A Home away from Home: ‘Cultural Capital’ of the Indian Diaspora in Germany

Keywords

Migration, diaspora diplomacy, global assemblage, South Asia, Europe

Countries

Germany

Summary

Globalization has increased mobility among international communities. Highly mobile and widely networked communities remain an asset worldwide. The Indian diaspora offers perfect example of promoting democracy, multi cultural dynamism through cultural commitments and political success. The diaspora is the largest in the world, followed by Mexico and Russia contributing to over 16 million people living outside of their country in 2015. They have increased the visibility of the Indian culture, maintained their national identities, promoted knowledge, integrated with international communities and established
democratic values worldwide. They have been looked upon for their professional skills, education, their adaptability and maintaining roots with their motherland.

This collaborative project aims to enhance this visibility and serve as an example of how globalization benefits transcultural integration fostering cooperation and strengthening nations. This is achieved
by examining the role of Indian associations in Germany, their practice of ‘Indianness’, integration and maintaining transnationalties. The Project will interview the Indian associations through internet-based
questionnaires and in-depth interviews to understand their motivations, functioning and activities. The research aims for a better understanding of the Indian associations in Germany to strengthen the networks between the governments. This will offer important insights to build on this cultural resource and to facilitate Indo-German relations.

Methodology

1. Phone interviews and open-ended interviews with Indian Associations in Germany with 125 Indian associations in Germany.
2. Online survey of about 100 Indian Associations in Germany.

Main Cooperation Partners

• South Asia Institution, University of Heidelberg
• Department of Geography, University of Köln

Further information

Slideshow of the report <link file:5826 download internal link in current>» Download

Publications

Completion report of the project <link file:5825 download internal link in current>» Download
Poster <link file:5824 download internal link in current>» Download

Duration of the Project

Jan 2017 – Dec 2017