Impact of Diaspora Dr.Amrapali Merchant

Professor & Head(Rtd.)Dept.of Sociology

Sardar Patel Uni. &Former Vice Chancellor,

Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar Open Uni.

Gujarat

Migration is a phenomenon discussed more often in the age of globalisation. Undeniably, the latter brought the economical, social, political shrinkage from different parts of the world due to new technology to communicate and

ease to travel

Migration

Diaspora: any population sharing common ethnic identity who were either forced to leave or voluntarily left their settled territory, and became residents in areas often far removed from the former.

The term “diaspora” refers to the movement, migration, or away from an established or ancestral homeland (Cohen, 1997)

Meaning of Diaspora

1991, William Safran set out six rules to distinguish diasporas from migrant communities. These included criteria that the group maintains a myth or collective memory of their homeland; they regard their ancestral homeland as their true home, to which they will eventually return; being committed to the restoration or maintenance of that homeland; and they relate "personally " to the homeland to a point where it shapes their identity

1991, William Safran

Not a new term, first cited in 1916 by American writer Randolph Bourne in his paper “Trans-National America” describing what today we would call “multiculturalism”

In the context of migration term was first used in 1990s

Indian diaspora

The largest Asian diaspora outside of Southeast Asia is the Indian diaspora. The overseas Indian community, estimated at over 25 million, is spread across many regions in the world, on every continent. It constitutes a diverse, heterogeneous and eclectic global community representing different regions, languages, cultures, and faiths

Indian diaspora

Persons of Indian Origin, or PIOs Non Resident Indian dual-citizenship **********

Indian diaspora—

Previously **Brain Drain Brain drain and loss of human capital Cost and time of training human power Impacts on family life cycle and children

Indian diaspora—Changing Perceptions

Now IMPORTANT+Useful for country Used as Pressure Group Helpful to Nation Given Facilities

diaspora—Changing Perceptions

Immigrant communities do not de-link themselves from their home country; instead, they keep and nourish their linkages to their place of origin (Itizigsohn et al, 1999).

Lets gather some examples from our local environment.

do not de-link

Many social scientists agree that “transnationalism broadly refers to multiple ties and interactions linking people or institutions across the borders of nation states”

multiple ties

It must show sustained cross-border relationships, exchange, affiliations (kin and social), loyalties-- social formations spanning nation-states-- non-government actors such as aid providers

cross-border relationships,

Transnationalism, as defined by Basch et al (1994) is “a process by which migrants, through their daily life activities create social fields that cross national boundaries”

Indian diaspora

Two are intertwined Globalization aids the intensification of world-wide social relations which link distant localities in such a way that local happenings are shaped by events occurring many miles away and vice versa

Transfer of cultural practices

Indian diaspora

Sometimes transnational populations are diasporic– exile or opposition groups

Dual citizenship/nationality– marked global upward trend in claims through naturalization, marriage and birth, widespread government policy shifts

Indian diaspora

Transnationalism is linked to Globalization forces…

New technology connecting long distance networks with increasing speed and efficiency (Vertovec, 1999)

Broadband Internet, Instant Messaging, Email, Skype, Low cost Air Travel (aspects of globalization)

New technology

Anthropologists focused initially on Economics e.g. flows of commodities, services and money…more attention now on

cultural mobility, identities and transnational spaces

flows

Five categories of Households◦ Migrant Absent ◦ Return Migrant ◦ Immigrant ◦ Both Migrant Absent & Return Migrant◦ Non-migrant

categories of Households

Migration theory has transitioned away from push-pull factors and impacts of migration on both source and destination areas (Saravia & Miranda, 2004, Hart, 2004)

push-pull factors

Diasporas in the US are politically active; both

groups vote and offer candidates in local and national elections, and back active ethnic lobbies.

Indian diaspora

Remittances for investment in various sectors

Most remittance for consumption Poverty alleviation: remittance source of income

Skill & Technology Transfer by returnees & emigrants

Cross-cultural experiences by returnees & emigrants

Improved social life

Positive Impact

Housing and Urban growth and development

They bring Valuable things Impact is different on Youth, Men & Women the economic impact of the diaspora on their home countries or countries of origin.

Positive Impact

Transnational linkages and the Indian diaspora◦ Sustained linkages across borders

Taking their own decisions- Freedom to live their own life No hurdles for PHYSICAL WORK------Social fabric-----

Positive Impact

Life as per WISH & WILL One can SHAPE the Life according to WISH Less money here

Positive Impact

Wish to FLY Will to Do Better Wants To EARN Ready for SRUGGLE READY for Any Work Courage Ready to Face Challenges

Impact on Youth

Wants to Prove themselves They are Ready to take Experiences They are not afraid They are in Search of some Link No Caste Bar OR Class Bar

Indian diaspora

Most of the current emigrants from the region are students seeking higher education; consequently, they are more likely to take advantage of technology to maintain ties to each other and to their home countries than prior generations of emigrants.

Indian diaspora

Diaspora groups mobilize in several distinct

ways; by sending remittances, Supporting Caste groups, and disseminating information. Diaspora groups affect the domestic and foreign policies of both host and sending country.

Indian diaspora

Uncle McDonald

India

500 students of all the disciplines 1About 74% students are thinking about

Going ABROAD About 48% have decided to go. Studying in Professional Courses are more

INTERESTED in going About 32% students have set up link with

Either Friend Or relative in abroad

Study of Youth

42% students are learning ENGLISH 32% students are preparing for ILETS OR TOFELL About 40% students have met AGENTs at least ONCE

Study of Youth

WHAT THEY WANT They want To achieve Something in Life

They want to EARN Money They are UNABLE to find BRIGHT FUTURE In India. They want Better in their Life.

ULITIMATE

University and Govt. in Collaboration

Should GUIDE them and Have to provide HELP Because THEY will be Grand Ambassador’s Of GUJARAT & INDIA

How We can Help

They are Full of Energy They are Full of Enthusiasm THEY ARE THE DREAMERS

They need GUIDENCE & HELP

YOUTH

Thank you