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MAPPING OF INDIAN DIASPORA
> Formation of Contemporary Indian Diaspora (1975 - now)
A distinct feature of the contemporary migration of Indians to foreign countries is that it is directly linked to three important economic phenomenons such as
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Oil Boom in gulf countries
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Expansion of Information Technology business,
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Libralisation of Indian economy for investment, education and travel.
I. Gulf Migration
The oil boom in Gulf countries began in the early 1970s created an explosion in the global labour market. The unprecedented developmental activities took place in the oil rich countries of the West Asia called for large-scale recruitment of migrant labourers.
Countries ranging from Iraq, Iran, Yemen and GCC countries (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Sultanate of Oman and United Arab Emirates) started recruiting large number of skilled, semi skilled and unskilled labourers and a range of professionals to build the cities and to develop the infrastructure for the developing oil economies.
The general pattern of the migration to Gulf countries is that when most of the top positions in the economy in almost all sectors went to the migrant professionals from the western nations, remaining jobs had to be shared by migrants from rest of the world, mainly from South and South East Asia, Egypt, Sudan, Palestine, Lebanon and Syria. Excepting Iraq and Iran where educated professionals for the top positions were available locally rest of the nations in west Asia followed this pattern. Even within this non-white employment sector, most of the unskilled or semi skilled jobs were reserved for migrants from South and South East Asia.
By late 1980s nearly 80 % of the total migrant population in GCC countries, which was substantially higher than the native Arab population, were the migrant labourers from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia.
According to the Report of the High Level Committee on the Indian Diaspora by Ministry of External affairs in 2003, there are nearly three millions migrant labourers working and living in these six GCC countries. Nearly 70% of this migrant community hails from south Indian state of Kerala. Nearly 70% of the migrants in GCC are semi skilled or unskilled labourers.
After three and half decades of labour export the state of Kerala continues to be the leader in this trade.
II. South East Asia
The contemporary migration of Indians to countries in south East Asia has slowed down considerably when compared to preceding decades of 20th century.
Though the Indians are still migrating to countries such as Malaysia and Singapore both legally and illegally, their numbers have came down considerably in the recent past, owing to the strict immigration rules and antipathy shown by the old Indian migrants against the new arrivals.
The bulk of the migrants went to these countries are professionals mainly from IT, health sector and academics.
III. North America
Indians today form the most significant ethnic communities in United States of America and Canada. Majority of the migrants are professionals from IT, health and other service sectors. Large share of the H1B visas issued to Indians went to migrants from south Indian states of New Delhi, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamilnadu. An important feature of these IT migrants is that unlike their predecessors, these young men and women invested back in Indian cities.
The cultural impacts of the migration of IT professionals can be found in expansion of Hindi films, emergence of suburbs in major Indian cities and the uncritical acceptance of western culture among the Indian middle classes.
IV. Australia
The migration of students, professionals and business persons from India to Australia has grown substantially high during the recent years.
Since late 1980s when Australia liberalized their visa regime mainly to attract the cash rich Indian students, a substantial number of students migrated to Australian Universities.
Among the professionals Engineers, Health and IT service professionals are the most sought after in Australia. As an emerging community in Australia and New Zealand, Indians forms a significant part of population in these two countries.
V. Europe
The Indian migration to Europe during contemporary periods is mainly from former British colonies such as Uganda, Zimbabwe, Hong Kong and Singapore. The direct migration from India constitutes mainly students, health and engineering professionals.
VI. Africa
Countries such as Libya, Botswana, and Kenya are the largest recruiters of Indians mainly as teachers. This migration is much lower than what took place during 20th century.
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