided schools across India. The foundation's support from the Indian diaspora has been vital to its operations. The organization's USA and UK chapters are predominantly managed and funded by members of the diaspora.
There are many other foundations. For example, the Neera and Deepak Raj Foundation is a philanthropic organization dedicated to fostering educational opportunities and economic development in India and the U.S. The Vijay and Marie Goradia Foundation is committed to empowering lives through education and healthcare initiatives.
Individual Efforts
Last but not least, the compassionate actions of individuals can make a profound difference. In a small town in interior Maharashtra, a local family had started taking care of a few abandoned, handicapped children. With support from Govind Agrawal, a retired pharmaceutical executive, and his family and friends of the Indian diaspora, a large modern orphanage has now been established to house, educate and care for more than 100 handicapped orphan girls- just one example of what committed individuals can do to contribute to their motherland.
Similarly, several individuals of the diaspora support the Aseema Charitable Trust, a Mumbai-based NGO whose mission is to provide a robust education to more than 4,000 underprivileged children in Mumbai and Igatpuri, a tribal area north of Mumbai. Aseema has transformed thousands of lives, and members of the diaspora have played an important role in Aseema’s journey.
These initiatives illustrate the impact that the Indian diaspora can have on their homeland's socio-economic landscape. So much more can be done -- especially if these initiatives are coordinated to magnify their impact. As the diaspora grows in influence and success, its contribution to India's ongoing growth story can become an increasingly powerful force for positive change.
To the Indian diaspora across the world, this is your clarion call. The country of your birth needs you -- not just as successful expats who once hailed from its shores, but as active contributors to its future. Invest in India's growth. Mentor its future leaders. Together, let us help write the next chapter of the Indian success story.
About the Authors:
Raj L. Gupta, a prominent figure in the global business community, is the former Chairman and CEO of Rohm and Haas. Having served on the boards of HP, Dupont, Vanguard and many others, Gupta is widely recognized for his strategic acumen and commitment to sustainable practices. His influential work extends beyond business, notably through his active engagement with educational institutions and his philanthropic contributions in India and the U.S.
Govind Agrawal left India in 1968. After getting his M.S. in Chemical Engineering at Northwestern University, he worked at Abbott Labs, Sterling Winthrop, SmithKline Beecham and GlaxoSmithKline.
Mukul Pandya is an Associate Fellow and Consulting Editor at Oxford University’s Said Business School. He was previously the Editor-in-Chief of Knowledge@Wharton, the online business analysis journal of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Pandya has contributed to the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Economist, Time magazine, and other publications over his career of more than 40 years as a writer and editor.
