Indian-diaspora is strong in rural and small cities in America

Dr. Manoj Jain

September 22, 2024

For years, the Indian diaspora in America was thought to be entirely in big cities like New York, San Francisco, Chicago, and Houston. However, US census data from 2020 shows that of the 5 million Indian-Americans, nearly 40% live in rural American or smaller cities.

The dispersion of the diaspora became evident last month when Minister of Defense Shri Rajnath Singh came to Memphis, Tennessee, a small city with 600,000 population and 10,000 to 15,000 Indian-Americans in the regional area. Shri Rajnath Singh received a rousing reception in a hall packed with Indian-Americans.

Looking back at our personal diaspora journeys over the past 50 years in America, we have seen the Indian diaspora, both in metro cities and rural areas, become successful. According to a 2024 Indiaspora and Boston Consulting Group report, nearly 80% of Indian Americans have a bachelor’s degree or higher, roughly twice the US national average. There are 75,000 Indian-American doctors in the US, about 10 percent of the US physician workforce. Nearly 60% of the motels in America are owned by Indian-Americans.

This success is now becoming significant in America, with 30% of American patients being served by Indian-American doctors and Indian-American motel owners generating 4 million jobs with $700 billion in hotel revenues. In all, while Indian-Americans are only 1.5 % of the population in the US, they contribute 5-6% of the US taxes.

The diaspora’s significance is palpable in India as well. The Indian diaspora, globally in 2023-24, remitted nearly $125 billion, with nearly 10% coming from the United States. In total, the remittances make up 3% of India’s GDP. After the UAE, the United States is the second largest contributor. Each year, the remittances increase with investments in technology, industry, land, and charitable contributions, which alone are close to one billion USD.

Yet, the Indian diaspora in rural America faces unique challenges. For example, in rural America, there are few temples, mosques, or gurudwaras; more so, there are even fewer cultural classes or classical dance teachers. So often, we meet at our homes for prayers and to teach our children Indian culture, dance, and language. Here is where the Government of India and the Indian embassy can help. High-quality online classes and in-person events by Indian celebrities, as well as visits by prominent personalities to small cities, energize the diaspora, as happened during Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to Memphis.

In rural America, the diaspora faces another significant challenge, which is racial bias and discrimination. However, in our experience, over years of relationship building, the local population appreciates the value of a doctor or a local business employer, and soon, the bias dissipates.

Shri Rajnath Singh visits Memphis (Dr Manoj Jain's Album) - 25th August, 2024 (short video)

For India, the diaspora in rural and small cities offers unique opportunities. The diaspora is incredibly influential politically. For example, when one of us lived in rural Kentucky, a well-connected doctor would bring the local US Congressman to a Navratri function. Also, when the Consul general visits Memphis, we, the diaspora, are a local trusted party that accompanies the Indian diplomat to put forth the case for India’s interests in the US Congress. These close-knit, trusting relationships build closer ties between America and India, the new AI, as Prime Minister Modi mentioned during his state visit to Washington.

America is a melting pot, a nation of immigrants. Indians are an essential ingredient, and the flavor is no doubt changing. May it be Kamala Harris, Nikki Haley, Sanjay Gupta, or Vivek Murthy, the Indian diaspora in large cities and rural and small towns are sharing their heritage and culture for the mutual benefit of all. The American cuisine just got spicier.

Manoj Jain is a physician based in Memphis and a faculty member at Emory University in Atlanta. Asha Bhavsar is a retired research scientist who resides in Memphis, Tennessee.

Source : Times of India