sooner or later, the diasporic community will have to play a more genuine role in india as well to fully claim their identity

Yes, if they want to. Basically we are living in a globalized world where we can play a more genuine role almost anywhere we choose. India being one of those options to choose from.

(1) sooner or later, the diasporic community will have to play a more genuine role in india as well to fully claim their identity. it is more an opportunity than an obligation—just as expats from most countries thrive on experiences from two countries, so can we. there is a lot to learn and admire in all the cultures we get exposed to, whether the culture is here or from some part of india.

(2) the diaspora is now less rooted exclusively in the US because of the number of first gen immigrants.

regarding the first point. so far, the diaspora has interfaced with the english speaking crowd in india—in my mind, this is a byproduct of the colonial times when the “others” didn’t matter. today, circumstances are different. most politicians, and most ppl who matter in the byzantine power corridors of india are not the privileged western educated type. the situation is here to stay—the next wave of the diaspora also includes people who are less capable of being completely here or there.

regarding the second point. we seem to have a uniquely south asian tendency to “micro-stratify” based on every little difference in language/food/clothes—including here on sepiamutiny where we try to split 1/1.5/2+ generation desis. while there are differences for sure, why is it we never learn to work together? it isn’t that hard—but part of the bargain is that one accepts and makes concessions to everyone. not everyone has to be identical to work together—it isn’t even a good idea to be identical.

we have to be inclusive of every kind of immigrant. it is not very easy to say nowadays that the diaspora is not comfortable in indian languages, or that first generation immigrants are not welcome, or anything like that.

It’s really with some segments of the Indian diaspora in the US that I have a hard time with because of their obsession and hang up with trying to “remain Indian” and trying to recreate this imagined India while living here in the US. Even their own imagined India is exactly that–imagined. People get shocked when they go to big urban centers in India and realize that changes happen there too, people are transgressing lines that were once unthinkable, and so on. This anxious desire amongst some Indian Americans probably stems from the fact that we’re minorities in the ethnic background sense.

OK. I’m elsewhere in Western Europe and we mostly don’t have what you describe above either, but there are very very few Indians here compared to the UK or the USA. I asked because I was curious to know what the situation was like elsewhere in Europe and because I’m interested in desi diaspora outside of USA/UK. Anyway, so you don’t live in Italy anymore? I was wondering how you were coping with the increasing anti-immigrant measures from the Italian government (ban on foreign foods in Lucca and Milano come to mind).

Like who cares. go desi. dont go desi. that’s up to you George.

All that work for what reward?…….

….Later that night Pati-devata said:

Bibi idar aou. Sari uthaou, ek-do-teen, bas, so jaou.

Enough said.

(no reward, did I have to spell it out?) Kyonki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.

Your ABD generation may not know what I’m talking about, but your moms do.