Encyclopedia on India diaspora launched in Singapore

Singapore, Oct 10 (UNI) Goa-based Edward Peters went to New Zealand in 1853 and was responsible for the ''gold rush'' in Otago, although a European was credited with the find, says a new encyclopedia on more than 20 million Indian diaspora.

The 416-page encyclopedia was launched here yesterday by Singapore President MR S R Nathan, who himself is featured as one of the most prominent Indian leaders in Singapore.

It cited a World Bank report that more than 20 million Indian diaspora remitted some 23 billion dollars to India in 2004.

It says Malaysia has the largest Indian diaspora community, estimated to be 1.8 million in 2000.

The encyclopedia, edited by Professor Brij Lal, noted that nearly all the top fashion moguls, from French designer Jean-Paul Gaultier to Japan's Issey Miyake, look to Indian fashion for ideas and inspiration.

It also highlighted that more than one million Sikhs out of the 20 million Indians live outside India with significant numbers in Canada, Britain, east Africa, Singapore and Malaysia.

An estimated 40,000 Indian currently lives in the Russian federation.

The Indians are the most highly educated ethnic group of Asian communities in the United States while female Indian migrants were among the best-educated minority groups in most societies worldwide.

It is believed to be the first book of its kind on overseas Indians, as Prof Lal pointed out that there was no such reference work on Indian diaspora despite their increasing global visibility.

UNI XC DH RAI0625