Centre for Diaspora Studies

       Realising the large number of people in diaspora from the state of Kerala and their role in strengthening the economic and political welfare of the country, the Centre for Diasporic Studies was established under the purview of the Department of International Relations. It aims to study the Indian Diaspora and situate the diaspora from Kerala with all its characteristics within the vast and varied diasporic canvas of India. The Centre will study the history of various migration streams from India over the centuries to the present, the patterns of migrations and the forces necessitating the movement and their contribution ,to India’s economic well-being and political influence. The centre intends to prepare a database on Peoples of Indian Origin (PIO) abroad, especially from Kerala and also to encourage the preparation of recorded experiences by migrants and migrant groups. The Centre for Diaspora Studies aims to prepare a databank and historical profile of Indian Diaspora, to study its socio-political and economic implications, and to provide inputs to governments in framing its policies with regard to diaspora. The Centre will provide inputs to governments in framing policies with regard to the diaspora. The activities envisaged by the Centre are to organise seminars and workshops on diasporas in general and the Indian Diaspora in particular, for students and teachers as well as the general public at the regional, state and national levels; to publish the proceedings of these seminars and lectures and make them available to the public; to set up a collection of books especially relating to literature on diaspora; to institute international fellowships for students particularly from backward areas of Kerala to do research in diaspora studies. One important thrust area which the Centre would like to concentrate on in the immediate future is with regard to the Gulf migrants of Malabar and the US and European migrants of CentralTravancore.