India's move to allow millions of NRIs to exercise their voting rights has evoked mixed reaction from the community, with some of them describing it as a step in the right direction which will help them better connect to the country, while others calling it an incomplete measure.
Welcoming the recent issuance of a notification by the Indian government which for the first time allows the expatriates to vote, leading NRI industrialist Lord Swraj Paul here said that "it is a step in the right direction."
Though "I am not personally affected, I am glad that government has taken such a welcome move. It will help Indian passport holders to have better integration with people in India," he said.
D L Kalhan, President of the Indian overseas congress in the UK who had campaigned for the measure, said the voting rights for NRIs was long overdue.
"I am happy that Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Law Minister Veerappa Moily have fulfilled their promises. It will help a vast number of NRIs to actively participate in Indian elections," he said.
Thomas Abraham, founder President and Chairman Emeritus of the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) in the US, welcomed the Indian government's move.
"GOPIO has been campaigning on this issue for the last 21 years
However, this is not enough. It would be very difficult for 11 million NRIs who are Indian citizens to travel to India during election time to exercise their vote.
"Postal ballots or with the new technology, NRIs should be provided the opportunity to vote online. Alternately, there should be a few constituencies for NRIs in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies,"
he said.
NRIs in the gulf also gave a mixed response to the Indian government's announcement of voting rights for them.
Sudesh Aggarwal, Chairman of India Trade and Exhibition Centre (ITEC), said "this will not make any major difference. I think this is just a game political parties are playing."
"The reason is you have to be physically present in the country to vote. What is the big deal about that? — If they want to help NRIs, they should reserve four seats for NRIs and let NRIs vote for NRIs worldover.
"Since population decides the number of seats, that criteria should be implemented here as well. If Anglo-Indians can have two parliament seats, why cant NRIs be accommodated by extending the number of seats in the Parliament," he said.
Sandeep Tirthwani, business educator at free enterprises said it is really exciting to learn that NRIs would be able to exercise their voting rights.
"NRIs are mostly peer class with high level of education and understanding. Having an additional 11 million people to vote would lead to better candidates selected to lead the country. It would give NRIs opportunity to do something for the country. It would also help the NRI community connect to India emotionally and ultimately motivate them to return to India."