PROUD TO BE AN INDIAN
We have all had our own reasons to move out of our home country in search of greener pastures and not just that, most of us for years, have shied away from claiming our heritage and ethnicity. Often, we are seen finding reasons to explain why we are “not really Indian”.
Lately, however, the tables seem to have turned; such that even returning to India seems to be a viable option worth a try. The grass definitely looks a lot greener now on Indian shores.
We had been hearing about India shining for a few years now. But in the past few months, our homeland has been shining so bright that we can proudly thump our chests and introduce ourselves as ‘Indians’.
What could have possibly changed to bring about such a reversal in our psyche? One reason that immediately comes to mind is that a clean green India is no longer a utopian dream, but something that every Indian is being forced to follow – be it a high ranking government official, a politician or a school-going child. Swachch Bharat is de rigueur and not open to choice.
As for us NRIs (non-resident Indians), the country has opened its doors wide open. The government has granted lifelong visa for PIO (person of Indian origin) card holders, implying that we don’t have to wait in long queues to visit our friends and family back home.
Foreign Direct Investment is being encouraged to an extent that the Modi government is wooing foreign businesses to use India as their manufacturing hub.
What’s new with that, you would say? India has been exporting its produce to western economies for decades now. The difference lies in the fact that manufacturing hubs in India, want to upgrade their productivity to cater to international standards. So the next time you see a ‘Made in India’ tag on your shirt or your gym towel, be proud and flaunt it.
The most unprecedented development in recent times, to make us truly proud, has been the successful Mars orbiter mission – Mangalayan, which has made India the fourth country to reach Mars; the only country to do so in its first attempt and that too at an enviable cost.
If we look at the financial status of the country – during the recent Vibrant Gujarat summit, 21,000 MoUs were signed, to invest Rs 2.5 billion. Not to mention, the galaxy of star personalities that graced the land, including UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and US Secretary of State, John Kerry.
The visit of all of these stars though will pale with the visit of US President Barack Obama as the Chief Guest on the Indian Republic Day – marking his second visit to India during the same term of office.
In preparation for Obama’s visit, innumerable CCTVs are being installed all over New Delhi and a battalion of security personnel have already descended on the capital city. To quote Indian news media, the following are arriving along with Obama:
• “Six aircrafts, carrying security staff
• President's cavalcade, with 30 cars. One of them might be the Cadillac One, among the world's most high tech cars.
• Marine One helicopters
• Air Force One, Obama's plane (equipped to protect Obama even from nuclear attack)”
Which other country in the world can boast of having its general election results telecast live at the Times Square in New York and many other countries in the world, including New Zealand? The Manukau Square had its own telecast and a celebration for the world’s largest democracy.
It is indeed unprecedented that a country's Prime Minister gets a ‘Rockstar’ welcome with his own independent platforms in foreign lands during state visits, like we witnessed Modi in Madison Square Garden with an encore in Sydney.
Alright, that’s enough of politics. Let’s turn towards sports and look for some reason to celebrate. Voila! There’s Rohit Sharma’s 264 runs off 173 balls to cheer for, as is Saina Nehwal’s medal at the Olympics. Mary Kom fetched the first-ever Asian Games boxing gold medal for India, with her biopic reckoned amongst top Bollywood blockbusters in the past year.
Talking about films, Aamir Khan’s ‘PK’ grossed a record Rs 300 crore with a controversial story line which has become a topic of heated, although quite liberating, arguments among Indians both within and outside the country.
Irrfan Khan has made us proud by his commendable performances, both in Hollywood and mainstream Bollywood films. His acting prowess in ‘Lunchbox’ was appreciated at the Bafta awards in 2014.
Making it to the Forbes list of rich people is again a milestone that has already been crossed by many an Indian. What’s interesting is the second ranking of Shah Rukh Khan in the list of richest actors in the world, leaving behind the likes of Tom Cruise, Clint Eastwood and Tom Hanks. In fact, SRK has also been decorated with Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur for his contribution to Bollywood.
As if rocking the world on the AR Rahman beat of ‘Jai Ho’ wasn’t enough, Priyanka Chopra, a Bollywood beauty, has not only made her mark as a pop singer but has also quite successfully cut an album with Pitbull. Recently, she released her single that is trending on the top of most charts around the world.
The Indian diaspora around the world seems to have come out of their shells and ‘shining’ their own light. Rakesh Khurana was appointed as Dean at the Harvard College and Nitin Nohria is the 10th and the current Dean of Harvard Business School. He is also the George F Baker Professor of Administration.
The world over there is a rise in the number of Indians who are being included in foreign Parliaments and power houses. New Zealand too has three Indian members in its Parliament. As if this wasn’t enough, the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman was recently bestowed on our very own Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi. All these make us walk a few inches taller. To add to this is the Annual Kiwi-Indian Hall of Fame that acknowledges and celebrates the contribution of Kiwi-Indians in our wider community.
Reflecting the global popularity of Indian food, a number of Indian words like ‘keema’ and ‘papad’ have been accepted in the Oxford English dictionary for the first time. The ninth edition of the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, released recently, has included over 240 words from Indian English.
For years the United Kingdom have had Chicken Tikka Masala as their favoured dish and a recent survey stated that Butter Chicken is one of the top favourites in New Zealand. New-age gurus and life coaches around the world are greeting or signing off with ‘Namaste’. The recent inclusion of 21st June as the International Yoga Day is a worldwide recognition of one of the oldest Indian practices.
Indian scientists and doctors around the world have for years earned acclaim with their genius. While corruption is said to be largely under control ever since Anna Hazare led the India Against Corruption supporters, the sidelines witnessed the growth through grit and determination of a chaiwala (tea seller), raising the bar for Indian democracy by getting elected as the Prime Minister of a country of 1.2 billion people.
We Indians have a long history of a rich and varied cultural heritage which gradually faded through invasion and long periods of alien rule. Revival of our cultural roots are now clearly visible. We now have grounds to be proud of our roots and there is no reason for any Indian to shy away from proclaiming our ethnicity. India is today accepted as the fastest growing country in the world and we are only just getting started. So let’s throw our hands up in the air and announce with all our heart –
"YESSS, WE ARE PROUD TO BE AN INDIAN!”
Words from Proud Kiwi-Indians
India has achieved a remarkable and sustained socio-economic progress in the last 20 years in scale, size and pace which is unprecedented in its own history. I am humbly proud of my birth country India. I am humbly proud of my home country New Zealand and being a Kiwi-Indian. Wishing you all a happy and safe Indian Republic Day.
Dr Sayeeda Bano JP
Senior Lecturer of Economics
University of Waikato
We are part of Indian culture, which is one of the oldest in the world. Indian culture has rich history. It is based on non-violence, family values and helping each other. We learn to respect each human being and diverse cultures. One of the basic principles of being an Indian, we respect our elders. These values make me feel proud to be an Indian.
Roshan Nauhria
MD, Nauhria Precast & Reinforcing Limited
Belonging to a nation where the basis of existence is universal and not driven by any stagnant ideology and a country that has practiced tolerance towards the barbaric world around and relentlessly strived to guide it to modern day civilisation; definitely gives a comforting feeling. Irresponsible historians in the past may have written accolades about the looters and plunderers that tried to bruise Indian landmass, but now it is heartening to see that the realised world understands the soul of India – the proud accomplishment for every Indian.
Veer Khar
President, Manukau Indian Association
We are very fortunate to have in our heritage a rich and vibrant culture which reflects our everyday deeds. In 1950, India adopted the Constitution which has set the blueprint for the Government. Let all Indians around the world hold our head high; let the world know we are Proud to be an Indian. At Vibrant Gujarat, which has turned to Vibrant India, Modi said: “Someone’s dream is dependent on someone’s direction.” 65 years ago, a dream was reached; let 2015 be the next ‘big’ milestone in history. Vande Mataram and Happy Republic Day.
Ranjna Patel
Director, East Tamaki Healthcare
We have all had our own reasons to move out of our home country in search of greener pastures and not just that, most of us for years, have shied away from claiming our heritage and ethnicity. Often, we are seen finding reasons to explain why we are “not really Indian”.
Lately, however, the...
We have all had our own reasons to move out of our home country in search of greener pastures and not just that, most of us for years, have shied away from claiming our heritage and ethnicity. Often, we are seen finding reasons to explain why we are “not really Indian”.
Lately, however, the tables seem to have turned; such that even returning to India seems to be a viable option worth a try. The grass definitely looks a lot greener now on Indian shores.
We had been hearing about India shining for a few years now. But in the past few months, our homeland has been shining so bright that we can proudly thump our chests and introduce ourselves as ‘Indians’.
What could have possibly changed to bring about such a reversal in our psyche? One reason that immediately comes to mind is that a clean green India is no longer a utopian dream, but something that every Indian is being forced to follow – be it a high ranking government official, a politician or a school-going child. Swachch Bharat is de rigueur and not open to choice.
As for us NRIs (non-resident Indians), the country has opened its doors wide open. The government has granted lifelong visa for PIO (person of Indian origin) card holders, implying that we don’t have to wait in long queues to visit our friends and family back home.
Foreign Direct Investment is being encouraged to an extent that the Modi government is wooing foreign businesses to use India as their manufacturing hub.
What’s new with that, you would say? India has been exporting its produce to western economies for decades now. The difference lies in the fact that manufacturing hubs in India, want to upgrade their productivity to cater to international standards. So the next time you see a ‘Made in India’ tag on your shirt or your gym towel, be proud and flaunt it.
The most unprecedented development in recent times, to make us truly proud, has been the successful Mars orbiter mission – Mangalayan, which has made India the fourth country to reach Mars; the only country to do so in its first attempt and that too at an enviable cost.
If we look at the financial status of the country – during the recent Vibrant Gujarat summit, 21,000 MoUs were signed, to invest Rs 2.5 billion. Not to mention, the galaxy of star personalities that graced the land, including UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and US Secretary of State, John Kerry.
The visit of all of these stars though will pale with the visit of US President Barack Obama as the Chief Guest on the Indian Republic Day – marking his second visit to India during the same term of office.
In preparation for Obama’s visit, innumerable CCTVs are being installed all over New Delhi and a battalion of security personnel have already descended on the capital city. To quote Indian news media, the following are arriving along with Obama:
• “Six aircrafts, carrying security staff
• President's cavalcade, with 30 cars. One of them might be the Cadillac One, among the world's most high tech cars.
• Marine One helicopters
• Air Force One, Obama's plane (equipped to protect Obama even from nuclear attack)”
Which other country in the world can boast of having its general election results telecast live at the Times Square in New York and many other countries in the world, including New Zealand? The Manukau Square had its own telecast and a celebration for the world’s largest democracy.
It is indeed unprecedented that a country's Prime Minister gets a ‘Rockstar’ welcome with his own independent platforms in foreign lands during state visits, like we witnessed Modi in Madison Square Garden with an encore in Sydney.
Alright, that’s enough of politics. Let’s turn towards sports and look for some reason to celebrate. Voila! There’s Rohit Sharma’s 264 runs off 173 balls to cheer for, as is Saina Nehwal’s medal at the Olympics. Mary Kom fetched the first-ever Asian Games boxing gold medal for India, with her biopic reckoned amongst top Bollywood blockbusters in the past year.
Talking about films, Aamir Khan’s ‘PK’ grossed a record Rs 300 crore with a controversial story line which has become a topic of heated, although quite liberating, arguments among Indians both within and outside the country.
Irrfan Khan has made us proud by his commendable performances, both in Hollywood and mainstream Bollywood films. His acting prowess in ‘Lunchbox’ was appreciated at the Bafta awards in 2014.
Making it to the Forbes list of rich people is again a milestone that has already been crossed by many an Indian. What’s interesting is the second ranking of Shah Rukh Khan in the list of richest actors in the world, leaving behind the likes of Tom Cruise, Clint Eastwood and Tom Hanks. In fact, SRK has also been decorated with Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur for his contribution to Bollywood.
As if rocking the world on the AR Rahman beat of ‘Jai Ho’ wasn’t enough, Priyanka Chopra, a Bollywood beauty, has not only made her mark as a pop singer but has also quite successfully cut an album with Pitbull. Recently, she released her single that is trending on the top of most charts around the world.
The Indian diaspora around the world seems to have come out of their shells and ‘shining’ their own light. Rakesh Khurana was appointed as Dean at the Harvard College and Nitin Nohria is the 10th and the current Dean of Harvard Business School. He is also the George F Baker Professor of Administration.
The world over there is a rise in the number of Indians who are being included in foreign Parliaments and power houses. New Zealand too has three Indian members in its Parliament. As if this wasn’t enough, the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman was recently bestowed on our very own Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi. All these make us walk a few inches taller. To add to this is the Annual Kiwi-Indian Hall of Fame that acknowledges and celebrates the contribution of Kiwi-Indians in our wider community.
Reflecting the global popularity of Indian food, a number of Indian words like ‘keema’ and ‘papad’ have been accepted in the Oxford English dictionary for the first time. The ninth edition of the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, released recently, has included over 240 words from Indian English.
For years the United Kingdom have had Chicken Tikka Masala as their favoured dish and a recent survey stated that Butter Chicken is one of the top favourites in New Zealand. New-age gurus and life coaches around the world are greeting or signing off with ‘Namaste’. The recent inclusion of 21st June as the International Yoga Day is a worldwide recognition of one of the oldest Indian practices.
Indian scientists and doctors around the world have for years earned acclaim with their genius. While corruption is said to be largely under control ever since Anna Hazare led the India Against Corruption supporters, the sidelines witnessed the growth through grit and determination of a chaiwala (tea seller), raising the bar for Indian democracy by getting elected as the Prime Minister of a country of 1.2 billion people.
We Indians have a long history of a rich and varied cultural heritage which gradually faded through invasion and long periods of alien rule. Revival of our cultural roots are now clearly visible. We now have grounds to be proud of our roots and there is no reason for any Indian to shy away from proclaiming our ethnicity. India is today accepted as the fastest growing country in the world and we are only just getting started. So let’s throw our hands up in the air and announce with all our heart –
"YESSS, WE ARE PROUD TO BE AN INDIAN!”
Words from Proud Kiwi-Indians
India has achieved a remarkable and sustained socio-economic progress in the last 20 years in scale, size and pace which is unprecedented in its own history. I am humbly proud of my birth country India. I am humbly proud of my home country New Zealand and being a Kiwi-Indian. Wishing you all a happy and safe Indian Republic Day.
Dr Sayeeda Bano JP
Senior Lecturer of Economics
University of Waikato
We are part of Indian culture, which is one of the oldest in the world. Indian culture has rich history. It is based on non-violence, family values and helping each other. We learn to respect each human being and diverse cultures. One of the basic principles of being an Indian, we respect our elders. These values make me feel proud to be an Indian.
Roshan Nauhria
MD, Nauhria Precast & Reinforcing Limited
Belonging to a nation where the basis of existence is universal and not driven by any stagnant ideology and a country that has practiced tolerance towards the barbaric world around and relentlessly strived to guide it to modern day civilisation; definitely gives a comforting feeling. Irresponsible historians in the past may have written accolades about the looters and plunderers that tried to bruise Indian landmass, but now it is heartening to see that the realised world understands the soul of India – the proud accomplishment for every Indian.
Veer Khar
President, Manukau Indian Association
We are very fortunate to have in our heritage a rich and vibrant culture which reflects our everyday deeds. In 1950, India adopted the Constitution which has set the blueprint for the Government. Let all Indians around the world hold our head high; let the world know we are Proud to be an Indian. At Vibrant Gujarat, which has turned to Vibrant India, Modi said: “Someone’s dream is dependent on someone’s direction.” 65 years ago, a dream was reached; let 2015 be the next ‘big’ milestone in history. Vande Mataram and Happy Republic Day.
Ranjna Patel
Director, East Tamaki Healthcare
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