It was in the early 1990's that there was a huge brain drain in India with several Indians moving abroad for greener pastures. This left India rather knowledge depleted and perhaps this is also one of the reasons why the country has not managed to make any big strides as far as enhancing its intellectual capital is concerned. In fact after the dot com bubble burst in 2008' several NRI's were forced to return but it does seemed that what seemed like a forced decision then is raping major benefits. Circa 2015 and it is safe to say there is a reversal in this trend. Reverse brain drain has become a reality thanks to the Indian economy that is booming and the fact that there are many more opportunities not just for entrepreneurship but also employment. However this is still a trickle and much needs to be done to ensure talent can be wooed back to the home shores. India really needs top talent which has moved to developed countries for career opportunities.
So what is making NRI's return to India? Firstly India today is the fastest growing democracy in the world and with the population that has tremendous purchasing power and is driven by youngsters, the perception of the country is fast changing. A plethora of opportunities are opening up within the country and there are untapped markets and virgin sectors that are still waiting to be tapped. Again most NRI's are looking to leverage the knowledge and experience they have gained abroad to setup new ventures in their own country. With India have a burgeoning middle class that is now seeking out to more aspirational elements and the fact that India's GDP is the third largest in terms of purchasing power parity, the world of opportunities is certainly endless.
The Narendra Modi led Government in fact has taken concrete measures to woo back scientists who have left the country. This is being done under the aegis of the Ministry of Science and Technology who are in talks with several eminent sciences across the world. The PM has also explicitly stated that the Government has an agenda of 'reviving romance for science in India'. The Government is not just offering a conducive social environment but also fellowships and an opportunity to work in reputed organizations to ensure that these scientists return home. Another factor that is being seen aiding reverse brain drain is the fact that many immigrants are unable to break through the glass ceiling in their roles abroad. In a bid to protect the interests of its own citizens, several countries may not offer the pinnacle of growth either. Again, several second generation Indians are returning to India to reconnect with their roots and not miss out on its heritage. What really seems to be working in the country's favour is a combination of new opportunities; government impetus and somewhere an emotional connect with the country of birth. In all it is certainly safe to say that India is shining and even brighter with its talent returning home.
