Should Indian diaspora stop cheering India?

As the 17th edition of the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD) is underway in Indore during January 8-10, 2023, once again the question is being asked: Should Indian diaspora avoid cheering India or Indian teams of various sports? Well-known Indian origin Radio jockey in Kenya, Kamal Kaur was shocked to find a tweet couple of years ago, "We know where your heart is" after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to sell out over 25,000 Indian-origin crowd at the Nairobi's Kasarani Stadium in 2017. They came up there at Kasarani Stadium in traditional Indian dresses.

Yet, that particular tweet "We know where your heart is" has spoiled the mood of Muhindis (Indian are called as Muhindis in East Africa). And understandably so. After all, their forefathers spent their blood, sweat, tear and toil to build Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

It was in 1896 when about 32,000 Indians, mainly from Punjab, reached Kenya to build the Kenya-Uganda Railway. They took on jobs as skilled labourers, artisans, bricklayers, carpenters, plumbers, tailors, motor mechanics and electrical fitters. They came in search of work, opportunity and food for their families, and they worked under very hostile conditions. Many fell sick. Many were injured. Many died. But in enduring the hardship and harrows of their work, they also left a lasting legacy.

When Richards was so unfair

As that was not enough, many-many year ago Cricket great Viv Richards too mocked at Indian origin people for supporting the Indian side when it plays in Port of Spain, Trinidad or at Georgetown, Guyana. That particular statement had created tremendous amount of protests from Indian origin people whose forefathers were mainly from Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and went there to work in sugar fields. And with sheer hard work, they have created niche for themselves thousands of miles away from India. Protests and anger apart, it is an undeniable fact that both Trinidad and Guyana are like home away from home for Indian cricket teams. Nevertheless, the West Indies Cricket has been well-served by the likes of Rohan Kanhai, Sonny Ramadhin, Alvin Kallicharran and Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

Though a great cricketer Richards perhaps didn't know that Indian origin people have been becoming presidents and prime ministers of various Caribbean countries since early 60s, Chedi Jagan was the first Indian origin president of Guyana. He became president in early 60s. Can an unpatriotic person become president or a prime minister of a country?

Arguably even after several generations away from your own land, you do not forget your roots. For instance, if former US President Barack Obama proudly talks about his Kenyan background, does he become less patriotic American? No, not at all. Same way, if Indians in Caribbean islands cheer Indian side or if Indians go all out to welcome their leader in Dubai to New York and Sydney to Nairobi, what is so bad about it?

And the guy who tweeted and all those who share his thoughts in Kenya perhaps learn some lessons of history of his country's deep and long-standing relations with India. While welcoming Prime Minister Modi, President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta admits rather honestly, " The Indian influence in Kenya is implicit in our food: in Chapatis, Samosas, Chai and Bhujia."

It is worthwhile to scan the pages of history of Kenya, when the Railway project was finished in 1902, about 7,000 of those workers stayed behind to build a future in East Africa. Many of them set up small shops along the railway line. While working hard to eke out a living, these individuals passed on an inspiring dogma of discipline and diligence which still defines the Indian-Kenyan community even today. And for several decades, the hockey teams of Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania used to have Sikh players. And who can forget Avtar Singh Sohal Tari, considered to be the greatest Sikh Sportsmen outside India. He represented Kenya in Rome 1960 Olympic Games.He captained Kenya at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, Mexico (1968) and Munich (1972) and was also captain at the 1st World Cup in Barcelona in 1971 where Kenya finished fourth.

Entering parliaments

Well, those who suspect the loyalty of Indian diaspora for their adopted countries remember that these over 2 crore Indian brand ambassadors are there in the parliament of over two dozen countries. They would not have reached to dizzy heights without sheer hard work, honesty and love for their adopted countries. In the backdrop of these facts, earth would not fall if they remain emotionally attached to India.

Meanwhile, it is said that largest numbers of Indians outside India live in South Africa. Indians have made a huge statement in politics and other fields. The likes of Yusuf Dadoo, Pregs Govender, Ronnie Govender, Ahmed Kathrada, Monty Naicker, Amma Naidoo, IndiraNaidoo, Naransamy Roy Naidoo, Shanti Naidoo, Thambi Naidoo, Xavier Naidoo, Radhakrishna Padayachi are some of the better political known leaders of Indian origin in South Africa. Padayachi was also a Deputy Minister for Communication till couple of years ago. And you cannot ignore Mac Maharaj, the anti-apartheid crusader and comrade of Nelson Mandela. They won't be visible in PBD.

And what is the big idea of holding PBD if we cannot ensure the presence of the likes of Vikas Dhorasoo and Vijay Singh. Both are acclaimed sports personalities. Vikas was member of French Football team that won the World cup under the captainship of Zinedine Zidane in 2006. Vikas is a midfielder. And it is most unlikely that we would ever see the gracious presence of one of the top golfer Vijay Singh. He was born in Lautoka, Fiji. He learned the game of golf from his father, an avid golfer. He turned professional in 1982 and joined the PGA Tour in 1993. He has won 58 tournaments in his career, including 34 on the PGA Tour. He won the 1998 and 2004 PGA Championships and the 2000 Masters. In 2004, Vijay became the top golfer in the world, a position he would hold for a total of 32 weeks. It goes without saying that unless we see legends' like Avtar Singh Sohal Tari, Vijay Singh and Vikas Dhorasoo, it would remain a boring annual conference of Indian-origin people.

(The author is Delhi-based senior journalist and writer. He is author of Gandhi's Delhi which has brought to the forth many hidden facts about Mahatma Gandhi)