As is documented, PIOs are found at the highest level of corporate, medical, media, IT, government and other public and private sector enterprises, globally. With the visibility of the NRIs or Non-Resident Indians (now increasingly known as PIOs) escalating, and considering their swelling contribution to, and interest in, their country of origin, the timing of the book is pertinent. The World Bank noted that among its list of developing nations, India, in 2004, recorded the highest remittances, with PIOs sending home some US$23 billion.

In his Foreword, Singapore’s President SR Nathan rightly introduces: “The Encyclopedia of the Indian Diaspora attempts to capture in a single volume the varied nature of the Indian diaspora with its cultural and linguistic diversity, a feature resulting from the many different locations where Indians have settled; the careers of professionals in which Indian have excelled; and the many other ways in which Indians have flourished in over 60 communities worldwide.”

General Editor, Professor Brij Lal of the Australian National University, says in his introduction: “Like other movements and displacements of people, the Indian diaspora grew out of many causes and several crossings. Due to its varied origins, divergent patterns of migration and settlement and different degrees of absorption or integration into the culture of their new homeland, the Indian diaspora defies easy categorisation. It is a complex confluence of many discreet cultures, languages and histories.”

He points out “India’s courting of the Indian diaspora has been encouraged, even promoted, by the emergence of global organisations based in western countries.” The editor further credits Indian writers of international distinction, the Internet and of course, the ubiquitous Bollywood for further narrowing the gap between India and its diaspora.

Prof. Lal sums up the rapidly growing, powerful and highly visible diaspora succinctly: “There are points of convergence and divergence which influence relationships among members of the diaspora. Certain things bring us together – food faith, fashion, art and music – and then it does not matter whether you have recently arrived from Surat or are a long-term resident of Surrey or Sydney. An overarching sense of shared culture forges bonds that transcend time and space. It is the common interest that matters. At other times, our Indianness takes second place to our local or national identities.”

He poses a query: “It is understandable why India has recently taken much interest in cultivating links with its diaspora. A more difficult question is why Indians who have never been to India continue to nurture links with the subcontinent. One purpose of this volume will have been served if it promoted a more nuanced understanding of the enormous diversity of the Indian diaspora.”

While there is a clear focus on the contemporary period, the first half of the book – The Context – deals with, and gives, an overview of the history of the first wave of early, and subsequent post-war, migrants and continues with the professional migration of the late-1960s and 1970s which was also known as the ‘Brain Drain’. The external factors – societal, political and administrative – which shaped the lives of the Indian migrants are highlighted. A chapter on the Life of the Diaspora sums up the influence of Indian languages, cuisine, festivals, fashions, sports and religion – and the Indianness it has persistently nurtured against all odds.

In the latter half – The Communities – the various countries are covered discussing the diversification of the Indian migrants, and the country-wise profiles of Indians settled abroad, from the first to the subsequent generations, and focusing on contemporary diaspora who have made a mark in practically every field.

The 416-page volume took two years to complete and over US$900,000 to produce. The volume impresses with its contributions from over 60 academics and experts in almost 20 countries – and the credibility of its well-reputed publisher, Editions Didier Millet. The encyclopedia will certainly be of interest to every Indian, person of Indian origin, or anyone interested in understand the Indian subcontinent and its people now living worldwide.

General Editor Brij V. Lal
Executive Editor Peter Reeves
Associate Editor Rajesh Rai
© Editions Didier Millet 2006
In association with National University of Singapore

Reviewed by Amita Sarwal
Photograph courtesy Editions Didier Millet, Singapore