UPSC Mains 2017 GS2 Q20 — Indian Diaspora
Indian diaspora has an important role to play in South-East Asian countries' economy and society. Appraise the role of Indian diaspora in South-East Asia in this context. (Answer in 250 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- Appraise
- Scope keywords
- Indian diasporaSouth-East Asian countrieseconomysocietyrole
- Implicit sub-parts
- Historical evolution and demographic diversity of the diaspora (Old vs. New migration).
- Economic contributions specifically through trade, investments, and professional services.
- Sociocultural influence including soft power, institutional roles, and religious integration.
- Challenges or limitations faced by the diaspora in shaping regional policy.
- Strategic link between the diaspora and India's 'Act East' policy.
- Common pitfalls
- Focusing too heavily on West-based diaspora (USA/UK/Canada) and ignoring the specific manual labor vs. professional split in SEA.
- Neglecting the distinction between PIOs (Persons of Indian Origin) who are integrated citizens and NRIs.
- Failing to name specific countries like Singapore, Malaysia, or Thailand, leading to a vague regional generalization.
- Ignoring the 'Historical' dimension such as the Chola influence or the Girmitiya history which underpins current societal roles.
- Dimensions required
- EconomicSocio-culturalHistoricalGeopolitical/StrategicInstitutional/Political Participation
- Marks allocation hint
Allocate roughly 40-50 words to the introduction and historical context. Dedicate 80 words each to the 'Economy' and 'Society' segments as explicitly requested. Use the remaining 40 words for a forward-looking conclusion that links the diaspora to India's strategic 'Act East' objectives.
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