I do agree with some of the points that the author has made: especially the focus on NRI's from countries other than the gulf. But he missed a few points. Most of the people of Indian origin in the gulf he was talking about are acutally Indians, who will eventually return after sometime. Compared to these, people migrating to other countries(Like the US) tend to stay put when they do move. It is therefore more likely that Indians in gulf will send back their earnings to India since their families are back in India, and they are not going to settle there. People who moved to other countries have renounced their Indian citizenship and therefore have no obligation to remit money back to India. Their adopted country is now their home. However the bias towards richer PIO's is unacceptable. If people, rich or poor want to send money back to India, either to their families or as investment, they should be treated fairly and should get faster service. Another thing that I would like to point out as an Indian student living in US is that nomatter how long it has been since one has left India, ties to it will always remain. Your ethnicity decides how you think, act, and make your decisions to some extent. Part of you is always Indian because of the way you are brought up. However, once you renounce Indian citizenship you should be treated no differently than a foreign national. Giving 2nd citizenship is a ridiculous idea. May be something like a permanent resident status that would allow free travel/stay in India is better for PIO's to allow them to revisit their roots if they choose to do so. Voting right should not be given.
As usual Mr Mitra writes articles nitpicking anything that runs against his weird brand of Bengali communism. These articles are dangerous, and will drag an awakened Indian people back into hibernation.
The article exhibits the author's narrow minded attitude and ignorance of world affairs. If you want to ditch Kalpana just because she is a US citizen are you ready to accept Sonia Gandhi because she has expressed faith in Indian constitution by becoming an Indian Citizen. Nobody of Indian Origin living in Gulf would have had such an opinion about dual citizenship like our author. The issue of dual citizenship is a more complex thing and the rules vary for different countries and the fact that the author accuses the government for this shows his ignorance. It is articles like this that misguides the PIOs in Gulf rather than the reality.
I am wondering why is there such a hullabullo about non-approval of dual citizenship for gulf residents. I may be wrong, but I understand that these countries normally do not grant citizenship to Indians. If that is correct than where is the need for dual citizenship for such residents.
