Are South Asians abroad forgetting their roots?

The South Asian diaspora is continually growing, and it is flourishing. Asians are one of the most prosperous communities in the US, and in Britain they are enjoying an ever-increasing role in all areas of society.

The first-generation retains a close link to their motherland, but what about the second-generation? What relationship should they have with their country of origin? What does their motherland owe them?

Can the second generation express allegiance to their country of birth, without forsaking their cultural roots?

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

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Your reaction

Living in America has made me value Pakistani culture even more. America has no culture. It does not promote the same respect and love for your parents and spouse as in Pakistan. A lot of us are here for the money and that is it. No allegiance, no ties, only the money!
Saqib Hussain, USA

To pass down culture and tradition to the next generation is not only individual responsibility but it is social responsibility too. As from this year, UK has started giving Diwali and Eid a week holiday in school which will definitely add to their culture value. Being born and bought up in Bombay, I have came across a variety of culture and tradition. So I personally believe it is greatly a social responsibility.
Dilip Damania, Harrow, England

The only solution for immigrants is to marry locals and mix into the genetic pool

Mahesh Kashyap, India

I find a common theme among these posts i.e. that immigrants posses a gigantic inferiority complex. What they forget is that even in enlightened democracies if you are 3rd or 4th generation would still be labelled as xxx-Indian, xxx-Pakistani, xxx-Bangladeshi and so on instead of xxx just as the locals.
In some cases you would be referred to as Asians which is derogatory because none of you have an 'Asian' identity. The only solution for immigrants is to marry locals and mix into the genetic pool. That's the only way for lasting social integration.
Mahesh Kashyap, India

I was born and raised in Canada and am now residing in the US. The key to accessing any culture in my opinion is having the ability to understand and speak the associating language. Through language, one is able to understand the world view of that culture.
Although English is my first language, I am fluent in Bengali, the native tongue of my parents. As a result, I consider myself a true hybrid between Bengali and Canadian cultures. India itself is a multicultural society with a plethora of languages and dialect. To be "Indian" then is in my opinion not such a tangible concept whether born in the country or not. It's language which I think is most important. I know this even more raised in Canada, bilingual country.
Arin Bhattacharjee, US

I am a Canadian citizen, born in Jaffna, Sri Lanka to parents of Indian Tamil origin. Complicated eh? Well of all three countries I care for and love India the most although I have never lived there and am three generations removed from our ancestral village in Tamil Nadu India.
It is hard to explain the reason for my feelings. It is possibly due to the pride my parents and grandparents had in their Indian ancestry which they passed on to us, the close ties we maintain to our native village and our relatives there or due to the discrimination that the Sri Lankans - both Sinhalese and Tamils showed towards the Tamils of Indian origin. I respect Canada, love India and do not care two hoots for Sri Lanka.
SD, Canada/ Sri Lanka / India

I am a Bangladeshi living in the US and I think that Bangladeshis here are more conscious about their rich sub-continental cultural heritage than the people back in Bangladesh.
Saeed Khan, US

When I think about culture, values etc, I don't think Asia or Europe

Jean-Pierre Singh, Singapore/ USA

I have mixed ancestry; my dad is Indian and my Mom, French. I was born in America, I am proud to be an American. The only way of life I know is distinctly American. I have been to France and India and cannot really relate to the way people in these countries think, their way of life and culture. I eat French as well as Indian food but always look at their food as being foreign. When I think about culture, values etc, I don't think Asia or Europe, I think America as I am American.
Jean-Pierre Singh, Singapore/ USA

I absolutely have no doubt that Indians, no matter where they are, always stay connected to their roots in some way or the other. I have met Indians in Fiji, Jamaica etc, who haven't even been to India for generations but still watch Hindi movies and speak the language.
Ramesh Verma, India/ USA

Indians in the US, to a large extent, have not forgotten their roots

Naveen V, Indi

Indians in the US, to a large extent, have not forgotten their roots - one can see lot of temples and vedic classes in the States. Indians in the US to some extent are promoting Indian culture by organising conferences etc. All major cities and even small ones like Huntsville (Alabama) have a temple and Indian restaurants. Some Indians may have forgotten their roots but most of them affiliate themselves to the Indian culture and they are proud to do that.
Naveen V, India

For too many Pakistani expatriates it seems easier to identify themselves as Muslims rather than Pakistanis, especially when it comes to passing on an identity to children. Yes most Pakistanis are Muslims and religion is a key part of the Pakistani identity but it's not the only factor. Sadly, none of Pakistan's "leaders" have ever had the vision to deal with this vacuum in the national psyche and articulate what it means to be Pakistani. By default we are simply "Muslim" and "not Indian" and this is a shame since it marginalises the rich cultural and ethnic components of the Pakistani identity.
Anita, Pakistani living in the UK

Internet has opened a new medium to keep in touch with what is going on around the world. South Asian web sites have millions of hits everyday. Most the portals offer everything to every age group. South Asian businesses are expanding overseas and they will create an atmosphere that will be homely. Times have changed and we will see a single entity well connected with other entities.
Christopher Jonala, USA

Having lived abroad for much of my younger childhood, I have seen how it is possible for the second generation to lose their roots. Second-generation children cannot and should not be expected to be completely 'Indian', yet at the same time parents should play an active role in keeping their children aware and proud of their roots. Children should know that it is an asset to have cultural diversity and be proud of their rich heritage while accepting and assimilating the new culture.
Rishi Sahgal, Australia/ India

The feeling towards the homeland naturally changes when we are living away from home. The fact that people have contributed more to their homeland living abroad is a simple example. The challenge here is whether we will be able to pass this feeling to the second generation, who naturally will not be able to spend more time in their homeland and understand its values.
Tarun Pokharel, Nepal/ currently USA

Non-resident South Asians are the first ones to forget about their country and even if they look at their motherland it is because of the benefits that the governments at home offer them from time to time. For them the country of their origin is all about heat, sweat and cow dung.
Bibhu Prasad Routray, India

This is all about economics. If the money and the opportunity is there in South Asia, all of us would be there. Or are there any North Americans migrating to South Asia?
HQA, USA

I would always try and link myself to any activity linked to India. I would also see that my children would keep in touch with the culture

Sasi Kumar, Australia

The importance of social gatherings and the surrounding environments have become more acute after I moved to Australia. I would always try and link myself to any activity linked to India. I would also see that my children would keep in touch with the culture since the only stable thing they would get from a Western culture would be independence without any responsibility. This could be rectified by giving them proper grounding in our culture, values and ethos.
Sasi Kumar, Australia

Root is not only about religion, it is about having connection with the place where you were brought up. Though I am in the USA I am in constant touch with India and nothing can erase the way I was brought up. Though I have made some adjustments to my eating habits and lifestyle, I can confidently say that I will never forget my roots.
Maheshkumar SN, India/USA

Believe me, staying abroad does not cut you from your roots. Interestingly, one becomes more patriotic and generates enough sense of ownership and pride. In my case, it is just 8 months since I arrived in USA but the kind of sensible and sentimental attachment I have generated for my motherland (India) in past few months is just incredible. I'm more than happy when I see India and Indians are in so much of demand. Every news of progress and success from India brings cheers to me; and any sort destructive and negative news about India keeps me equally worried about my own country. Hence, it is wrong to say that South Asians abroad forget their roots.
Akhilendra Kumar, India

People living abroad from South Asian origin in particular Pakistanis are doing a great job and are a hope of better understanding, love, affection, problems and prosperity for a young nation of Pakistan. We make our motherland strong.
Ehson Syed, Pakistan/Canada

We should bring our culture to the Western people as much as they brought their culture in to ours.

Faisal, Canada

I think people who live in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan are losing their roots. For example, in India, specially in Bombay, people started to talk English instead of Hindi. There is more English used in Indian movies than ever before. I am from Bangladesh. When I go to my country and see those Indian channels, most of the shows are in English. Why? Because people have started to compete with Western culture. We are losing our culture. Just because we make a phone call back home every often or visit, it doesn't mean we are actually keeping in touch with our culture. We should bring our culture to the Western people as much as they brought their culture in to ours.
Faisal, Canada

My parents who are Indian and Sri Lankan respectively left because their country has nothing much to offer them except poverty and war. How can I care for a country like Sri Lanka where discrimination is still rampant?
Ratnam, Sweden

It's is quite impossible to break the complex net of caste and religion in India which has in turn brought the second largest population with too many people chasing after few jobs. This has driven me to spend most of my time in the Middle East and Far East. But there is something which I will always cherish in my life, my desire to go to my native land India. I still miss the diverse culture which I will never find in other countries.
Mohan Sreedharan, Singapore

Culture can never be replaced by money, we must teach our children about our respective cultures

Aftab Khan, USA

I think it is inherently important for Asians to keep a strong bond with their motherland. This is what defines us, all of these people talking about "a worldwide melting pot" is utterly unrealistic. Culture can never be replaced by money, we must teach our children about our respective cultures. I was born and raised in the USA, but my parents effectively taught me about the lifestyle they grew up with, I am thankful for their efforts because I would never have appreciated Pakistani culture unless they did so. Let's worry a little less about our bank accounts and worry more about teaching our people our rich and unique culture of South Asia.
Aftab Khan, USA

It is not true that we are forgetting our motherland. Actually the circumstances prevailing in our places of birth, be it corruption, nepotism or war, makes people take a stride out for peaceful greener pastures where your talent would be recognised without your creed, colour or race getting you bogged down. Our hearts are where the real home is and most of the Kashmiris would return to the paradise when we get free from oppression and Indian domination.
Kamal Kishore, USA/Kashmir

I have lived in U.S. for so many years, I think that the first migrated generation keeps close relations to their country of birth, the second generation loses it to some extent while the third generation completely forgets about their grandparents' country.
Khalid Khan, Pakistan

To me the question of whether or not Indians abroad are forgetting their roots does not matter. What really matters is whether we are imbibing higher values in personal life and whether we are carrying these along with us wherever we go. I believe that we are imbibing values such as independence and self-respect. India is certainly on its way to progress and the people living abroad have greater influence because of these values. Indians are known for their open-mindedness and readiness to accept change.
Lakshman, India

Spare me the 'cultural roots' palaver since this is generally an euphemism for 'knowing your place' where Asian women are concerned

Henbane, UK

Personally, as a 2nd generation, reasonably successful Asian female living in the UK I really don't see why I should be expected to continue the 'home' culture where I would count as nothing and would officially be a second class citizen. I obviously take an interest in my country of origin and wish it well since the bulk of my relatives live there but spare me the 'cultural roots' palaver since this is generally an euphemism for 'knowing your place' where Asian women are concerned. My generation knows where it's from and has generally sifted the good aspects of Asian culture from the bad (those of us who managed to think for ourselves). However, the 3rd generation seems to be throwing out the baby with the bathwater and I believe this is entirely due to the hardline attitudes of first generation Asians still trying to retain 'traditional' control of their descendants. Having been back 'home', I was depressed by the rampant nepotism, hypocrisy, corruption, intolerance and discrimination I saw there. Even worse was the stoical acceptance of the situation. Funny how the most eager/fanatical supporters of 'Asian culture' are always first generation Asian males.
Henbane, UK

I came to Britain about three years ago and probably I am going to stay here for a long time, until and unless I get a good job back in India. The whole struggle is of leading a life with basic comfort. I would love to be in India if can manage the same comfort level. My kid who has been studying here would not like to go back simply because he does not think it would be difficult for him to adjust culturally. My son has been to India just once - why should I expect him to feel for India, he should feel for the place where he lives and wants to live. I think we should now concentrate on universal values - like democracy, non-violence, peace and harmony - instead of Eastern or Western values.
Rajesh Sinha, UK/India

I don't think one betrays his country or forgets his roots by migrating to the West. In this digital age, we all live in a global village that is becoming increasingly smaller, cosier and tech-savvy. Soon, our presence in the virtual domain will become more important and useful than the our actual presence.
Faisal, Goddard Space Centre, USA

Mind you all Indians out there, let's not be critical about our motherland India. Change is something which has to come from every Indian heart. There is no point in sitting seven seas away and passing comments. We are all opportunists, we came abroad on a selfish motive: money. We are responsible for whatever is happening back home. It is imperative that we take the responsibility to bring about change in Indian life.
Srinivasa Rao Thota, USA

I am one of seven children with siblings in the UK, USA, and Canada. I was particularly interested in watching how my brothers and sisters brought up their children and was pleased to note that they all seem so far not to have forgotten their roots, from learning the Urdu alphabet to reading the Koran. You can never turn around and say "everything about a country is bad or that everything about a country is good". While the children are being brought up to have certain values as dictated by the domains of their root culture, they are aware that they have opportunities and advantages available that a lot of their counterparts back home do not and what's more, their parents make it a point to make them aware of this fact so that they realize their position and do something good with it.
Naghmana Sherazi, USA/PAKISTAN

Indians abroad have helped building India's image in a much better way than what they could have done from the country itself

Ashish, USA

The leaf at the apex of a tree may forget its root, but will never be able to survive without it. South Asians, in particular Indians abroad have helped building India's image in a much better way than what they could have done from the country itself. In the view of a new world culture emerging, one easily can have two citizenships, at least in the mind.
Ashish, USA

The predominant situation in the USA is well summarized by my uncle living in the US for over 30 years. The first generation has emotional attachment while the second has a vague and increasingly distant feel for the country of origin, based on occasional childhood visits. In further generations, the links are fully diluted by inter-marriage, etc, and the roots may be relegated to a minor role in the hunt for personal identities during college years. However, I increasingly find even first-generation Indians in the USA hard pressed to define their `Indianness', and it's difficult to perceive how they are going to `transmit' any cultural identity to the next generation beyond Bollywood movies, and some music and dance styles.
Sarb, USA/India

Forget about Indians here, what about Indians in India? Aren't they trying to be more Westernised? The only problem with Indians is the lack of respect for own culture and values. Otherwise, why wouldn't they stand up if someone poked fun at their "Monkey-god" or "Elephant-god"?
shardool vyas, US/India

I guess it's a life of regret - regret at not being here when I'm there and there when I'm here!

Adam Nayyar, USA

When I'm in America, I miss Pakistan: the cooking smells, the sounds of people's voices in the street, and I am filled with nostalgia for the homeland. When I'm there, the heat, noise and inefficiency makes me want to back to America. I guess it's a life of regret - regret at not being here when I'm there and there when I'm here!
Adam Nayyar, USA

I personally have grown to love Nepal more than ever after I left. Many people I have spoken to expressed similar feelings. I'd like to think that, as a scholar, I should try to get the best possible available education. Skilled manpower may be the answer to ailing nations like Nepal. Therefore, the more professionals return to their roots, the better. They may not be as productive in dollar terms once they go back to their countries but they'd probably have more social and political significance and would be able to see the real difference their work can make to peoples' lives.
Dane, Nepal/US

After seeing the racism and the drug/sex culture of West (drug addicts/unmarried teenage mothers etc.) I can't wait to get back to India. Rather than forgetting about it, once we see how hollow the Western way of life is, it makes us realize how special and different India is.
Ramesh Suri, India/USA

I grew up third generation Indian on the Caribbean Island of Trinidad. Even though I consider Trinidad my home and an important part of who I am, India also has a very special place in my heart. All my life I have read and learnt of the trials of my ancestors who, driven by a great love for Mother India transcended religious and cultural repression at the hands of British colonial powers to survive in a place much different from their homes. Even though my mother chose to change her name because it was "Indian" I grew up celebrating my Indianness though movies from Bollywood, music and most importantly the clebration of religion and festivals such as Dwali, Phagwa and Eid-ul-Fitir.
Bano, Trinidad and Tobago/USA

I am a younger first generation immigrant. I came from Pakistan with my parents at a very young age. With the vague memories that I have, irregular visits, and many stories from my parents, I sometimes have a view of Pakistan and my family's struggle which borders on the mythical. I am not sure if other young first generation immigrants have the same view. The reality is that in our minds we don't have a clear vision of what we want. The power of our past makes us long for a country which for the most part never existed. The obligations and opportunity of the present makes us cringe at the thought of ever going back. As a result we have resorted to nationalism, not the kind of nationalism which entails a caring for our past tempered with any kind of educated vision of the future, but more of a candystore bubblegum nationalism which emphasizes religious group-think with a hefty dose of native pop culture.
Zafar, USA/Pakistan

I think it's not 'migrating to a different place' that makes one forget their roots. I've seen many people living abroad, donating/acting in some voluntary organization that work in India. People donate money to help the poor recover from natural crisis like the one in Orissa last year and of course are all very patriotic. But I've seen lot of people in India (particularly in cities) literally following Western culture in their life. Do you say they still remember their roots?
Mathi, India, living in US

I love my country, the people, the natural beauty, and enjoy the feelings of pride to live in the birth place. The natural tendency to respect, feel and share the thoughts of those known and close to your heart, the neighbours, relatives, the teachers, the schools, colleges, the places of worship, the local markets and shopping malls we had been associated with, simply gives us a feeling of pride and togetherness. Neither the politics nor the prolonging civil war could destroy the patriotic feelings of any son of Sri Lanka. We are proud of our culture, heritage and ancestoral origin.
Murugesu Thiru, U.A.E

Every time we visit the country I feel alienated and disappointed. We do not share the values, and I feel that my relatives are rather prejudiced

Deb Ghatak, Sweden/India

As a son of two Indian parents, I feel very interested in what's happening in India. But every time we visit the country I feel alienated and disappointed. We do not share the values, and I feel that my relatives are rather prejudiced towards women, Africans, Moslems, homosexuals etc. I also find it funny that they always accuse Westerners of being racist, while their values on minorities would be considered extreme here in Sweden. I feel neither as a Swede nor as an Indian. I pride myself in other things than my nationality, nationalism in any form is primitive. I will however always take interest in what happens in India. But I will never share their values on many things. I do however share values with most Swedes.
Deb Ghatak, Sweden/India

The West and India now have more or less the same value system and form of government which puts the general aspirations of human beings first, and ideologies a very distant second. That being the case, the notions of roots, loyalties etc. become almost academic if not meaningless. Human beings are too complex. It is perfectly normal - and no longer embarrassing - to see that a lot of Indians are fond of Shakespeare, and lot of Westerners fond of Upanishads. Same goes for Indians devouring Kentucky Fried Chickens and Americans licking last traces of curry off their fingers. As one oft repeated line in Upanishad says: world is one family. And, truth is one, spoken in different unique ways.
Pradip Parekh, USA, formerly India

I am a first generation emigrant and happen to be in South East Asia. I have no other allegiance to my homeland except collecting the passport when the time is due. I would associate completely with the receiving society if I could change my looks that I unfortunately or fortunately cannot. I personally think that the integration of the South Asians in the receiving societies is too slow giving rise to mini countries being created inside the receiving country. This always spells trouble.
Miklos Nomad, Hungary

Age and maturity definitely plays a vital role in continuing traditions

Roann Tubalinal, UK

Age and maturity definitely plays a vital role in continuing traditions and beliefs regardless of where you are. I came to the UK when I was 18 years old to join my parents. It was a struggle especially in establishing your own identity and trying to embrace a totally new way of life (culture-wise). Luckily, everything turned out well with the support of people around me. Language is definitely an important component in preserving cultural heritage.
Roann Tubalinal, UK (London)/ Country of birth (Philippines)

In a region controlled by corruption, narrow-mindedness and most of all the Caste system, migration to the West and education in the West will help South Asians refocus on the problems back home and repair the miserable living conditions in their region.
Andrew Thill, USA

I feel the very concept of being attached to motherland impresses an opinion of a lesser attachment to the local land. One should eventually see a borderless mother earth, and whether we progress in knowledge, wealth and harmony.
Balakrishnan, UAE

A century from now we may have a composite global culture

T. Ramakrishnan, USA

The first generation holds on to the past; the second aspires for assimilation, and the third goes back to its roots in search of identity. But as immigrants and their descendents are assimilated by their hosts, they also change the host "culture" with their music and dance, food and religions. The Indian impact is already visible in the US and the UK. As American and European TV and popular culture gains audiences in India, a century from now we may have a 'composite global culture', with somewhat different accents in different countries, and different segments within the same country.
T. Ramakrishnan, USA

I was born in Hong Kong and am studying in the UK. I visit India once a year yet I have this great pride in my country and I always will in my heart. However, I can only express this in India itself and find it hard to do so elsewhere. I will never forget my roots because I am a child of India whether I like it or not.
Shipra, UK

I always try and link myself to any activity connected with India

Sasi Kumar, Australia

The importance of social gatherings and the surrounding environment have become more acute since I moved to this country. I always try and link myself to any activity connected with India. I also ensure that my children keep in touch with the their culture since the only stable thing they would get from a western culture would be independence without any responsibility.
Sasi Kumar, Australia

As part of the forced diaspora from India to South Africa, I am the third generation born there. That is my home but I am proud of my Indian cultural heritage. However, I am not living in India. My home language is English and not an Indian one. This is the reality of diaspora. But what is the truly 'Indian' way of life? Speaking the language? Not eating beef? Or actually knowing something about the history, literature, music etc of your country of origin. Why does embracing different ideas and ways of living mean that it's bad just because it's not the 'Indian' way?
Natalia Shunmugan, Italy

We the citizens of South Asia have realised quite earlier than the rest of the world that it is basically the mind and heart that matters and not the country or the place where you live. So even if we, Asians stay thousands of miles away from our country we always feel ecstatic about our motherland.
Chirag Doshi, India

Language plays a very important role in binding people to their cultural roots

T.A. Subbaraja, USA/ India

As a non-resident Indian, my attachment to my country has become more healthy and strong since I originally left it. I would like to see my child have the same kind of attachment as most of the second generation that I have seen in the US could not speak their mother tongue. I think language plays a very important role in binding people to their cultural roots irrespective of the location.
T.A. Subbaraja, USA/ India

I do not think that South Asians are losing their roots. I believe that they are too much involved with the back-home syndrome, missing a lot of new ideas and opportunity that this nation has to offer.
Saeed, USA

As a Muslim, we are not allowed to forget where we came from. We should never let go of the past.
Faraz, Pakistan

Indians are certainly losing touch with the country of their origin. A large number of them have started thinking that India is a backward country steeped in superstition. It is shocking that thousands of Hindus coming from India do not hesitate to eat beef. They are the sons and daughters of those people who could never think of eating it. It is apparent that the next generation of migrants will completely forget their religion.
Mukhtar Ali Naqvi, USA

If any ethnic group intends to migrate they need to take into serious consideration that they are not only leaving their country of birth but also the way of life they are used to. This includes culture as well. If somebody wants to hold on to their cultural roots, please don't migrate because you'll only be kidding yourself. Culture is nothing but the behaviour pattern of a particular group of people in a particular geographic location at a particular time in history. Since everything evolves, what makes anyone think that their grandchildren or great-grandchildren should hold on to the values of their grand or great grandparents?
Riza, New Zealand

I do not think that living away from India means that you lose your roots. As a third generation Kenyan, I can say that Indians in Kenya have kept very close to their culture as a means of survival. We all speak the language, maintain our spiritual and religious ties, and many of the young people still have arranged marriages etc. In fact, we are often shocked when we watch Hindi movies, because it brings home the fact that Indians in India are more "western" than Indians abroad.
Kavita, Kenya/ USA

South Asians have an identity crisis. The second generation thinks that if they behave like Westerners they will be accepted by that society rather than be left out like their parents. I am sorry to say that even if Asians paint their faces white, Westerners who are ignorant of other cultures will always look on them as aliens.
Patrick Ratnaraja, UK

... the whole world is converting into a great melting pot

Agha Ata, USA

An international culture is slowly emerging. The demand of the modern time is that we accept the change efficiently. Social evolution is an ongoing process, it is only in 20th century that it became more apparent. Finally, why don't we look at the second, third and fourth generations of Americans and see what connection they have with their roots? No doubt the whole world is converting into a great melting pot!
Agha Ata, USA

Being first generation immigrant I still love my mother country and so do my children. I do appreciate the opportunities and the freedom in the USA and if I had this back home I would have never come here. In India, opportunity is for those who are rich. I am supporting some of my family members for their education and my children know how much in terms of donation (bribe) I have to pay for them to get admission to education institutions, so some of those sad facts will keep future generations love India. I thank God we have very strong community here in Dallas and we do lot of things which keep us in touch with India.
Kashmir, USA

I personally don't feel that achievements of SE Asians, particularly Indians are really great. Indians brought up in India are used to face and overcome stupendous competition (even for small things) and still maintain cheer and motivation for big things. With such a background, prospering in the US, though competitive, is not really difficult. The real challenge is in creating a system where even an alien with a potential can thrive, e.g. USA. There seems to be no urgency amongst SE Asians to create such a system, which Makes me think that south Asians are forgetting their roots.
Ajay k, India

India will improve the basic facilities soon not because politicians have changed but the multinational companies want to set-up their offices

Rahul Nene, Netherlands / India

I have seen many people talking about poverty and corruption in India and hence they left India. Many of those who migrated didn't do so because of corruption but because in 1947, being a young nation, they did not have faith in India. I agree that the bureaucratic process in India is far too time consuming, but is not different that in the UK, France, Spain or Holland. I have seen these countries closely. India has corrupt officials, but the new Central Vigilance Commission is very active to stop that. Corruption is definitely not a reason for leaving country. I am keen to go back to India, but what India needs is foreign exchange and I think that is why I am working abroad. India will improve the basic facilities soon not because politicians have changed but the multinational companies want to set-up their offices in India and hence government has to do this fast to attract them.
Rahul Nene, Netherlands / India

As a 2nd generation Indian in Sydney I can say that I have not lost my roots in India. And neither have any of the other 2nd generation kids because there is just so much exposure in Sydney to Indian culture. The exposure does not always come from parents, at least not here in Sydney.
Anant, Sydney, Australia

Absolutely not, to the contrary: Indians who have moved out tend to be more nationalistic. We are always looked at as Indians even if we take up US citizenship. Besides we have a selfish interest, if India prospers and is looked at positively, we are also looked at positively. Our only wish is that the countries in the sub-continent get along with each other and focus on development for the well being of the poor. Indians living overseas do care about the country they left behind and have been increasingly helping in its development. Many of those who have made it in the high tech sector have made investments in India and or have convinced their employers to set up shop in India. Now every major technology player in the US has a presence in India. Indians living overseas celebrate many of the Indian festivals and in some cases in a grand scale. With the advent of DVD and Bollywood-only cinema halls in the US, folks from the sub-continent (including Afghanis) watch Indian movies in great numbers. As for future generations of Indians, you only have to look at Indians in Africa or the West Indies, most of whom never set foot in India: they are more Indian than Indians! In most cases the roots will not be lost - primarily because of the ease of travel and access to information.
Sunil, California, USA, India (country of birth)

It is sole responsibility of the first generation to inculcate in their children their cultural heritage and ties, but nowadays, due to rapid modernisation and westernisation, even parents are confused about the way they bring up their children. As a result it is the child who bears the brunt.
Piya Sharma, India/US

Eventually, countries, boundaries will have no meaning

Sumeet Misra, USA/India

The world is changing fast in this Information age. Eventually, countries, boundaries will have no meaning because one can work for any company or conduct business from a remote access and currency will be fully convertible for more or less most of the countries. An individual may be able to earn/spend at any place/currency as he pleases irrespective of his geographical location. A person will eventually be recognised by his/her skills and education, not by his/her place of birth, race etc. Hence I don't think this concept of motherland will really matter (except emotionally).
Sumeet Misra, USA/India

I believe that no matter where the first generation originated from the second generation should get into mainstream of the land where they were born. They should remain devoted to the land where they were born and lived their lives instead of bothering about the land to which they never had any affection. The first generation should understand this and help their kids accordingly, instead of confusing them.
Naresh P., India/USA

Did British people betray their motherland by migrating to USA? The answer is NO. So I think it's same case with South Asian people.
Narayan Shetty, USA

I am surprised to see the post of Ashesh. I am not surprised to see how many Indians try to portray themselves different than Bangladeshis. Just to remind you that many Indians make their leaving by smuggling goods from India to Bangladesh worth more than $1 billion per year.
Hasan, Bangladesh

Our roots and culture are strongly embedded in our hearts. We are not forgetting our motherland either

Girish Murthy, USA

It is time to look beyond national frontiers and racial barriers. Birds of a feather - modern individuals with similar intellect, attitudes and interest - flock together. Geography is no longer an impediment for people to come together. However, this does not mean that we are forgetting our roots. Our roots and culture are strongly embedded in our hearts. We are not forgetting our motherland either. The Non-Residential Indian community has played a major role in galvanizing the Indian technological sector. As for the second generation, I believe that if the parents are able to impart the values and knowledge of their culture, they will be better off than some of their counterparts in South Asia who are not as educated and worldly. Personally, I feel more proud of my culture after living abroad and having a chance to experience other cultures.
Girish Murthy, USA

First year abroad, I was attached to my original homeland but that affinity waned with time. After over thirty years, I am only attached to my close relations who still live back home in India but that's just about it. The second generation has and will have no affinity to the values of the motherland we left behind. It is sad but a fact of life.
Narinder Dogra, USA

Bangladesh is a country full of hard working and talented people. It should stop looking towards West and especially towards the US for the solutions of its problems. In the end everyone has to clean up their own mess. The same advice goes for India. It sickens me when I see that people of sub-continent haven't learnt anything from their history!
John Major, USA

I have close ties to my family back home and am living abroad for mainly better professional opportunities

H J, India

As a first-generation non-resident Indian, I don't feel any difference in my attachment to my country of origin. But I agree that this may not be the same for the next generation. I have close ties to my family back home and am living abroad for mainly better professional opportunities. My kids probably won't have that if I don't make sure that they spend a lot of time travelling and living in India. So it's going to be my responsibility to give them that attachment to MY country of origin. Then it is more or less up to them to decide what kind of a relationship they want to pursue.
H J, India

I think sometimes you can serve your motherland better by living abroad. If you know how to fly a plane but there is no plane where you live; it is wise to go where you have got the planes to fly, instead of riding a horse where you live. Back home, slowly the times are changing and I think soon we will be back in our homeland and the infrastructure will be there to utilise our talents.
Imran Ahmad, Canada/Pakistan

I think in this age of One Global Economy and One Free World we need to think beyond allegiance to the country of birth and look forward to the betterment of fellow human beings via better Medicine, Technology, Environment and of course Peace. God bless mother Earth.
Krishna, India

Parents at times are even themselves ashamed to raise their kids the Indian way

Guru Shenoy, United States

The relationship that the second generation generally tends to have is a very passive one. It is quite understandable. They are even not partially to blame because the parents at times are even themselves ashamed to raise their kids the Indian way. It arises from their own insecurity.
The hypocrisy only arises when the kids grow up and find that doing things the Indian way is quite foreign to them. They should not be expected to grow up understanding and sharing the good of both cultures here.
Incidentally, there are also those families that live in the U.S. and U.K. for years and don't every want to join the American mainstream culturally, socially or otherwise. This too is unwise. India has does nothing for the second generation. She doesn't therefore owe them anything and conversely they too don't owe India anything. If India can overcome her haunting primitive bureaucratic manner of conducting business, this second generation that I envision is but too eager to invest there and help her speed up the process of being a key player in the global scene.
Guru Shenoy, United States

It is the economic conditions in S. Asia that has been the primary reason for people to migrate to greener pastures, be it US/UK or E. Africa, Fiji, Hong Kong or even Caribbean. One would then expect people to return only if the reason that compelled to emigrate in the first place had changed.
While it is true, particularly in Southern India, that opportunities in software and services and so forth are there, by and large India is still governed by a political class that is more interested in control (corruption) than creativity. It is even worse in Pakistan/Bangladesh where the establishment composed of military and wealthy land owners practically own the country.
So in this context, one can hardly blame an average Indian or Pakistani to pack his bags and move on. In the long run, it is actually better because the more Indian software engs leave the country, the less pressure is on the govt to bloat its numbers even further.
Ashesh, USA

If the first generation is keeping that link with pride to the motherland, then YES the second generation will follow that pride. With pride they will associate themselves to that culture and roots. It's that FIRST generation that has to take that STEP!!
Jay, USA

If you are Tamil in Sri Lanka getting a job and having a decent living is close to impossible

Mark Balasundram, Canada

Tamils left Sri Lanka due to constant harassment by the government of Sri Lanka. If you are Tamil in Sri Lanka getting a job and having a decent living is close to impossible. Do I feel any love towards Sri Lanka, I can say without any hesitation NO. Now I am a patriotic and a proud Canadian. I would like to make one point clear; I do care for Tamils living over there.
Mark Balasundram, Toronto, Canada