Migration, diaspora and development: a study of familial bonds of Indians in the diaspora

ABSTRACT This study proposes to examine the familial bonds between children settled in the Indian diaspora and the parents who are living in India. It is argued that a close connection is maintained by the first generation diaspora with the homeland, often through the agency of parents. The intensity of visits of children to India is more frequent during the life-time of the parents besides on special familial occasions like marriage, birth, death, religious occasions, and investment decisions to purchase land or construction/renovation of the family house. There also exists a reverse flow of family networks, in terms of parents visiting their children to the diaspora for various occasions. This article tries to examine the familial bonds that exist between children settled in the diaspora and the parents who, while they are in India, visit them for a short period of time.