Vitality of ethnic immigrants in the neighbourhoods of Indian cities: A case study of Chinatown, Kolkata

Abstract

This paper aims to analyse the vitality and wellbeing of the Chinese community in Kolkata, India. Kolkata's Chinatown has a settlement history of 250-years in the city. The rapid urbanisation in the city are posing threats to the homogenisation of the culture and identity of the Chinese community in the city. This ethnic community needs intervention to boost its local economy while ensuring diversity and inclusiveness with the native community. This article explores the socio-cultural and economic components of the Chinese community and how they contribute to their survival in the city. Despite the expressive fears about the xenophobic attitude of the natives towards the ethnic minorities, our findings indicate that close interethnic relationships are not uncommon in the urban setting. The results indicate that the Chinese community has adapted socio-culturally in the city that has led to cultural intertwining with the natives of the place. The analysis also show that Chinatown of Kolkata possess the socio-cultural resilience that has helped to maintain its ethnic identity even after a pandemic outbreak. However, the economic resilience of the community is at stake due to the marginalization of the jobs performed by this community.