Prospects and Implications for Nation States - IGNOU

Report and Proceedings 

International Conference 

Diaspora and Development 

Prospects and Implications for Nation States 

7th-8th September, 2011 

Organised By 

School of Extension and Development Studies 

School of Interdisciplinary and Trans-disciplinary Studies 

Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi 

Sponsored by 

izoklh Hkkjrh; dk;Z ea=ky; 

Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs 

www.overseasindian.in 

Indian Council of 

Social Science Research 

Indian Council for 

Cultural Relations 

Reserve Bank of India

About IGNOU 

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) was established by an Act of Parliament 

in 1985 (Act No.50 of 1985). IGNOU, the National Resource Centre for Open 

and Distance Learning with international recognition and presence, provides seamless 

access to sustainable and learner-centric quality education, skill upgradation 

and training to all by using innovative technologies and methodologies and ensuring 

convergence of existing systems for massive human resource required for promoting 

integrated national development and global understanding. Irina Bokova, 

the Director-General of UNESCO in her key-note lecture on the occasion of the Silver 

Jubilee of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), 2009 in New Delhi 

described IGNOU as “a living embodiment” for building inclusive knowledge societies 

in a globalised world. 

School of Extension and Development Studies (SOEDS) 

SOEDS was established in 2007 with an aim at providing quality education and training 

in various aspects of extension and development studies, i.e. economic, social 

and human development, by offering programmes leading to the award of Certificate, 

Diploma, Post Graduate Diploma and Post-Graduate Degrees in relevant subjects. 

The thrust areas of the School are Extension Education, Livelihood Education, 

Development Studies and Empowerment Studies 

School of Interdisciplinary and Trans-disciplinary 

Studies (SOITS) 

The School of Interdisciplinary and Trans-disciplinary Studies (SOITS) was established 

in 2007 with a mandate for promoting academic study and research within 

and across conventional and emerging disciplines. It has moved to fulfil this goal 

by instituting innovative courses and programmes devoted to the study of social 

anthropology, labor and development, environment, diaspora, language and linguistics 

and Peace and Conflict among others. It has also promoted course offerings 

in the ODL mode in the sphere of Folklore and Cultural Studies, besides a 

new modular offering in the study of Philosophy at the undergraduate and graduate 

levels. 

Fair use of this material is encouraged with proper citation. 

© Indira Gandhi National Open University 

DESIGN: IANSPUBLIShING

Foreword 

International migration and diaspora has been one of the integral parts of 

the recent development discourse in academics as well as the policy domain, 

more pertinently in developing countries. The latter are the suppliers 

of large number of skilled, semi-skilled and also the unskilled manpower to 

the developed countries. There is growing evidence that Diaspora has made 

far reaching contributions to the development of the destination countries 

as well as countries of their origin. With globalization, contribution of the Diaspora 

to the development of nation states have been meaningfully enhanced. 

In this context, the conference on “Diaspora and Development: 

Prospects and Implications for Nation States” organized at IGNOU during 7-8 September 2011 by The 

School of Extension and Development Studies (SOEDS) and School of Interdisciplinary and Trans-disciplinary 

Studies (SOITS) is noteworthy for its timely positioning and response to a global issue relating 

to diaspora and development. 

More than 150 participants i.e. academia, research scholars, policy makers from 27 countries participated 

and deliberated on the various aspects of diaspora and development such as social, economic, 

cultural, political, international relations, technology transfers, value additions across the globe, etc. 

The research findings were shared by the expert participants working in the field of Diaspora studies 

in various countries. 

In this context, I must acknowledge the kind gesture of Indian Council of Overseas Employment 

(ICOE), Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, Indian Council of Social Science Research, Indian Council for 

Cultural Relations and The Reserve Bank of India for providing generous financial support to conduct 

this international conference. 

I believe that the Proceedings that have brought out the major outcomes of the papers presented 

in the Conference would provide input for further deliberations and dialogue among the researchers, 

policy planners at the regional-grassroots, , national and international levels and help the governments 

of the nation states to engage the diaspora in development process in a more constructively, institutionally 

and in its newer policy orientations with quick changing adaptability to oncoming horizons 

of discourse and practice. 

October, 2011 

New Delhi 

V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai 

Vice Chancellor

Dignitaries and Conference Delegates 

Shri Vinay Sahni, Joint Secretary, Diaspora 

Services Division, MOIA, addressing delegates. 

PVC Dr. Latha Pillai addressing delegates 

during the cultural event. 

VC Prof. Pillai lighting the lamp 

Ambassador J.C. Sharma. 

Noted dance critic Prof. Sunil Kothari. 

Dr. Nandini Sen. 

Ms. Metka Hercog. 

Mr. Evans Stephen Osabuohien. 

Ms. Alena Strohmaier. Dr. Md. Salahuddin. 

Noted Danseuse Jayalakshmi Eshwar. 

A session on Film, Theatre and Writings.

Contents 

Preface and Acknowledgements............................................................................ 6 

Introduction .................................................................................................................... 8 

Session-wise proceedings ........................................................................................ 9 

Diaspora and Development: Issues, Strategies and 

Practices, Session I, Plenary I ......................................................................................10 

Politics of Inclusion and Exclusion, Session II ......................................................12 

human Development, Session II ..............................................................................14 

human Development (Continuation), 

Session IV ..........................................................................................................................16 

Diaspora Finance and Socio- 

Economic Development, Session III ........................................................................17 

Politics of Inclusion and Exclusion 

(Continuation), Session III ............................................................................................19 

Film, Theatre and Writings, Session V ..............................................................................24 

Engaging Diaspora: 

The Way Forward, Session VI, Plenary II ..................................................................27 

Valedictory Session ........................................................................................................31 

Outcome and Recommendations ............................................................................32 

Annexture I: 

Programme Schedule .................................................................................................. 34 

Annexture II: 

List of Participants ........................................................................................................ 39 

International Conference | Diaspora and Development 

PROSPECTS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR NATION STATES 5

Preface and Acknowledgements 

Prof. B.K. Pattanaik. 

Dr. Sadananda Sahoo. 

Diaspora has been one of the important 

aspects of the globalization 

processes that needs to be 

culled out from the latter’s modernizing 

envelopes and reaches. The scholarship 

on diaspora vis a vis development is 

manifesting growing expanse and responsible 

postures. The UNDP Development 

Report 2009 “human Development 

on the Move” emphasized the impact of 

the movement of people on socio-economic 

development of the home and 

host countries and its peoples. 

As the development scenario is 

changing due to the intervention of diverse 

actors ranging from technology to 

changing income levels macrossopically, 

it is important to understand the nature 

of mobility of people in the new context. 

Digital interactive media such as internet, 

mobile and T.V. provide a new interactive 

space for the diaspora and transnational 

communities to experience and connect 

life in a manner that was not available a 

few years ago. ICT mediated interaction 

have economic and social aspects that 

deeply influence society- its economy, 

polity, diplomatic and cultural life. 

Developing Countries face different 

challenges in the emerging scenario visa-vis 

the developed countries. Contrary 

to the idea of brain drain that dominated 

the development debate in the 60s and 

70s among the scholars and policy makers 

of developing countries, diasporas in 

the age of internet are seen as resources 

to accumulate human, financial, and social 

capital for the development of their 

home communities as well as host country. 

Many developing countries have 

been playing a growing role in channelizing 

the resources through various institutional 

mechanisms in the recent years 

by engaging Ministries, educational institutions 

and civil society organizations. 

Many Asian and African countries have 

taken initiatives at the top level to provide 

institutionalized platform to facilitate 

the diasporas to play development 

role back home. Diasporas need to vigorously 

establish and reinforce multi-sectoral 

links between countries of origin 

and destination through these institutionalized 

links and on their own. 

Developing countries have channelized 

financial resources from their diaspora 

more effectively. Financial capital 

accumulated by diasporas abroad is 

often repatriated to the country of origin 

in the form of remittances or direct investments 

that benefit the home community 

and the population as a whole. 

human capital which plays an important 

role and can be effectively transferred 

across border with the use of ICT creates 

opportunity in many sectors such as 

higher education, training, Research and 

Development, etc. 

Though there are successful cases of 

diasporic engagement with home country 

in the economic and social aspects, it 

suffers complex and multi dimensional 


6 PROSPECTS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR NATION STATES

problematics in its impacts on domestic and international 

developmental dimensions. Many of 

the diaspora anchor the regional, linguistic and 

ethnic factor visa v is the broader goals. For example 

Indian diaspora has a strong regional affiliation. 

Diverse social, cultural, security, defense 

related matters through diasporic channels impact 

the conventional national and international 

fabric. Development impacts of the diaspora are 

cause of unevennesses across regions. The policy 

challenges range from creation of greater inclusiveness 

in the development process to vertical 

growth horizons. 

This International Conference on the theme 

“Diaspora and Development: Prospects and Implications 

for Nation States” conducted by School of 

Extension and Development Studies and School 

of Interdisciplinary and Trans-disciplinary Studies 

was conceived to deliberate on the following: (1) 

to contextualise and conceptualise diaspora in 

the changing development scenario; (2) to assess 

the micro and macro level impact of the diaspora– 

national, regional, sectoral and community level; 

(3) to assess the possible roadmaps to engage diaspora 

in the development process, (4) to provide 

fresh ideas and policy inputs to the governments, 

development agencies working at national and 

international level. 

however, there are many more unexplored 

areas which were discussed during the conference. 

The need for continuous academic and 

policy engagement to harness the unique development 

potentials out of the diaspora in the 

emerging scenarios was agreed upon. The conference 

brought together more than 150 participants 

comprised of scholars from 27 different 

countries across the globe. There were 53 scholarly 

papers were presented in the conference 

widely touching upon a variety of issues, ideas, 

country experiences, practices in policies etc. 

The conference brought a diversity of issues 

that made the event meaningful in terms of its 

contribution to policy and changing academic 

orientations. 

The conference was the result of cooperation 

and support from many individuals and institutions. 

First of all, we express our deep gratitude to the Vice 

Chancellor Prof. VN Rajasekharan Pillai for providing 

an environment and opportunity to organize this 

International Conference. Much inspiration and 

support came from Dr. Latha Pillai, PVC who has 

been personally guiding and helping rest of us. 

We thank the Chief Guest of the Conference 

Dr. A. Didar Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Overseas 

Indian Affairs for kindly agreeing to participate in 

the conference and share his ideas in the conference. 

We also thank Shri G. Gurucharan, CEO of Indian 

Council of Overseas Employment for being 

the Chief Guest during the valedictory and sharing 

key insights and facts on diaspora issues. We 

thank our Keynote speaker Prof. Mizan Miah and 

all Session Chairs, Participants, Discussants and 

Rapporteurs of the different sessions who gave 

their valuable time and cooperation. 

We acknowledge our thanks to our esteemed 

sponsorers such as ICOE, ICSSR, ICCR, RBI and Oxford 

University Press. Our special thanks to our 

own colleagues and office staff without whose 

untiring efforts the Conference engagements 

would have been left undone. 

(Dr. Sadananda Sahoo) 

Joint Coordinator 

(Prof. B.K. Pattanaik) 

Conference Coordinator 



Introduction 

Dignitaries unveiling the conference compendium at the inauguration ceremony on September 7. 

Diaspora is an inevitable phenomenon 

and force today. Prospective Diasporas, 

that include International 

Migrants constitute about 214 million 

people globally (UN Report 2010), is important 

for the development at the national and 

international level. Several studies in recent years 

have emphasized that diaspora is becoming a 

global economic force and has been playing a 

growing role in economy (in terms of remittances, 

FDI etc), politics, media and culture cutting across 

national boundaries. 

The International Conference “Diaspora and 

Development: Prospects and Implications for Nation 

States”, 7-8 September is conceived as a platform 

to share empirical research findings and 

ideas to map out the potential of diaspora that 

can contribute towards development. The conference 

was planned as an occasion to encourage 

research and provide input to the development 

policy that will help in building better strategy to 

face the development challenges. 

The conference had participants that include 

researchers, academicians, policy experts from 

more than 27 countries. Out of total 10 sessions, 

there were two plenary sessions on the theme 

“Diaspora and Development Dynamics: Issues, 

Strategies and Practices” (Plenary I) and the other 

“Engaging Diaspora: The Way Forward” (Plenary 

II). The Remaining eight sessions were conducted 

in parallel. A total of 53 papers out of total 57 

were presented in the conference. 

The inauguration began with the lighting the 

lamp followed by welcome address by Dr. Latha 

Pillai, Pro- Vice Chancellor. She mentioned that 

“diaspora is one of the meaningful change agent. 

Interest in diaspora has been accelerated with the 

advancement in ICT and knowledge management. 

India’s software industry is a strong example. 

The industry has created 4 lakh jobs in India 

and exported 6 billion dollar goods and services 

as per some conservative estimates”. She also 

mentioned that 19 out of 20 top Indian software 

business are funded by Indian diaspora. In this 

context the role of education, ICT and institutions 

like IGNOU is meaningful. 

While delivering the presidential address Prof. 

Rajasekharan Pillai, Vice Chancellor of IGNOU an- 

8 


PROSPECTS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR NATION STATES

Chief Guest Dr. A. Didar Singh, Secretary, MOIA, 

speaking at the inauguration. 

nounced that IGNOU is in the process of setting 

up a Centre for Diaspora Studies at the University 

Campus and mentioned that “this conference will 

provide an opportunity to share thoughts on how 

India can benefit by mutual interactions”. The Key 

note address of the Conference was delivered by 

Prof. Mizan R. Miah, Director, School of Social 

Work, Southern Illinois University, USA on the 

theme “The Global Community of Diaspora: Contributions, 

Challenges and Prospects”. Prof. Miah 

mentioned that “Diasporians of the world should 

unite by contributing towards making the world 

a better, safer place for peaceful co-existence by 

the level of our talents, passion and productive 

contribution towards all kinds of developmentsocial, 

cultural, political and economic”. Dr. A 

Didar Singh, Secretary Ministry of Overseas Indian 

Affairs (MOIA) who was the Chief Guest. While addressing 

the participants of the conference Dr. 

Singh said that the “Return migration is the most 

unique phenomena in India today. At present, we 

are the world’s highest number of returned professionals. 

This group is making a phenomenal 

contribution to the local economy. This trend also 

proves that the policies of engagement with the 

Diaspora are beginning to show results”. The inauguration 

ended with the vote of thanks by Prof. 

B.K. Pattanaik, Coordinator of the International 

Conference and the Director of the School of Extension 

and Development Studies, IGNOU. 

The structure of Sessions in the Conference 

were as below: 

Inaugural Session 

Session I: “Diaspora and Development Dynamics: 

Issues, Strategies and Practices” 

(Plenary I) 

Session II: 

Session III: 

Session IV: 

Session V: 

Session VI: 

Valedictory Session 

Parallel I: Politics of Inclusion and 

Exclusion 

Parallel II: human Development 

Parallel I: Diaspora Finance and 

Socio-Economic Development 

Parallel II: Politics of Inclusion and 

Exclusion 

Parallel I: human Development 

Parallel II: Gender in the Diaspora 

Film, Theatre and Diaspora Writings 

Engaging Diaspora: The Way 

Forward (Plenary II) 

Country-wise paper presenters/participants 

Sl. No. Name of country No. of participant Paper Presenters/Participants 

1 Austria 2 Ms. Alena Strohmaier, Arash T Riahi 

2 Bangladesh 3 Prof. Saiful Islam, Syed Afroz Keramat, 

Dr. Salahuddin Mohammad 

3 Canada 1 Dr. Margaret Walton Roberts 

4 China 1 Prof. Guofu Liu 

5 Ethiopia 1 Prof. Pramod Kumar Mishra 

6 India 119 See Annexture II 

7 Indonesia 1 Mr. Agung Setiyo Wibowo 

8 Ireland 1 Prof. Mark Boyle 

9 Italy 1 Ms. Alice Colombo 

10 Malaysia 3 Dr. Maznah Ibrahim, Prof Siti 

Rugayah hj Tibek, Prof. hussine hangah 

11 Mauritius 1 Dr. K.M. Baharul Islam 

12 New Zealand 2 Dr. Wardlow Friesen, Ms Siar,Sheila 

13 Nigeria 2 Dr. Osabuohien Evans 

Dr. Efobi Uchenna 

14 Russia 1 Dr. Sergey Krivov 

15 Scotland 1 Ms. honita Cowaloosur 

16 Singapore 1 Mr. Sabastiano Rwengabo 

17 South Africa 1 Prof. Brij Maharaj 

18 Sri Lanka 1 Mr. Chaminda hettiarachchi 

19 Switzerland 3 Dr. Gabriela Tejada, Ms. Metka hercog, 

Prof. Sanjoy K. Nayak 

20 Taiwan 2 Prof. Shu-Man Pan 

Dr. Jung-Tsung Yang 

21 Tanzania 1 Dr. Inderjeet Singh Sodhi 

22 Trinidad & Tobago 1 Mr. Jwala Rambarran 

23 Turkey 1 Ms. handey Unsal 

24 U.K 3 Ms. Latefa Narriman Guemar 

Dr. Branislav Radeljic 

Prof. Shinder S Thandi 

25 USA 2 Prof. Mizan Miah 

Dr. Anjali Sahay 

26 Vietnam 1 Tu Ngoc Chau 

27 Zimbabwe 1 Dr. Francis Matambirofa 

Total 158 


PROSPECTS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR NATION STATES 

9

Session-wise proceedings 

Diaspora and Development: Issues, 

Strategies and Practices (Plenary I) 

Chair- Prof. R. K. Jain 

After introducing the panel Prof. Jain started with 

the notion of ‘diaspora’ and ‘development’. he 

said that though both the concepts are not self 

evident, yet there is strong connection between 

both. Touching the concept of ‘diaspora’ and its 

implication on nationstate, he said trans-nationalism 

has become a reality. 

First paper was presented by Prof. Mark Boyle, 

titled “Towards a New Generation of Diaspora 

Centred Development: Current Practices and 

Emerging Priorities”. In his presentation he explained 

how diaspora strategy is an explicit policy 

initiative enacted by sending countries to fortify 

and develop relationship with expatriate communities. 

he said that different countries have 

adopted different practices, policies, programmes 

etc. to tap the diaspora. he said that robust diaspora 

is important for the representation of national 

interests and for that prior alignment with 

diasora stakeholders is a successful strategy. he 

critically reflected upon the mechanism through 

which particular diaspora policies become global 

examples of best practices. 

Prof. Boyle mentioned about Global Diaspora 

Strategist Toolkit (GDST), which is an important 

Prof. Mark Boyle presenting his paper titled ‘Towards 

a New Generation of Diaspora Centred Development: 

Current Practices and Emerging Priorities.’ 

portal to compare and contrast diaspora strategy 

programmes and share best practices. he further 

said, IdEA, launched by Global Diaspora Forum, is 

intended to promote five core modes of diaspora 

engagement around the world. They are: 1) diaspreneuership 

2) diasplomacy 3) diasporacorps 

4) diaspora 2.0 and 5) diasphilanthropy. he presented 

the case of Ireland. 

Second paper was presented by Metka hercog 

and Dr. Gabriela Tejada on “The Link with home 

Country: A Comparative analysis of host Country 

Environments for Diaspora Engagements”. In their 

combine paper, they mentioned what the highly 

skills migrants can bring to their home countries 

are increasingly regarded as important for development 

and many countries are seeking ways to 

profit from the experience of the diasora. They 

took the case of India and explored the structural 

differences between host countries and conditions 

of Indian skilled migrants. They had selected 

four host countries – France, Germany, Switzerland 

and Netherland. They explore do these countries 

provide fruitful environment for diaspora 

engagement in home country development. 

They mentioned the migration policies of 

these four countries – Knowledge Migrant 

Scheme 2004 (Netherland), New Immigration Act 

2005 (Germany), Skills and Talent Visa 2006 

(France), New Foreign National Act 2008 (Switzerland). 

They also discussed the structural settings 

in these four countries in form of academic environment 

and bilateral cooperation. They conducted 

survey of Indian professionals (ICT, Finance 

and Management, Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals 

and Academia) residing in these four 

countries. They found that Indian professionals 

abroad cultivate strong trans-national links and 

express interest in development of India but 

there is low level of institutional contacts and 

lack of information about government schemes. 

Third paper presented by Prof. Brij Maharaj on 

“The African Brain Drain- Causes, Costs and Consequences”. 

he analysed the factors which influenced 

the African brain- drain and also examined 

the impact of remittances, which according to 

him are two. (1) Losing the most talented and 

skilled personnel (brain- drain) and (2) Increased 

expenditure on the education and training to 

compensate for those who left. The positive side 

10 



The session on “Diaspora and Development: Issues, Strategies and Practices” (Plenary I) in progress. 

of the brain drain is that in 2010, the remittances 

to Africa exceeded US$ 40 billion (2.6% of GDP) 

from 30 million diasporic Africans. however, the 

negative consequence is that the continent is becoming 

increasingly dependent on foreign technical 

expertise at a cost of more than US$ 4 billion 

per annum. he has also assessed the impacts of 

brain drain on the African continent; determined 

whether there is an intra-African brain circulation 

(i.e. gain and drain), and the brain circulation between 

Africa and the rest of the world. he considered 

ways in which the loss of skilled Migrants 

from the continent can be reduced, and whether 

the brain drain diaspora can contribute to development 

in Africa. 

Providing statistics, Prof. Maharaj said, since 

1990s, Africa has been losing 20,000 professionals 

annually. Female migrants increased from 42 

per cent in 1962 to 47 per cent in 2000. he said 

that the female brain drain is a critical issue as 

“women’s human capital is an even scarcer resource 

than men’s human capital. This was associated 

with the demand for services such as 

nursing, teaching and other professions dominated 

by women. There has been a great deal of 

debate about whether it is possible or necessary 

to stop, control or regulate the outflow of skilled 

migrants from Africa. Until the late 1980s, the 

policy response has been to control and regulate 

the flow of international migrants. This strategy 

was largely unsuccessful. Another policy 

option advocated was of reparations or compensation 

for the loss of skilled labour or human 

capital which should be paid to the sending 

country. This too was felt difficult in determining 

the actual amount and how it should be calculated. 

he suggests three main strategies for 

African countries to turn the brain drain into a 

brain gain: first, retain professionals; second, 

providing attractive incentives that would encourage 

professionals to return to their country 

of origin (return option); and third or using 

through their networks and associations in their 

new country to promote development in their 

country of origin (diaspora option). 

The last paper of the session was by Dr. Mar- 



11

garet Walton- Roberts titled “Contrasting regional 

Migration and Diaspora led Transformation in Kerala 

and Punjab: Is it evidence of Migration led Development?” 

She strongly argued that economic 

development of many nations in the Global South 

can no longer be comprehensively charted without 

a focus on international labour migration and 

its associated socio- economic and spatial transformations. 

She explores migration from two Indian 

states and compares them in order to identify differences 

and similarity and emerges from international 

migration. She has focused specifically 

on the migration and role of NRIs with neo-liberal 

restructuring process that India is already undergoing. 

She said that Kerala, Punjab and Goa are 

among the most remittance dependent 

economies globally. 

She asks that how are structures of traditional 

social exclusion articulated with migration. What 

role can migration policy play to broaden opportunities 

beyond networks of closure? She considers 

migration is one part of the larger imperative 

of creating more socially inclusive development 

in India. 

After the presentations, discussant Dr. Mohammad 

Salahuddin said that the first paper conceptualizes 

and shown how diaspora policies are 

build and how money can be fruitfully used as 

peace process and philanthropy. Second presenters 

conducted survey of around 428 Indian professionals 

living in the four countries. how they 

are influencing the policies of these countries? 

Their studies find out that there is strong transnational 

links and their desire to return to their 

homeland (India). Prof. Brij Maharaj has made 

alarming findings that skilled migrants in Africa 

have migrated and affected Africa’s development. 

Margaret has presented a comparative picture 

between Kerala and Punjab and also focused 

the way in which migration and role of NRIs could 

be restructured. In the end, Chair Prof. R.K. Jain 

mentioned that ‘one has to look the discontent 

of the diaspora along with the benefits’. One has 

to look both sides of the diaspora. 

Politics of Inclusion and 

Exclusion (Session II) 

Chair- Prof. A. S. Narang 

First paper was presented by Samson S. Chiru on 

“Diasporic International Relations: Agent of 

Change as Soft Power Diplomacy”. he has looked 

into the emerging power of Indian Diaspora in 

The session on “Politics of Inclusion and Exclusion” (Parallel I) in progress. 

the US that plays a vital role not only as the US citizens, 

but of India too. he called the relationship 

as ‘burnt bridge’, which the Government of India 

is tapping its diaspora for knowledge, expertise 

and money. Providing various theories of international 

relations in regard with diaspora, he has 

12 



also analysed drain of brain and wealth for the 

country of origin. 

Second paper was presented by Prof. Badrul 

Alam titled “Joining the Mainstream Bandwagon: 

A Study of Political Participation of the Indian Diaspora 

in the United States”. Starting with ethnic 

and educational composition of Indian community 

in the United States, he analysed the emerging 

sense of political consciousness and resulting 

participation of the Asian Indians and its leaders 

in the national as well as states and local level political 

arenas of the United States. he addressed 

the Asian Indians’ attitude towards pertinent domestic 

and international issues of importance in 

the context of the US society and politics. he has 

also explained how the Asian Indian community 

wants to become part of mainstream society by 

exhibiting itself as a ‘model minority’. 

Dr. Vibha Arora in her joint paper with Renuka 

Thapliyal titled “Being Tibetan in Shimla: Cultural 

hybridity and Social Development of the Tibetan 

Diaspora” put forward a debate on commercialisation 

of culture and cultural hybridity with Tibetans. 

Their study was based on the study of 

Tibetans in Shimla, himachal Pradesh. They found 

out that how Tibetan diaspora has maintained 

their identity, perpetuating their culture and their 

significant impacts on the economy of Shimla city 

in himachal Pradesh. Interestingly, they mention 

that Tibetans are happy about their refugee status 

and consider it a way to express their nationalism. 

Their homeland remains only in 

imagination. 

Fourth paper by Dr. Manisha Tripathy Pandey 

was on “Fluid Boundaries and Diasporas: Multiple 

Identities and Globalizing World”. She said, that 

the once comparatively stable, socio-cultural, political 

and economic boundaries are being ruptured 

by constant cross- cutting tide of people, 

images, goods and capital. She further explained 

the question of identity among diaspora community 

in their host countries. In her paper she revealed 

that diasporic attempt among various 

cultural reference groups resulted in multiple and 

shifting socio-political identity. She also analysed 

how identities are localised and pluralised because 

of different references and practices 

among the trans-national groups and diasporas. 

The fifth paper was presented by Dr. Sergey 

Dr. Manisha Tripathy Pandey presenting her paper 

titled ‘Fluid Boundaries and Diasporas: Multiple 

Identities and Globalizing World.’ 

Kirmov titled “The Role of Ethnic Diaspora in the 

Innovative Development of Post Soviet Era”. Focusing 

on the Soviet diaspora and labour migrants 

after the collapse of Soviet Union, he 

explores their impact on the process of modernisation. 

he emphasized on ‘diasporisation of the 

world’. he expressed two views: On the one 

hand, the orthodox view which advocates that 

the presence of strong diaspora is limiting and 

seen as de-stabilising factor, on the other hand, 

some policy makers believe that influx of foreign 

labour accelerates development with reduction 

of costs. Further he has explained 

different terminologies as ‘diaspora of cataclysm’ 

and ‘pendulum model of diasora’. Thus, despite 

the different character of diasporas impact on 

economic development in post-soviet countries, 

its effectiveness ultimately depends on the forethought 

of migration and national policies in 

each case. Innovative economy is generated primarily 

in those industries that require scientific 

developments. At the same time, the former Soviet 

republics have not yet created an attractive 

environment for the use of innovative skills of his 

former compatriots. he said that currently diaspora 

partially offset the labour shortages in certain 

sectors, as well as a source of revenue for 

their relatives at home. 

The last paper in this session was presented 

by Francis Matambirofa titled “Diaspora, Cultural 

Disintegration and Underdevelopment: A Case of 

Zimbabwe in the Last Ten Years (2001- 2011)”. 

Taking a different opinion of migration he has explained 

migration in terms of degradation of family 

values in culture with reference to Zimbabwe. 

he considered the economic development was 



13

Participants at the session on “Human Development” (Parallel II). 

just one feature of human development. And 

looking at the diaspora only in terms of capital 

growth is lopsided and unrealistic view to the 

extent it is unconcerned with the equally important 

socio-cultural aspect of human development. 

he expressed disporic impact on various 

areas in Zimbabwe as- brain drain, marriage, family, 

children, youth, etc. 

Human Development 

(Session II) 

Chair: Prof. Sanjoy K. Nayak 

Mr. Chaminda hettiarachchi presented a paper 

titled “Diaspora as a Knowledge Community in 

Policy Making for Nation Building of Post-War Sri 

Lanka”. his main argument was that in a critical 

moment of the history, when Sri Lanka is trying 

to rebuild the nation after three decades of ethnic 

war, Diasporic people can play a major role in 

national reconstruction process with their expertise 

and their global experience. he said that 

many people have moved out of the country due 

to ethnic conflict and it has been observed that 

these diaspora members are excelling in their careers 

in various disciplines in their guest countries 

which make them a very important 

knowledge community in nation building in post 

war Sri Lanka. For rebuilding of the Nation, he 

laid emphasis on a mechanism to include the Sri 

Lankan diaspora community in policy making, 

and in including them in policy decisions on political 

solution to ethnic conflict, democratization, 

and socio-economic development. he said that 

since ten years or so, the focus has shifted from 

‘survival’ to ‘growth’ and for the growth of the 

country it is extremely important to treat diaspora 

community as Sri Lanka’s own community 

and not as tourists. The other main challenge, according 

to him, is the lack of network methodologies. 

In a world where information and digital 

technology have transcended boundaries, there 

are innovative ways of overcoming these challenges 

and networking such knowledge communities 

for policy making. He emphasized on the 

role of ICTs and web based technologies in networking 

the Sri Lankan diaspora community to 

create knowledge network of the Sri Lankan diasporic 

community across the Globe and to facilitate 

the return of diaspora expertise to Sri 

Lanka's national development. 

The second speaker was Dr. Wardlow Frieson 

from New Zealand presented a paper on “Brain 

Circulation and Indian Development: A Perspective 

from Australia and New Zealand”. he emphasized 

on the role of brain circulation in the form 

of international students, professionals and other 

14 



skilled workers, and migrants returning to their 

own country of origin and how each of these 

types of Diasporic mobility has the potential to 

make significant contributions to knowledge exchange 

and development. his focus was on the 

two migrant settlement countries of Australia and 

New Zealand and the Indian migrant population 

within these countries. he tried to show the linkages 

between these countries and the Indian 

homeland; and the potential outcomes for development. 

he also spoke about the evolving immigration 

policies of Australia and New Zealand. 

The next speaker, Dr. Anjali Sahay from USA, 

presented a paper on “Reverse Brain Drain: Millennial 

Strategies by Developed and Developing 

Dr. Wardlow Frieson presenting his paper titled 

‘Brain Circulation and Indian Development: A Perspective 

from Australia and New Zealand.’ 

Countries”. her focus was on showing the role 

played by developed countries, in particular the 

United States in retaining foreign talent in their 

countries as well as developing countries in making 

their countries more attractive for the foreign talents. 

She said that historically, the advanced 

economies, such as the United States, have thrived 

through visa regimes that are geared towards 

drawing the best and the brightest to their shores. 

With increasing opportunities now available in 

many developing countries such as India and 

China, the global recession in the United States, as 

well as stricter immigration laws have increased the 

phenomenon of “returnees” as thousands of professionals 

return to their home countries. The Startup 

Visa Bill in the Senate represents the most aggressive 

attempt yet to both attract and retain the best 

of entrepreneurship and talent on American shores. 

On the other hand, the creation of many ‘edu-cities’ 

in different developing countries reflects their 

grand strategy in becoming centres for Western education 

retaining their national talent as well as attracting 

many others. She elaborated on these 

strategies to provide a better understanding of the 

nuances in the debate on brain gain in the twenty 

first century. 

The next presenter was Dr. T.L.S. Bhaskar on 

“Philanthropy and Sustainable Development in Regional 

Towns: Role of Diaspora Telugus in Guntur”. 

he spoke about how Diaspora philanthropy to the 

Guntur region has transformed from being individual 

driven to one that is driven institutionally and 

how the emergence of a public-private partnership 

(PPP) model further accelerates the inward flow of 

Diaspora donations to various development /service 

activities. he emphasized on how the PPP 

model has extended the realm of involvement by 

the diaspora Telugus back home, and also how diaspora 

Telugus have started to influence policy formulation 

at the district level. he exclaimed that the 

Guntur model of networking with its diaspora has 

turned out to be a model for many districts in 

Andhra Pradesh, especially on issues pertaining to 

raising and managing philanthropy. 

The last speaker of this session was Ms. Sheila 

Siar from Auckland. She presented a paper on “The 

Diaspora as Carrier of Soft Knowledge for Development 

to the home Country: Evidence from highly 

Skilled Filipino Migrants in New Zealand and Australia". 

her main argument was how Diasporas are 

carriers of a particular type of knowledge in the 

contribution to the process of development. She 

substantiated her argument by giving examples of 

highly skilled Filipinos in New Zealand and Australia 

as carriers of ‘soft’ knowledge. She spoke about the 

importance of the transmission of cultural knowledge, 

skills in creative arts, capacity building skills, 

settlement and legal assistance from the diaspora 

to individuals and groups in the Philippines. She 

said, it has been observed that skilled diasporas 

have a willingness to transfer and share knowledge 

and this matches to the home country’s willingness 

to receive, use and value it. And hence 

focus should be on the programs to promote diaspora 

participation in home country development 

to reach all types of expatriate professionals 

and not just mainstream groups. 



15

Session on “Human Development” (Continuation) Session IV in progress. 

Human Development 

(Continuation) Session IV 

Chair: Prof. Shinder S. Thandi 

Session IV was the continuation of the theme on 

human Development” which was chaired by Prof. 

Shinder S. Thandi. There were three papers and 

four participants could not attend though three 

of them have submitted their full papers. 

Dr. Falendra Kumar Sudan in his presentation 

on “Tapping Talents in India through Diasporas 

Network: Opportunities and Challenges” emphasized 

that India had a strong cultural emphasis on 

education both at private and government level. 

Since 1990s, government spending on education 

has been growing at 12% a year, of which roughly 

a fifth goes towards higher education. India’s 

higher education system now ranks alongside 

that of United States in terms of scale. however, 

as a share of GDP, the total education spending 

is still lower than in most developed countries. 

India spends 4.9% of its GDP on education against 

5.7% in OECD countries. The non-government 

spending on education is relatively high proportion 

of total at 25%. Over 12 million students were 

enrolled in universities and colleges of India in 

2009. Roughly 20% of students study commerce, 

economics or management related courses and 

tertiary enrolment rates are less than half those in 

advanced economies such as UK. Thus, while 

graduate populations are large in terms of absolute 

numbers, for foreseeable future India’s 

economies will remain dominated by low skilled 

labour. By 2030, share of skilled labour in working 

population will be just 6.2% compared to 14% for 

world as a whole and 40% in high income countries. 

This creates a big challenge as India aspires 

to move up the value chain. While India has made 

rapid strides in expanding higher education systems, 

it still faces a number of challenges in terms 

of effectively utilizing existing supply of talent as 

well as increasing it sufficiently to meet demands 

of rapidly growing economy. how to leverage the 

Mr. Jwala Rambarran, discussant. 

expertise and knowledge of Diasporas for benefit 

of India was the main issue of the paper. There is 

a need for promoting policy reform and institutional 

innovation in collaboration with Diasporas 

networks, which can be crucial bridges between 

policy, technological and managerial expertise 

and local scenarios. 

Dr. Leena Singh spoke about the potential of 

diaspora in the emerging knowledge economies. 

She said that Globalisation has contributed towards 

large scale movement of human capital 

world wide. As a result, there has been rapid rise 

16 



of people crossing the national border. This exodus 

was previously regarded as brain drain because 

the migrant never chose to return to their 

home country. This has facilitated greater integration 

of global markets but custom laws still govern 

movement of capital, goods and services 

across borders while immigration laws govern 

cross border movement of skilled and unskilled 

labour. Government needed to contribute in 

terms of rethinking and redesigning development 

in the face of changing global scenario. her 

paper focused more on development from international 

labour migration as return migration can 

be regarded as one of the important strategies for 

combating the problem of poverty and educated 

youth unemployment. 

Jeetendra D. Soni in his paper “Indian Diapora 

and Knowledge Tranfer: Myth or Reality” argued 

that migration of skilled professionals is an important 

segment which is a matter of concern. In the 

context of diaspora, he mentioned that it can play 

a very crucial role in knowledge economy. Knowledge 

transfer can accelerate and direct developmental 

processes at the place of origin. In many 

parts of the world, this perspective of knowledge 

transfer modalities is explained by the process of 

brain circulation as talented emigrants contribute 

to their homeland with transfer of technology, 

capital, managerial and institutional know-how 

and so on. Such evidences are already emerging 

in India (Annalee Saxenian). Further, this can establish 

a ground for brain gain in future course of 

time for the countries like India. 

Diaspora Finance and 

Socio- Economic 

Development (Session III) 

Chair- Ambassador Paramjit Sahai 

First paper in this session was presented by Mr. 

Agung Setiyo Wibowo on “Indonesian Migrant 

Workers: Foreign Exchange heroes?” he said that 

migration is considered as best solution to overcome 

the high level of unemployment and 

poverty in Indonesia. Their remittance reached 

US$ 6.73 billion in 2010 and its flows can bring positive 

impact on the country’s economic development. 

hence, remittance inflow can be highly 

significant in the local territory. Remittance can significantly 

enhance the ability of government to 

pay foreign debts and import goods to support national 

development. he said according to the data 

available in the Bank Indonesia (BI) by September 

2010, Indonesian migrant workers remittance 

reached USD 5.03 billion, up to 2.44 percent from 

USD 4.91 billion in the same period in 2009. But unfortunately, 

Indonesian migrant workers were undermined 

from both home country and abroad. 

The session on “Diaspora Finance and Socio- Economic Development” (Session III) in progress. 



17

The international migration phenomenon become 

a popular trend in the Third World Countries 

for centuries including Indonesia. Mostly 

Indonesian migrant workers were women and 

most of them worked in informal or low skill sectors. 

he mentioned that because of high importance 

of remittance to development, the 

government of Indonesia has made some effort 

to support migrant workers. The Ministry of Manpower 

and Transmigration has established the 

National Agency for Placement and Protection of 

Migrant Workers (BNP2TKI). The remittance from 

migrant workers is a strategic income to the country. 

The Bank of Indonesia (BI) recorded that migrant 

workers contributed 4.4 percent of 

country’s foreign exchange. According to 

BNP2TKI, the remittances has increased year by 

year. The significance of remittance contribution 

to the national foreign exhange reserves made 

government of Indonesia to appreciate migrant 

workers by organizing “Pahlawan Devisa” (Foreign 

Exhange hero). 

Second paper of this session was presented 

by Akhil Alha on “On Some Aspects of Labour Migration 

and Remittances in Indian Experience”. he 

argued that remittances are important source of 

extra income for migrants’ families as well as for 

developing and least developing countries, 

where the size of remittances is more than twice 

that of international aid flows. Describing the effects 

of international migration on Indian economy, 

he said, India- the largest remittance 

receiving country (increased from USD 2 billion in 

1989-1990 to about USD 52 billion in 2009-10. The 

size of remittances has increased from 0.8 percent 

of India’s GDP in 1991 to around 6 percent in 

2009-10. 

With working-age population increasing in 

the developing countries, he pointed out that an 

aggressive manpower marketing strategy is required 

on the part of government to reap the 

benefit arising out of high-labour demand in developed 

countries. Remittances can be used for 

the development of small and micro enterprises 

through financial intermediaries. In this case, 

the policy focus should be to induce micro finance 

institutions to capture remittances to be 

in turn used to fuel productive activities. 

Next paper on “Can Diaspora be an Agent of 

Development? Assessing the Role of Diaspora Finance 

in Punjab’s Economic Development” was 

presented by Prof. Shinder S. Thandi. he gave a 

conceptual framework for understanding diaspora 

and development nexus and evaluated the 

contemporary role of different forms of diaspora 

finance- remittances, philanthropic donations; finance 

(FDI/Portfolio/ Bonds), knowledge transfer 

and innovation, and institutional reforms etc. in 

the state of Punjab. he suggested some models 

for mobilization of the diaspora. however, there 

are constraints in mobilisation, due to the characteristics 

of the diaspora communities as well as 

nature of Punjab state. he also proposed some 

policies solutions. 

Fourth paper was presented by Dr. Osabuohien 

Evans and Dr. Efobi Uchenna on “Africa’s 

Money in Africa: The Impact of Remittances on Investment 

and Economic Development”. They 

viewed that the inflow of remittance in the economy 

have two fold effect- first, to enhance development 

through channeling the inflow to 

investment activities like small scale businesses, 

education purposes and second, to enhance 

Dutch disease through surplus and unguarded 

consumption activities. They concluded that institutional 

quality and financial development 

were found to exert significant influence on investment. 

The implication of this is that an increase 

in institutional quality and financial 

development in Africa will result in more than 

proportionate increase in investment. Channelling 

inflow of remittance funds into investment 

will be enhanced by the collaborative role 

of improved financial development and institutional 

quality. African economic growth is dependent 

on good institutions and not merely 

financial resources. 

Fifth paper of this session was by Prof. Md. Saiful 

Islam and Syed Afroz Keramat titled “Remittances 

Inflow into Rural Economy of Bangladesh”. 

In their paper, they have examined the remittance 

behavior and its impact on the rural areas of 

Bangladesh, where people are mostly illiterate, 

depend on agriculture and even offer themselves 

as day laborers. Remittances paved the way to 

attain a higher level of income and expenditure 

and so higher level of living and played vital role 

in fulfilling basic needs in the rural areas. How- 

18 



ever, instead of paving the way for rural employment 

generation and industrialization, it provided 

an extended market for foreign producers 

of luxury items. Remittance should be encouraged 

to invest in small and medium size agrobased, 

fisheries, livestock and service oriented 

industries. 

Sixth paper was on “A Causal Note on the Relationship 

between Migrants’ Remittances and 

Economic Growth in Bangladesh” by Dr. Mohammad 

Salahuddin. In his paper, he had investigated 

the causal relationship between migrants’ remittances 

and economic growth in Bangladesh and 

found out that remittance spur economic growth 

in Bangladesh in both short and long run. he recommended 

that policy schemes should be emphasize 

on more productive use of remittances 

by involving remittance sender more in development 

oriented projects, providing them more 

incentives etc. 

Seventh paper was presented by Dr. R. P. 

Pradhan on “India’s Diaspora Connect: Financial 

Instruments, Strategy and Options”. he explained 

India’s financial and political connect with Indian 

Diasopra. he mentioned four financial modes: remittances, 

occasional hard currency development 

fund, banking and incentivized FDIs. he 

mentioned that return Migrants are resourceful 

but not yet strategized into development funding 

paradigm. The segment efficiently contributes 

through remittances while being abroad. Back 

home, they need entrepreneurial orientation to 

create productivity space for them. Goa and 

Pondicherry are case in point. he explained Government 

of India’s existing financial instruments 

and their efficacy and limitations and financial 

benefits that connect political policies. 

Last paper of this session was presented by 

Mr. Jwala Rambarran on “Diaspora Bonds and the 

Caribbean: Tapping into Innovative Financing 

Mechanism”. he considers diaspora bonds as 

mechanism that can enable the region to borrow 

from its diaspora community. For diaspora 

investors, these bonds offer opportunity to help 

their country of origin while also providing an 

investment opportunity. he explains how best 

the Caribbean can tap into the wealth of its diaspora 

during difficult times. he has also highlighted 

some lessons from the Caribbean from 

Dr. R.P. Pradhan presenting his paper titled 

‘India’s Diaspora Connect: Financial Instruments, 

Strategy and Options.’ 

the experience of India and Israel, these two 

countries, who have successfully issued over US $ 

35 billion in diaspora bonds. he has also provided 

some direction for future research. 

Discussant Dr. Wardlow Friesen concluded in 

four major points. First, whether the migrants be diaspora? 

Second, they are important financial mechanism 

for development but there are limitations 

around. Third, how effective can be this course of 

development? What are the implications for the 

policy and what government should do? 

Chair person Ambassador Paramjit Sahai mentioned 

that there are definitional problems with remittances. 

Even the bonds are not called 

remittances until they are converted into Indian rupees. 

Now the policies are changing from the past. 

India now wants foreign exchange. We need to 

channelize the remittances into the productive use. 

Politics of Inclusion and 

Exclusion (Session III) 

Chair: Ambassador J.C. Sharma 

The first Speaker in this session was Ms. honita 

Cowaloosur from Scotland who presented a 

paper titled “Diaspora in Mauritius: Recipe for 

Contested Development”. She spoke about Mauritius 

diaspora and international business. Mauritius 

demography is composed of 68 per cent of 

Indian descent, 27 per cent of African descent, 3 

per cent of Chinese descent, and 2 per cent of 

Franco-Mauritian, hence, Mauritius is liable to be 



19

The session on “Politics of Inclusion and Exclusion” (Session III) in progress. 

cautious in its affiliation during exercises of international 

diplomacy. This is particularly relevant in 

the interplay between China and India on the 

Mauritian investment scenario. Aware of the Mahanian 

conflict between the two regional competitors 

regarding influence over the Indian 

Ocean, Mauritius aptly uses its active diaspora 

links with one as a negotiation leverage to incite 

investment cooperation from the other. It is 

under a similar practice that Mauritius has secured 

the two biggest investment projects in its 

history: the Jin Fei Special Economic Zone by 

China and the Neo Town Zone project by Indian 

developers. What is remarkable is that Mauritius 

adopts a management method allowing it to secure 

its diaspora loyalty to both home countries; 

while India is granted investment monopoly in 

ICT and services, Chinese activism is welcomed in 

construction and manufacturing. The Mauritian 

negotiation strategy almost resembles Putnam’s 

two-level game though in an inverted fashion, 

whereby the international is harmonized at the 

domestic level. however, the use of diaspora links 

as a bait to lure investment from China and India 

needs to be evaluated as it might become an excuse 

for Mauritius to overlook more viable investment 

partnership alternatives. 

The second speaker of the evening was Dr. Kiranmayi 

Bhushi on a paper titled “Old Faiths and 

Global Organisational Frames”. She threw light on 

the hindu religious practices and institutions in 

the larger context of globalization taking Delhi 

and Chicago as the two locations, and the non locational 

location of cyberspace to capture the 

transnational field of global network and connections. 

She spoke about the hindu temples being 

increasingly organised towards catering to the 

transnationally located audiences. She said Globalisation 

with its increasing connections and 

flows has reconfigured many old practices and 

transformed them and substantiated with an instance 

of traditional notion of community which 

was thought to be face-to-face and geographically 

circumscribed is reconfigured in newer ways; 

through communication, networking and coming 

together of people to form cyber and diasporic 

communities. She opined that this 

transnational space reveals the presence of traditions 

being transformed and articulated in global 

framework. In the process, there is great deal of 

use of modern technologies and the logic of 

global market practices. While attending to the 

needs of faith, tradition, nostalgia and perhaps a 

need for enchantment, the organisational frames 

20 



of some of the hindu institutions and practices, 

reveal a degree of rationalization and the logic of 

global economic and market forces like for example, 

hindu priest travelling to Chicago and practicing 

priesthood; and advertising online about 

his knowledge of the shastras. She showed an interesting 

shift of religion from being oral to going 

digital and the connection between ‘this-worldly’ 

and ‘other-worldly’. 

The third speaker was Mr. Sabastiano 

Rwengabo from Singapore. he presented a paper 

on “The Dark Side of ‘Diaspora’ in Africa’s Great 

Lakes Region”. his main argument was that there 

are two sides of the diaspora- ‘bright’ and ‘dark’ 

but the other very significant side is always ignored 

of dispersed people especially its politicosecurity 

dimension. he said a proper understanding 

of the development prospects and implications 

of diaspora for nation states requires an 

appreciation of the implications of such communities 

for national and regional security – including 

the state’s geopolitically-constituted 

international relations, and people’s safety within 

this geopolitical space defined by ethno- political 

security configurations, therein. he substantiated 

his argument by taking Banyarwanda as a case 

study. Stressing the role of dispersed peoples in 

Rwanda’s post-1959 insecurities particularly and 

those of the Great Lakes Region, he argued that 

under conditions of ethno-political uncertainty 

and vulnerability coupled with state failures 

some dispersed non-home communities and 

groups can become a significant source of insecurity 

and retardation to national and regional 

development. He said that Diasporas can be the 

agents and victims of insecurity. Banyarwanda’s 

imprint is hard to erase from Africa’s history. he 

concluded by stating that we cannot go about 

harping on developmental role of Diaspora, there 

are other important aspects too that needs our 

attention. 

The fourth speaker was Ms. hande Unsal from 

Turkey and the title of her paper was “The Impact 

of Turkish Diasporic Community Living in Germany 

on German and Turkish Laws”. The focus of 

this presentation was the legal alterations concerning 

the Turkish Diaspora in Germany and 

evaluating the development and the consequences 

of these alterations in a historical setting. 

The existence of the Turkish diaspora in Germany 

is highly significant for both countries as it constitutes 

the largest Turkish community outside of 

Turkey and is the largest foreign community in 

Germany. Turkish nationals who have initially 

been accepted as “guest workers” turned out to 

be permanent residents in the course of time. 

Meanwhile, they grew in population and started 

to be more integrated in social and business life. 

This resulted in the demands of Turkish nationals 

to acquire German nationality while preserving 

their original nationality. The demand for “dual 

nationality” brought out the need for adjustments 

both in Turkish and German legislations. 

The alterations in the German legislation on nationality 

made possession of dual nationality for 

Turkish people almost impossible by requiring 

the relinquishment of former nationality for acquisition 

of German nationality. These new regulations 

caused dramatic debates among German 

and Turkish societies on the function and purpose 

of nationality. While the German legislator qualified 

the “relinquishment condition” as a need for 

integration, the Turkish diaspora considered it as 

“assimilation”. In the following years Turkey has 

made several alterations in her legislation in order 

to maintain its connections with the Turks, especially 

with the ones who had to relinquish Turkish 

nationality. A remarkable example of this is the 

“pink card” regulation which gave the former 

Turkish nationals the right to enjoy majority of 

the rights that a regular Turkish national has. The 

scope of the alterations in Turkish legislation is 

not restricted to social rights. They also include 

economic rights as Turkey benefits from the repatriation 

of the remittances and savings of the 

Turkish diaspora significantly. Moreover, some of 

the members of the Turkish diaspora turned out 

to be investors who possess large capital. In order 

to attract this capital, Turkey has included the 

Turkish nationals who reside abroad in the scope 

of “foreign investor” in its Investment Act. This has 

given the class of investors the right to access several 

opportunities and conveniences that regular 

Turkish nationals cannot benefit. 

The next speaker was Prof. Pramod K Mishra 

from Ethiopia. The title of his paper was “Incidence 

of Elder Abuse among South Asian Immigrants 

in USA: Quest for Some Remedies”. The 



21

focus area of this paper was the gaps in the expectations 

and fulfillment of some coveted goals 

of the elderly immigrants and some possible 

remedies to eradicate these problems which have 

often tarnished the image of these resourceful 

immigrants from South Asia. he started with how 

these elderly became a part of USA diaspora. With 

the large influx of South Asian immigrants to the 

US in the 1960s and the 70s, these people are now 

well recognised by the mainstream American society 

as a visible and vibrant minority. They are 

mainly professionals from India, Pakistan, 

Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Once they got settled 

by fulfilling their American dream of leading a 

comfortable life style, many of them have decided 

to bring their old parents and other dependents 

as dependant immigrants. After living with their 

children in the American soil for a number of 

years, many of these elderly people felt a sense 

of neglect and even complained of mental torture 

inflicted by their children and grand children. 

He opined that the State, various agencies 

and the elders themselves need to do something 

about this problem. According to him, empowerment 

of elders is very important in curbing the 

problem of elder abuse. There is a need to integrate 

the family, the market and the welfare 

schemes. 

The sixth speaker was Dr. K.M. Baharul Islam 

from Mauritius who presented a paper on “Do 

Numbers Matter? Role of Indian Diaspora from 

Smaller States” The main argument of this paper 

was small states like Assam takes a backseat in 

‘national’ discourse. he put forth questions like 

does the small state like Assam, which has been 

facing political, social and image issues because 

of insurgence, have sufficient number of people 

living abroad to catalyze any economic or development 

agenda for the state? Or numbers do not 

matter as is the case with a number of countries 

like haiti or Albania? With these arguments, Dr. 

Islam discussed the issue of Assamese Diaspora. 

he suggested that a proactive role both on the 

part of the government as well as the diaspora itself 

is required to present a roadmap for a small 

state like Assam. 

The next speaker was Dr. Guofu Liu from 

China. The title of her paper was “On the Law on 

the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Returned 

Overseas Chinese and the Relatives of 

Overseas Chinese”. he said since last one decade, 

the Chinese Government is giving more 

favourable attention some towards the returrnee 

overseas Chinese and their relatives. China is creating 

enormously advanced laws to protect the 

rights of and interests of citizens. The legal foundation 

and principles of the Law on the Protection 

of the Rights and Interests of Returned 

Overseas Chinese and the Relatives of Overseas 

Chinese are facing significant challenges. The benign 

way to develop is to comprehensively rethink 

the law and explore an effective strategy. 

Arguably, the same right as the citizens without 

discrimination could be adjusted into the legal 

equality. Appropriate preferential treatment in accordance 

with the actual conditions might be 

gradually attached unimportance even quitted at 

last. The replaceable one is the enhancement of 

integration. The contents of the protection of the 

rights and interests of returned overseas Chinese 

and the relatives of overseas Chinese will be 

merged into other laws. When possible, the legislation 

of Law of Enhancement of the Integration 

Dr. Guofu Liu presenting a paper titled ‘On the 

Law on the Protection of the Rights and Interests 

of Returned Overseas Chinese and the Relatives 

of Overseas Chinese.’ 

of Returned Overseas Chinese and the Relatives 

of Overseas Chinese should be put on the governmental 

agenda 

The next speaker of the evening was Dr. Bijulal 

M.V presented a paper on “Migrant Workers and 

human Rights in the GCC Countries: Some pointers 

in the context of Labour Unrest”. he made an effort 



to trace the life world experience of the migrant 

workers who live in extremely difficult conditions 

of life, and work and reasons for the deterioration 

in workers lifeworlds, and sought official and civil 

mechanisms for protection and promotion of 

human rights of the workers and their families. he 

opined that such is the spread of migrant work as 

a major economic option across the world that one 

out of thirty-five persons in the world migrates for 

work. Indian labour, mostly unskilled and unorganized, 

in the GCC countries amounts to nearly 1.2 

million according to some estimates in 2006. 

Among various countries having their citizens 

working in the GCC countries, India has the highest 

number of persons. Since 2004, the Indian labour 

is one of the strongest sections of workers participating 

in massive labour strikes, which was unheard 

of in the GCC countries. Independent 

investigations by human rights bodies and public 

interest reports through investigative journalism 

have exposed many areas of urgent concerns for 

the workers. For a place like Kerala, returns from 

migration are a key economic component for 

thousands of families. Any state action from the 

GCC countries which is detrimental to the interest 

of the working population will create difficulties in 

these families. Impact of labour displacements 

have surfaced in the past few years showing a crisis 

situation. The concerned governments in this precarious 

situation must work out immediate strategies 

for reinstating workforce. Such efforts should 

also address various issues raised by the workers 

and should focus on addressing the basic reasons 

for the deprivation of workers. Among the GCC 

countries, some senior officials have acknowledged 

the highly deplorable state of life of the 

workers and have even opined that the unrest 

among workers is an expression of their anger. 

Governmental response to the crisis varied across 

the GCC; from minimal regulation measures to radical 

intervention for protection of rights of the 

workers. however, reports indicate that a common 

GCC policy in labour related issues is in the making. 

The last speaker was Dr. Inderjeet Singh Sodhi 

who spoke on need for the Indian Government to 

take a lead in recognizing the value of Africa based 

Indian diaspora’s actual and potential contributions 

to development. Indian diapsora needs to 

play a constructive role in enhancing relationship 

between Indian and Africa in the areas of economy, 

trade, business and science and technology. 

Gender in the Diaspora 

(Session IV) 

Chair: Dr. Margaret Walton-Robert 

The Session had four papers. The first paper was 

by Prof. Shu-Man Pan and Dr. Jung-Tsung Yang 

on “Does Role Mobility Empower Immigrant 

Women?” where they argued that family support 

can transform gender roles within immigrant 

households. Immigrants in extended families gain 

support from family relatives, but lose opportunities 

to change the traditional husband and wife 

roles associated with childcare and housework. 

Different from the predominant stereotype, most 

immigrants are full-time employees or have multiple 

part-time jobs to support their family. 

Transnational marriage gives third-world women 

opportunities to move away from disadvantaged 

living conditions, and gives their husbands an opportunity 

to change their gender roles in everyday 

life. 

The Second paper was by Ms. Latefa Narriman 

Guemar who has explored the extent to which 

the lack of freedom of thoughts, restrictions associated 

with Algerian family law and increased 

violence, motivated a high number of Algerian 

women to migrate during the 1990s. It looks at 

the agenda and expectations of Algerian migrant 

Session on “Gender in the Diaspora” (Session IV). 



23

women and their feeling of belonging to a Diaspora, 

including digital Diasporas, that could be 

used to help combat human rights abuse in their 

country of origin. These raise the question of the 

politics of identity in relation to social class and 

gender. The paper specifically looked at the gender 

policy of Algerian services abroad, looking at 

the extent to which it reflects the Algerian government’s 

gender policy and how it affects the 

engagement of Diasporas towards development 

programs for “home”. 

The third paper by Prof. Maznah hj Ibrahim 

and Prof. Siti Rugayah on “Women of Malaysian 

Diaspora in Qatar: Managing home and Managing 

Properties “ based on a research undertaken 

in Qatar uncover the various roles hold by 

Malaysian women diaspora in Qatar and to describe 

the challenges they faced. The emergence 

of Qatar as one of the Gulf nations in oil-producing 

and exporting economies has no doubt con- 

Ms. Latefa Narriman Guemar. 

tributed to the increasing number of Malaysian 

expatriate communities to this region. While the 

Malaysian men have gone on working, the 

Malaysian women manage their homes and manage 

properties in the home country. The paper 

concluded by suggesting some policy initiatives 

in advocating a more balance bilateral relationship 

between the two nations in view of the new 

emerging scenario in the studies of Malaysian diaspora 

in the Gulf region. 

The last paper presented by Dr. Kavim V Bhatnagar 

urged the rationale and requirement for a 

Return and Retirement Fund and provides recommendations 

to the policy makers towards designing 

such institutional mechanism that would 

encourage the target population to voluntarily 

save for their scheduled return and to also improve 

their retirement incomes. Dr. Bhatnagar argued 

in favor of using Conditional Cash Transfers 

(CCTs) mechanism for providing socioeconomic 

safety net. Even with needed reforms of formal 

sector pensions, part of the requirement for retirement 

income security will need to be met 

from newer instruments such as the CCTs. 

Film, Theatre and Writings 

(Session V) 

Chair: Prof. Brij Maharaj 

The Sessions on Diaspora Film, Theatre and Diaspora 

Writings were put together in one session. It 

had total nine papers covering broad issues on 

culture: Films, Theatre and Literature. 

Dr. Vishav Raksha in her paper “In search of 

and Connecting to Indian Identity: The Popular 

hindi Cinema and Diaspora” argued that “The circulation 

of India’s cinema across the globe has led 

to the proliferation and fragmentation of its fantasy 

space, as its narrative and spectacle beget diverse 

fantasies for diasporic communities, and 

others. Hindi cinema today is seen as a conveyor 

of Indianness to diverse audiences and a means 

of negotiating both Indianness and its transformation, 

particularly when representing and 

being received by diasporic populations. Hindi 

films are an important element of the diasporic 

South Asian public culture. Their consumption 

by an eager diaspora helps sustain a link with 

‘the old country’. 

The paper by Dr. Shilpa Nandy on “Diaspora in 

the Indian Cinema and the Notion of Indianness” 

argued that the diaspora audiences can no longer 

be treated as merely markets catalyzing the globalization 

of the hindi film industry, or, as commu- 

Dr. Vishav Raksha presenting her paper on ‘In 

search of and Connecting to Indian Identity: The 

Popular Hindi Cinema and Diaspora.’ 

24 



Sessions on “Film, Theatre and Writings” (Session V) in progress. 

nities seemingly starved of cultural resources, but 

rather, as an integral part of the cultural imagery 

of hindi cinema. It means that hindi cinema has 

the power to influence and shape the politics of 

identity of being Indians in the US. She also mentioned 

that the Hindi films have been able to permeate 

various social rituals and interactions 

within socio–cultural networks that viewing 

practices created, and, have sustained the expatriate 

Indian’s desire to express their Indianness 

and remain, at least culturally, residents of 

India. 

The paper of Ms. Alena Strohmaier “Irangeles”– 

Representation of Migration in Films of the 

Iranian Diaspora” is about the micro level impact 

of the diaspora, contextualizing the frames of 

exile, consisting of house, home and homeland. 

She discussed the way in which film is shaping 

identities and cultures in an increasingly globalized 

world on the basis of an analysis of spaces 

and places in films of the Iranian diaspora. As of 

2010 there are an estimated four to five million 

Iranians living abroad, mostly in North America 

and Europe. 

Ms. Alice Colombo’s paper “The Empire Writes 

From Within: Kali Theatre Company- a case study” 

talks about the South Asian diaspora to the 

United Kingdom and its cultural expression in 

theatre, with particular attention to women’s 

artistic productions. She observed that South 

Asian women in UK suffer a double alterity, being 

women and South Asian, that is increased and 

underlined in the artistic field. In the meanwhile 

they are challenging the male dualistic system of 

“centre/periphery” because woman place themselves 

in the hic et nunc, this means that in the diaspora 

they are writing and acting in the “centre”. 

The paper presented by Dr. Nandini C Sen on 

“The Creation of Diaspora and its historical Significance: 

A Study of Amitav Ghosh’s Sea of Poppies” 

seek to study the emergence of the concept 

of diasporic entity and its existence in the multivocal 

global village of today’s time through the 

study of Ghosh’s novel. In a time of colonial upheaval 

in the mid Nineteenth century, fate has 

thrown together a truly diverse cast of Indians 

and Westerners, from a bankrupt Raja to a widowed 

village woman, from a mulatto American to 

a free spirited European orphan. As they sail 

down the River hooghly and into the sea, their 

old family ties are washed away, and they view 

themselves as jahaj-bhais, or ship brothers, who 

will build whole new lives for themselves in the 

remote islands where they are being taken. 

Dr. Anshu Pandey’s paper “Diasporic Vision in 

Kiran Desai's The Inheritance of Loss” mentioned 



25

Ms. Alice Colombo presenting her paper on ‘The 

Empire Writes From Within: Kali Theatre Company- 

A Case Study.’ 

that Globalization has put forward new ideas and 

patterns of migration and proved to be a significant 

force of the last two decades. Consequently, 

the question of diaspora gets new direction with 

particular force: the relationship between place 

and identity, persona and profession and the 

ways cultures, traditions, languages and literatures 

interact. These migrant Diasporas and their 

descendants experience displacement, fragmentation, 

marginalization and discontinuity in cultural 

discourse of the subject countries. They also 

faced cultural dilemma when their cultural practices 

are mocked at and there is a threat to their 

cultural identity. Taking the case of the novel of 

South Asian Writers she observed that “The novel 

is a close analysis of a person who leaves his native 

land and suffers from fundamental questions 

of identity and existence. he leaves his native 

land to earn ample amount of money, but, surprisingly 

he has to lose so many things instead, 

like loss of identity, loss of human relation, etc. he 

is consciously preoccupied with the thought of 

getting success, but, unconsciously, he is uprooted 

from his cultural existence”. 

Dr. Deepa S P Mathur’s paper “Diasporic Enclosures 

in the Writings of Peter Nazareth, Vassanji 

& Tejani” argued that diasporic writing 

occupies a significant position between cultures 

and countries as it constructs a new identity 

which negotiates boundaries and confines and 

relates to different temporal Focusing on the 

work of Bahadur Tejani, Peter Nazareth and 

Moyez Vassanji. her paper has attempted to account 

for the popularity of tropes of miscegenation 

in the literature produced by East African 

writers of South Asian descent. The appearance 

of the figure of the half-caste in this body of writing 

is especially striking given the fact that miscegenation 

was much derided in colonial 

discourse and viewed in fear by traditionalists 

within the diaspora who saw in it a violation of 

the integrity of communal boundaries. This article 

argues that the invocation of miscegenation, and 

related ideas, was an attempt on the part of this 

group of writers to reconsider the meanings of 

citizenship and belonging along the broad lines 

of secular humanism. In some important sense, 

the halfcaste symbolised a quest for freedom 

from the authority of tradition and the naturalisation 

of cultural difference during colonialism. 

Dr Shaista Maseeh and Dr. Shamenaz Bano’s 

paper “Diasporic Sensibility of the South Asian Writers: 

Nostalgia, Concern for homeland or Cashing of 

Emotions” argued that the diasporian authors engage 

in cultural transmission that is equitably exchanged 

in the manner of translating a map of 

reality for multiple readerships. Besides, they are 

equipped with bundles of memories and articulate 

an amalgam of global and national strands that 

embody real and imagined experience.” 

The last paper was presented by Dr. Kanu 

Priya Verma on “Diasporic Vision of African and 

Indian Women Novelists” argues that the Diasporic 

writers themselves face the problems of cultural 

conflict, caught between the homeland and 

new home and so he deals with these things of 

immigration and cultural displacement in their 

works. Quoting Klaus Steinvorth she said “The position 

of Indo-English novelist is on the periphery 

of their own society, they are partly even separated 

from it by emigration or expatriation, which 

does not mean they are sufficiently integrated in 

their new society… Almost everyone of them 

feels, or is considered, an outsider standing between 

India and the West, often led to believe 

that these two complex and abstract ideas can be 

reduced to a pair of simple opposites. According 

to Salman Rushdie in Imaginary homelands diasporic 

writing " is obliged to be in broken mirrors, 

some of whose fragments have been lost." 



The session on ‘Engaging Diaspora: The Way Forward’ (Session VI: Plenary Session II) in progress. 

Engaging Diaspora: The 

Way Forward (Session VI: 

Plenary Session II) 

Chair: Ambassador J.C. Sharma. 

The first speaker, Dr. Margaret Walter Roberts, 

talked about four important dimensions related 

to the issue of Diaspora, Migration and Development. 

1. Gender: In the current phase of increasing 

migration and Diaspora, the women workers are 

getting employed in host countries as nurses, 

housekeepers, home-care workers, and in other 

private domains. The high number of women in 

the Diaspora also makes them vulnerable to exploitation 

relating to sexual abuse, working conditions, 

low wage rates etc. 

2. Transnational flexibility: The realm of 

transnational flexibility should increase as Diaspora 

people have multiple identities, their social 

practices and cultural positionalities are different. 

3. The State: The role of the state is important 

in formulating immigration policies and shaping 

the volume and composition of migration. The illicit 

migration is taking place due to the strict immigration 

policies of the destination countries. 

The state sometimes is less visible, but more present 

in deciding the flow of migration. It makes 

policies to facilitate immigration, but it remain 

only in documentations. So the need is to make 

changes in policies on ground level also. 

4. Policies: The flow and volume of migration 

and Diaspora depends on policies but a great 

mismatch seems to exist between what is written 

in polices and what is implemented in reality. 

There is also a need to ensure just policies for 

safeguarding the workers’ right in host countries. 

She also urged for a need to rescale the 

global, continental and national discourse on Diaspora 

to the level of individuals and linking theoretical 

abstractions to everyday experiences of 

diasporas so that actions and initiatives started at 

high level can be transcended down to household 

level for improving their lives. 

The second speaker, Dr. Francis Matambirofa 

discussed that the phenomenon of out migration 

is outside of our making, yet it is inevitable. The 

policies relating to migration and Diaspora are reactionary 

in nature and the thrust of these poli- 

Dr. Margaret Walter Roberts. 



cies should rather be on managing migration. he 

argued that migration is sometimes voluntary 

and sometimes forcible (citing the example of 

Zimbabwe where people have been flushed out 

of the country in large numbers since the year 

2000). As every person has a right to live in the 

country, he has borned in, the factors which can 

reduce emigration and which are in our control 

should be strengthened and fostered. The 

strengthening of democracy is essential for 

achieving this end. 

The Diaspora is interpreted differently by different 

sections, some see it as brain gain, others as 

brain drain but in totality, humanity is set to gain 

from the phenomenon of migration. The last point 

he raised is that the Diaspora should facilitate the 

process of Cultural Evolution rather than Cultural 

Revolution which is happening in today’s 

world. 

The Third speaker, Ambassador Paramjit Sahai 

raised some of the important points relating to 

Diaspora. The first was the issue of how to engage 

with Diaspora. he argued that this engagement 

should be at all levels- global, national, regional, 

interpersonal, and grass root. Further it should be 

in the specialized form. he further emphasized 

that the Youth’s role in engaging with Diaspora is 

Dr. Francis Matambirofa. 

important but the conference remained silent on 

this theme. 

The shape of this engagement with Diaspora 

has changed in India in recent past, shifting 

from financial engagement (in terms of remittances 

and NRI deposits) to the engagement for 

knowledge transfer in the last decade. he further 

pointed out that the resources generated by 

Diaspora should be used for rural development in 

the country and the role of Ethnic media in 

strengthening the links between Diaspora and 

India is very important (the role of Ethnic media 

Ambassador Paramjit Sahai . 

in making first two PBDs successful was instrumental). 

Discussing the role of Diaspora in the development 

of host countries, he argued that host 

countries have been benefited through knowledge 

transfer, production enlargement, improved 

work ethics and flexible labour markets, and tax 

receipts etc. hence human rights of Diasporas 

should be protected in the host societies in the 

case of eruption of socio-economic problems. he 

also stressed upon the role of Diaspora in maintaining 

public relations between host and destination 

societies. he ended his speech with a need 

of more attention and detailed studies on returnee 

migrants/Diaspora and formation of a 

country series in which detailed information 

about Indian Diaspora in those countries, their occupation, 

their period of stay etc. can be recorded. 

Such country series will be helpful in engaging 

with Diaspora. 

The fourth speaker, Professor Mizan R. Miah 

spoke on the conditions of Diasporas in the developed 

nations and said that the Diaspora community 

in such countries has to face high 

discrimination in the quality of jobs and wages. 

he equated the condition of immigrant workers 

with the condition of women in any underdeveloped 

or developing country where they are subjected 

to all kinds of gender- based discrimination. 

The developed countries claim that equal 

opportunity is provided to all in their territories 

28 



ut the practices adopted there belie this principle. 

Different national and state governments 

have set up institutional and structural arrangements 

for engaging with Diasporas but there is 

a need to intensify such efforts through greater 

non-governmental interventions. Outlining the 

several Diasporas networks and organizations 

across the world which are working for tapping 

diasporic resources for home countries, he emphasized 

on the need of telling the success stories 

of Diasporas communities at home so that there 

importance for sustaining development can be 

understood. The last point of his presentation 

was about the detrimental effect of diasporas 

community which is politically active and infuse 

huge sums of money in home countries (he cited 

the example of Bangladesh) to change governments. 

The end looser in such games is the country 

itself. 

The fifth speaker, Dr. Gabriela Tejada spoke 

about the “Interlinkages between Diaspora and 

Development”. Both influence each other. She 

spoke about the risks associated with the phenomenon 

of migration and the opportunities 

generated for development through it. Disrespect 

of human rights, vulnerability of human in 

many regards, dependence of home countries on 

remittances, inequalities between native population 

and Diaspora in the host country, cultural 

Professor Mizan R. Miah. 

erosion etc. are some of the risks attached with 

this phenomenon. On the other hand, capital acquisition, 

the practice of giving back to the home 

societies, brain gain, targeted and big transfers of 

money are the gains for the home country from 

Dr. Gabriela Tejada. 

migration. Further, a large magnitude of return 

migrants provides a great opportunity for the development 

of the home country. The governments 

in the home countries, in order to magnify 

the gains from this phenomenon, can engage 

themselves in the skill up gradation of migrants, 

public-private partnerships and proper utilization 

of remittances. She stressed upon the need of enabling 

policies in both sending and receiving 

countries to augment the gains from migration 

and that there is a greater need of sincere efforts 

from states rather than the rhetoric. 

The sixth speaker, Professor Shinder S. Thandi 

called for the need of states to engage more with 

the people of multiple identities (The Diasporas) 

at the ground level. Increasing globalization and 

lesser bureaucratic impediments in India have 

made the country more accessible and facilitated 

high movement of NRIs to the country. But there 

is still a scope of greater engagement between 

government and Diaspora community. 

he suggested some initiatives which can result 

in greater engagement between Indian government 

and the Diaspora community outside. 

1. The government should develop more regional 

cultural centers in other countries where 

Diaspora people can come, meet, discuss and 

reminisce. The government needs to use these 

cultural spaces more efficiently. 

2. Business Associations should be constituted 

in foreign locations for knowledge transfer 

and attracting Diaspora people to invest in India. 

3. The engagement should take place at academic 

level also. More centers should be instituted 

which promote Diaspora studies and the 



29

Professor Shinder S. Thandi 

studies of Indian culture and linguistics. 

The last remarks were given by the chairman 

of the session, Ambassador J.C. Sharma. he 

stated that challenges associate with Indian Diaspora 

are probably bigger than the challenges 

relating to any other Diaspora community because 

of the vast diversity of Indian Diaspora. Diaspora 

studies centres are important in policy 

formulation but the low employability of graduates 

of Diaspora studies is also a concern. Engaging 

the youth of the Diaspora is equally vital. One 

of the suggestions he gave is that Diaspora youth 

should be invited to the home countries and providing 

them an opportunity to exchange experiences 

with students and teachers. he cited the 

example of an initiative jointly started by Israeli 

government and Jewish Diaspora outside in 

which both parties have contributed USD 50 

million to help all Jewish youth to spend minimum 

of six months in Israel. The Indian government 

can also think about starting an 

experiment on similar lines. The contribution of 

Indian Diaspora in the Development of host 

countries should be highlighted for influencing 

the immigration policies. Practices like Data 

banking and management of information 

should be initiated to have a greater engagement 

with Diaspora. About labour rights of immigrant 

workers, he admitted that not much 

progress has been made on this front. Except 

some Developed countries, very little is known 

about the host government policies for safeguarding 

the rights of Diaspora workers. This is 

an area which requires further investigation. In 

the end, he emphasized that Private International 

Laws are highly needed considering the 

vast complexity and a wide array of legal issues 

(Social issues, marriages, custody, property Disputes, 

extradition etc. are emerging) that Diaspora 

have to face. Vital inputs are needed from 

scholars to make such laws effective and workable. 

Dignitaries at the Valedictory Session of the conference on September 8. 

30 



Valedictory Session 

The valedictory session of the conference was 

presided over by Prof. Rajasekharan Pillai, Vice 

Chancellor of the IGNOU. In his address he said 

that the diaspora and migrant population are 

contributing towards the social economic development 

of their home countries. Their cultural 

links with their birth place motivate them to 

contribute towards the development of their 

home state. 

Prof. Brij Maharaj highlighted the outcome of 

the conferences and mentioned some of the important 

issues that rose in the discussion. The international 

movement of skilled workers and 

Chief Guest Shri G. Gurucharan, CEO of Indian 

Council of Overseas Employment, MOIA, speaking 

at the Valedictory Session. 

labourers is viewed as a worldwide phenomenon 

associated with the closing decades of the 20th 

century. The globalisation of the world markets 

has paved the way for the movement of people 

with scarce skills across national boundaries with 

relative ease. Professionals have been extremely 

susceptible, given their particular knowledge and 

skills base. The trend is for such professionals 

from developing countries to fill the gaps in the 

labour market in developed countries. 

Increasingly, migrants are shuttling between 

countries and home, rather than settling in one 

state. Such migrants are referred to as transnationals 

who forge and sustain multiple connections 

across national borders at their free will. 

Simultaneously, there are also increasing restrictions 

on the mobility of those who are likely to be 

perceived as an economic burden, leading to exclusion 

and the rise in xenophobia and other 

forms of prejudice. Until recently, women were 

largely invisible in migration processes. The feminization 

of migration is receiving more attention. 

In the developing world remittances from international 

migrants are vital for survival and a 

major source of income to pay for rent, home 

construction, medical expenses, school fees, 

business investment, and a variety of other activities. 

A major problem is the difficulty and 

high cost involved in transferring money home 

via formal financial institutions. 

The diaspora focus acknowledges that most 

migrants were unlikely to return to their home 

country, but have an interest in supporting 

growth and development in their place of origin. 

Migrants can use their networks and associations 

in their new country to promote development in 

their country of origin. Expatriates have an opportunity 

to transfer their expertise and skills to the 

country of origin without necessarily returning 

home permanently. Beyond direct economics, 

there are also cultural connections via film, theatre 

and literature which connect the diaspora 

with the home country. 

Shri G. Gurucharan, CEO of Indian Council of 

Overseas Employment, Ministry of Overseas Indian 

Affairs who was the Chief Guest of the Valedictory 

Session spoken about the strategic 

engagement with Indian diaspora. he said “while 

overseas community can add value to the development 

process, that is certainly not the solution 

to the entire problems of the developing countries”. 

While engaging diaspora, every nationstate 

should think about strategic development 

that includes various factors such as the stage 

of development of the home country as well 

host country, the dialectic of relationship with 

the host country. This strategic engagement 

varies from nation states to nation-states. 

he emphasized that “India is looking forward 

to engage with the scientific and technological 

community of overseas Indians. Overseas Indians 

and Chinese have triggered the knowledge based 

innovation backhome”. This should be a strategic 

intervention. Talking about the importance of cultural 

aspects of Indian diaspora, he said the 

emerging new cultural narratives of the overseas 

community is very important for building the diasporic 

bond. Life is not about dollars and cents; 



31

it is much more than that. Culture is a very important 

issue of while discussing diasporic engagement 

with their homeland. 

Conference Outcome and 

Recommendations 

The outcome of the conference has been far 

reaching. It has helped in building of a knowledge 

base for future deliberations considering 

the wide ranging issues that were covered. Moreover 

the following inputs came up as issues for 

policy consideration. The recommendations 

need a multipronged strategy and interdepartmental, 

ministerial coordination and multiple 

stakeholder co-ordination with civil society participation 

5. The government should develop more regional 

cultural centers in other countries where 

Diaspora people can come, meet, discuss and 

reminisce. The government needs to use these 

cultural spaces more efficiently. 

6. Business Associations should be constituted in 

foreign locations for knowledge transfer and attracting 

Diaspora people to invest in India. 

7. The engagement should take place at academic 

level also. More centers should be instituted 

which promote Diaspora studies and the 

studies of Indian culture and linguistics. 

8. Practices like Data banking and management 

of information should be initiated to have a 

greater engagement with the Diaspora. 

1. The temporal and region specific flows, skill 

nature and volume and third country origin and 

destination in migration and Diaspora issues can 

depend on regulation and policies. Focus can be 

on the current mismatch that exist between 

what is written in polices and what is implemented 

in reality, to begin with. There is also a 

need to ensure just policies for safeguarding the 

workers’ right in host countries. 

2. Diaspora should facilitate the processes of Cultural 

Evolution rather than Cultural Revolution 

which is happening in today’s world. The engagement 

should be on all levels- global, national, 

regional, interpersonal, and grass root. 

Specialized and unique processes of agency wide 

deliberations need to be conceptualized and isntitutionalized. 

9. There is a need for labor rights of immigrant 

workers. Very little is known about the host government 

policies for safeguarding the rights of 

Diaspora workers. This is an area which requires 

further investigation. 

10. Private International Laws are highly needed 

considering the vast complexity and a wide array 

of legal issues (Social issues, marriages, custody, 

property Disputes, extradition etc. are emerging) 

that Diaspora to faces. Vital inputs are needed 

from scholars to make such laws effective and 

workable. 

11. Issue of Diaspora and security is an important 

area of concern considering how the diaspora 

can be misused with reference to fund flow and 

other threats related to national sovereignty etc 

3. The resources generated by Diaspora should 

be used for development activities of the home 

countries such as rural development, education, 

healthcare and capacity building. 

4. The role of Ethnic media in strengthening the 

links between Diaspora and India is very important. 

12. There is a strong need for engaging with the 

scientific and technological community of overseas 

Indians. Diaspora engagement in knowledge 

based innovations is proven to be success. 

Technological specificity, both substantive and 

incremental need to be recognized prima facie 

based on immediate value adding, convergence 

criteria via a vis diverse indigeneous technology 



and high tech mainstream institutional research 

in Indian Universities and research laboratories. 

13. There is a need for Policy think tank to provide 

research input on diaspora related issues. hence 

the proposed MOIA-IGNOU Centre for Diaspora 

Studies should undertake various research activities 

subserving relevant national and global 

causes. 

14. high number of women in the diaspora in recent 

years makes them vulnerable to exploitation 

relating to sexual abuse, working conditions and 

cross country legal, linguistic problems located in 

gendered, racial, nationalistic outcomes. There is 

a need for special provision to safeguard the 

women workers. 

15. Transnational flexibility should increase as diaspora 

people have multiple identitities, their social 

and cultural positionings are different, fluidic 

and convenient. Policy must take into account 

the evolutionary trend and facilitate the emerging 

demographic, cultural, socio-political trends 

in positive manner for the peace and prosperity 

of the humanity as a whole. 



ANNEXTURE I 

Programme 

Tuesday, 6th September, 2011: Welcome at Convention Centre, IGNOU, New Delhi 

16: 00- 21: 00 hrs: Greetings, Registration, Cultural Event and Dinner 

Day 1: Wednesday, 7th September, 2011 

Inauguration 

9: 45 - 11:15 hrs, Main Hall, Convention Centre 

Welcome 

Release of Conference Compendium 

Presidential Address 

Key Note Address 

Address by Chief Guest 

Vote of Thanks 

Dr. Latha Pillai, Pro Vice Chancellor 

Dr. A. Didar Singh hon’ble Secretary, MOIA, GOI 

Prof. VN Rajasekharan Pillai, hon’ble 

Vice Chancellor 

Prof. Mizan R. Miah, Director, School of Social 

Work, Southern Illinois University, USA 

Dr. A. Didar Singh hon’ble Secretary, MOIA, GOI 

Prof. B.K. Pattanaik, Conference Coordinator 

11:15-11:30 h : High Tea 

Session I : 11:30- 13:30 h, Main Hall, Convention Centre 

Plenary I : Diaspora and Development Dynamics: Issues, Strategies and Practices 

Chair : Prof. R.K. Jain 

Discussant : Dr. Mohammad Salahuddin, 

Rapporteur : Dr. Smita Tiwari 

1. The Promotion of International Best Practice in the Field of Diaspora Strategy: A Critical Reflection 

on the Experience of Policy Transfer to Date – Prof. Mark Boyle & Dr. Rob Kitchin 

2. The Link with a home Country: A Comparative Analysis of host-country Environments for Diaspora 

Engagement – Dr. Metka hercog, Dr. Gabriela Tejada, Dr. Christiane Kuptsch & Prof. Jean-Claude 

Bolay 

3. The African Brain Drain – Causes, Costs, Consequences – Prof. Brij Maharaj 

4. Contrasting regional migration and diaspora-led transformation in Kerala and Punjab: Is it evidence 

of migration-led development? – Dr. Margaret Walton-Roberts 

13:30-14:15 h : Lunch IGNOU Guest House 

Session II : 14:15-16:30h, Main Hall, Convention Centre 

Parallel Session I : Politics of Inclusion and Exclusion 

Chair : Prof. A.S. Narang 

Discussant : Dr. Nandini Sen 

Rapporteurs : Ms. Khushboo Jain & Dr. Smita Tiwari 

1. Diasporic International Relations: Agent of Change as Soft Power Diplomacy – Dr. Samson S. Chiru 

2. Joining the Mainstream Bandwagon: A Study of Political Participation of Indian Diaspora in the 

United States – Prof. Mohammed Badrul Alam 



3. Being Tibetan in Shimla: Cultural hybridity and Social Development of the Tibetan Diaspora - Dr. 

Renuka Thapliyal and Dr. Vibha Arora 

4. Fluid Boundaries and Diaspora: Multiple Identities and Globalizing Networks - Dr. Manisha Tripathy 

Pandey 

5. The Role of Ethnic Diasporas in the Innovative Development of Post Soviet Era - Dr. Sergey Krivov 

6. Muslim Diaspora and European Identity: The Politics of Inclusion and Exclusion - Dr. Branislav Radelji 

7. Diaspora, Cultural Disintegration and Underdevelopment: The Case of Zimbabwe in the Last Ten 

Years (2001 – 2011) - Dr. Francis Matambirofa 

Session II : 14:15-16:30h, Room No: 5, Convention Centre 

Parallel Session II : Human Development 

Chair : Prof. Sanjoy K. Nayak 

Discussant : Dr. Bijulal M.V. 

Rapporteur : Ms. Sheetal Agarwal 

1. Diaspora as a Knowledge Community in Policy Making for Nation Building of Post-War Sri Lanka – 

Mr. Chaminda hettiarachchi 

2. UNDP “Global Armenia” initiative: a platform for transferring Armenian Diaspora’s expertise, experience 

and financial resources to the homeland for advancing human development – Mr. Armen Baibourtian 

3. “Brain drain” from Greece: “Unskilled” people migrating to Greece from Less Developed Countries 

while Greek professionals migrate to Developed Countries –Prof. Lois Labrianidis 

4. Brain circulation and Indian development: A perspective from Australia and New Zealand - Dr. Wardlow 

Friesen 

5. Reverse Brain Drain: Millennial Strategies by Developed and Developing Countries - Dr. Anjali Sahay 

6. Philanthropy and Sustainable Development in Regional Towns: Role of Diaspora Telugus in Guntur 

- Dr. T.L.S.Bhaskar 

7. The diaspora as carrier of soft knowledge for development to the home country: evidence from 

highly skilled Filipino migrants in New Zealand and Australia – Ms. Sheila Siar 

16: 30 – 16: 45 h : Tea Break 

Session III : 16:45-18:45h, Main Hall, Convention Centre 

Parallel I : Diaspora Finance and Socio-Economic Development 

Chair : Ambassador Paramjit Sahai, 

Discussant : Dr. Wardlow Friesen 

Rapporteur : Dr. Smita Tiwari 

1. Indonesian Migrant Workers: Foreign Exchange heroes?- Mr. Agung Setiyo Wibowo 

2. On Some Aspects of Labour Migration and Remittances in Indian Experience –Mr. Akhil Alha 

3. Proposals, Possibilities and Realities: Diaspora Linkages and Investments in the homeland: The South 

West Cameroon’s Example - Dr. Richard Agbor Ayukndang Enoh 

4. Can the Diaspora be an agent of Development? Assesing the role of diaspora finance in Punjab’s 

economic development – Prof. Shinder S. Thandi 

5. Africa’s Money in Africa: The Impact of Remittance on Investment and Economic Development- Dr. 

Osabuohien Evans & Dr. Efobi Uchenna 

6. Remittance Inflow into Rural Economy of Bangladesh- Prof. Md. Saiful Islam, howlader Abubakar & 

Syed Afroz Keramat 



7. A Causal Note on The Relationship Between Migrants’ Remittances And Economic Growth In 

Bangladesh –Dr. Mohammad Salahuddin & Dr. S M Shafiul Alam 

8. India’s Diaspora Connect: Financial Instruments, Strategy and Options - Dr. R P Pradhan 

9. Diaspora Bonds and the Caribbean: Tapping into Innovative Financing Mechanisms-Mr. Jwala Rambarran 

Session III : 16:30-18:45 h, Room No: 5, Convention Centre 

Parallel Session II : Politics of Inclusion and Exclusion 

Chair : Ambassador J.C. Sharma 

Discussant : Dr. Mohammed Badrul Alam 

Rapporteur : Mr. Akhil Alha 

1. Diaspora in Mauritius: Recipe for Contested Development - honita Cowaloosur 

2. Old Faiths and Global Organisational Frames - Dr. Kiranmayi Bhushi 

3. The Dark Side of ‘Diaspora’ in Africa’s Great Lakes Region- Mr. Sabastiano Rwengabo 

4. The Impact of Turkish Diasporic Community Living in Germany on German and Turkish Laws – Ms. 

hande Unsal, 

5. Incidence of Elder Abuse Among South Asian Immigrants in the US: Quest for Some Remedies – 

Prof. Pramod Kumar Mishra 

6. Do numbers matter? Role of Indian Diaspora from Smaller States – Dr. K M Baharul Islam 

7. On the Law on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Returned Overseas Chinese and the Relatives 

of Overseas Chinese – Prof. Guofu Liu 

8. Migrant Work and human Rights in the GCC Countries: Some pointers in the context of Labour Unrest 

–Dr. Bijulal M.V 

9. Indian African Diaspora’s Role in Economic Growth and Development in India- A Study in Context 

of Tanzania and Kenya - Dr. Inderjeet Singh Sodhi 

19:30-20:15 : Dinner, IGNOU Guest House 

Day 2 : Thursday, 8th September 2011 

Session IV : 9:00 to 11:00h, Main Hall, Convention Centre 

Parallel Session I : Human Development 

Chair : Prof. Shinder S. Thandi 

Discussant : Mr. Jwala Rambarran 

Rapporteur : Ms. Sheetal Agarwal 

1. Tapping Talents in India through Diasporas Network: Opportunities and Challenges- Dr. Falendra 

Kumar Sudan 

2. Rethinking Development through Dynamics of Skilled human Migration from India- Dr. Leena Singh 

3. Knowledge Diasporas: Educational Migration and Transnational Development - Ms. Maria Sian 

Chavan. 

4. Moroccan Reef Diaspora: history, Effects, and Plan for Development - Dr. Ilyass Balga 

5. A South-South Approach to Migration and Development: Some Reflections on the Experiences of 

Overseas Filipino Workers – Ms. Lermie Shayne S. Garcia 

6. Indian Diapora and Knowledge Transfer: Myth or Reality –Mr. Jeetendra D. Soni 

7. harnessing Diasporas for Grassroot Development: A study in Rural Punjab – Mr. Apneet Riyait 

Session IV : 9:00- 11:00 h, Room No: 5, Convention Centre 

Parallel Session II : Gender in the Diaspora 

Chair : Prof. Margaret Walton-Roberts 

Discussant : Dr. Kiranmayee Bhusi 

Rapporteur : Ms. Khushboo Jain 



1. Does role mobility empower immigrant women? – Prof. Shu-Man Pan & Dr. Jung-Tsung Yang 

2. Women of the New Algerian Diaspora: Networks, Social Consciousness and Political Engagement 

Ms. Latefa Narriman Guemar 

3. Women of Malaysian Diaspora in Qatar: Managing home and Managing Properties - Prof. Maznah 

hj Ibrahim & Prof. Siti Rugayah 

4. Rationale for Establishing a Return and Retirement Fund for Indian Overseas Women Migrant 

Workers in the ECR Countries - Dr. Kavim V Bhatnagar 

11: 00- 11: 15h : Tea Break 

Session V : 11:15 to 1:30h, Main Hall, Convention Centre 

Parallel Session I : Film & Theatre and Writings 

Chair : Prof. Brij Maharaj 

Discussant : Prof. Malti Mathur 

Rapporteur : Dr. Sadananda Sahoo 

1. In search of and connecting to Indian Identity: the popular hindi cinema and Diaspora - Dr. Vishav 

Raksha 

2. From Cultural Degradation to Cultural Recognition: Indian Diaspora through hindi Movies (Bolloywood)- 

Dr. Tapasi Ghosh 

3. Diaspora in the Indian Cinema and the Notion of Indianness - Dr. Shilpa Nandy 

4. “Irangeles”– Representation of Migration in Films of the Iranian Diaspora – Ms. Alena Strohmaier 

5. The Empire writes from within: Kali Theatre Company- A case study – Ms. Alice Colombo 

6. The creation of Diaspora and its historical significance: A Study of Amitav Ghosh’s Sea of Poppies 

- Dr. Nandini C Sen 

7. Diasporic vision in Kiran Desai's The Inheritance of Loss - Dr. Anshu Pandey 

8. Diasporic Enclosures in the Writings of Peter Nazareth, Vassanji & Tejani- Dr. Deepa S P Mathur 

9. Diasporic Sensibility of the South Asian Writers: Nostalgia, Concern for homeland or Cashing of 

Emotions - Dr. Shaista Maseeh & Dr. Shamenaz Bano 

10. Diasporic Vision of African Women Novelists- Dr. Kanu Priya Verma 

13: 30- 14:15 h : Lunch , IGNOU Guest House 

Session VI : 14:15- 16:15 h, Main Hall Convention Centre 

Plenary II : Engaging Diaspora: The Way Forward 

Chair : Ambassador J.C. Sharma 

Rapporteur : Mr. Akhil Alha 

Panelists 

1. Dr. Margaret Walton Roberts 2. Dr. Francis Matambirofa 

3. Ambassador Paramjit Sahai 4. Prof. Mizan R Miah 

5. Dr. Gabriela Tejada 6. Prof. Shinder S. Thandi 



16:15- 16:30 h : Tea Break 

Valedictory Session : 16.30 – 17.30 h, Main Hall, Convention Centre 

Welcome : Prof. Velayutham Saravanan, Director, SOITS 

Remarks : Dr. Latha Pillai, PVC 

Valedictory Address : Shri G. Gurucharan, CEO, Indian Council of Overseas 

Employment (ICOE), MOIA, New Delhi 

Conference outcome : Prof. Brij Maharaj, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 

South Africa 

Presidential Remarks : Prof. Prof. VN Rajasekharan Pillai, Vice Chancellor 

Vote of Thanks : Dr. Sadananda Sahoo, Joint Coordinator of the Conference 



ANNEXTURE II 

Sl.No. 

List of Participants 

1. Agrawal, Ayushi, School of Interdisciplinary and Trans-disciplinary (SOITS) IGNOU 

2. Agarwal, Sheetal, SSS, JNU, New Delhi 

3. Agarwal, Tasha, SOITS, IGNOU 

4. Agung, Wibowo Setiyo, Researcher, Jl. Mampang Prapatan XIV. No.33B Jakarta 12790 Indonesia 

5. Ahnaf, P.C. , School of Extension and Development Studies (SOEDS), IGNOU 

6. Alam, Mohammed Badrul, Professor, Dept. of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, Jamia Millia 

Islamia University, Jamia Nagar, Okhla, New Delhi 

7. Alam, Naushad SOSW, IGNOU 

8. Alha, Akhil, Research Scholar, Centre for Economic Studies and Planning, Jawaharlal Nehru University, 

New Delhi 

9. Ali, K., MAEDS, IGNOU 

10. Anand, Pankaj, SOITS, IGNOU 

11. Arora,Vibha, Department of humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Delhi 

12. Attri, Alka, SOITS, IGNOU 

13. Bharaswaj, Ramesh, Gwalior University, Madhya Pradesh 

14. Bano, Shamenaz, Assistant Professor, Dept of Professional Communication, AIET, Allahabad 

15. Bhaskar, T.L.S, Project Coordinator, Indian Council of Overseas Employment, East of Kailash, New 

Delhi, India 

16. Bhatnagar, Kavim V., Sr. Pension Consultant, 321 Shriniketan Plot 1 Sector 7, Dwarka, New Delhi 

17. Bijulal, M.V., Assistant Professor , School of International Relations and Politics, M.G University, Kottayam, 

Kerala. 

18. Bisht, Monika, SOITS, IGNOU 

19. Boyle, Mark, Chair in Geography and head of the Department of Geography, NUI Maynooth, County 

Kildare, Ireland 

20. Cham, Khyo, School of Gender and Development, IGNOU 

21. Chau, Tu Ngoc, Vietnam 

22. Chouhan, Pinky, School of Gender and Development, IGNOU 

23. Chiru, Samson S., Independent researcher, who is currently affiliated to Jawaharlal Nehru University, 

New Delhi 

24. Cowaloosur, honita, Ph.D. Student, University of St Andrews, Scotland 

25. Farooqi, Nehal, SOEDS, IGNOU 

26. Das, Krishnaxi, Doctoral Fellow, JNU, New Delhi 

27. Das, Surojit, Asst Prof. in Political Science, Abhetananda Mahavidyalay, West Bengal 

28. Evans, Osabuohien, Lecturer, Dept. of Economics & Development Studies and Dept. of Accounting, 

Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria 

29. Friesen,Wardlow, Senior Lecturer, School of Environment, University of Auckland, New Zealand 

30. Garai, Debasena, Asst Prof. in Sociology, Birbhum Mahavidyalay, West Bengal 

31. Garg, Mansi, SOEDS, IGNOU 

32. Gopal, D., Dept. of Political Science, IGNOU 

33. Guemar, Latefa Narriman, Ph.D. student and Research Associate, Centre for Migration Policy, Research, 

Swansea University, Department of human Geography, Margam Building, Singleton Park, 

SA2 8PP, U.K 

34. Guofu Liu, Law School of Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China 

35. Gurucharan, G., CEO, Indian Council of Overseas Employment (ICOE), Ministry of Overseas Indian 

Affair, New Delhi 

36. hangah, hussine B., Add: Institute of West Asian Studies, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43650 

UKM Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan Malaysia. 



37. hercog, Metka, Scientific researcher, CM 2 202, Station 10, Ch-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland 

38. hettiarachchi, Chaminda, Associate Director –RCSS, Regional Centre for Strategic Studies (RCSS), 

68/1, Sarasavi Lane, Colombo 08, Sri Lanka 

39. Ibrahim, Maznah hj, Research Fellow/Lecturer, Institut Kajian Rantau Asia Barat/Pusat Pengajian 

Umum, Institute of West Asian Studies / Center for General Studies, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 

40. Illath, Muneer, Asst. Professor, Department of Sociology, Allahabad University, Allahabad 

41. Islam, K.M. Baharul, Consultant, African Development Bank, NICTSP Mid-Term Review, National Computer 

Board, Stratton Court, Port Louis, Republic of Mauritius 

42. Islam, Saiful, Economics Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna 9208, Bangladesh 

43. Jain, Divya, SOEDS, IGNOU 

44. Jain, Khushbo, Delhi University, Delhi 

45. Jain, R.K., 770, Block 'B', Palamvihar, Gurgaon- 122017, haryana 

46. Jain, Shobhita, 770, Block 'B', Palamvihar, Gurgaon- 122017, haryana 

47. Jaseel, SOEDS, IGNOU 

48. Kapoor, Dileep, SOEDS, IGNOU 

49. Kapur, Nandini Sinha, Associate Profesossor, SOITS, IGNOU 

50. Karmakar, Abhisek, Asst Prof in Political Science, RRRM 

51. Kakati, Nitumani, SOSS, IGNOU 

52. Kaushik, Komal, School of Gender and Development, IGNOU 

53. Keramat, Syed Afroz, Bangladesh 

54. Khan, A.M., SOSW, IGNOU 

55. Kiran, School of Gender and Development, IGNOU 

56. Kiranmayi Bhushi, Associate Professor, Sociology Faculty, Indira Gandhi National Open University, 

New Delhi 

57. Kothari, Sunil, 94, Asiad Village, New Delhi-110049 

58. Krivov, Sergey, Associate Professor, Department of Political Theory, Nizhnij Novgorod State University 

Russia 

59. Kumar Ashwin, SOITS IGNOU 

60. Kumar, Alok, Project Coordinator, Indian Council of Overseas Employment, MOIA, E-34, East of 

Kailash, New Delhi-110065 

61. Kumar, Pradeep, SOEDS, IGNOU 

62. Kumar, Praveen, SOITS, IGNOU 

63. Kumar, Ratheesh, Asst. Prof. SOITS, IGNOU 

64. Kumar, Rohit, SOEDS, IGNOU 

65. Kumar, Rohit, School of Gender and Development, IGNOU 

66. Kumar, Prasenjeet, MATS, IGNOU 

67. Kumar, Vinod, JNU, New Delhi 

68. Kumari, Bandana, SOITS, IGNOU 

69. Kunal, Kishor, SOEDS, IGNOU 

70. Kusum, School of Gender and Development, IGNOU 

71. Madhubala, SOSS, IGNOU 

72. Mahalingam, JNU, New Delhi 

73. Mahapatra, Subhakanta, SOITS, IGNOU 

74. Maharaj, Brij, Professor in School of Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa 

75. Maharshi, Manish, Govt. College Ratnagarh, Rajasthan 

76. Maseeh, Shaista, Ph.D. ( English), Faculty in Department of English and European Languages, University 

of Allahabad 

77. Matambirofa, Francis, Director, African Languages Research Institute, University of Zimbabwe, P.O. 

Box MP 167, Mt Pleasant, harare, Zimbabwe 



78. Mathew, Rajesh, SOITS, IGNOU 

79. Mathur, Deepa S P, Assistant Professor, L-6-D, University Campus, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur 

80. Mathur, Malti, Professor in English, School of humanities, IGNOU, New Delhi 

81. Miah Mizan R, Director & Professor, School of Social Work, Southern Illinois University Carbondale 

82. Mishra, Pramod Kumar, Professor in Department of Political Science and International Relations, 

Adis Ababa University, Ethiopia 

83. Mishra, Pratibha, SOEDS, IGNOU 

84. Mishra, Pruti, SOEDS, IGNOU 

85. Md. Mubeen, MAEDS, IGNOU 

86. Nandy, Shilpa, Assistant Professor in Political Science, Khudiram Bose Central College, Kolkata 

87. Narang, A.S, Professor in Department of Political Science, School of Social Sciences, IGNOU 

88. Narang, Ankita, School of Gender and Development, IGNOU 

89. Nayak, Sanjoy K., Advisor on-call in hRh & International Migration, World health Organisation, 

hQ/Geneva ; EURO/Copenhagen and CC/ Amsterdam. 

90. Nemching, Grace Don, Asst Professor, SOEDS, IGNOU 

91. Nitesh, School of Social Work, IGNOU 

92. Colombo, Alice, Vice-President Yllary (Intercultural Association for women) and freelance social researcher 

on migration 

93. Pan, Shu-Man, Professor, Graduate Institute of Social Work, National TaiwanNormal University, Taiwan 

94. Pandey, Anshu, Department of English, C M P Degree College, University of Allahabad 

95. Pandey, M.K. , MOIA, Delhi 

96. Pandey, Manisha Tripathy, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, Jamia Millia Islamia, New 

Delhi-25. 

97. Pandey, Neha, SOITS, IGNOU 

98. Pandey, Niti, SOITS, IGNOU 

99. Parasher, Ananya, School of Gender and Development, IGNOU 

100. Pattanaik, B.K., Director, School of Extension and Development Studies, IGNOU 

101. Pillai, VNR, Vice Chancellor, Indira Gandhi National Open University 

102. Pillai, Latha, Pro Vice Chancellor, Indira Gandhi National Open University 

103. Pontnuru, Basant, Research Officer, ICOE, MOIA 

104. Pradhan R P, Assistant Professor, humanities & Management Group, BITS Pilani K K Birla Goa Campus 

105. Prehar, Shruti, SOGDS, IGNOU 

106. Radeljic, Branislav, Associate Lecturer in International Politics, University of East London, UK 

107. Rai, Ravi Shankar, School of Gender and Development, IGNOU 

108. Rajpal, JNU, New Delhi 

109. Raju, Arjun, Research Assistant, ICOE, MOIA 

110. Raksha, Vishav, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Jammu 

111. Rambarran, Jwala, Chairman, National Institute for higher Education, Research Science & Technology 

(NIhERST), Trinidad & Tobago 

112. Ramadas, Ranjith, School of Gender and Development, IGNOU 

113. Ramanujam, PR, Professor and Pro-Vice Chancellor, IGNOU 

114. Rana, Dushyant, SOITS, IGNOU 

115. Ranjan, Rakesh, SOITS, IGNOU 

116. Ray, Vijay K. Dept. of English, SRM University 

117. Remesh, Babu P, SOITS, IGNOU 

118. Riahi, Arash T, Vienna, Austria 

119. Roberts, Margaret Walton, Geography and ES Dept, Wilfrid Laurier University, 75 University Ave W., 

Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3C5 



120. Rwengabo, Sabastiano, Ph.D Student, Department of Political Science:: Faculty of Arts and Social 

Sciences, National University of Singapore 

121. Sachdeva, Silpi, SOEDS, IGNOU 

122. Sahai, Paramjit, (Former IFS) CRRID, 1656, Sector 7-C, Chandigarh 160019 

123. Sahay, Anjali, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Program Director, International 

Studies, Department of Political Science, Gannon University 

124. Sahoo, Ajay K., Asst. Professor, Centre for the Study of Indian Diaspora, University of hyderabad, hyderabad 

125. Sahoo, Sadananda, Asst. Prof. SOITS, IGNOU 

126. Salahuddin Mohammad, Assistant Professor, School of Business Studies, Southeast University, Road- 

18, house-64, Block-B, Banani, Dhaka-1213, Bangladesh 

127. Saravanan, Velayutham, Director, SOITS, IGNOU 

128. Sen,. Nandini C., Fellow, Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, Shimla. Associate Professor, Dept. of 

English, Delhi University 

129. Sheikh, Rafiq, Research Scholar, SOITS, IGNOU 

130. Sharma, J.C., Former Secretary, MEA 

131. Shareef, MAEDS, IGNOU 

132. Mahapatra, Subhakanta, Asst. Prof. SOITS, IGNOU 

133. Sashidhar, P.V.K., Associate Professor, SOEDS, IGNOU 

134. Siar, Sheila, PhD candidate (Development Studies), University of Auckland 

135. Sinclair, Parvin, Professor and Pro Vice Chancellor, IGNOU 

136. S. Singh, A. Didar, Secretary, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affair, Government of India 

137. Singh, Leena, Assistant Professor (Corporate Management), School of Management Studies, IGNOU, 

New Delhi 

138. Singh, Ravinder, JNU, New Delhi 

139. Siti, Rugayah hj Tibek, Institute of West Asian Studies, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43650 UKM 

Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia 

140. Sherwani, Zeba, SOITS, IGNOU 

141. Sodhi, Inderjeet Singh, Associate Professor (Public Administration), University of Dodoma, Tanzania 

142. Soni, Jeetendra D., lecturer at M.J.D. Government College, Taranagar, Churu, Rajasthan (India) 

143. Strohmaier, Alena, PhD Student / University of Vienna 

144. Sudan, Falendra Kumar, Associate Professor, Department of Economics, University of Jammu, Jammu, 

Jammu and Kashmir – 180 006 

145. Sujit, SOITS, IGNOU 

146. Tanwar, Pooja, SOITS, IGNOU 

147. Tejada, Gabriela, Scientific Researcher, CM 2 202, Station 10, Ch-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland 

148. Thandi Shinder S., Professor, Coventry University, UK 

149. Thapa, Anuradha, School of Gender and Development, IGNOU 

150. Tiwari, Smita, JNU, New Delhi 

151. Tripathi, Ajeeta, School of Gender and Development, IGNOU 

152. Uchenna, Efobi, Lecturer, Dept. of Economics & Development Studies and Dept. of Accounting, 

Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria 

153. Unsal, handey, Ph.D. Candidate in Ankara Law School in the Department of Private International 

Law, Turkey 

154. Vergese, Neha, Asst Professor, SOEDS, IGNOU 

155. Verma, Kanu Priya, I.S.D.C.,Allahabad, University of Allahabad. 

156. Vidya, Subhangi, Asst. Prof. SOITS, IGNOU 

157. Yang, Jung-Tsung, Assistant Professor Jung-Tsung Yang, Department of Sociology, National Taipei 

University, TAIWAN 

158. Yanthan, Zajano, SOITS, IGNOU 



Dignitaries in the conference 

Participants in the session on “Gender in the Diaspora” 

Cultural evening on 6th 

September 2011 

Artists performing 

during Cultural 

evening on 

6th September 

2011 

Conference Participants browsing books 

Conference participants 

interacting during the tea break 

Prof. Brij Maharaj receiving a memento 

from Prof. V. Saravanan. 

Further information and contact: 

Prof. B.K. Pattanaik 

Conference Coordinator, E-mail: bkpattanaik@ignou.ac.in 

Dr. Sadananda Sahoo 

Joint Coordinator, E-mail: ssahoo@ignou.ac.in

A group photo of the participants at the International Conference 

on ‘Diaspora and Development: Prospects and Implications for 

Nation States’, at the IGNOU Headquarters in New Delhi.

Prospects and Implications for Nation States - IGNOU

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