This week the focus falls on this famous line within the context of this weekly column: “There are too many chiefs and not enough Indians.’’
This phrase could be traced to its American-English origin and the United-Press News headlined it in 1947 in the aftermath of the second world war when the US army had 6489 colonels for 1,07-million enlisted soldiers in peace-time and 10 590 versus 8-million men war-time. It simply means that there are too many managers and not enough people to do the work.
I will give it my native-American interpretation that that there were too many “Red Indian” chiefs and not enough Indian warriors. However, this phase became popular among indigenous Indians from India to South Africa and the worldwide diaspora of Indians.
Well, the tide is turning for the better: The Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (Gopio International) shared the list with me as its co-chairman: media council. Gopio International has welcomed the listing drawn from government websites and other public resources to showcase the achievements of community leaders across various sectors.
This is a success story of high-powered and profiled Indians-altogether 200 holding top positions in 15 countries and it is published for the first time by the USA-based not-for-profit Indiaspora.
Indian expatriates and economic migrants are split into two categories: People of Indian Origin are PIOs; while Non-Resident Indians – those living outside mainland India – are coded NRIs.
The compilers say the 2021 Indiaspora Government Leaders List features high-ranking officials who collectively represent almost 587-million constituents and their respective countries account for up to USD 28 trillion in Gross Domestic Product (GDP)-further “demonstrating the impact these leaders are having globally.”
India’s Ministry of External Affairs says PIOs globally are the largest diaspora population in the world-about 32-million and counting. The list was inspired by the phenomenal political ascendancy of Kamala Harris, first woman US Vice-President-and first of colour and of Indian and Jamaican heritage-though her top-flight leadership election stunned and inspired Indians and women the world over-some peevish Indians locally and in the diaspora-have sniggered and questioned her cultural heritage and racial background.
Collectively, of the 200 top-ranked personalities, 60 holding Cabinet positions: “It is a huge source of pride to have the first woman and first person of colour as the Vice President … of Indian heritage. We wanted to use this seminal moment … to highlight a host of others in the diaspora who also are in public service,’’ commented Indiaspora founder MR Rangaswami, a Silicon Valley-based entrepreneur and investor. Immigrants from India and professionals born in Singapore, South Africa, England, Canada and the US have also made the cut.
“These leaders are building a legacy for future generations, and one that extends beyond our community to all of the constituents and communities that they serve,’’ Rangaswami added. Additionally, the prestige list includes diplomats, legislators, and heads of central banks and senior civil servants from countries with significant histories of diaspora migration-Australia, Canada, Singapore, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Congressman Ami Bera, Chairman of the US House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, said: ” It is an honour to be included on… the List. As the longest-serving Indian-American member of Congress, I am proud to be a leader in the Indian-American community.”
“It truly is inspiring to note the remarkable contribution that government leaders of Indian heritage have made to advance the societies that they now represent.’’
Rosy Akbar, Fiji’s Minister of Education, Heritage, and Arts, added: “For a sizeable segment of the population, it is government policy addressing social injustices that lead to a transformative path of sustainable socio-economic progress.”
Senator Ratna Omidvar said: “As a proud Indo-Canadian, it is an honour to be included … alongside an accomplished and diverse group of leaders from the Indian diaspora.”
This classic catalogue of high-achievers include the first wave of immigration-many arrived as refugees or economic migrants-many with a few hundred dollars-to newcomers who came in follow-up waves of diaspora for educational opportunities and subsequent generations. “It is inspiring to see the number of Indian diaspora who are entering the public arena. My hope is that this cohort of leaders will set an example for …more to aspire to public service,’’ said Indiaspora Board Member Arun Kumar, chairman and CEO at KPMG India, who served as Assistant Secretary of Commerce in the Obama administration.
Footnote: for the full list and video, download: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom
Marlan Padayachee is a seasoned journalist, heading a media communication strategy, publishing and research consultancy, member of the Southern African Freelancers’ Association (SAFREA), SA National Editors’ Forum (SANEF), Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (Gopio International), an USA-USIS International Visitor and British Council Fellow; and independent political and social commentator, who continues to write columns, leading articles and opinion-editorial commentary for newspapers, magazines, TV and radio, online digital and social media platforms – without fear or favour.
Contact Marlan on: marlan.padayachee@gmail.com
