Education and Migration:

A Study of the Indian Diaspora

Abstract

The Indian diaspora consists of low- and semi-skilled migrants mainly to
the Middle-East; migration of the highly-skilled to developed countries;
and cross-border students who seek employment and remain in their host
countries. India initially viewed the migration of the best educated from
its prestigious institutions as ‘brain drain’. However, with the reverse flow
of these professionals, the diaspora came to be seen as ‘brain gain’. The
highly-skilled Indian diaspora assumed positions of responsibility in the
corporate world, in academia (including Nobel laureates), and in the political
and social spheres in some host countries, thereby enhancing India’s
image abroad.

Key words: India, skilled migration, human aspirations, brain drain, brain
gain