Amongst the non-residents across the globe, Indians shine bright because of their inherent multi-professional and multi-technological expertise. This is coupled with the Indian cultural and traditional attitude towards result-oriented application to the job on hand. Therefore, the NRIs are the most respected and sought after resource for foreign entrepreneurs. As a corollary, they have become an affluent group which can influence the world economy.

The combined wealth of NRIs is estimated to be close to the current GDP of India of more than $300 billion! Tens of thousands of such Indians are now offering their professional and entrepreneurial skills to boost the economy of the country they serve. If such Indians sow some seeds of foreign remittances In the Wonderland of Investment, that India is, they are bound to reap a rich harvest which can be enjoyed by them and their family members at their chosen 'El Dorado'. It deals with the various investment avenues available for an individual and the related Indian tax implications.

This contains a large portion dealing with NRIs. As is wont with all dedicated professionals, their preoccupation. with work leaves very little time on hand for a heavy-duty exercise on their investible funds. A little objectivity will make them realise that they would be doing themselves, their families as well as their motherland a great favour if they use their reservoir of funds optimally to make it richer over the passage of time. It is a known fact that India, especially after its new liberated economy, provides the greenest pastures for them to graze on. Unfortunately, some prophets of doom and gloom have emerged advising the NRIs to adopt the policy of sitting on the fence, waiting and watching over the Indian scenario with indifference. Instead of brooding over imaginary negative features which have little relevance for the Indian economy, it would be prudent to inspect hard-core facts. Important amongst these opportunities are availability of cheap skilled and unskilled labour, abundance of untapped resources and most important, the sops offered by government in terms of subsidies and tax concessions, with repatriation facilities.

NRIs planning to return to their motherland in the foreseeable future for good, will do well to look at non-repatriable avenues, where the returns are significantly higher.