PIOs: Born in India, leaders abroad

Politicians debating the propriety of persons of foreign origin playing an active role in Indian politics could have a look at the impressiv...

Politicians debating the propriety of persons of foreign origin playing an active role in Indian politics could have a look at the impressive list of foreign dignitaries showcased at the second edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.

A look at any plenary session at the ongoing Pravasi Bharatiya Divas would reveal that Mother India’s offspring are showing up in unlikely places — the President of Guyana as the chief guest, a Deputy Prime Minister from Mauritius, a Senator from an American state, a Mayor from New Zealand and a Minister of Works from Malaysia among others.

From Minnesota, Satveer Chaudhary has been adding small but significant chapters to the history of US politics. Apart from being the youngest state senator from Minnesota, he is also the first Asian American to be elected to the legislature and is a licensed attorney to boot. He describes the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas as the ‘‘Herculean effort to network all Indians on Earth’’.

Chaudhary is part of a nearly 20-strong PIO delegation, who are also leaders in their respective countries. If ever a statement on the PIO’s political growth was required, then the answer stretches from Malaysia, the Caribbean and North America.

If Chaudhary were to look for proof of his ilk’s rise, then he has to look no further then this year’s chief guest, Guyana President Bharrat Jagdeo, as well as Malaysian Minister of Works Dato Seri Sami Velu, Mauritian Deputy Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and Trinidad and Tobago’s former PM Basdeo Panday.

Jagdeo’s ancestors travelled from Uttar Pradesh to settle in Guyana. He first came to India in 1993 as his country’s Finance Minister and describes himself as the leader of all his people, ‘‘all the ethnic groups and their aspirations’’. He is proud to be a Guyanese and equally proud of his Indian heritage. So much so that he offered Guyana’s unconditional support to India’s candidature for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

‘‘It always good to be back home,’’ says Sukhi Turner, famous here because of cricketer husband Glenn. Among the 12 who were honoured today, Turner’s colourful visiting card lists her as the Mayor of Dunedin, New Zealand. Living away from Indian shores for a little over 30 years, she decided to take the plunge. She went to become Dunedin’s most recognised face from a billion-strong nation.