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The number of Indians in the United States grew from 1.7 million in 2000 to 2.3 million in 2005: a growth rate of 38%. As their numbers have grown, Indians have carved out their own niche in American society. Enclaves of Indians have created communities, often known as "Little Indias", all over the country. Many of them exist in college towns such as Ann Arbor, Michigan and Austin, Texas.
Here's a sample of some of the largest and most well-known Indian-American communities in the U.S.:
New York: Jackson Heights, Queens
For many Indians migrating to America in the 1970s and 1980s, Jackson Heights was their landing pad. Many never left; as a result, a walk down 74th street may make you feel like you've never left India. Sari shops, South and North Indian restaurants, and Bollywood music stores line the street. Fresh paan and sugarcane juice are easily available. Four grocery stores in the area cater specifically to Indians, and the Eagle Theater screens Bollywood films. There's a well-known Hindu temple in nearby Flushing, Queens. The street's trees are even lit up during Diwali. It's an instant remedy for homesickness.
New Jersey: Edison
The town of Edison, NJ is 17.5% Indian, making it the most densely populated Indian American community in the U.S. The Indian business district spans many blocks along and off of the town's Oak Tree Road. From threading salons to Bombay-style chaat houses to high-end fashion boutiques that sell $5,000-dollar Ritu Kumar outfits, you'll find it all here. New Jersey's Indian population has held on strongly to its roots, and by and large is still deeply immersed in Indian culture, language and religion.
Northern California: Silicon Valley
Northern California is home to a diverse Indian American population; from the Sikh farmers who migrated to Yuba City in the early 1900s, to graduate students who came to study and settle here during the 1960s, '70s and '80s, to the more recent influx of technology professionals in Silicon Valley. Cities such as Fremont, Sunnyvale and San Jose house large populations of affluent, well-educated Indians and Indian Americans. Along with these large populations come the requisite Indian business districts, nearby Hindu temple and Sikh gurudwara, and conveniences such as Indian nannies, cultural organizations and language schools. Thanks to the number of successful Indians in the technology sector - for example, 15.5% of Silicon Valley start-ups were founded by persons of Indian origin - there has also been the growth of an informal "new Indians' network," similar to the "old boys' network," that has created countless opportunities for Indian Americans in the area.
Los Angeles, California: Artesia
Five blocks along Pioneer Boulevard in Artesia form the business center of Southern California's Indian community. The area boasts an Indian movie theater, four Indian grocery stores, and threading salons reportedly frequented by Hollywood stars. Southern California has a very active Indian community, making L.A. a necessary pit stop for Indian artists, musicians and writers. The nearby University of California campuses have an active Indian student population and attract Indian scholars as well.
Chicago, Illinois: Devon Avenue
Devon Avenue is the epicenter of Indian culture for the Midwestern United States. Devon Avenue hosts three distinct South Asian sections: a Bangladeshi, Pakistani and Indian section. The Indian and Pakistani portions of the street also go by the names of Gandhi Marg and Mohammed Ali Jinnah Way, respectively. Indian grocery stores, restaurants and clothing shops line the Gandhi Marg portion. The nearby University of Chicago's well-known South Asian studies program attracts Indian scholars from all over the world.
Below is a list of websites for Indian and Indian Americans living in the U.S., including Indian student and professional networking associations.
Directory of Indian Student Associations in U.S./Canadian universities
http://www.garamchai.com/indassc.htm
North American South Asian Bar Association
http://www.nasaba.com/
The Indus Entrepreneurs
http://www.tie.org/
National Federation of Indian-American Associations
http://www.nfia.net/
Network of Indian Professionals
http://www.netip.org
Silicon Valley Indian Professionals Association
http://www.sipa.org/ |
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