A recent survey has shed light on the complex challenges faced by Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), revealing they often endure a dual burden of discrimination. The findings indicate that NRIs not only confront racial prejudice from non-Indians but also face significant regional bias from within the wider Indian diaspora community.
High Rates of Discrimination in Tech Hubs
The details of the survey were shared by the professional community platform Blind. It highlighted that reports of racial discrimination were particularly acute among employees at two leading technology companies. In these firms, the survey response rate surpassed 50%, offering a substantial dataset. The high participation suggests the issue resonates deeply within these workplace environments, pointing to systemic concerns in major tech corridors where many Indian professionals are employed.
The Two-Front Challenge for the Diaspora
This dual-layered bias creates a unique and taxing experience for Indians living abroad. On one front, they navigate racism and xenophobia from the host country's population. Simultaneously, they must deal with prejudices rooted in Indian regional, linguistic, or cultural identities from fellow diaspora members. This internal bias can manifest in social exclusion, workplace politics, or stereotyping based on one's state of origin within India.
Implications and Broader Context
The survey, reported by SNV Sudhir and published on 04 December 2025, underscores that the dream of a unified diaspora can be fractured by ingrained prejudices. The fact that such detailed findings emerged from a platform like Blind, which allows for anonymous professional discourse, suggests employees are seeking safe avenues to voice these sensitive experiences. This revelation moves the conversation beyond the typical narrative of cross-cultural friction, highlighting intra-community dynamics that are less frequently discussed in public forums.
The consequences of this dual burden are multifaceted:
- Mental and emotional strain from constant navigation of dual biases.
- Impact on professional growth and workplace morale in high-pressure tech sectors.
- Fragmentation within the Indian diaspora community, potentially weakening collective support networks.
This survey acts as a crucial data point, calling for greater awareness and dialogue about the complete spectrum of discrimination faced by global Indian professionals. It challenges both host societies and the diaspora itself to introspect and foster more inclusive environments.
