Indians in Argentina
Encyclopedia
There is a small community of Indians in Argentina consisting mainly of immigrants from India
as well as their locally born citizens. There are currently 1,600 people of Indian origin living in the country.
and the United States
, the preferred destinations, along with Britain, for the emigrants.
At the time, Argentina seemed the most promising of South American nations, and so they stayed, eventually concentrating in the north, which reminded them of the scrappy mountains and plains of Punjab. Most of them settles in Rosario de la Frontera
. This remote northern Argentine town is home to the only Sikh gurdwara in all of South America. Today, there are about 300 of them, many of whom run supermarkets and other shops. Mixed marriages with Catholic Argentines are common.
In recent years, many Indians have been coming to Argentina for various purposes. A large number of them living in Buenos Aires
are businessmen, doctors, financial or business executives, and employees of multinational corporations. Most of them have retained their Indian citizenship.
. Unfortunately, there is little interaction between them and those who have settled down in other parts of this extensive country. Some of them are actively involved in propagating Ayurveda
, Yoga
, Indian classical music
and the Hindi language.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
as well as their locally born citizens. There are currently 1,600 people of Indian origin living in the country.
History
The first Indians to arrive in Argentina are Sikhs from the Indian state of Punjab. originally came to Argentina in the early 19th century to work on a British-built railroad. Later, in the 1970s, others came after being barred entry to CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the preferred destinations, along with Britain, for the emigrants.
At the time, Argentina seemed the most promising of South American nations, and so they stayed, eventually concentrating in the north, which reminded them of the scrappy mountains and plains of Punjab. Most of them settles in Rosario de la Frontera
Rosario de la Frontera
Rosario de la Frontera is a city in the center-south of the province of Salta, Argentina. It has 24,819 inhabitants as per the , and is the head town of the Rosario de la Frontera Department. It is located on National Route 9, by the Horcones River....
. This remote northern Argentine town is home to the only Sikh gurdwara in all of South America. Today, there are about 300 of them, many of whom run supermarkets and other shops. Mixed marriages with Catholic Argentines are common.
In recent years, many Indians have been coming to Argentina for various purposes. A large number of them living in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
are businessmen, doctors, financial or business executives, and employees of multinational corporations. Most of them have retained their Indian citizenship.
Culture
The Indian community in Argentina have established an Indian Association in the northern provinces and organize social and cultural events to celebrate Indian festivals such as DiwaliDiwali
Diwali or DeepavaliThe name of the festival in various regional languages include:, , , , , , , , , , , , , popularly known as the "festival of lights," is a festival celebrated between mid-October and mid-December for different reasons...
. Unfortunately, there is little interaction between them and those who have settled down in other parts of this extensive country. Some of them are actively involved in propagating Ayurveda
Ayurveda
Ayurveda or ayurvedic medicine is a system of traditional medicine native to India and a form of alternative medicine. In Sanskrit, words , meaning "longevity", and , meaning "knowledge" or "science". The earliest literature on Indian medical practice appeared during the Vedic period in India,...
, Yoga
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
, Indian classical music
Indian classical music
The origins of Indian classical music can be found in the Vedas, which are the oldest scriptures in the Hindu tradition. Indian classical music has also been significantly influenced by, or syncretised with, Indian folk music and Persian music. The Samaveda, one of the four Vedas, describes music...
and the Hindi language.