Blue Card for European Union

European Union is envisaging a blue card for attracting highly skilled workers to any of the member countries. This card will allow free movement across several nations in the bloc and a reserve pool of professionals who take up the advance challenges posed by a globalized world. Mainstream media in Asia, especially in India argues that free movement of workers across borders is inevitable as well as recommended in developed economies. But how is one going to address the problem of “brain drain”in India? If the doctors, engineers and IT professionals are serving the developed countries, ignoring the developmental imperative posed by one's own country, how does this help India in the long run?

Of course, foreign currency has given our country a big boost in its economic advancement in the recent years. Stock market indices are increasingly sensitive to Foreign Institutional Investments. NRI money has bolstered up the economic status and well-being of people in several regions of India. But what is it that actually tempts a person to immigrate and serve a different country when his native country itself demands a great deal from him/her?

It's one thing if one goes to a different country to pursue higher studies. That would be purely on the basis of academic interests. Of course, while working too, one is likely to look for better career opportunities. But how is a third world going to adapt to the new situation? Will it be satisfied with the foreign currency that trickles down to NRI families back home or to other kinds of investments in the native land? Or with the high rate of migration of highly skilled workers to other developed countries will the sourcing country face a “brain drain” in its intellectual arena? This question pertains to India particularly where the demand for skilled manpower is increasing day by day.