Rethinking Indian Diaspora: Conceptualizing Diasporic Consciousness

Diaspora as a concept has drawn the attention of the scholars for a long time. In recent times, the meaning of the term has been rethought because the earlier meaning of the term associated with homelessness has been reviewed. In the past, the diasporic community were living in a foreign country due to the compulsion of their economic needs. The origin of Indian diaspora traces back to the indenture system introduced by the Imperial regime of Great Britain in the early part of 19th century. Migration to different parts of the world by Indians for trade and commerce, of course, traces back to much earlier in history. The old Indian Diasporas were longing to come back to their homeland because they felt that they were leading a life of deprivation and exploitation. However after independence, the new Diasporas have voluntarily chosen their condition of self-exile for a glamorous life in their chosen destinations. Often they also experience a sense of loss and anguish when they cherish the memory of their cultural roots. These new Diasporas aredifferentfrom the old as the latter long for intellectual freedom, secularism and liberty for their country. This paper is thereforean attempt to understand a perspective of the old and new Diasporas with reference to select theoretical formulations.