As we watch and comment on the developments around us as a media hub, we cannot but notice how non-profit South Asian community organizations have failed to raise debate and action about what is happening around the world. With exceptions of course, non-profits have done little more than organize vigils and raise some money, often with the clear end goal of promoting their own profile. They seem blind to the fact that what is happening in various business, social and political arenas around the world — on the battle grounds, in conferences, inside corporate board rooms, in legislatures and on the streets — will fundamentally change what South Asia and South Asians will mean to the entire world. The impact on all of us who are in this loop will be serious — regardless of whether it is immediate or slow and sustained.

Grabbing public relations opportunities in the mainstream media during good times, when members of the community are hot properties creating paper money, is easy. But when there are serious challenges to the integrity and honor of the community, there are few who have come to the fore to take a stand and become opinion makers. Now is the time when the community needs to be projected to the rest of the world in the best possible way. It’s not about taking sides, or raising controversy. It’s about sparking debate and making compelling voices heard.

Unfortunately though, a large majority of these organizations have become merely event organizing bodies, riddled with petty politics and personality clashes. There is a sheer lack of thought leadership, and what is sadder is that the economic downturn, particularly the dot-com bust and the tech slowdown has exposed the shaky foundation on which some of these organizations have grown. Hopefully, recent events will provide an opportunity to steer the organizations into more valuable directions. But for now, actions remain afflicted by tunnel vision, with very little connection to the fast changing reality of the world around us. It is difficult to imagine how these organizations will continue to exist when the entire capitalist system on which they are based is under attack, by those who hate it from their guts.

We at siliconindia regularly receive requests for endorsement of new regional or professional organizations that are nothing but more of what we already have by the dozens — Indian [name of region or profession] Association/Federation/Organization. Friends, we tell them humbly, this is a time to consolidate, and not further splinter.

If Sept. 11 wasn’t enough of a wake-up call, then it’s hard to say what could be a better (or worse) one.

In this issue of siliconindia, we bring to you a sobering yet robust view of the world, as we face it today, particularly the U.S. – South Asian corridor. There is a reverberating nervousness and a wait-and-watch sentiment in the air – something that we hope will dissipate as the situation stabilizes. As always, we look forward to your feedback.

Yogesh Sharma
Editor
Write to:yogesh@corp.siliconindia.com