By Dan Mayur
In a state transformed by immigration and economic growth, Indian Americans are navigating a complex moment of visibility and vulnerability. Author, pop culture analyst and a long-time Texas resident Dan Mayur explores what success, assimilation, and responsibility mean in today’s Texas.
For a long time, Indians rode a wave of success as they navigated life in their adopted country, the United States. They came to be recognized as a hardworking, tax-paying, academically inclined, and stable minority. In recent years, however, this perception appears to be shifting. Amid growing polarization, a more troubling narrative is emerging—one in which a rapidly expanding, high-earning, highly educated, and financially influential minority is increasingly viewed through a narrow lens.
In certain pockets of America, such as Texas—which has seen a sudden boom in its Indian population due to favorable tax laws and moderate weather—this divide is being seen and felt more acutely than in other states. But to understand this widening chasm, perhaps Indians need to look inward as well.
In any society—American, European, or Indian—there exists a wide spectrum of humanity: artistic and unartistic, intelligent and unintelligent, hardworking and lazy, good and bad, honest and dishonest. These are basic human traits and have nothing to do with politics, wealth, or levels of education. In any large population, such traits appear as a bell-shaped, normal distribution. This applies to all countries, and to their cities and villages alike.
The same is true of Indians in India as well as Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) spread across the world. However, there is a troubling difference. While NRIs, like any group, have their share of good and bad people, Indians in the U.S., in India, and elsewhere appear to be facing a growing number of fraud cases. Medicare fraud—filing false claims on behalf of unsuspecting elderly patients—is among the most common offenses attributed to NRI physicians.
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Every society has its bad apples. Indians are often described as “smart,” and some unfortunately use that smartness to exploit the American system. This behavior is driven by greed rooted in a scarcity-based culture carried over from India, and the land of affluence becomes a tempting pasture for fraudsters. That said, the overwhelming majority of NRIs are honest, hardworking people—and they continue to make us proud.
Another aspect worth examining is assimilation—or, of late, what appears to be a forced display of one’s culture. Indians have a rich and unique culture, and most are rightly proud of it, eager to preserve it by passing it on to younger generations. There is nothing wrong with that. However, this preservation should be done subtly, without turning it into a public spectacle.
Americans, in general, are open-minded and hospitable, but they—like most societies—expect newcomers and immigrants to blend into the great melting pot without drawing excessive attention to themselves.
Unfortunately, some Indians tend to be self-centered and unapologetically pursue their own ways without regard for the discomfort of others in the community. This behavior is not only inconsiderate but also unwise—and, in some cases, dangerous. In a country where firearms are widespread, it takes only one deranged individual to react violently toward people who appear unfamiliar or are engaging in practices perceived as strange.
What is happening in Dallas should serve as a wake-up call. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. This is America—the great melting pot.
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Now consider the growing Indian presence in Texas. While this is a nationwide trend, it appears particularly pronounced in Texas for several reasons. With its warm climate, relatively low cost of living, abundant space, and favorable tax regime, Texas has attracted many relocating businesses. These companies bring managerial staff but often cannot supply all the skilled workers they require, creating strong demand for specialized labor. Cities such as Houston are especially affected. Houston is a major hub for space, energy, medicine, and IT—sectors with an especially high need for skilled professionals.
At the same time, the pace of technological change is staggering. Training large numbers of workers in new technologies takes time, creating a lag between demand and the availability of skilled labor. This is not unique to Texas; it is a global phenomenon. Whenever new industries or technologies emerge, there are simply not enough trained people to meet immediate needs. As a result, immigrants with specialized skills are often required to bridge the gap between supply and demand.
Much of the current scrutiny stems from the anti-immigrant stance of the present administration, which has indiscriminately reduced immigrant visas. This is a serious mistake in a nation built by immigrants. Still, this too will change. In a capitalist society, market forces eventually bring supply and demand into balance through wage and price adjustments. It is only a matter of time.
(Dan Mayur has a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Rice university in Houston. He is a world traveler and author of five books. He writes on travel and socio-political issue.)