Is Videshi-desis love affair with Modi merely for entertainment?

This piece is about the Indians abroad whom we have seen so much of in the last 16 months. The ones who mob the Prime Minister, one of the most brilliant politicians of our time and one who has a following among desis abroad as no other leader before him.

On every visit he has been to outside India since becoming Prime Minister, he has been drowned in Indians. In China, in the United States (where he may have embarrassed the more literate and aware desis by using a corny Star Wars reference — “may the force be with you” — as some sort of exhortation or blessing), in the Gulf and elsewhere.

This mobbing of Narendra Modi is referred to in our media, in glowing terms, as a rock star’s welcome. What does that mean? A rock star’s following comes essentially from his charisma. It does not come from their humanity or their higher qualities, but a fake heroism which is a creation of their public image. It is a cosmetic and superficial love. It is not a thing to be desired in serious statesmen.

We are not discussing here the object of the adulation but it is true that certain types of mannerism in speech and action by the leader produce this sort of primal response. We cannot imagine Gandhi getting a rock star’s response because he did not solicit it. It is also a fleeting and impermanent sentiment, and rock stars and filmstars have limited shelf life, for now let us leave it at that. The subject is the Indian who craves association with Mr Modi and let us look at why he does so.

First and most important, Indians are more nationalistic than most other nations. We are quickly moved to tears by songs of the motherland. Indians settled for generations in the West still identify with India and will show up at sporting events to support the mother country even when playing against the host, their real home.

The second aspect is a sense of guilt. For instance, in doctors and engineers, who have been educated on subsidised fees in India, but then have chosen to make money abroad. It is only natural for them to have done so but the sense of guilt remains for many. Attending an event like Mr Modi’s functions, where nationalism is in full cry, gives them the satisfaction that they are supporting India and assuages the hidden sentiment that they have in some sense abandoned it.

The third motivator for attending comes from a sense of inferiority. The sense of unity and purpose in that mob makes them feel more important than their lives actually are. Attending a large function of fellow Indian expatriates gives them a sense of belonging. Many are unable to integrate fully into the host society. Especially on the cultural side.

This is true also of other communities, and a high-energy gathering like Mr Modi’s is a natural place for them to gravitate towards. The question to ask is what does this energy result in? The answer is: not much. Like a rock star’s exit when the concert is over, the gathering has lost its meaning and its unity. For all of the tamasha about these meetings of Mr Modi and the videshi desis, the reality is that they are just entertainment.

confuzzled dude wrote:

This piece is about the Indians abroad whom we have seen so much of in the last 16 months. The ones who mob the Prime Minister, one of the most brilliant politicians of our time and one who has a following among desis abroad as no other leader before him.

On every visit he has been to outside India since becoming Prime Minister, he has been drowned in Indians. In China, in the United States (where he may have embarrassed the more literate and aware desis by using a corny Star Wars reference — “may the force be with you” — as some sort of exhortation or blessing), in the Gulf and elsewhere.

This mobbing of Narendra Modi is referred to in our media, in glowing terms, as a rock star’s welcome. What does that mean? A rock star’s following comes essentially from his charisma. It does not come from their humanity or their higher qualities, but a fake heroism which is a creation of their public image. It is a cosmetic and superficial love. It is not a thing to be desired in serious statesmen.

We are not discussing here the object of the adulation but it is true that certain types of mannerism in speech and action by the leader produce this sort of primal response. We cannot imagine Gandhi getting a rock star’s response because he did not solicit it. It is also a fleeting and impermanent sentiment, and rock stars and filmstars have limited shelf life, for now let us leave it at that. The subject is the Indian who craves association with Mr Modi and let us look at why he does so.

First and most important, Indians are more nationalistic than most other nations. We are quickly moved to tears by songs of the motherland. Indians settled for generations in the West still identify with India and will show up at sporting events to support the mother country even when playing against the host, their real home.

The second aspect is a sense of guilt. For instance, in doctors and engineers, who have been educated on subsidised fees in India, but then have chosen to make money abroad. It is only natural for them to have done so but the sense of guilt remains for many. Attending an event like Mr Modi’s functions, where nationalism is in full cry, gives them the satisfaction that they are supporting India and assuages the hidden sentiment that they have in some sense abandoned it.

The third motivator for attending comes from a sense of inferiority. The sense of unity and purpose in that mob makes them feel more important than their lives actually are. Attending a large function of fellow Indian expatriates gives them a sense of belonging. Many are unable to integrate fully into the host society. Especially on the cultural side.

This is true also of other communities, and a high-energy gathering like Mr Modi’s is a natural place for them to gravitate towards. The question to ask is what does this energy result in? The answer is: not much. Like a rock star’s exit when the concert is over, the gathering has lost its meaning and its unity. For all of the tamasha about these meetings of Mr Modi and the videshi desis, the reality is that they are just entertainment.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/151004/commentary-op-ed/article/why-videshi-desis-cheer-modi

southindian wrote:

confuzzled dude wrote:

This piece is about the Indians abroad whom we have seen so much of in the last 16 months. The ones who mob the Prime Minister, one of the most brilliant politicians of our time and one who has a following among desis abroad as no other leader before him.

On every visit he has been to outside India since becoming Prime Minister, he has been drowned in Indians. In China, in the United States (where he may have embarrassed the more literate and aware desis by using a corny Star Wars reference — “may the force be with you” — as some sort of exhortation or blessing), in the Gulf and elsewhere.

This mobbing of Narendra Modi is referred to in our media, in glowing terms, as a rock star’s welcome. What does that mean? A rock star’s following comes essentially from his charisma. It does not come from their humanity or their higher qualities, but a fake heroism which is a creation of their public image. It is a cosmetic and superficial love. It is not a thing to be desired in serious statesmen.

We are not discussing here the object of the adulation but it is true that certain types of mannerism in speech and action by the leader produce this sort of primal response. We cannot imagine Gandhi getting a rock star’s response because he did not solicit it. It is also a fleeting and impermanent sentiment, and rock stars and filmstars have limited shelf life, for now let us leave it at that. The subject is the Indian who craves association with Mr Modi and let us look at why he does so.

First and most important, Indians are more nationalistic than most other nations. We are quickly moved to tears by songs of the motherland. Indians settled for generations in the West still identify with India and will show up at sporting events to support the mother country even when playing against the host, their real home.

The second aspect is a sense of guilt. For instance, in doctors and engineers, who have been educated on subsidised fees in India, but then have chosen to make money abroad. It is only natural for them to have done so but the sense of guilt remains for many. Attending an event like Mr Modi’s functions, where nationalism is in full cry, gives them the satisfaction that they are supporting India and assuages the hidden sentiment that they have in some sense abandoned it.

The third motivator for attending comes from a sense of inferiority. The sense of unity and purpose in that mob makes them feel more important than their lives actually are. Attending a large function of fellow Indian expatriates gives them a sense of belonging. Many are unable to integrate fully into the host society. Especially on the cultural side.

This is true also of other communities, and a high-energy gathering like Mr Modi’s is a natural place for them to gravitate towards. The question to ask is what does this energy result in? The answer is: not much. Like a rock star’s exit when the concert is over, the gathering has lost its meaning and its unity. For all of the tamasha about these meetings of Mr Modi and the videshi desis, the reality is that they are just entertainment.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/151004/commentary-op-ed/article/why-videshi-desis-cheer-modi

Nope!

confuzzled dude wrote:This piece is about the Indians abroad whom we have seen so much of in the last 16 months. The ones who mob the Prime Minister, one of the most brilliant politicians of our time and one who has a following among desis abroad as no other leader before him.

On every visit he has been to outside India since becoming Prime Minister, he has been drowned in Indians. In China, in the United States (where he may have embarrassed the more literate and aware desis by using a corny Star Wars reference — “may the force be with you” — as some sort of exhortation or blessing), in the Gulf and elsewhere.

bw wrote:

confuzzled dude wrote:This piece is about the Indians abroad whom we have seen so much of in the last 16 months. The ones who mob the Prime Minister, one of the most brilliant politicians of our time and one who has a following among desis abroad as no other leader before him.

On every visit he has been to outside India since becoming Prime Minister, he has been drowned in Indians. In China, in the United States (where he may have embarrassed the more literate and aware desis by using a corny Star Wars reference — “may the force be with you” — as some sort of exhortation or blessing), in the Gulf and elsewhere.

haha@"may the force be with you"

is there a youtube clip of modi saying this?

Merlot Daruwala wrote:

southindian wrote:

confuzzled dude wrote:

This piece is about the Indians abroad whom we have seen so much of in the last 16 months. The ones who mob the Prime Minister, one of the most brilliant politicians of our time and one who has a following among desis abroad as no other leader before him.

On every visit he has been to outside India since becoming Prime Minister, he has been drowned in Indians. In China, in the United States (where he may have embarrassed the more literate and aware desis by using a corny Star Wars reference — “may the force be with you” — as some sort of exhortation or blessing), in the Gulf and elsewhere.

This mobbing of Narendra Modi is referred to in our media, in glowing terms, as a rock star’s welcome. What does that mean? A rock star’s following comes essentially from his charisma. It does not come from their humanity or their higher qualities, but a fake heroism which is a creation of their public image. It is a cosmetic and superficial love. It is not a thing to be desired in serious statesmen.

We are not discussing here the object of the adulation but it is true that certain types of mannerism in speech and action by the leader produce this sort of primal response. We cannot imagine Gandhi getting a rock star’s response because he did not solicit it. It is also a fleeting and impermanent sentiment, and rock stars and filmstars have limited shelf life, for now let us leave it at that. The subject is the Indian who craves association with Mr Modi and let us look at why he does so.

First and most important, Indians are more nationalistic than most other nations. We are quickly moved to tears by songs of the motherland. Indians settled for generations in the West still identify with India and will show up at sporting events to support the mother country even when playing against the host, their real home.

The second aspect is a sense of guilt. For instance, in doctors and engineers, who have been educated on subsidised fees in India, but then have chosen to make money abroad. It is only natural for them to have done so but the sense of guilt remains for many. Attending an event like Mr Modi’s functions, where nationalism is in full cry, gives them the satisfaction that they are supporting India and assuages the hidden sentiment that they have in some sense abandoned it.

The third motivator for attending comes from a sense of inferiority. The sense of unity and purpose in that mob makes them feel more important than their lives actually are. Attending a large function of fellow Indian expatriates gives them a sense of belonging. Many are unable to integrate fully into the host society. Especially on the cultural side.

This is true also of other communities, and a high-energy gathering like Mr Modi’s is a natural place for them to gravitate towards. The question to ask is what does this energy result in? The answer is: not much. Like a rock star’s exit when the concert is over, the gathering has lost its meaning and its unity. For all of the tamasha about these meetings of Mr Modi and the videshi desis, the reality is that they are just entertainment.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/151004/commentary-op-ed/article/why-videshi-desis-cheer-modi

Nope!

Haha..thank you for that very insightful and profound comment, Avivek.

Overseas based limpwristed sons of cows flock to those rockshows so they they can be part of a like-minded crowd. Everyone knows that classy NRIs turn all manly only when they are in a mob.

These rockshows give that marginalized, cowed-down bunch an opportunity to turn all manly and muscular (even as they chant Modi Modi like infatuated schoolgirls). The entertainment and tamasha are incidental. Of course, the manliness is temporary. After the jamboree they return meekly to their Patel Bros  or IT back office jobs and go about their sad lives, their heroism restricted to venomous posts on the internets.