Campus Times | Lucknow

What does home mean for people living thousands of miles away from their country? This question set the tone for a special lecture titled “The Making of a Diaspora: Role of the Homeland” organized by the Department of Sociology at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU) on March 16, where scholars and students discussed how migration is reshaping the idea of homeland in today’s globalized world.

The programme was chaired by the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raj Kumar Mittal, while the keynote lecture was delivered by noted diaspora scholar Ajay K. Sahoo, Chairperson of the Indian Diaspora Study Centre at University of Hyderabad and founding editor of the internationally recognized journal South Asian Diaspora, published by Routledge (London).

The event was also attended by Shura Darapuri, Dean of the Ambedkar School of Social Sciences, and B. B. Malik, Head of the Department of Sociology.

Homeland No Longer Just a Memory

In his lecture, Prof. Sahoo offered a theoretical analysis of the idea of “homeland” within diaspora studies. He explained that in the contemporary world, the homeland is no longer merely a “myth of return” or an imagined emotional memory for migrant communities. Instead, it has become an active and meaningful element of diasporic life, connecting migrants through transnational networks that span continents.

Government Support

Prof. Ajay K. Sahoo noted that support from the homeland’s government plays a key role in strengthening the identity and confidence of diaspora communities. Referring to India’s outreach under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said it has helped deepen ties with Indians abroad. He also highlighted the rise of the Dalit diaspora as a growing socio-political voice raising global awareness about caste discrimination as a human rights issue.

Debating the Meaning of ‘Diaspora’

At the same time, Prof. Sahoo raised concerns that the concept of “diaspora” has gradually lost some of its original clarity due to increasingly broad and “super-diverse” interpretations in academic discourse. Through multiple examples, he emphasized that the homeland continues to play a crucial role in strengthening diaspora identity and expanding its global influence.

Engaging Discussion

The lecture sparked an engaging interaction among faculty members, research scholars, and students, contributing to contemporary academic debates on migration, identity, and transnationalism. Faculty members including B. N. Dubey, Ravi Kumar, Ajay Kumar, and Brijesh Kumar were also present during the programme.

Vision Behind the Lecture

The organizers said the initiative aims to strengthen academic dialogue on migration, diaspora identity, and global social justice issues. By bringing leading scholars to campus, the university seeks to encourage critical thinking among students and promote inclusive, globally informed research on emerging social challenges.