Indian Diaspora in the Netherlands: Assessing the socio-cultural dynamics between and amongst Surinamese Indians and Indian migrants

Abstract

This research aims to assess the dynamics between and amongst the two Indian ethnic groups residing in the Netherlands i.e. Surinamese Indians and Indian migrants. The uniqueness of this project lies in its initiative to be one of the few of its kind to bring into conversation the dynamic between these two groups in the context of the Netherlands. On the one hand, this project looks at the socio-cultural and political environment of the Netherlands in which these communities experience everyday life. On the other hand, this research looks at the various ways in which diasporic communities locate ‘Home’, whether it’s through different ways of identifications or by creating a transformative hybrid third space. Taking these processes as preconditions, this research looks at the reasons behind the limited interaction between Surinamese Indians and Indian migrants besides having a similar cultural background. In doing so, the project looks at the role of the axis of nationalism and migration generational gap (i.e. first and second-generation migrants) in defining the terms and conditions of inter- and intra- community relationship dynamics of the aforementioned groups. Furthermore, taking into consideration that digital media plays a significant role in the diasporic communities, this thesis looks at the way these two communities make use of digital media in their everyday life. By doing so, this research propounds that the online and offline are co-constitutive as various issues these communities face in the offline realm re-surfaces in the online world. This research concludes by providing insightful ways for building solidarity between Surinamese Indians and Indian migrants, as suggested by the informants of the research.