PATRIOTIC FACTOR: Desis celebrate India's Independence Day in New York

ROLE OF HONOUR « First official engagement of the 20-million strong diaspora on January 9 as NRI Day. « Two-day event to be inaugurated by the prime minister, attended by prominent people. « Recommendations of Diaspora Panel and issues related to diaspora to be discussed. « Sessions to cover education, health care, philanthropy, science and tech, media etc. « Entertainment to feature diaspora troupes with chutney music, Asian underground etc.

In a country where owning property is illegal, all that the authorities had to do to lure the overseas population back was to offer them land on lease for 99 years. Sure enough, that single step brought in the trade-generated wealth of non-resident Chinese giving impetus to the economic reforms that China had launched way back in the 1970s. And no protests from the resident population which had no rights anyway.

"But such a thing cannot work in India," says Claude Smadja, principal adviser, World Economic Forum (WEF). On a recent trip to Delhi, he explained that the reason for this is because India has a thriving entrepreneurial class which will resist special incentives for the non-resident Indian (NRI). "If India wants to bring in NRI money, it will have to offer a business environment that can compete with other investment destinations-even though the patriotic factor is strong in the NRI," says the economic analyst who is well known for raising the annual Davos meet of the WEF to the high-brow networking forum it is today.

Perhaps then, it would be unreasonable to expect the Indian Government to make any major NRI-related policy announcements on January 9-to be celebrated every year as Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas or NRI Day. Especially considering that another issue promised last January-dual citizenship-continues to hang fire. Sources say the Union Home Ministry is "examining the proposal with an open mind". But sops or no sops, preparations are in full swing for the big day-historically marking the date of return of M. K. Gandhi to India from South Africa.

For the first time ever, India is officially engaging its 20-million strong diaspora spread across 110 countries and six continents. The first-of-its-kind celebration of the NRI will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. "It is a two-day event with conferences, an exhibition, entertainment nights and interface with politicians and prominent personalities," explains J. C. Sharma, secretary, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

The sessions will include discussions on health care, knowledge-based industries, hospitality and tourism, culture and diasporic identity, media, education in India, philanthropy, science and technology and entertainment. Recommendations made by the High Power Committee chaired by L. M. Singhvi, member of Parliament and former high commissioner to the UK, and issues pertaining to the diaspora too will be highlighted. Nobel laureates, prominent resident and overseas Indians will participate in addition to politicians and officials.

While Bollywood stars and Indian classical musicians will grace the entertainment stage, troupes from the Caribbean, the UK, southern Africa and South East Asia will make chutney music, drum the Bhangra beat, play Asian underground or offer Bhojpuri songs with a Mauritian resonance.

Partnered by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the mea is seeking participation in and sponsorship for the event. Register is open online. The $200 fee covers all the sessions, five meals and the entertainment evenings (hotel and air fare are not included). Early birds who register before September 15 pay only $175.

For more information, log on to www.indiaday.org/nri/index.htm.

-Nasima H. Khan