BAPS as a NRI Network and it's Presence in India*

Lee Jae-sook

International Area Studies Review, 2007, vol. 10, issue 2, 151-162

Abstract: The linkages or network for the village development through donations for village, school etc. of the Patidar migrants with their home region in Gujarat were strong when they used to live in East Africa as sujourners, but weakened in strength considerably after their subsequent migration to Britain as settlers. Along with this, their religion has changed from village level into transnational network of a Neo-Hinduism and through this network many are maintaining the links with India itself rather than their own village. So, once ‘exported’ and now ‘imported’ BAPS, a modern form of transnational Hinduism, works in India through monetary aid and volunteers from NRIs. In urban areas they are collecting people in the cultural centers and institutions inside of new, huge and stylish temple complex. So NRI style in Hinduism (big gatherings, preaching tour), consumer behaviour, mode of investment are public as well as government's interest. A Neo-Hinduism, which has ‘universal character’ without caste and region is on the move extensionally in India. BAPS can be the touchstone of a regional hinduism, an ethnic unit, equipped with enterprising spirit in the course of globalization through migration. What is sure so far is that BAPS, a NRI network ‘from below’ is giving impact to India and this kind of process may lead transformation of the structure of indian society.

Keywords: Gujarat Diaspora; Neo-hinduism; NRI; Swami Narayana Hinduism; BAPS (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2007
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:intare:v:10:y:2007:i:2:p:151-162

DOI: 10.1177/223386590701000209

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