Anna Hazare and his initiatives for the strong Lokpal got a thumb’s up from the people of Indian origin (PIO) attending the Pravasi Bharitya Divas 2012.
Anna Hazare and his initiatives for the strong Lokpal got a thumb’s up from the people of Indian origin (PIO) attending the Pravasi Bharitya Divas 2012.
At a time when the government is leaving no stone unturned to attract NRI investments, the Indians residing abroad expressed their unanimous support for the social activist and grilled the union government over the issue of corruption.
For them Anna was the hero who has emerged as the voice of the common Indian. Most NRIs were of the view that rampant corruption and corrupt bureaucracy is a major hindrance in partnering with the government working on an inclusive growth approach.
Referring to the impeachment of the US president Bill Clinton, NRIs advocated a strong Lokpal bill that is capable of curtailing corruption at all levels including public and private sectors.
“Even US president Bill Clinton had to face impeachment; then why is the Indian government afraid of including the prime minister and senior administrative officers under ambit of Lokpal. They are not above law,” said Hemant D Henry Patel, chairman, Asian American Hotel Owners Association in the second plenary session on “Business partnering for prosperity” chaired by former minister Shashi Tharoor. The hunger for change should be like the one witnessed in Libya and in Egypt. “Bring the change and we guarantee you to bring the NRIs to India,” he said.
Most NRIs attending the session expressed their gratitude to Anna for having taken up initiatives against corruption. “At least Anna took the Initiative. People were on streets as they have no other option,” said Munish Gupta of Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin.
Shashi Tharoor who was mediating the talks admitted to bottlenecks in the system but said India was not without hope. “Not all people are corrupt; there are constitutional agencies that are here to help the people,” he said. Earlier in his speech, he said, “There are issues of governance; companies are unable to get electric connections in time; there are administrative delays, but there is still a ray of hope.”
His smooth talk though failed to amuse the delegates who seized the opportunity to explain the troubles they face when doing business with India. Manoj Bagga of Germany said, “Whatever the schemes, at the end we have to face the IAS and IPS officers in states and we are on their mercy. I know several NRIs who have come forward for community service, but today they are facing more than 70 cases against them. We all have to depend on the mercy of bureaucracy.
“At least there is one man in this country who has raised his voice against corruption. Today the nation and people of Indian origin living across the world are with him,” he said.
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