Global Indians — Are they all the same?

The short answer is — No.

There are broadly two types of global Indians.

The category ones have very little global connections, even when they are residents in another country.

These are the people who work where very little connection is needed beyond the workstation. These are the ones are work as janitors, gas dispensers, motel workers, and the like. They stay with fellow Indians, try to live the Indian lives, and just put their heads down when a job. Of course, they make good money, have a decent home and car, pick up English, and hide reality when they are in India.

But let’s not assume all who are one in this category, with low or no social impact are then the menial jobs. It also includes, for example, an army of IT professionals, whose jobs are maintaining the technology infrastructure, changing the hard disks, repairing COBOL code, and going home at the end of the day. As someone said, it is the quintessential Indian techie, who comes to work and sits in front of the laptop, has curd rice during the break, and meets his friends over the weekends.

How to find them? Well, look at their Facebook feeds. All their social activities are with the desis — safe, low cost, and low effort.

This group of global Indians also includes tourists, with whom we have a day to connect with locals except for tourism industry personnel ( who by the job are non-confrontational), or fellow Desis. Closest we. come are some locals coming into the frame for the Eiffel Tower backdrop, or video of someone playing music on the streets.

This category of global Indians, with little, connection with local society and hence stakes, is usually not so concerned about India. However, some carry their regressive communal, casteist, misogynist thoughts there too — and with newfound financial liberty want to export their regression back to India. They contribute funds, create forums, host fellow progressives as thought leaders, and stand in support of CAA + NRC.

But another class of Indians matters in the social and professional arena of the foreign countries. They are the senior executives who have cross-cultural teams and leaders who are not just order-takers.

These are the academicians who are considered thought leaders. Journalists working for global publications. Students in premier institutions (not degree generators which most moneyed Indians send their children to).

These are the people who sit on forums or meetings along with other people from developed countries with liberal mindsets. They write against poverty, illiteracy, communal divide, casteist politics, women’s emancipation.

They run businesses with global clients and global customers (not just a Kirana shop in New Jersey, or a visa fraud agency).

Even if these Indians are not residents, they have deep connections with these non-Indian societies. Because they travel and meet senior executives. Interact with students and teachers of institutions of prominence. Or build global partnerships for the underprivileged.

This is the global Indians, category two, who are now increasingly concerned about what is happening in India. The attempts to discriminate in the name of religion. Of opening up 70-year-old wounds for votes, while ignoring the joblessness of the present. Of a culture of hate and suppression and lies and alt news. Beating up students on the streets. Gagging the press and the civic society.

These are the Indians who are now finding it difficult to look eye to eye with the gentry in front of them. And feeling ashamed. And started distancing themselves.

Satya Nadella is the first high-profile instance. But there are many more, and there will be many more.

Now which category do we want to be part of?

A large majority of Indians never have a choice, but few privileged ones have. And needless to say, the ones who will be liberal in their outlook, will be willing to learn new things, make friends with new people, and be in a better position to imbibe the tremendous opportunities the world is there to offer.

The ones who will find comfort in what they are, and resist the challenges of the unknown will be in the other group. And in my mind, they will lose a lot.

Take your pick. I have taken mine.