British Indians ‘Returning Home’: An Exploration of Transnational Belongings

Abstract

This article concentrates on the ‘return’ experiences of first-generation British Hindu Gujaratis retiring to India, to explore how this aspect of migration refigures their transnational social space. The ‘return’, whether imaginary, anticipated or undertaken, has been a key feature of this generation’s relationship to both London and Gujarat and has defined their sense of identity, place and home. Drawing on qualitative research data, the article highlights the ambivalent nature of the migrants’ return experience and the implications this had on their attempts to negotiate a retirement back ‘home’.The data illustrate the contradictory longing of what Clifford (1994) refers to as the ‘lived’ and ‘desired’ home in diasporic and transnational communities.As the return was realized, a new sense of identity, place and home seemed to emerge amongst the migrants, which drew on a reevaluation of their ‘Britishness’ and ‘Indianness’.