Final ( 7th April).pdf

7/28/2019 Final ( 7th April).pdf

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FIELD SURVEY REPORT

The impact of Gujarati Diaspora on the social and cultural milieu of

Gujarat: A Case study of Gandhinagar

Date:22 - 28 February 2013

Submitted to:

Centre for Diaspora Studies

Submitted by:

Anu George, Dechen Wangmo, Mohit Ram Chelak, Nabin Kumar Khara, NehaSingh, Ramanamurthi, Salu D Souza, Santosh Kumar Banjare, Siva Narayana,

Sonam Tobgyal, Vasant Gawai

(M.Phil Second Semester 2012 2013 batch)

School of Language, Literature and Culture StudiesCentral University of Gujarat

Sector 30, Gandhinagar 382030Gujarat State, India


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Table of Contents

Chapter No Title Page No

1 Introduction

1.1 A Brief Profile of Gujarat State

1.2 A Brief Profile of Gandhinagar District

2

4

2

Objectives, Data Sources and Methodology

2.1 Hypothesis of the study

2.2 Objectives of the study

2.3 Research Questions

2.4 Research Methodology

2.5 Research Design

2.6 Data Sources

2.6) Significance of the Survey and Limitations

(01) Significance of this Survey

(02) Limitations of the Survey

6

6

6

6

7

7

8

8

9

3

Social Impacts on Local People

3.1 Purpose of Migration and Preference

3.2 Gender of the Emigrants

3.3 Educational backgrounds of the Emigrants

3.4 Caste of Emigrants

3.5 Religion of Emigrants

13

15

16

17

17


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3.6 Change in Attitudes towards inter-caste and inter-

religious marriages

3.7 Conclusion

18

19

4 Cultural Impacts on Local People

4.1 Improvement in the standard of living

4.2 Food and Fashion

4.3 Celebration of Festivals with Family and Change

4.4 Cultural changes in second generation

4.5 Conclusion

22

23

23

25

25

5 Psychological effect of the Emigrants Family

5.1 Absence of Members

5.2 Conclusion

26

29

6 Conclusion of the Field Survey Report 30

7 References and Sources 31

8 Appendix

1. Questionnaire

31


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List of Maps, Charts and Figure

Sr.No Titile of Chart, Map or Figure Page no

1 Map of Gujarat 2

2 Map of Gandhinagar 4

3 Figure 1: Purpose of the Emigrants 13

4 Figure 2: Reason for Preferences 14

5 Figure 3: Gender of the Emigrants 15

6 Figure 4: Educational Level of the Emigrants 16

7 Figure 5: Caste of Emigrants 17

8 Figure 6: Religion of the Emigrant 17

9 Figure 7: Support for Inter-caste and religious

marriage 18

10 Figure 8: Improvement in standard of Living 22

11 Figure 9: Celebration with family 23

12 Figure 10: Changes in Celebration Pattern 24

13 Figure 11: Effects of Absentees 27

14 Figure 12: Do you Want them to return? 28


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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

It gives us immense pleasure to convey our sincere thanks to the officials of Central

University of Gujarat, Sector 30, Gandhinagar 382030, for providing us the

support to undertake the Field Survey to make a research on The Impact of GujaratiDiaspora on the Socio-cultural profile of Gujarat Special focus on Gandhinagar

District. The field survey was undertaken between 22 February 2013 to 28 February

2013.

We show our gratitude to our beloved Vice Chancellor Prof. R. K. Kale, and the

Dean of School of Language, Literature, and Culture Studies Prof. E. V.

Ramakrishnan for approving our Field Survey Project.

We express our sincere appreciation to Dr. Naresh Kumar for giving us the

opportunity and systematic guidance whenever we needed and motivating us tocontinue our work in a structured manner.

We thank other two teaching faculties of the Centre, Dr. Shailendra Kumar and Dr.

Siba Sankar Mohanty for providing us continuous support and guidance. We are also

thankful to those family members in Gandhinagar, whose houses we visited for our

research purpose; they helped us by answering our questions by giving us their

precious time.

From:

(01) Anu George

(02) Dechen Wangmo

(03) Mohit Ram Chelak

(04) Nabin Kumar Khara

(05) Neha Singh

(06) Ramanamurthi

(07) Salu D Souza

(08) Santosh Kumar Banjare

(09) Siva Narayana

(10) Sonam Tobgyal

(11) Vasant Gawai

(M.Phil Second Semester 2012 2013 batch)

Date: Friday 05 April 2013

Place: Sector 30, Gandhinagar -382030, Gujarat State


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Chapter: 1

Introduction

Diaspora, "scattering or dispersion" is "the movement, migration, or scattering of

people away from an established homeland" or "people dispersed by whatever cause to more

than one location", or "people settled far from their ancestral homelands". The word has come

to refer to historical mass-dispersions of people with common roots, particularly movements

of an involuntary nature, such as the expulsion of Jews from the Middle East, the African

Trans-Atlantic slave trade, the southern Chinese during the coolie slave trade, or the century-

long exile of the Messenians under Spartan rule.

Recently, scholarship has distinguished between different kinds of diaspora, based on

its causes such as imperialism, trade, or labour migrations, or by the kind of social coherence

within the diaspora community and its ties to the ancestral lands(Robin Cohen, 1998) Some

diaspora communities maintain strong political ties with their homeland. Other qualities that

may be typical of many diasporas are thoughts of return, relationships with other

communities in the diaspora, and lack of full assimilation into the host country.

Human migration is movement by humans from one area to another, sometimes over

long distances or in large groups. Historically this movement was nomadic, often causing

significant conflict with the indigenous population and their displacement or cultural

assimilation. Only a few nomadic people have retained this form of lifestyle in modern times.

Migration has continued under the form of both voluntary migration within one's region,

country, or beyond and involuntary migration (which includes the slave trade, trafficking in

human beings and ethnic cleansing). People who migrate into a territory are called

immigrants, while at the departure point they are called emigrants. According to the

International Organization for Migration's World Migration Report 2010, the number of

international migrants was estimated at 214 million in 2010. If this number continues to grow

at the same pace as during the last 20 years, it could reach 405 million by 2050.

India has one of the worlds most diverse and complex migration histories. Since the

19th century, ethnic Indians have established communities on every continent as well as on

islands in the Caribbean and the Pacific and Indian oceans.


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This case study we are looking at The Impact of Gujarati Diaspora on the Socio -

cultural profile of Gujarat A Case Study on Gandhinagar District. It focuses on how

migration is influencing on local culture and lifestyle. In this primary case study, we are

looks at certain indicators of social and cultural system to ascertain how and in what ways it

is affecting and how far the impact has changed the district in particular and the state in

general.

1.1 Brief History of Gujarati Diaspora

Gujarat rests on the western coast of India, bounded by the Arabian Sea to the west

and surrounded by the states of Rajasthan on the north, Madhya Pradesh on the east and

Maharashtra on the south. The state has the countrys longest coastline at more than 1650

kilometres and its acres are 196,000 square kilometres. The tropic of Cancer passes through

the north of Gujarat. Gujarati is the official language of the state. Its community is very

diverse and it constitutes individuals from Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, Zoroastrianism and

Christianity.

Map of Gujarat

Map No 1: Map of India and Gujurat State

Migration has been a chief episode in the history of Gujarat. Its long history of migration is

linked with trade and production relations, labour, colonialism, educational and professional

exchange and other globalised relations. Being a coastal region, Gujarat has been benefited


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from trade from the ancient period itself. Surat which was a commercial centre for silks,

diamonds, gemstones and pepper was one of the major trading ports for Arabs, Persians,

Portuguese, Dutch and English traders for a long period of time. The establishment of trade,

industry and craft production contributed to the early urbanization of the state.

The knowledge in trade and production facilitated the movement of the Gujaratis.

During the colonial period as a part of indenture system (1830- 1920) a few number Gujaratis

were recruited to the plantations of the Britishers. Some of these indentured labourers did not

come back after the completion of their contract. The Gujarati communities such as Bohra,

Khoja and Memon had settled down in East Africa, mainly as traders. The severe famine in

Gujarat at the turn of the 20th

century resulted in the economic hardships, and changed the

social and economic status of the people. This resulted in the forced migration to Kenya

where they flourished their trade later on. This was the first major migration from the state.

Since there was a wide range of employment opportunity in the construction of East African

railways many migrated to Africa. Some Gujarati emigrants eventually established

enterprises while professionals also resettled there. But after the forced migration in 1970

from Uganda by Idi Amin majority of the Asians largely Gujaratis began to move towards the

West. There they started small scale business and corner shops.

After the independence, the patterns and trends of the Gujarati migration started tovary. The highly educated and professional Gujaratis migrated to the industrially developed

countries of Europe and UK. Initially the orthodox Hindus were restricted to travel across

their country due to social taboo. But after the caste reforms, around the 20 th century people

from all the sects including the Jain, Vaniya and Brahmin communities travelled abroad.

The higher education and class status of the Gujaratis make their migration less

challenging. Moreover the immigration policies of the developed countries in 1960s were

also facilitating their migration. The US had an open door policy of immigration since 1965.

And there was also not rigid immigration policy in the UK during the 1960s to 1990s.

During the 1950s to 1990s, a large number of highly educated and professional

Gujaratis such as doctors, engineers, teachers, software technicians and pharmacists started

migrating to the developed countries like America, England, Canada and Australia.

Meanwhile, a considerable number of students were also migrating to the west in search of

better higher education and research. With the pass of Immigration and Nationality Act of


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1965 by the US government, a lot of highly qualified people from all over the world

immigrated under employment preferences. The pioneer professionals and students migrated

to the US were Gujaratis because of their ties with some universities in Gujarat such as

medical colleges and IIM at Ahmadabad. High public sector employment in London and

professional employment in New York in the 1970s followed by an upturn in retail and

wholesale trade in both cities in the 1980s protected and facilitated many Gujaratis economic

niches. New York has a very good collaboration with the diamond industries in Gujarat.

Today the Gujarati diaspora constitutes one of the leading overseas communities in

the world. It represents one of the largest regional groups within Indian population in London

and New York since the 1960s. The Gujarati emigrants continue to invest money in the state,

especially in the areas of health, education and new business ventures. The foremost reason

for the growth of Gujarati diaspora is the densely and thickly connected family and

community networks.

1.2 A Brief Profile of Gandhinagar District

Gandhinagar District is named after Mahatma Gandhi. It is an administrative

division of Gujarat, India, whose headquarters are at Gandhinagar, the state capital. It was

organized in 1964.It has an area of 649 km, and a population of 1,334,455 of which 35.02%

were urban (2001 census). The district includes Gandhinagar with three Suburbs -

Chandkheda, Motera, Adalaj. The four tehsils are - Gandhinagar, Kalol INA, Dahegam and

Mansa - and 216 villages.

Map of Gandhinagar

http://www.houseofmg.com/guj_tour/images/map_guj_new.jpg


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As mentioned above in Introduction, many people from Gandhinagar also migrated to

west. Due to migration, the changes are taking shape in socio-cultural life of people of

Gandhinagar, Gujarat. These changes are noticeable at some level but not always. The socio-

cultural lifestyle of people of Gandhinagar are invariably influenced, shaped and changed

according to the changing lifestyle, profession, preferences, and new trends of these

migrants family, return migrants and due to exposure to global culture.


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Chapter: 2

Objectives, Data Sources and Methodology

2.1 Hypothesis of the study

Migration of Gujarati from Gandhinagar has large impacts on the socio-cultural life of local

peoples.

2.2 Objectives of the Study:-

To study at social impacts of emigrants on the their families and people living in

Gandhinagar

To study at the cultural impacts of emigrants on their families and people living in

Gandhinagar

To critically analyze the psychological effect on the family members of the emigrants

2.3 Research Questions

1. How changes are taking in social life of the migrants families and how it is relatingchanges in social life of people in Gandhinagar?

2. How the cultural changes are taking shape and how migrants and their families are

responding to the changes due to migration?

3. How the migrants families are responding psychologically to the long absence of their

family members

2.4 Research Methodology

For this field survey, we have collected data related to both the quantitative as well as

qualitative analysis. We used objective as well as descriptive method to understand the

aspects related to migrants and their families in Gandhinagar on Social and Cultural fields.

For the analysis and interpretation data, SPSS (statistical package for social science) is used.

In this method we used statistical method for the data analysis and Charts, tables, graphs are

used for clear description of the data. Form this part we have also percentage method.


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2.5 Research Design

For the research purpose we set a questionnaire consisting of 64 questions. The teachers

instructed us on how to conduct the survey. The class was divided into three groups. While

dividing the group it was kept in mind to include at least one Hindi speaker in each group.

Members in the first group were Dechen Wangmo , Mohit, Ramana and Salu DSouza. The

second group comprised Anu, Santosh and Nabin and Sonam, Neha, Vasant and Siva are in

the third group. The survey was conducted from 22nd February to 28th February. Majority of

our respondents were from the Sector 24, 29 and 30.

The sampling method used in the survey is purposive random sampling and snowball method.

It is the process of selecting a sample that allows individual in the defined population to have

an equal and independent chance of being selected for the sample. For Standardization of

measurement we have collected same information from every respondent. We have used

survey data to complement existing data from secondary sources

2.6 Data Sources:-

This report is based on primary and secondary sources.

(1) Primary sources are based on interviews through questionnaire and observation. The

focus of study has been primarily in sector 24, 29 and 30 of Gandhinagar.

(2) Secondary Sources: Information from books about Gujarat, Gandhinagar, Gujarati

migrants and how these people were migrating and how they are practicing their social and

cultural practices, and how it is impacting their home country.


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2.7 Significance of the Survey and Limitations

(01) Significance of this Survey:-

This case study is conducted with primary notion to familiarize ourselves with academic

research work including

(1)Research methodology

(2)Setting questionnaire

(3)Field work and observations

(4)Data analysis and interpretation

(5)Drafting reports

Secondly, Gandhinagar is one of the cities of Gujarat which has large number of NRIs

and migrants. Since our university is located in Gandhinagar, we felt it important to study the

impact of migration have had on local people which are technically possible, not time

consuming and not costly comparing to other survey.

Thirdly, our research areas are related to migration, diaspora and cultural studies, it is

very useful for us to get to know and gather firsthand knowledge and information by

interacting with migrants themselves as well as their family members. This can enable us to

see how it can relate to our study and research scope in future. These explorations have

helped certainly in actual understanding of diaspora, migrations and its phenomena.

Lastly, the academic studies on diaspora are wide and extensive but studies on the

migration and its impacts on local people are a neglected part. From the preliminary

observation on Gandhinagar we assumed that it is very important to study the impact of

migrants on local people. These should be initiated from research and academic institutionswhich will be very helpful in understanding the emerging problems due to migration and its

impact on local people ranging from cultural practices to social aspects and religious belief

and practices. Keeping that in mind we conducted this survey although it is a small survey

and in its beginning but nonetheless we assumed that it will be beneficial in future studies as

well.


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(02) Limitation of the Survey

We admit that there are lots of limitations in our survey. Firstly our research experience

is limited and for most of our teams, this is our first time experience in research and field

work. Despite that we are able to carry out successfully this survey with only two rejections

of the fifty targeted sample collection.

Cultural barrier between the researcher and respondent was always present. In terms of

Language, in each team we had number of individuals who are not familiar with Hindi

language and none of us speak and understand Gujarati. Hindi speakers in each group had

been immensely helpful in this case. Most of the respondents didnt speak English so Hindi

was naturally the medium of communication. We felt that good verbal introduction to the

research topic or survey is necessary and should be in Hindi. If not they were more inclined

to say no to the interview in doubt of government survey or secret agent works.

Most importantly, this survey is very small scale and cannot be possible to generalize the

overall pattern of migration and its impact on socio-cultural life of people in Gandhinagar and

even less for overall Gujarat.

Despite these shortcomings, this survey and report have due merits. These will be

beginning part of the future study on these areas on migration and its impact on local people.


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(Students of M.Phil Batch 2012 2013 along with Three Faculty Mmebers)

Field Survey Group 1 (Anu George, Nabin Kumar Khara)


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Field Survey Group 2 (Dechen Wangmo, Mohit Ram Chalak, Ramana Murti &

Salu D Souza)

Field Survey Group 3 (Neha Singh, Siva Narayana, Sonam Tobgyal, Vasanth

Gawai)


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Chapter: 3

Social Impact on Local People

Gujarat state has a diversified society with different religious and caste groups. Hinduism is

the prominent religious community followed by Islam, Jainism, Buddhism and Christianity in

Gujarat. It is a popular place for pilgrimage for instance, Dwarkadeesh Temple in Dwaraka.

Patel community is the significant community which constitute 18% of the population.

According to the 2011 Census report, the literacy rate of Gujarat is 79.3%. .

Migration is a process which effects the social set up of the host country as well as the

home country. It brings changes in the social life, including their beliefs, norms, and

perceptions. In this survey, we were looking at the variables like gender of the emigrants,

purposes of migration, educational backgrounds, religious background, and caste profile.

These variables are relevant to study the social background of the migrants and its impact on

the local people. Gender, Caste and religion are important social indicators. These variables

are important indicator of social structure and change in any of these has large impact on

social structure and norm in the society.

The gender acts not only as a demographic variable but also as a social variable

especially in migration. It is a tool to analyse the social relations that influence and organizes

the migration patterns. It is also important to understand the social position and hierarchy of

men and women in the host country as well as the home country. Education is directly and

indirectly connected to the pattern of migration. For instance, in the case of Gujarati

Diaspora, a notable exodus happed after the post-independence period. During that period,

the majority of the migrants belonged to the highly educated section and professional

workers. This has a great impact on the choice of the profession among the local people.

Religion and caste enable us to notice how far religion influences the migration process. In

the early period of Gujarati migration, the orthodox Hindus were not allowed to cross the

borders because it was considered as a taboo in their religion.


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3.1Purpose of the Migration and Preference

Figure: 01 Source: Computed from feild Survey Data

When we trace the history of Gujarati Diaspora, the ancient emigrants were mainly from

mercantile family. These emigrants have small scale business in East Africa. Later on the

migration trend changed because of education, religion, caste reforms and changes in the

global polity and economy. In our survey, we found that most of the emigrants went to highly

developed countries which are advanced in science, technology and infrastructure. The

conducive atmosphere in various foreign countries for investment, social security offered by

them and favourable immigrant policies has become the beneficial factors to migrate. Our

survey revealed, 52% respondents went in search of jobs like engineering, medicine,

pharmaceuticals, accountancy etc. and only 12% went for business purposes. Among the

respondents, 6% of the migrants went for higher studies and 6% for other purposes, like

health, leisure, visiting family members for a short duration, etc. 24% of the respondents

declined to answer this question. The students who emigrate in the host countries for their

research would like to settle down there itself.

52%

12%

6%

6%

24%

Purpose of the Migration

Job Business Higher Education Others Not Responded


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One major reason for the growth of Gujarati Diaspora is the strong network connection

between the host country and the home country. Social ties and social relations have

dominated the social networks of the immigrants who, as a whole, make up todays large

diaspora of Gujaratis. There are three types of ties interpersonal ties, organizational and

composite ties. Interpersonal ties include relationship with kins, friends and community. They

include parents, spouses, siblings and cousins. This type of tie promotes chain migration. In

the survey majority of our respondents have interpersonal ties which led to chain migration.

Around 30% of the respondents revealed that they migrated due to their relatives influence.

Nearly 8% of the respondents migrated due to the influence of their friends. 14% of the

respondents left India in search of better job opportunities in order to make them

economically sound. We noticed that some of the emigrants have organizational ties which

facilitate their recruitment into particular job and particular destinations. Since it is a good

investment place, many American Universities have collaborated with the institutions in the

State like IIM Ahmedabad. Those people from Gandhinagar who studied in those places find

a reason for migration. 10% had various other reasons for migration. We found that nearly

38% of the respondents preferred not to answer this question.

8%

30%

14%10%

38%

Reasons for Preference

FRIEND'S INFLUENCE

RELATIVE'S

INFLUENCE

BETTER JOB

OPPORTUNITY

OTHERS

NOT RESPONDED


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3.2 Gender of the Emigrants:-


According to the Census Report of India of 2011, the total population of Gandhinagar is

1387478, while men comprise 7, 22,459 and female comprise 6,65,019. Sex ratio in Gujarat

is 918 for each 1000 male. It is below national average of 940 as per Censes 2011.

Predominantly, women migrate with their families because of the patriarchal and patrilocal

social structures. Compared to men many women marry spouses from abroad. So as a part of

the relation women migrate with their grooms. Some of them remain abroad to support

households in the absence of men or to support men.

If we analyse the above diagram, among the respondents we find that the majority of the

migrants are male i.e. 74%. This shows they are the breadwinners for most of the families.

This can be related to the traditional social structure, where men folk go out to work and

women take care of the children and house because he is head of the family and he has

responsibility to look after his family. However, compared to men, the numbers of female

migrants is low at 14%. In female migration, many migrated after their marriage. Their

spouse may be staying outside India which forced them to migrate. And some other female

migrate who were earlier working outside the country preferred to marry men who work in

the same host country. If the men are not working outside, she could take him with her as a

part of family visas. Some of the respondents (12%) hesitated to answer this question. It is

estimated that the property holders in Gandhinagar needed someone to take care of their

movable and immovable property.

Male Female Not Responded

Percentage 74 14 12

0

20

40

60

80

Percentage

Gender of the Emigrants


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3.3 Educational backgrounds of the Emigrants

Figure: 04 Source: Computed from feild Survey Data.

According to the 2011 Census of India Report, the male literacy rate is 87.2% and

female literacy rate is 70.7%.Gandhinagar has well established educational institutions.

Those who are born and brought up in this capital city could not miss an opportunity to get

education. Those migrants who had been to various western countries in 1960s and 1970s

from various parts of Gujarat, especially from Gandhinagar had no opportunity to be

educated in their native land. However, they had ensured their near and dear ones in India

should get education. Our research analysis shows majority of our respondents are graduates.

Some of them are doctors, engineers, physiotherapists and other professionals. 55% of them

are graduates, 30% of them are professionals, 10% of them have completed secondary school

and 5% of them are high school educated. There is a significant number of respondents did

not want to answer this question (45%). Among the Bania caste (higher social class),

education in reading, writing, mathematics and accounting begins early in life.

0

10

20

30

40

50

High School Secondary Graduation PostGraduation

notresponded

Educational level of the Emigrants


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3.4 Caste of Emigrants


In the survey, 96% of our respondents belonged to the general category and the rest

belonged to scheduled caste. Among the general category, Patel community, the most

common name used for the Patidars migrated in a large scale. They were earlier the

agricultural caste and now mainly involved in the business.

3.5Religion of the Emigrants


Gandhinagar comprises mainly Hindu and Muslim community. In Gujarat 89% of people

are followers of Hinduism. Muslims represented 9% of the population whereas Christianity

formed 0.6% of the total population. The above diagram clearly indicates that the majority of

the migrants belong to the Hindu community (60%). We find that the majority of the Hindus

GENERAL SCHEDULE CASTE

Percentage 96 4

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Percentage

Caste of the Emigrants

HINDU MUSLIMCHRISTIA

N

OTHERS

Percentage 60 32 6 2

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Percentage

Religion of the Emigrants


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preferred to go to USA, UK, Canada and Australia. Multicultural and multi religious

atmosphere prevailing over in the above mentioned countries has favour the in migration in

those countries. The migrants find that they have suitable atmosphere in the host countries to

sustain their religious tradition. They have their own temples, madrasas, churches and

gurudwara. Muslims too have migrated to various foreign countries, mostly to the Gulf

countries (32%). They migrated towards various Gulf countries especially Saudi Arabia and

Oman. People belonging to the Christian community are also in various foreign countries

(6%). Educated and few professional Christians migrated towards few western countries and

unskilled workers went to Gulf. It gave opportunity to many people and opened the door of

employment for those who were in search of jobs. During that time many unskilled and semi-

skilled labours migrated there. We met many Muslims who are running super markets in the

Gulf countries and two Christian family members working as nurses.

3.6 Changes in attitude towards inter-caste and interreligious marriages

Traditionally, India has multi religious practice and different religion sanction system.

Among Brahmanical Hindusm caste system and practices are prevalent in India. Caste

domination and practice are cruel and orthodox. Many social evil practices like marriage,

dowry and sati system are sanctioned with religious approval among Hindu. Inter-castemarriage and inter-religious marriage are forbidden and look down in Indian society.

Modernization and colonial rule had largely highlighted the cruelty of caste practices in India.

Migration also help in exposing the inhuman these practices brings change in attitudes

towards those practices.


YES

48%

NO

34%

NR

18%

Support for Inter-caste and religious

marriages


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In this survey 48% of respondent are supporting the inter-caste and inter-religious

marriages. One time in this survey, respondent are multi-religous family with inter- religious

marriage and one other with inter-caste marriages. The high number of support for inter-

religious and inter-caste marrige might be because of modern education. Migration also act as

catalysis for more toleration towards inter-religious and inter-caste marriges. 34% of

respondent are not supporting the inter-religious and inter-caste marriges. This might be

because caste system still prevalent in India and people are bind by the system.

3.7 Conclusion

Most the migrants are male but there are number of female migration. In the case of

migrants family, women are playing major role in educating the 2nd

generation emigrants

about language, tradition and cultural values. Majority of migrants are graduates and going in

search of better job opportunities. Migration is also impacting on their attitudes towards

social practices like inter-religious and inter-caste marriges.


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Chapter: 4

Cultural Impact on Local People

Edward B. Taylor defines culture as a learned complex of knowledge, belief, art,

morals, law and customs. Moreover various thinkers have defined and understood culture in

different forms. Thus it is difficult to arrive at a single conclusive definition of the culture.

The culture for our study refers to the standards of living, food habits, fashion, customs,

traditions etc. which we explored in our field survey. The culture of the home country is

different from the host country. Migration has been integral parts of every community and

society. Gandhinagar have large number of people who have migrated to different part ofworld and still do. Some of them return back and many settle there. In course of time and

they were exposed to different culture and practices across the globe. Due to these, there are

certain changes in cultural life of those migrant. These were internalized by the migrants in

the process of acculturation, assimilation and cultural adaptation. It brings and introduces

changes in the lifestyle, cultural pattern and discursive practices of cultural practice. Along

with that, globalization and colonization have played important part in bringing changes in

lifestyle and integrating with global marketing culture.

Migration introduces migrants to the new culture, environment and work setting

which are very different from the condition in homeland. This will have direct impacts on the

migrants lives. These confluences will new culture not entirely different from the two culture

at home and host countries. These bring changes in lifestyle, cultural celebration, food and

fashion as well as effects their religious practices and belief of the migrants. These have

definite impacts on their family since the migrants visit often to their homeland for short

periods of time and there are also numbers of return migrants.

In the case of Gujarati diasporas, most of them are businessmen and community like

Patel dominate budget motel business in United States of America(Nandini, 2000). These

migrants are wealthy and decided to stay back and settle there. Their imaginary or real ethno

cultural homeland is different from the present condition. Even cultural homogeneity is

absent. The Lack of cultural symbols and practices which are there in their homeland has

tended to have effect on the migrants and there have seen strong assertion of cultural and


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religious beliefs. The large portion of donation for temple building in Gujarat is made by

Gujarati Diaspora. The cultural and ethno religious revivalism are well documented in the

book ofHistory of Historyby Vinay lal, 2005.

On the other hand, Globalization and integration into the market economy have

relational impacts on the local people of homeland. Market force and consumerist culture are

prevalent in the Gujarat. These have also impact on cultural practices and symbols of local

people. The changes in dressing style and rise of professionalism are integral part of

capitalism. These also mean the changes in the cultural practice are not come through one

way traffic of migrants. So to draw definite line between the global market culture and

migration impact on local people and changes in cultural practices are not possible.

In our survey we explored few indicators which are directly or indirectly related to

their cultural practices and believe. The changes in cultural practice are very subtle and often

subjective. The various indicators of cultural practices and traditional symbol are raised and

respond to the variables varied according to their attitude and their experiences. Changes also

take place on gradual pace and not visible instance.

Majority of migrants from Gandhinagar are males who migrate to various parts of the

world in hope to settle down either through job or education. The migrants are mainly

influenced by their relatives or friends to migrate to the host countries. The males later bring

their wives to the host countries. They have made a small Gujarati community in the host

countries to maintain and preserve their culture. There are common agreement that migration

have effect on their living standard, celebration of festivals in family, changes in celebration

patterns, and change in second generation (it may be on linguistic level, living style and

traditional values). Changes in dressing style, fashion choice and food are occurring.

Migrants have brought conscious about the hygienic food habit and cleanliness in daily life.

There migrants brings along with them various culinary skill and foods when they come

back.


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4.1 IMPROVEMENT IN THE STANDARD OF LIVING

Migrations for business opportunity and jobs have economic impact on the migrants

families and bring substantial improvement in the standard of living. Hence, migration is

another reason for the development in the homeland. These migrants send back large sum

money as remittance to the home. Economic improvement is reflected in their living

standard, housing and cultural lifestyle. These changes have unintended impact as well. The

pompous and expensive spending of cultural celebration like marriage is visible. There is

common agreement that due to constraints of time for these migrants and economic purpose,

marriage celebration has reduced to one day from three days. There is also indirect

movement along consumerists lifestyle along the improvement in standard of living.


Our survey shows that 54% of the families have better standard of living because of

the migrants. This is because most of the migrants took place under context of better jobs

opportunity and bussness purpose. In the most cases the migrants are breadwinners of the

family. 44% of the families are not dependant on the migrants and their standard of living is

not been affected by their migration. Since most of these migrants are there children and who

are well settled in various foreign countries having their own family life. The left over

members of family in India are there parents. 2% of the respondents did not take up this

question.

YES NO NOT RESPONDED

Percentage 54 44 2

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Percentage

Improvement in Standard of Living


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4.2 Food and Fashion

-Gandhinagar is new and planed city of Gujarat. Majority of people belongs to the

Hindu community and they observed strict vegetarian lifestyle in food habits. These are

mostly strictly followed by migrants but there is noticeable deviation. Few of the respondents

admit that they have taken course towards non-vegetarianism during their stay in foreign

land. In one case, one of the respondent observed that during his stay in London, mutual

antagonism between Gujarati diaspora of Sikh and Hindu community since strict vegetarian

life are not observed by Sikh Gujarati Diaspora.

During the survey, most of the respondents expressed about change in food pattern,

fashion and dresses. But they didnt think it is due to the migration. The changes in choices of

food, fashion and lifestyle are general phenomena of modernization and globalization in

India. But migrants are bringing back chocolates when they come back to India and take back

Indian dry foods when they return back to host countries.

4.3 CELEBRATION OF FESTIVALS WITH FAMILY AND CHANGE

Most of the Migrants visit their family during the time of festival. Festival season is

also one of main season for get together and reunion time with the family and friend. These

occasions are very important since it coincide with traditional cultural celebration. On these

occasions they perform cultural practices and variousacts of cultural conformity. These are

important for both the migrants and their family to assert themselves within the fold of

community for various reasons. These have also impacts on the cultural lifestyle of migrant

as well as their family.


YES NONOT

RESPONDED

Percentage 74 24 2

74

24

2

0

20

40

6080 Celebration with Family


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It is indicated in the above diagram, 74% of the migrants celebrate various festivals

with their family members. 24% of the migrants are not visiting their home country during

festivals. 2% of the respondents did not answer the question.

Frequent visit from the migrants in Gandhinagar has some direct and indirect impact

on the local cultural pattern. The marriage season in Gandhinagar has been adjusted to the

weather condition in Europe, USA and other parts of the world. Marriage is social and

cultural activity. It is culturally determined that most of the family do not sanction inter-caste

and inter-religious marriage but now things have changed. People are least bounded by earlier

orthodox beliefs. People are promoting inter-caste and inter-religious marriages. There have

been changes in the pattern and preference of food as the migrants bring in foods from their

host countries and demand foods accordance with their taste. For example it is very common

among the migrants to demand less spicy food. They have become health conscious.

Changes in the Celebration Pattern


The main festivals in Gandhinagar are different for the different religious groups, for

the Hindus it is Garba and Diwali, and for Muslims it is Eid and Ramzan. Above data is

stating that there are changes occurring in patterns of celebrating festivals. 52% of

respondents said that there are changes taking place because of the frequent visit of the

migrants during festivals. One of the respondent stated that earlier on Diwali we used to light

up diyas but now everywhere gradually it is been replaced by colourful lighting bulbs. But it

is quite difficult to tell whether this change is due to migration or because of global market.

The cheap product in the Indian market from China seems to be the cause but the choice of


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using the product is based on the people.35% of them think migration has not affected the

way of celebrating festivals. And 15% did not respond to the question. Earlier on festivals

people used to make sweets at home but now people buy sweets from the market because

there they have choices for selection.

4.4 CULTURAL CHANGES IN SECOND GENERATION:-

Gujarati community has been successful in preserving their culture where ever they

went and they carefully teach their younger generation about their language, culture, rituals

and traditions. In the survey we have found that the second generation of the migrants can

speak their mother tongue, they are well informed about their festivals, culture, and tradition.

Since majority of the migrants visit the Gandhinagar frequently the younger generation gets

firsthand experience in their cultural practices.The youngsters have been taught Gujarati by

their parents and it is their parents who teach them about their culture. In most of the cases

we have seen that it is their mother who teaches them their mother-tongue, cultural and

traditional values. We can easily make out the difference that second generation prefer mostly

junk food and their life-style in some or other is different from first generation people.

4.5 Conclusion

There are certain changes occurring in the cultural life and practices of people inGandhinagar. Both the migration and globalisation are impacting their choices of food,

fashion and way of life. These changes are taking place at gradual pace and improvement in

standard of living is visible which has been brought about by economic prosperity of the

migrants. These impact the local cultural celebration pattern of various rituals and festivals.

There are significant changes in the consumerist lifestyles and various cultural practices.


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Chapter: 5

PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECT ON THE EMIGRANTS

FAMILY

Migration has the potential to stretch families across vast geographic spaces. Despite

these distances, communication technology has played a vital role to retain the family link as

social units within a transnational space. Familial links sustained across borders, however, do

not provide equal substitutions for the physical presence of family members within

households. Familial separation may profoundly influence the roles, support structures, and

responsibilities of transnational family members resulting in changes in psychological and

emotional stress levels of all family members.

The separation of family units resulting from migration induces stressors that affect

the emotional well-being of both migrants and their family members. A burgeoning literature

on migration and mental health explores the psychological effects of migration on the

migrants in the host countries. Very little research, however, has addressed the psychological

costs of migration on the family members of migrants that remain at home. In this survey we

are looking at the effects of migration on the emotional well-being of migrants family

members and how they are reconciling with the changing phenomena of global migration.

Migration, particularly international migration, may induce considerable stressors on

both migrants and their family members. For migrants, international migration poses

challenges in the forms of unfamiliar language, culture, foods, and daily interactions.

Migrants family members remaining in the country of origin must adapt to lengthy

separations from their loved ones, and may have trouble relating to the new lifestyles of their

migrant relatives. Conversely, migration may decrease familial stress by providing income

for basic necessities, and occasionally removing hostile family members from immediate

participation in family interact ion. Serving as units of social and emotional support, families

ideally protect their members from experiencing dramatic psychological distress brought

about by stressful life events. Shifts in familial organization, however, disrupt familial

functioning, and can add to the stress induced by difficult life events


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In the questionnaire we have a number of questions related to the psychological

dimension of the migrants family. We ask them about whether the absence of migrants

affects them? If yes, how do they reconcile their absence? And whether they want their

migrant family member to comeback to India or not? These variables show their adaptation,

emotional responses and the attitude towards the living phenomena of migration and

movements across the globe. It also helps to know how the communicational and

technological developments are helping in reducing the distances as well made accessible at

any time.

5.1 Absence of Members:

In the case of migration of family member, it certainly leaves the feeling of absence

and remaining family member had to cope with this psychological impacts. We have

observed that most of the responded feel strongly of their absence but many of them are

psychological more resilience and open towards migration. This might be because of

economic benefit of the migration.


Through the survey we have found out that majority of the migrants are moving for

economic reason which works as the push factor behind leaving their family members in


Percentage 90 8 2

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Pecentage

Effect of Absentees


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home country. In Gandhinagar 90 per cent families of the emigrants have mentioned the

feelings of absence and they want them to return back home. 2 per cent did not share their

views and the rest 8 per cent did not want them to come back. They left the decision on the

migrants themselves whether they want to return back or not. Some stated that they want the

migrants to come back in order to avoid assimilation with western culture. They think that

one should not lose own cultural heritage. Some others argued that due to insufficient job

opportunities and better infrastructural facilities in India they do not want them to come back.

Those who went for study purpose especially in Australia their wives do not want them to

come back instead they want to go move to the host countries.


We specifically wanted to know from our respondents whether they prefer their dera

ones to come back to India? The peoples views are quite confusing and vary on the socio-

cultural effects of migration due to the influx of global culture in the homeland through

globalization. 52% of them wanted the emigrants to come back, 34% said not needed and

14% refused to answer this question. On the question of dressing we have got a similar

interesting answer from many people as they are told pant and shirt as their own traditional or

sometimes they called it as normal wear.


Percentage 52 34 14

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Percentage

Do you want the emigrants to come back to

India?


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Another things psychological impact of every family member they want to come back

Indian on his family member because they feel unhappy. They feel imaginary and missing

always his son are residing the very long distance so it is not possible to meet his son or

relative. During our field survey we seen some cases like some women feel very sentimental

of the remain on his relative and they want to come back India again on his son.

5.2 Conclusion

In this survey, most of the respondent are well adapting psychologically to the condition

of long absent created by the migration of family. Most of the migrants are visiting their

family during the festival season for family reunion and get together after long separation.


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Chapter: 6

Conclusion of the Field Survey Report

On the basis of the above responses it emerges that there is a considerable amount of

emigration from Gandhinagar District, the capital city of Gujarat State. Our field works

observed that majority of them are in joint family structure. We found that the respondents

had different educational background. Most of them are skilled and entrepreneurs. Regular

remittances from the adopted countries to the home land are the striking feature of the

families that we visited.

Most of the respondents that we interviewed were in foreign countries for a number of years.

Some of them even got married and acquired green card in their adopted countries. It is

interesting to know that, though they were different countries, the respondents have even

today retained their religious identity and they are proud to say that they practice Hindu

culture and tradition in their adopted countries.

If we speak on the standard of living, it is quite surprising, many respondents had nothing

with them while leaving India, but later due their hard work and dint of merit, they became

prosperous. This resulted in a better standard of living and in few cases we found affluence is

visible from their way of dressing, jewellery they were wearing and interior decorations that

we saw at their houses.

There are many instance migrants faces lot of problems. We found in few houses, the

dependents are really depressed and their psychological temperament reflected on their face

and speech. Most of them were longing for their dear ones to come back to Home. They

missed them a lot but they somehow manage to carry on their regular life style and look at the

calendar and find solace in that.


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Chapter 7

References & Sources

India Guide: Gujarat, First International Edition, India Guide Publications, 2007

Gujaratis in the West: Evolving Identities in Contemporary Society edited by Anjoom A

Mukadam and Sharmina Mawani, Cambridge Scholars Publishing

History of History, Vinay Lal, OUP India 2005

Gender Hierarchy among Gujarati Immigrants: Linking Immigration Rules and Ethnic Norms ,

Nandini Narain Assar, , 2007

Global Diaspora: Introduction, Robin Cohen 1998.

Modern Migrations, Maritsa V.Poros, 2011

Project Report, Socio Economic and Demographic profile of Emigrants household of Kadi

Taluk, Mehsana District 14-18 March 2012, CUG

http://www.migrationinformation.org/feature/display.cfm?ID=745

http://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/gujarat/gujarat.htm


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Chapter 8

Appendix

Questionnaire:-

QUESTIONNAIRE

LOCATION DETAILS:

Q: 1. Name of the state: __________________________________

Q: 2. Name of the district: ________________________________

Q: 3. Name of the town: __________________________________

Q: 4. Name of the village/sector: ___________________________

Q: 5. House name and number: ____________________________

Q: 6. Name of the household head: _________________________

FAMILY

Q: 7. Family Type (Insert the code): ________

1. Joint 2. Nuclear 3. Others

Q: 8. Particulars of the family Members (Insert the code)

MIGRATION

Q: 9. Have you ever been migrated? (Insert the code) _____________1.Yes 2.No

Q: 10. If yes, how long had you been in abroad? Specify the no. _______________

Q: 11. Please specify the name of the country _____________________________

Q: 12. What is the purpose of your migration? (Insert the code) _______________

1. For the purpose of job


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2. For the purpose of business

3. For the purpose of higher education

4. Social problems

5. Political problems

6. Family problems

7. As the spouse is outside8. Others

Q: 13. Why do you prefer that country? (Insert the code) ____________________

1. Friends influence

2. Relatives influence

3. Better job opportunities

4. H1 B Visa

5. Better standard of living

6. Safety

7. Network with different association of the community you belong to

8. Others

Q: 14. Have any of the members of your family migrated? (Insert the code)

______________ 1.Yes 2.No

Q: 15. If yes, how long they have been in abroad? Specify the no. ______________

Q: 16. Is any of your family member still staying outside? (Insert the code)

_______1.Yes 2.No

Q: 17. Please specify the name of the country ______________________________

Q: 18. What is their purpose of migration? (Insert the code) __________________

9. For the purpose of job

10.For the purpose of business

11.For the purpose of higher education

12.Social problems

13.Political problems

14.Family problems

15.As the spouse is outside

16.Others

Q: 19. Why do they prefer that country? (Insert the code) ____________________

9. Friends influence

10.Relatives influence

11.Better job opportunities

12.H1 B Visa

13.Better standard of living

14.Safety


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15.Network with different association of the community you belong to

16.Others

Q: 20. What is his/her/their citizenship status? ____________________________

Q: 21. Are you dependent on the migrants? (Insert the code) _______ 1.Yes 2.No

Q: 22. If yes, how many dependents are there? (Mention the number)__________

RELIGION

Q: 23. Which religion do you belong? (Insert the code):______________________

1. Hindu 2.Muslim 3.Christian 4.Sikh 5.Others

Q: 24. If others, please specify __________________________________________

Q: 25. Which caste do you belong? (Insert the code):________________________

1. General 2.Scheduled Caste 3.Scheduled Tribe 4.OBC

Q: 26. Which sub-caste do you belong? Please mention _____________________

Q: 27. Does the migration affect your religious beliefs? (Insert the code)

____________1.Yes 2.No

Q: 28. If yes, Please explain

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Q: 29. Is there any intercaste/interreligious marriage among your migrated family

members? (Insert the code) _________ 1.Yes 2.No

Q: 30. Do you support the intercaste/interreligious marriage of the migrants? (Insert

the code) _____1.Yes 2.No

RITUALS/FESTIVALS

Q: 31. Are you following your rituals and tradition? (Insert the code)

_________1.Yes 2.No

Q: 32. Which is your main festival?______________________________________

Q: 33. Do you celebrate the festivals with your family members? (Insert the code)

_________1. Yes 2.No


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Q: 34. Does the migration affect your standard of living? (Insert the code)

_________1. Yes 2. No

Q: 35. Do the migrants follow their rituals and tradition? (Insert the code)

_________1. Yes 2. No

Q: 36. Is the second generation of migrants aware about their rituals and tradition?

(Insert the code)______1.Yes 2. No

Q: 37. If yes, how they came to know about it? Please describe

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Q: 38. Is there any change in the way these festivals/ rituals are celebrated? (Insert

the code) ______ 1. Yes 2.No

Q: 39. If yes, what are the changes? Please describe

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

FOOD AND FASHION

Q: 40. Are you a vegetarian/non-vegetarian/eggetarian? Please write

___________________

Q: 41. What food item do you like the most, homemade or hotel? Please write

____________

Q: 42. Do the migrants discuss you with the western food culture and fashion style?

(Insert the code)__________1.Yes 2.No

Q: 43. When the migrants come back home what kind of food item they prefer?_____________________

Q: 44. Do they carry any food item when they come back? (Insert the

code)_________1.Yes 2.No

Q: 45. If yes, what are they? Please write

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________


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Q: 46.Is there any change in the food patterns at home? (Insert the code)_________

1. Yes 2. No

Q: 47. If yes, Please explain

___________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q: 48.Do the migrants carry any food item when they go back? (Insert the

code)_______1.Yes 2.No

Q: 49. If yes, what are they? Please explain

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Q: 50. What type of dress do you wear? (Insert the code)____________________

1. Saree 2.Salwar 3.Jeans 4. kurtha 5.Dhoti 6.Others

Q: 51. Is there any change in your dressing style? (Insert the code)___1.Yes 2.No

Q: 52. If yes, what are the changes? Please explain

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE

Q: 53.What is your mother tongue? _____________________________________

Q: 54.How many languages do you know? (Write the no.)____________________

Q: 55. Name the languages ____________________________________________

Q: 56.Which is your communicative language at home?______________________

Q: 57. In which language do you communicate with the migrant family members?

Please write_________________________________________________________

Q: 58. Is the second generation of migrants know their mother tongue? (Insert the

code) ______ 1.Yes 2.No

Q: 59. If yes, how they learn their language? Please describe

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________


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EFFECT ON THE FAMILY (PSYCHOLOGICAL)

Q: 60. Does the absence of migrants affect you? (Insert the code)____1.Yes 2.No

Q: 61. If yes, how do you resolve their absence? Please mention___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Q: 62. Do you want them to come back to India?(Insert the code) ____1.Yes 2.No

Q: 63. Give your reasons for your answer

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Q: 64. Does the migration affect the socio-cultural standard of the people? What is

your opinion?

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Documents

Final ( 7th April).pdf