NEW DELHI: In a survey of Global Indians, commissioned by BBC World, 57 per cent respondents feel India will overtake China in the next 10 years to be the next Asian superpower, while 55 per cent believe India can win a bid to hold the Olympics in the next 10 years. Another 60 per cent of the respondents believe that the poor in India will benefit from economic growth in the future.

The survey, undertaken by AC Nielsen for BBC World looks at understanding Global Indians and their move towards internationalism.

The BBC World survey targeted a universe of eight million people and the results uncovered four Global Indian sub-groups. The most influential sub-group is the Globizen - individuals with both strong international attitudes and behaviours.

The survey, unveiled yesterday in Delhi, looked at their media consumption, product and brand ownership, cultural uniqueness, international interests and what they believe are the biggest global issues.

The results showed that 35 per cent of Globizens live in Mumbai, 20 per cent in Hyderabad, 16 per cent New Delhi, nine per cent in Chennai, eight per cent in Kolkata and eight per cent in Bangalore.

Commenting on the new survey, BBC World head of research and planning Jeremy Nye said, “India is today the world's most vibrant debating chamber. It has the most exciting and open news media, and a growing passion for international news. We believe that these unique characteristics make Global Indians of value not only to those in India, who are living through the change, but also to international decision-makers looking to understand it.”

The survey findings also revealed the following:

Globizens are positive about India with 66 per cent believing India can cope with domestic crises without receiving foreign aid and 71 per cent saying India is the best place to work in.
Globizens are cosmopolitan as 67 per cent said that they could live anywhere in the world, while 55 per cent believe they have more in common with people in the West. More than half the respondents, 53 per cent, feel that life in the big cities in India is comparable to other big cities around the world.
Globizens are environmentally conscious as 77 per cent are concerned about pollution and global warming and 74 per cent prefer environmentally safe products even if they cost more.
Globizens are keen users of international media as 92 per cent are followers of international news, and 90 per cent believe that to benchmark themselves professionally or personally, they need to look at the best in the world. BBC World reaches 42 per cent of Globizens each week and has the highest affinity among top 10 channels. 59 per cent of Globizens use the Internet.
The majority of Globizens are users of international products with 73 per cent agreeing that availability of international products has given consumers a better choice.

Globizens acknowledge that economic progress is their key goal for India to develop into a superpower, and rank education, population control and information technology as the most important contributing factors.

Interestingly, the Globizens also believe that India’s hard-working people are its most important assets, followed by natural resources and a vast base of intelligent people.

According to BBC World head of advertising sales India Seema Mohapatra adds, “This first of its kind survey will enable a better understanding of this new global citizen with a progressive mindset, international outlook and key influencers in their own right.”

Mohapatra feels the survey will be an important tool for advertisers and international marketers interested in targeting India’s most internationally minded adults, resulting in better targeting and focused media usage.

As the third part of surveying Global Indians, BBC World-AC Nielsen combine will interview people in big hotels of India.