Indians In India Research Articles

Research note: Continuity or change: Intergenerational patrilocal residence patterns among Indians in India and abroad (USA, UK, and Canada)

Research note: Continuity or change: Intergenerational patrilocal residence patterns among Indians in India and abroad (USA, UK, and Canada)

A185 A GUT MICROBIOME TRANSITION: THE JOURNEY FROM INDIA TO CANADA

Abstract Background Young Indian immigrants and Indo-Canadians face a significantly higher risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in westernized countries. While the etiology of IBD remains unclear, a gut microbiome that is no longer symbiotic with its host is a key player. However, Indians are underrepresented in microbiome research, therefore we cannot accurately assess the role of their gut microbiome in IBD. To understand why Indians are at a greater risk for IBD in Canada, we must first characterize their gut microbiome. Aims This study explores how immigration to Canada impacts the gut microbiome of Indian populations, potentially elevating their risk to IBD. Methods Stool samples from healthy volunteers (ages 17-53) were collected from Indians in India, Indo-Immigrants, Indo-Canadians, Euro-Canadians and Euro-Immigrants. DNA was extracted for 16S sequencing on the Illumina MiSeq platform and shotgun sequencing on the Illumina NovaSeq platform. Dietary data was processed in ESHA. Results Weighted Unifrac revealed distinct clusters of Indian and Indo-Immigrant samples from the westernized cohorts. The most pronounced difference was between Indian and Euro-Canadians with a pseudo-F value of 49.18 (q = 0.00125). Indian versus Indo-Immigrants resulted in a pseudo-F value of 7.707 (q = 0.00125), and Indian versus Indo-Canadian had a pseudo-F value of 15.95 (q = 0.00125). BugBase estimated a significantly higher stress tolerance in the Indian gut, with Proteobacteria driving this phenotypic prediction. Compared to Euro-Canadians, a significantly higher pathogenic potential was predicted in Indians (pFDR= 1.04e-11) and Indo-Immigrants (pFDR= 1.41e-04), driven mainly from Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes. Multiple comparisons with LDA revealed Prevotella was over 5 times more abundant in Indians residing in India. The gut microbiome in Indians were also enriched with taxa associated with a plant-based diet. Dietary data showed that 59% of Indians do not consume meat, and they also had the lowest consumption (12% caloric intake) of group 4 ultra-processed food (UPF), whereas the highest consumption of UPF was in Indo-Canadians (61% caloric intake) (pbonf ampersand:003C 0.0001). A frequent trend was observed in Indians living in Canada, which was a reduction in key nutrients including soluble fiber, zinc, iron, and folate, some of which are commonly found in plant-based foods. Conclusions Overall findings reveal that a loss of Prevotella abundance was observed in Indo-Immigrants and Indo-Canadians, which was associated with a reduction in key nutrients that are common to a plant-based diet, indicating a transition away from their traditional diet. Their dietary changes may be a driver to the displacement of Prevotella and other taxa commonly found in the Indian gut microbiome. Funding Agencies NSERC, Killam

A273 INCREASING THE REPRESENTATION OF INDIANS IN MICROBIOME RESEARCH: HOW DOES THEIR GUT MICROBIOME DIFFER?

Abstract Background During the 1900s when industrialization was on the rise in western countries, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) began to present itself and continually increase over the decades. Now, newly industrialized countries such as India are following this same pattern, and with a population reaching over one billion, India is projected to have one of the highest IBD prevalence worldwide. Furthermore, pediatric diagnoses of IBD are more frequently reported in India and in Indian children living in Canada, suggesting this disease may present differently in those of Indian descent. While the etiology of IBD remains unclear, a gut microbiome that is no longer symbiotic with its host is a key player. However, Indians are one of the least represented in microbiome research, therefore we cannot accurately assess the role of their gut microbiome in IBD. To effectively understand the nature of IBD in Indians, we must first define their gut microbiome. Purpose Our study characterizes the microbiome of Indians living in India to explore how it differs from Canadians of European descent. Method Stool samples from healthy volunteers (ages 18-55) were collected from Indians in India and Euro-Canadians in Kelowna, BC. Microbial DNA was extracted for 16S sequencing on the Illumina MiSeq platform and QIIME2 was used for microbiome analysis. Result(s) We will discuss the similarities and differences comparing the gut microbiome of Indians to Euro-Canadians, further highlighting the need for more microbiome research of this demographic. Conclusion(s) Our research aims to increase representation of Indians in microbiome research in the hopes of improving our knowledge of the predispositions to IBD, which will aid in the information required to develop effective preventive measures. With elevated risk for IBD in Indians residing in Canada, future studies should also aim to analyze if the gut microbiome in Indians change as they migrate and adopt the westernized lifestyle. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

The Indian Freedom Struggle and the Kenyan Diaspora

Abstract The connections between the Indian Freedom movement and the Kenyan Indian diaspora after the First World War led to the involvement of the Indian National Congress and Gandhi in the struggle of the Kenyan Indians for equality and equal treatment with the British white settlers in Kenya. The Congress considered that the success of the equality struggle in Kenya would also lead to equal treatment of Indians in India itself. This was consistent with the prevailing political goal of the freedom movement in India in 1919, which was self-rule through Dominion Status under the British Crown. But when the struggle of the Kenya Indians failed and equality was denied to them by the famous Devonshire Declaration in 1923, there the Indian freedom movement realized that this signalled unequal status and a denial of self-rule to India itself. Historic consequences followed. This was the turning point and over the years immediately after the Kenyan decision (1923–1929), the Indian National Congress changed its political aim from Dominion Status to Full Independence as a Republic, realized over the 17 years to 1947.

CHALLENGING HEGEMONIC CULTURAL TRADITION OF GHURCHARI IN HARYANA

Kathopinishad describe the meaning of chariot and in marriage bridegroom riding female horse. The use of female horse not only suggests patriarchal intention to domesticate the wife but also control the women. On the commencement of the Indian constitution, they have become equal citizens in all aspects of life. They become aware of self respects, dignity and their rights enshrined in the Indian constitution. The upper castes or greater Indians still trest them as lesser Indians and expect them to stay at the bottom of the society. Recent caste conflicts on marriage ritual of ghurchari i.e dalit groom and family members seriously injured during ghurchari (jatu luhari, 2002), upper caste people prevented a dalit groom from riding an elephant (2011), killed in 2013, Devsar, upper caste men beat dalit groom and stopped him to perform ghurchari(2013, Ratera), upper caste youth barred dalit groom from carrying the ritual of ghurchari (sanjharwas, charki Dadri) violence broke out in the village sangha, karnal after upper caste youth prevented dalit youth from performing, ghurchari (2017) etc... clearly reflects the social position of the lesser Indians in India. This was an exploratory study based on secondary sources such as newspapers and magazines. focussing on the hegemonic power, protest ideology, role of police and social relationship KEYWORDS:- scheduled caste, Ghurchuri, hegemony, protest ideology

Diaspora and Development

Preface. Foreword Oommen Chandy. Acknowledgements. 1. Diaspora and Development: Critical Issues Dilip Ratha and Sonia Plaza 2. Diaspora and Development: Case Study of the Indo-EU Diaspora Alwyn Didar Singh 3. Diaspora and Development: Theoretical Perspectives Amba Pande 4. Diaspora, Transnationalism and Development Ajaya Kumar Sahoo 5. Engaging the Indian Diaspora for Development Smita Tiwari 6. Professional Diaspora Networks and Philanthropy in the Healthcare Sector T. L. S. Bhaskar 7. Return of Diasporas: India's Growth Story vs Global Crisis S. Irudaya Rajan, V., Kurusu and Saramma Panicker C. K. 8. Punjabi Diaspora and Educational Development Kaveri Qureshi and Filippo Osella 9. Land, Migration and Identity: Changing Punjabi Transnationalism Steve Taylor 10. Diaspora and Remittances Milly Sil 11. Future Diasporas? International Student Migration from India to the UK S. Irudaya Rajan and Neha Wadhawan 12. Ethnic Indians in India's Look East Policy Amit Singh 13. The Indian Diaspora in Oman Veronika Deffner 14. Indian Migrant Experiences in Oman and Bahrain Radhika Kanchana and S. Irudaya Rajan 15. Nitaqat - Second Wave of Saudization: Is it an Answer to the Domestic Discontent? Zakir Hussain 16. Kerala Emigration to Saudi Arabia: Prospects under the Nitaqat Law K. C. Zachariah, S. Irudaya Rajan and Jolin Joseph 17. Migration and Inequality Raju John 18. International Trade in Health Services: An Indian Experience Soumi Roy Chowdhury 19. Capability Quotient of the North-Eastern Out-Migrants Pinak Sarkar 20. Living Conditions of Sri Lankan Tamil Refugees in India C. Valatheeswaran.

The Influence of Perceived Stress and Depression on Suicide-Related Beliefs in Caucasian and Indian Adults.

Suicidality research in developing countries, including India, faces logistical and cultural challenges. Technology may help address these challenges and offer data to providers treating a diverse clientele. The relationship between perceived stress and suicide-related beliefs was examined in two populations: Indians in India (n = 374) and Caucasians in English-speaking countries (n = 326); the influence of depression on that relationship was also explored. The study was conducted via an Internet-based survey. Three-way interactions (Ethnicity × Perceived stress × Depression status) were observed, predicting strength of the belief that suicide is a solution to problems, F(1,679) = 4.18, p < .05, and that suicide is a good option if quality of life worsens, F(1,675) = 9.53, p < .01. For both beliefs, Caucasians screening positive for depression exhibited the strongest relationship between stress and suicide-related beliefs; for Indians, that relationship was not moderated by depression status. Caucasians also exhibited a stronger association between higher stress and greater belief strength that suicide is a good option assuming a steady quality of life than did Indians, F(1,680) = 6.05, p < .05. Participants were recruited through a depression screening website; results may not generalize to those who are uninterested in depression screening or to those who are unwilling or unable to use the internet for that purpose. Our findings may help to better target interventions to reduce suicidality, for example, employ stress reduction techniques for Caucasians who are depressed, and monitor suicidality for Indians reporting high stress regardless of depression.

“Save our students”: contesting discourses of racist attacks against Indians down under

This paper seeks to understand the dominant civic discourses of accusation of racism leveled against the Australians as expressed by the victims of racist attacks and Indian Government officials in the Times of India and Outlook India news magazines. The aim of the paper is to understand how the logics of the discourses have constituted the racially motivated attacks on the Indian diaspora in Australia, and how the nationalistic sentiments are fostered among the diasporic Indians and the Indians in India. The paper argues that there is a mutual production of diasporic and homeland nationalism in the face of a crisis that hits the Indian diaspora in Australia. This analysis also brings to fore the ideology of multiculturalism in Australia.

Impacting Each Other: Reflections on the US-India Relationship

When Rajeshwari Pandharipande kindly asked me to take part in the conference on ‘The Presence of “America” in India’ in 2012, I informed her that neither the American presence in India nor the Indian presence in the USA had been a focus of my study, but she correctly pointed out that I had been looking at India and the USA for a long time. Yet every Indian living in America has been looking at India and the USA for a long time. I have no special expertise on the subject. However, since neither an Indian nor an American is usually reluctant to opine, I offered some broad thoughts, for whatever they are worth. It seems to me that the US presence in India is a good deal stronger than the Indian presence in the USA, even though, as a percentage of the population, persons with Indian passports living in the USA greatly exceed persons with American passports living in India. There is a good deal of overlap. Take the tens, perhaps hundreds, of thousands of Indians in India who answer the 1-800 calls made from the USA. These hundreds of thousands daily bring an Indian accent to American life and are thus, in some ways, ‘India in America’. But they also cultivate US accents and pass on these accents to their families and neighbours in India, and are therefore part of ‘America in India’. Another case of overlap is provided by the large — and I mean large — number of Study Abroad groups that fly out twice a year from all over the USA to India. My own stay and travelling in the USA has taken me to a number of universities and colleges and to some high schools. I do not know that I have been to a single educational institution without hearing there of a Study Abroad group about to go to or return from India. This immense pool of India-connected American students generates energy both in India and America. Here is a good subject, I think, for research. To make an utterly obvious point, Coke and Pepsi, McDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut and the like are far more visible in India than are Indian eateries in the USA, although this could change. After all the British have concluded — after about 250 years of cautious experimentation — that Indian cuisine is not that bad after all. Americans, too, may discover likewise. Who knows? All in all, and maybe not very surprisingly, independent India has taken to American culture — music, food, clothes, style of speech, and so forth — far more readily and swiftly than a subordinate India adopte d

Diasporas, migration, and trade: the Indian diaspora in North America

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the migration of the Indian diaspora to Canada and the USA and its role in fostering trade and investment between them using its transnational social networks.Design/methodology/approachThis study was based on interviews with 25 Indian immigrants, 13 in Canada and 12 in the USA.FindingsThe social networks that immigrants had in both their country of residence (COR) and country of origin (COO) act as conduits of trade and investment between the two. The Indian diaspora further facilitates economic engagement between the COO and COR by running cross‐border businesses, introducing Indian products and brands in the COR, introducing the Indian culture and helping non‐Indians to invest in India. Within the COO, the diaspora's social networks often helped Indians in India connect with markets, suppliers and potential business partners in the COR.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample size was 25 people and was restricted to managers, executives and entrepreneurs of Indian origin, since it was assumed that these people are the most likely to drive trade and investment between the COO and COR.Practical implicationsFor policy makers in COOs, the paper stresses the importance of maintaining social and economic ties to the diaspora, who can often bring important trade and investment related benefits to the COO. For CORs, the paper reveals the importance of utilizing the transnational networks that the diaspora possess, that can be beneficial for the COR companies in entering new markets. Leveraging both the human and social capital of the diaspora in a mutually beneficial way is one of the biggest challenges for policy makers in both the COO and the COR.Social implicationsThe paper shows that within the COR, the local Indian community provides social and moral, rather than financial support to newly arrived Indian immigrants.Originality/valueThe paper explains the linkage between diasporas, trade and migration by focusing on the reasons for diaspora immigration, the social networks that the diaspora has, and the diaspora activities in the COR. It contributes to the literature on social networks by pointing out the importance of the diaspora's transnational social networks in both the COR and COO in driving trade and investment between them. It also adds to the brain circulation literature through its finding that pull factors, rather than push factors, were responsible for the vast majority of Indian immigration to the USA and Canada, and that by making diaspora‐friendly policies, brain circulation will be made easier, and this can help both the COO and COR in the long run.

Urbanized young Indians: are they goal oriented?

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to validate the Higgins regulatory focus/goal orientation questionnaire (RFQ) in the Indian context on a sample of urbanized young Indians: one of the most important consumer segments in India.Design/methodology/approachItems were validated using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, through both parametric and non parametric approaches to estimation.FindingsScale validity and reliability was established in the Indian context.Research limitations/implicationsA sample of 152 final year students enrolled in professional courses, conforming to the characteristics of urbanized young Indians, was used. Consumers' goal orientation may now be successfully measured in the Indian context.Practical implicationsMarketers may use the questionnaire to measure consumers' goal orientation and design products and advertisements catering specifically to promotion and prevention oriented customers. According to Cesario, Grant, and Hissing and Avnet and Higgins, this is important as message persuasiveness and product evaluation is dependent on consumer's goal orientation.Originality/valueGiven the aspirational and goal directed nature of the dominant consumer segment of young Indians in India, it is essential that regulatory focus is measured well. This study establishes the validity of the scale for young Indians whose chronic regulatory focus can now be measured effectively.

British and Indian attitudes toward ‘Western’ counselling: A quantitative comparative study

This study compared the attitudes towards ‘Western’ counselling and counselling services of Indians living in the United Kingdom for more than 10 years with British citizens of white origin and Indians living in India. Overall, 162 participants took part in the study, 49 were Indians living in India (24 men and 25 women, mean age = 20.94, SD = 2.16), 53 were Indians living in the United Kingdom (24 men and 29 women, mean age = 23.55, SD = 4.04) and 60 were British citizens of white origin (30 men and 30 women, mean age = 29.12, SD = 10.93). All Indian participants were fluent in English. Participants completed a 12-item attitude questionnaire, based on the Likert scale rating ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree with the statements, together with questions on awareness of counselling services and its significance and sources for seeking help and finding information about counselling. Overall Indians in the United Kingdom seem to have the more favourable views towards Western counselling compared to the Indians in India, and even British participants. However, there was a substantial gender difference with Indian men in the United Kingdom being more favourable than Indian women in the United Kingdom. Overall, more positive attitudes towards counselling were reported from participants who had previous experience of counselling. Furthermore, Indians in India seemed to show less awareness of Western counselling practices than the other two groups of participants. Finally, it was found that most Indians in India and British participants would seek help first from family members only rather than other sources, whilst UK Indians are more likely to ask a friend for help. The internet seems to be a more popular source for finding information on counselling services for the British participants, whilst social interactions are seen as a more dominant source for Indians in the United Kingdom and in India.

Association of Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Markers with Metabolic Syndrome in Asian Indians in India

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is associated with a proinflammatory state. Here, we assessed the contribution of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers towards prediction of MetS. A total of 2316 individuals were recruited in Phase I of the Indian Atherosclerosis Research Study (IARS). Modified ATPIII guidelines were used for classification of subjects with MetS. Among the inflammatory and oxidative stress markers studied, levels of hsCRP (P < .0001), Neopterin (P = .036), and oxLDL (P < .0001) were significantly higher among subjects with MetS. Among the markers we tested, oxLDL stood out as a robust predictor of MetS in the IARS population (OR 4.956 95% CI 2.504–9.810; P < .0001) followed by hsCRP (OR 1.324 95% CI 1.070–1.638; P = .010). In conclusion, oxLDL is a candidate predictor for MetS in the Asian Indian population.

Triglycerides and small dense low density lipoprotein in the discrimination of coronary heart disease risk in South Asian populations

Introduction Coronary heart disease (CHD) is exceptionally prevalent amongst globally dispersed migrant groups originating from the Indian subcontinent, but the contribution of dyslipidaemia to their increased risk remains poorly defined. Methods Fasting lipids and lipoproteins, apolipoproteins (Apo), low density lipoprotein (LDL) diameter and oxidised LDL were measured amongst rural Indians in India ( n = 294) and their migrant contemporaries in the UK ( n = 242). The performance of qualitative and quantitative measures of lipid metabolism were compared in the discrimination of WHO defined metabolic risk and raised Framingham CHD risk scores (>15%) using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves. Results LDL diameter was correlated with triglycerides ( R 2 = 0.12, P < 0.001) and with high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels ( R 2 = 0.15, P < 0.001) in both groups. Migrants had less small dense LDL (95% CI: 12.5–14.2%) vs. rural Indians (15.7–17.2, P < 0.05). On ROC analysis, triglycerides were the only consistent discriminators of metabolic and CHD risk scores (all P ≤ 0.001). Apo B was also a strong indicator of raised CHD risk scores. Irrespective of site, individuals with raised triglycerides also had higher total cholesterol and Apo B, denser LDL, lower HDL and more oxidised LDL (all P ≤ 0.01). Discussion Fasting triglycerides reflect both qualitative and quantitative aspects of lipid metabolism, and are a comprehensive discriminator of CHD risk in this South Asian population.

Commentary: Cancer incidence among Asian Indians in India and abroad

Commentary: Cancer incidence among Asian Indians in India and abroad

Developing Alternative Frames of Reference

Contemporary globalization processes often obscure older historical lines of connection across the continents. My recent work has focused on the cultural practices of people of Indian origin in the Eastern Caribbean, in Trinidad. I argue that we in India need to understand this subaltern diaspora (1845-1917) of indentured labourers as the illegitimate doubles of modern Indians in India. Here is a brief account of some of the methodological issues and theoretical questions raised by the proje...

Diabetes and cardiovascular disease among asian indians in the united states

Studies, mostly from outside the United States, have found high prevalence of diabetes, coronary heart disease (CHD), and hypertension among Asian Indians, despite low rates of associated risk factors. To analyze the prevalence of obesity, diabetes, CHD, hypertension, and other associated risk factors among Asian Indians in the United States compared to non-Hispanic whites. Cross-sectional study using data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) for 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000. We analyzed 87,846 non-Hispanic whites and 555 Asian Indians. Whether a subject reported having diabetes, CHD, or hypertension. Asian Indians had lower average body mass indices (BMIs) than non-Hispanic whites and lower rates of tobacco use, but were less physically active. In multivariate analysis controlling for age and BMI, Asian Indians had significantly higher odds of borderline or overt diabetes (adjusted OR [AOR], 2.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.72 to 4.23). Multivariate analysis also showed that Asian Indians had nonsignificantly lower odds ratios for CHD (AOR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.25 to 1.35) and significantly lower odds of reporting hypertension (AOR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.42 to 0.82) compared to non-Hispanic whites. Asian Indians in the United States have higher odds of being diabetic despite lower rates of obesity. Unlike studies on Asian Indians in India and the United Kingdom, we found no evidence of an elevated risk of CHD or hypertension. We need more reliable national data on Asian Indians to understand their particular health behaviors and cardiovascular risks. Research and preventive efforts should focus on reducing diabetes among Asian Indians.

“The Largest Gathering of the Global Indian Family”: Neoliberalism, Nationalism, and Diaspora at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

On 9 January 2003, more than 2,000 people from around the world arrived in New Delhi to participate in an event that was touted as the “largest gathering of the global Indian family.” Banners prominently displaying the Indian tricolor lined the roads leading to the convention site, superimposed with the slogan “Welcome Back, Welcome Home.” Surrounded by intense media attention, India’s prime minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, inaugurated Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, proclaiming that this event commemorated the “Day of Indians Abroad.” Over the next three days, in the midst of the coldest winter Delhi had experienced in years, the Indian government and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) spent twenty-two crore rupees (US$49 million) on lectures, seminars, trade exhibition booths, lavish amounts of food and drink, and spectacular stage shows featuring Bollywood actors. Advertised widely on the Web and in the Indian news media, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was the first government-sponsored event that brought together Indians in India with representatives of the nearly 20 million Indians who live overseas.

‘After Shaking his Hand, Start Counting your Fingers’: Trust and Images in Indian Business Networks, East Africa 1900-2000

In this study, I examine how ‘ethnic’ trading networks are created and recreated, but may also fracture and fall apart. This occurred among some Indian groups in East Africa, who initially strengthened their economic and cultural ties with India by maintaining intensive trade relations and taking brides from the homeland. However, after just one generation, their economic focus was on East Africa, Japan and the UK. Many of today's well-off Indian businessmen in East Africa show little economic interest in India. In fact, Gujarati businessmen in East Africa created new, rather negative images of their counterparts in Gujarat. During the last century, their overall image of Indians in India was transformed from one of a ‘reliable family or community members’ to one of ‘unreliable, corrupt and, untrustworthy ‘others’.

Artifacts, Identity, and Transition: Favorite Possessions of Indians and Indian Immigrants to the United States

The things to which we are attached help to define who we are, who we were, and who we hope to become. These meanings are likely to be especially salient to those in identity transitions. In this study we examine such meanings by comparing favorite possessions of Indians in India and Indians who immigrated to the United States. Because the Indian sense of self differs considerably from Western concepts, these immigrants provide an interesting and important group in which to examine the use of possessions in securing identity. Results suggest that possessions play an important role in the reconstruction of immigrant identity.