Mother India ruft ihre Kinder. Bemerkungen zur Persons of Indian Origin Card besonders in Mauritius

Abstract "Understanding the sentiments of persons of Indian origin to be closer to their original country und to reinforce their emotional bonds, as well as respecting their desire to participate in the development of the country of their origin" the Government of India has launched a comprehensive Scheme for the Persons of Indian Origin which has been in force since April l51, 1999. Its relevance for persons of Indian origin living in Mauritius is exemplified by showing in a fictitious example that the fourth generation offspring of a man from "Auzimghar" who came on board the ship "Rustomjee Cowasjee" as indentured labourer to Mauritius on 14th October 1849 could indeed take advantage of the scheme not only for his own business connections but for his children's higher education as well. Considering that most of the Indian immigrants stem from the backward or scheduled caste milieu the question must however be raised whether their Mauritian grand- or great-grandchildren will really be eager to relate back to their roots. V.S. Naipaul. though a Brahmin by caste, has testified what it can mean to "come home" and be confronted with the harsh realities of still prevailing structures of economic impoverishment created by John Company Raj especially in eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, areas from where so many of the indentured labourers came - not to mention the ritual discrimination which has been abolished so far only on paper. Against this heritage of their past the new Indian middle class lifestyle in Mauritius stands in splendid contrast and it remains to be seen how many of Mother India's children will apply for a PIO Card.