The many NRIs returning to India

For nearly ten years now, the exodus of NRIs from the US has been unceasing. It began much before the recent economic downtown - the current recession. I think it started with the opening up of India.

When did India's economy began opening up? Just before Dr Manmohan Singh took office. The 'India Shining' advertisements were the first ones that brought the world's focus on India. What started as a PR exercise soon became real. The advertisement turned into the personality of the country.

And with the entrance of Dr Singh, under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi, India's economy took off. In businesses and enterprises, in education and technology, in culture and fashion, Indians came to the forefront. Movie stars and authors came into the limelight of the international arena. Indian origin VS Naipaul received the Nobel prize for literature, Amartya Sen for Economics, Arundhati Roy, followed by others received the Booker Prize.

With the concept of multiplex cinemas, more and more movies started to be made in India, and demand for experimental movies began. People were willing to pay more to watch a movie in air-conditioned luxurious theaters like the PVR.

Enterpreneurs like RK Mittal and the Ambanis were followed by others. Companies like Airtel, an India-born business caught on. Other Indian businesses also prospered.

In every aspect of life, India began growing. And now it is among one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Despite its inflation and high population, it is prospering. Lifestyles have changed dramatically.

With the global Internet revolution, outsourcing started. And businesses became more global. The world now has become so small that one could live in one corner, and work for another corner somewhere else.

With the impressive growth of India, there has now been a reverse brain drain. The brains that had earlier deserted India because of better jobs abroad, as in countries like US, are now going back to India. That is great news. India needs these talents in such a period of time. Their intelligence is required to steer the country through the changes that it is undergoing. It has bigger homegrown business, its population needs better management, its markets are getting bigger and bigger.