Arin Basu edited summary.tex  almost 9 years ago

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\textit{Abstract}   We argue in this paper that as a "soft power" in the world, India is also responsible to ensure the health of the citizens. Two significant phenomena since mid-1990s in India helped to establish India's emergent role as a soft power in the world. First, Indian entrepreneurs established "business process outsourcing centres" (BPO) that served as back offices to the developed countries; second, due to the Y2K crisis, migration of Indians to overseas increased. Both contributed to India's economic growth and establishment of India as a "soft power". In both the call centres and settlement in offices abroad, technologically articulate young Indians came in contact with clients and experienced  life stresses in the developed countries. These in turn led to personal, social and public health related challenges for Indians everywhere. We present the findings from a survey conducted in Bengaluru, India and highlight health issues related to stress and work associated with BPO. We also draw a parallel with a survey  of health effects observed among Indians and compared with other immigrants  in Auckland DHB region in NZ. New Zealand.  In the light of these findings, we discuss the broader question how should India address health issues to create a better environment for its own citizen while citizens even as  it realises its aspiration as a global  soft power.