Amrita's first monograph is based on a decade of fieldwork, ethnography and participant observations. This book relies substantially on primary data as there was no book on this topic so far.   

This book tells the stories of the Indian immigrants in Germany, including the Blue Card holders and students categorized as highly skilled migrants, and others choosing shadow migration pathways to leave the country. It investigates their motivations of leaving India and choosing Germany as an immigration destination. Grappling with the stories of tech workers fleeing the pandemic, activists fleeing the witch hunting of the government, women escaping gender(ed) violence and queer people seeking freedom, this book uses reflexivity as an analytical tool. Investigation of their transcultural practices also reveal a general intent among the Indians to create homes in Germany. However, there are several challenges to such “homing” efforts. Through participant observation and autoethnography, this book argues that structural and everyday symbolic racism in Germany could emerge as a deterrence for the Indians to create a home in the host country.  

 

Prof. Dr. Michaela Pelican introducing the panel. Guest speaker: Dr. Rose Jaji, Moderator: Dr. Jonathan Ngeh

Responding to Dr. Ngeh's questions at the book launch 

Celebrating the book launch of "Why Move?" at GSSC Cologne