Aditya Anshu

ADITYA ANSHU
INDIAN DIASPORA IN LA REUNION: A JOURNEY FROM SUBJUGATION TO SELF-CONFIDENCE

This paper examines the relationship and suggests how both India and France must draw upon the Indian strategy to widen and strengthen the bridge that the Indian Diaspora represents. The paper focuses on Reunion Island for this analysis, which has one of the largest presence of Overseas Indians and is strategically important for India. Reunion shares a unique link with India.

What sets Reunion apart for a number of reasons, the most significant being the achievement and status of Reunions of Indian origin, in terms of political power and state control, educational and socio-economic progress, maintenance of cultural and religious identity. The indentured labourers who migrated to Reunion in the 19th century originated massively though not exclusively from the central province of India.

IndoMauritius constitutes the majority of population. This paper will deal with the achievements and contributions of PIOs in different arenas of social and cultural aspects also it will look into the achievements of PIOs in economic sphere. Further this paper will also describe and explain the role of Indian associations in their attempt to revive Indian culture. It also analyses the role and activities of local associations in reviving Indian identity through various cultural and religious festival. Prominent among them are Tamij Sangam and different Temple based association.