The true Pravasi

Prime Minister of Mauritius Navinchandra Ramgoolam, the chief guest at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, in essence sums up the struggle and the subsequent achievements of the persons of Indian origin. Ramgoolam’s grandfather was an indentured labourer and his father Seewoosagur Ramgoolam led the freedom movement in Mauritius, becoming its first prime minister. He was also president of the London branch of the Indian National Congress. “Dr Ramagoolam is a great friend of India and a very dear personal friend,” PM Manmohan Singh said.

Modi all the way

In a way, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi stole the show on Tuesday. He was the only high profile Chief Minister at the inaugural function. Modi inaugurated the Gujarat Pavilion where several NRIs congratulated him on becoming the CM for a third time. Later, he called on President Pratibha Patil. On Wednesday, besides speaking at a session, Modi will have a media interaction as well.

Karat, Sarabhai and women’s lib

CPI(M) Politburo member Brinda Karat had a different take on NRI issues. Addressing a session, she pointed out that it is sad that NRIs were “exporting” bad habits like “honour killing” at a time when we make so much noise about western influence in our lives. She also wanted special attention to be paid to Indian workers in the Gulf. In her three-minute speech, Mallika Sarabhai condemned the “patriarchal” traits that exist among NRIs and exhorted them to think independently of the “man of the world” and the “male of the society”.

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