There was a time when many Indians growing up abroad tried to lose the accent, shorten the name or play down where they came from.
Has that changed?
India now has the world’s largest diaspora, with around 18 million Indian-born people living abroad. And as India’s economic and cultural influence has grown, perhaps the way Indians abroad see themselves has shifted too.
So when did the shift happen?
Is it cool to be Indian abroad today? And what changed?
Raageshwari Loomba Swaroop — Singer, Author & Mindfulness Coach
Mitesh Sheth MBE — CEO, Dharma Endowment Foundation
India: A Story in the Making explores identity, belonging and the changing idea of India through Indians who have made their lives around the world.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
[00:00:00] I was called rags. I thought that was cool. I have three teenagers who are nearly adults and I will never be cool. The past 12 years I've been living in UK, it has brought me closer to India. Now I fight to maintain my Indian accent. I struggle with feeling India or Hindu was cool. I found belonging and coolness in gangs. Do Indians feel cool abroad now?