NRI = Never Returning Indian

Whenever NRIs who have migrated abroad complain that life abroad is tougher than in India – or – whenever I meet an NRI with a “guilty conscience” who says he feels homesick about India – I remember this article I had written a few years ago.

FAKE HOMESICKNESS

The NON RESIDENT INDIAN (NRI) WITH A GUILTY CONSCIENCE

A Conversation

By

VIKRAM KARVE

A few days ago I met an NRI.

You know what NRI means – don’t you...?

Of course you do – NRI means NON RESIDENT INDIAN.

Of course – there is a “RESIDENT INDIAN” Friend of mine – who jokingly says – that NRI means: “NEVER TO RETURN TO INDIA”. 

In a nutshell – my Resident Indian Friend defines NRI as:

NRI = Never Returning Indian

What my Resident Indian friend says has a ring of truth about it – none of my classmates who went abroad (mostly to the USA) for higher studies returned home to India. 

They all settled down in America. 

I think almost all of them are American Citizens now. 

So since they have relinquished Indian Citizenship and taken up citizenship of their chosen land – and now they consciously and willingly pledge allegiance to their chosen country and not India – it may be apt to call them American Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) rather than NRI.

I met one such PIO the other day. 

I was surprised that after enjoying the fruits of living abroad (in the land of opportunity and prosperity) for more than 30 years – he still seemed to have a guilty conscience about leaving India (and “abandoning” his parents and loved ones – leaving them behind to fend for themselves).

I asked him a simple question: “Why don’t you come back...?”

He gave me all sorts of excuses which were far from convincing (in his heart I think even he knew it).

To cheer him up – I told him the following:

1. No one forced you to go abroad (like the indentured labour sent by the British from India to other colonies when thousands of Indians were transported to various colonies of European powers to provide labour for the sugar plantations). 

You migrated to the USA by your own free will. 

Like so many others you went to the land of opportunity – USA – to realize your “American Dream”.

2. In fact – when we were studying engineering in the 1970s – it was you who was desperate to go to America for higher studies – and you were running from pillar to post to get admission to a good university in the USA and arranging finances (scholarship and loan) despite the fact that you were getting a good job in India in campus placement.

Even if you wanted to study more and do your postgraduation – you could have easily got admission to the best of IITs in India. 

On the other hand – persons like me stayed back in India – despite having an excellent opportunity to go abroad to America – you know that.

3. Obviously – you felt that America is a better place than India to live in. 

Otherwise – you wouldn’t have gone through all the trouble of migrating in the first place. 

If you had really wanted to – you could have come back to India on completion of your studies. 

With your qualifications – I am sure you would have got a good job here in India. 

But – you continued staying there – you relinquished Indian Citizenship – and – you acquired American Citizenship.

4. Till now you have prospered in your adopted country and enjoyed the fruits of living in America. 

The main reason you left India and migrated for “greener” pastures abroad was to have a “better” life since you felt that you could achieve that “better” life by migrating abroad rather than staying back in India. You have achieved your life’s aim. 

So – in hindsight – what are you feeling guilty about?

5. There is no need to have a guilty conscience about leaving India (and your near and dear one’s) for a better life abroad. 

Forget about us. 

Stop feeling guilty and enjoy the “better life” out there (the very reason for which you migrated).

6. And – if you truly love India so much – then –  just pack your bags and come back forever. 

But – remember one thing. 

Come back because you really love India and only if you honestly want to come back and serve your motherland. 

Do not come back for some selfish reasons of your own (materialistic, economic, career ambition, “greener pastures” etc) 

My NRI friend smiled like a Cheshire Cat. 

I knew he was never going to come back. 

He was just faking homesickness.

He was just trying to put on a false pretence of guilty conscience for our consumption. 

VIKRAM KARVE

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1. This story is a fictional spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

2. All Stories in this Blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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This is a revised repost of my article posted online a number of times earlier at urls: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/01/nri-with-guilty-conscience.html  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/08/fake-homesickness-nri-with-guilty.html and https://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/12/foreign-indian-versus-resident-indian.html etc

AADHAAR CORRUPTION – A NATIONAL SECURITY RISK

You must have seen recent news reports of a sting operation which showed that the much-hyped Aadhaar card is available for a payment even to illegal migrants from Pakistan and Bangladesh (according to a sting operation by investigative website Cobrapost)

Please click the links below to read details (websites will open in a new window):

EXPOSING THE UNDERBELLY OF AADHAAR - A COBRAPOST INVESTIGATION

http://www.cobrapost.com/index.php/news-detail?nid=5773&cid=23

The Times of India Report - ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAN “BUY” AADHAAR FOR Rs. 500

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Illegal-immigrants-can-buy-Aadhaar-for-Rs-500-Sting-operation/articleshow/32624851.cms


Media reports indicate that a huge number of illegal immigrants have infiltrated into India over the years and even managed to drastically change the demographics in certain border areas and even managed to enter the interiors of India and settle down permanently.

This sizable number of illegal migrants have managed to enter and settle down in India (and probably continue to do so) because:

1. Negligent Border Police (BSF) allows illegal migrants to enter India.

2. Unscrupulous Politicians facilitate their settling down in order to make these illegal immigrants a “Vote Bank”.

3. Corrupt Officials issue illegal migrants with Aadhaar Cards, Voter Cards, Ration Cards etc which enables illegal immigrants to acquire Indian Citizenship.

Do these illegal immigrants owe allegiance to India?

Are these illegal migrants patriotic to India?

Is it not possible that there may be many undesirable and even anti-national elements among these illegal immigrants?

Is illegal immigration not a grave risk to national security?

Are all those who facilitate illegal immigration not committing anti-national acts?

Six months ago (in September 2013) I had written a post on “SECURITY IMPLICATIONS OF ISSUING AADHAAR CARDS TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS”

I thought that I should post it once more in the light of recent reports of fraudulent issue of Aadhaar Cards to illegal immigrants mentioned above.

One of the reasons why India is considered a “Soft State” is due our lack of security consciousness, as is evident from the loose implementation of the Aadhaar Scheme.

We are already paying a heavy price for our lackadaisical approach to security issues.

It is the patriotic duty of UIDAI to take immediate corrective action to ensure that illegal immigrants, many of whom may be inimical to our national interest, do not fraudulently exploit and take undue advantage of the Aadhaar Scheme which is meant for Indian Citizens.

AADHAAR FIASCO  

SECURITY IMPLICATIONS OF ISSUING AADHAAR CARDS TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS 

Musings

By

VIKRAM KARVE 

ARE AADHAAR CARDS BEING ISSUED TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS?

Yesterday, the media reported that the Supreme Court had asked the government not to issue Aadhaar Cards to illegal immigrants.

http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/don-t-issue-aadhar-cards-to-illegal-immigrants-supreme-court-tells-centre-422374

It has been reported in the media that the Supreme Court said that Aadhaar can only be issued to those with proven Indian nationality. 

The Supreme Court frowned upon the unique identity numbers being issued without verifying the antecedents of individuals and said that if anyone applies for Aadhaar Card, then you have to verify whether he is a citizen of India or not and directed that Aadhaar Cards cannot be issued to illegal migrants.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Aadhaars-purpose-in-doubt-as-SC-says-its-not-mandatory/articleshow/22960981.cms

I wonder why the Supreme Court had to issue such a directive.

Does the need for such a directive imply that Aadhaar Cards were being issued to illegal immigrants who are not citizens of India?

If Aadhaar Cards have been issued to illegal immigrants, is this not a huge security lapse?

Because, using their Aadhaar Cards, illegal immigrants can:

1. Open Bank Accounts using their Aadhaar Cards. They can use the bank passbook a Proof of Identity (POI) and Proof of Address (POA).

2. Obtain various official documents using their Aadhaar Cards like Ration Cards, Voter ID Cards, PAN, Driving License etc which serve as Proof of Identity (POI) and Proof of Address (POA).

Using the above Proof of Identity (POI) and Proof of Address (POA) documents, an illegal immigrant can obtain an Indian Passport and become a citizen of India.

I hope there is no proposal to give Passports based on Aadhaar Cards, as this will make it even easier for illegal immigrants to become citizens of India.

Did the powers-that-be not anticipate the security implications of giving Aadhaar to non-citizens and illegal immigrants?

INTRODUCER SYSTEM OF ENROLMENT FOR AADHAAR

There is a glaring loophole in the Aadhaar enrolment system called “introducer system” which facilitates illegal immigrants to easily obtain Aadhaar Cards.

Citizens of India are required to furnish documentary proofs for establishing Proof of Identity (POI) and Proof of Address (POA) at the time of enrolment for Aadhaar.

On the other hand, illegal immigrants can take recourse to the “introducer system” where they can be “introduced” for an Aadhaar number by an “introducer”. Thus, illegal immigrants are not required to furnish any Proof of Identity (POI) or Proof of Address (POA) documents.

The requirements to be an introducer are quite vague and loosely defined.

You need not be a government officer to become an “introducer”.

Any local “influencer” can become an “introducer”.

This is huge security risk – whereas government employees can be held accountable for lapses and wrongdoings, can any action be taken against “introducers” who fraudulently facilitate illegal immigrants to get Aadhaar Cards?

Making it easy for illegal immigrants, which may include undesirable anti-national and anti-social elements, to get Aadhaar Cards is thus fraught with serious implications for our national security.

Media has reported from time to time that illegal immigrants have been found with Aadhaar Cards:

http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Mumbai/15-illegal-Bangladeshi-migrants-held-one-with-Aadhaar-card/Article1-988057.aspx

However, I wonder what corrective action has been taken by UIDAI to ensure that illegal immigrants are not enrolled for Aadhaar.

Also, has any action been taken to cancel the Aadhaar Cards of illegal immigrants?

Why is it that UIDAI did not realize the security implications of making Aadhaar accessible to illegal immigrants?

Who is responsible for these security lapses and is any action being taken to punish the guilty culprits?

It has required the intervention of the Supreme Court to direct the UIDAI to correct this serious lapse which has implications on our national security.

In addition to the security risk, issuing Aadhaar cards to illegal immigrants will enable them to fraudulently benefit from various Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes which are meant for Indian Citizens and these subsidies are funded by the Indian Tax Payer.

Why should Indian taxpayers pay for the welfare of illegal immigrants?

WAY AHEAD – CORRECTIVE ACTION

1. Firstly, the “introducer” system of Aadhaar enrolment must be immediately stopped. 

Aadhaar must be issued only after proper verification of Proof of Identity (POI) and Proof of Address (POA) as per the prescribed documents.

2. Secondly, UIDAI must immediately cancel all Aadhaar Cards issued under the “introducer” system. 

All these persons must be asked to re-enroll for Aadhaar with proper verification of POI and POA.

3. Thirdly, UIDAI must stop outsourcing of Aadhaar enrolment work to private agencies. 

In view of the national security implications, Aadhaar enrolment must be handled by government agencies who can be held accountable.

4. Finally, POI and POA scrutiny and re-verification of all Aadhaar Cards issued so far may have to carried out in order to detect and weed out Aadhaar Cards fraudulently issued to illegal immigrants

SECURITY CONSCIOUSNESS

One of the reasons why India is considered a “Soft State” is due our lack of security consciousness, as is evident from the loose implementation of the Aadhaar Scheme.

We are already paying a heavy price for our lackadaisical approach to security issues.

It is the patriotic duty of UIDAI to take immediate corrective action to ensure that illegal immigrants, many of whom may be inimical to our national interest, do not fraudulently exploit and take undue advantage of the Aadhaar Scheme which is meant for Indian Citizens.