The Punjabi Diaspora in the UK: An Overview of Characteristics and Contributions to India

44 Pages Posted: 24 Nov 2012

See all articles by Rupa Chanda

Rupa Chanda

Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore

Sriparna Ghosh

University of Cincinnati Blue Ash

Date Written: October 31, 2012

Abstract

The recognition of diaspora contributions towards their home country through remittances, investments and networks has facilitated a shift in attitude and thinking regarding migration, from brain drain to “brain bank”, “brain gain”, “brain trust” and “brain circulation”. This shift in thinking is also evident in India in recognition of the manifold contributions being made by the Indian diaspora to the home country. This paper examines the historical and socio-economic characteristics of one important Indian diaspora community, the Punjabis in the UK and discusses the latter’s contributions to India and to its home state of Punjab. The evidence reveals that the NRI Punjabi diaspora in the UK is quite old, dating back to the colonial period. It is a heterogeneous community, divided by castes and sub-castes which influence the institutions through which its subgroups engage with the homeland. The secondary and primary evidence collected for this study indicate a wide variety of contributions - economic, social, philanthropic, cultural and political. Some of the main sectors of contribution are health, education and rural infrastructure. However, the evidence also reveals that there is much greater potential for diaspora engagement and that large scale investments by the diaspora are deterred by corruption, an inefficient bureaucracy, lack of streamlined procedures and lack of supportive diaspora policies at the state and central levels. The study thus concludes that greater thrust is needed, especially at the state level to facilitate the Punjabi diaspora’s engagement with India and with its home regions and state.

Keywords: Punjab, diaspora, UK, remittances, investment, philanthropy, NRI, networks

Suggested Citation

Chanda, Rupa and Ghosh, Sriparna, The Punjabi Diaspora in the UK: An Overview of Characteristics and Contributions to India (October 31, 2012). IIM Bangalore Research Paper No. 380, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2179734 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2179734

Rupa Chanda (Contact Author)

Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore ( email )

Bannerghatta Road
Bangalore, Karnataka
India

Sriparna Ghosh

University of Cincinnati Blue Ash ( email )

9555 Plainfield Rd
Blue Ash, OH 45236
United States
6073720843 (Phone)
85706 (Fax)

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