In this review, Subramanian Swamy find’s Sanjaya Baru’s work in the book a penetrating study of India’s diaspora, exposing its contradictions and economic consequences
Sanjaya Baru’s Secession of the Successful is a deep, refreshing analysis of the consequences of the unprecedented Indian migration of the last seventy-five years since Independence.
India’s diaspora is in the midst of profound change, says Sanjaya Baru, who has analysed all the frustrating contradictions in his recent interesting book titled “Secession of the Successful”, published by Penguin.
Sanjaya Baru visualises four phases of Indian emigration and the impact on India, and even the world.
The information technology revolution in the United States needed skilled labour, and hence it reached out to India for construction and the services economy. The US thus opened its doors to Indian labour. There is therefore a worldwide demographic transition from India, because for developed economies, it is imperative to import Indian skilled professionals and workers.
India’s population abroad is, however thus growing, and Indian citizens are willing to emigrate in search of a better life. But that has implications for India too.
While the growing economic acceptability of Indians pushes overseas migration, the dollar remittances lead to the consequent foreign exchange reserves growing, enabling the Indian economy to bloom, especially through outsourcing for technology transfer to India from developed economies. Thus, “Secession of the Successful”, i.e., flight out of India, actually helps us, given the poor economic focus of the present Governments at the Centre and States of India in their policies on technology.
About book
Title: Secession of the Successful
Author: Sanjaya Baru
MRP: Rs 799
Page Extent: 320
Publisher: Penguin