Indian Diaspora: Histories and Present
Nidhi S. Bhalla
Singhania University
Dr. Sandhya Saxena
Vice-Principal, Jain Girls College, Bikaner
Download PDFAbstract
The NRI and PIO population across the world is estimated at over 30 million. As per a UNDP's 2010
report, after China, India has the largest diaspora in the world, estimated at 25 million, besides being
one of the largest "sending" nations in Asia, with an emigration rate of 0.8%. Out of which, 72% work
in other Asian countries. Also, as per UNESCO Institute for Statistics the number of Indian students
abroad tripled from 51,000 in 1999 to over 153,000 in 2007, making India second after China among the
world’s largest sending countries for tertiary students. Since 2003, the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (Nonresident India Day) sponsored by Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, is being celebrated on January 9
each year in India, to "mark the contribution of Overseas Indian community in the development of India".
The day commemorate the arrival of Mahatama Gandhi in India from South Africa, and during three-day
convention held around the day, a forum for issues concerning the Indian Diaspora is held and the
annual Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards are given away. As of January 2006, The Indian government
has introduced the "Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)" scheme to allow a limited form of dual
citizenship to Indians, NRIs and PIOs for the first time since independence in 1947. The PIO Card
scheme is expected to be phased out in coming years in favour of OCI.
Keywords: NRI; PIO; Indian diaspora
References
- Expatriate Indians in UAE not hit by global meltdown
- http://www.indianembassy.org/policy/PIO/Introduction_PIO.html
- "Health care fails to reach migrants". Hindustan Times. December 1, 2010. http://www.hindustantimes.com/Health-care-fails-to-reach-migrants/Article1- 632918.aspx.
- "Pravasi Bharatiya Divas". Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs . http://www.moia.gov.in/services.aspx?id1=25&id=m1&idp=25&mainid=23.
- http://www.indiacgny.org/php/showContent.php?linkid=174
- The History and Origin of the Roma
- Hancock, Ian. Ame Sam e Rromane Džene/We are the Romani people. p. 13. ISBN 1902806190.
- Tan Chung (1998). A Sino-Indian Perspective for India-China Understanding.
- The Indian Diaspora In Russia
- Kesavapany, K.; Mani, A; P. Ramasamy. Rising India and Indian Communities inEast Asia. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. pp. 234. ISBN 9812307990.