Indians In Bahrain: Experiences And Treatment

Indians in Bahrain constitute the largest expatriate group in the country, with about 350,000 Indian nationals living there. The history of Indians in Bahrain dates back to the time of the Dilmun civilisation in 3000 BCE when the civilisation served as a trade link between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley civilisation. Proper immigration of Indians to Bahrain first started in the late quarter of the 19th century, with Banyan merchants arriving from British India.

Indians in the country have predominantly blue-collar jobs; 70% of the Indian community work in the construction sector of the country, with others working as barbers and carpenters. Around 15,000 more Indians work as domestic workers; these are almost exclusively women. Most Indian women in the country work as teachers in the country's private schools. Despite the vast number of Indians working as blue-collar workers, white-collar Indian workers are present in the country, often working as pharmacists, physicians and accountants.

There are 32 registered Indian cultural organisations, with a further 68 unregistered socio-cultural organisations and clubs in Bahrain thus giving an opportunity to the Indian expatriate community to promote Indian art and culture including Indian classical dances, classical music and art. There are multiple non-Muslim religious places of worship present in the country including a 200-year-old Shrinathji temple, five churches and six Gurudwaras. The country's oldest and largest Indian social club is the Indian Club with over 4,000 members.

Indians in Bahrain are permitted a great deal of freedom for social and religious activities. There are a number of worship places of different religions including a 200-year-old Hindu Temple, five churches and three gurudwaras. The Bahraini philosophy of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence is one of the reasons for making it a favourite destination for Indian expatriates.

Indians in Bahrain are the largest expatriate group in the country, with around 350,000 Indian nationals living there

Indians in Bahrain are predominantly blue-collar workers; 70% of the Indian community work in the construction sector of the country, with others working as barbers and carpenters. Around 15,000 more Indians work as domestic workers; these are almost exclusively women. Most Indian women in the country work as teachers in the country's private schools. Despite the vast number of Indians working as blue-collar workers, white-collar Indian workers are present in the country, often working as pharmacists, physicians and accountants.

There are 32 registered Indian cultural organisations, with a further 68 unregistered socio-cultural organisations and clubs in Bahrain thus giving an opportunity to the Indian expatriate community to promote Indian art and culture including Indian classical dances, classical music and art. Presence of a number of institutes on performing art has made it possible for the children of Indian diaspora in Bahrain to keep their roots with India alive, keeping them connected with India.

There are multiple non-Muslim religious places of worship present in the country including a 200-year-old Shrinathji temple, five churches and six Gurudwaras. The country's oldest and largest Indian social club is the Indian Club with over 4,000 members. The club was first established in 1915 as the Bahrain Sports Club to serve the country's native and non-native inhabitants.

Indians in Bahrain predominantly work in blue-collar jobs, with 70% working in the construction sector

Indians in Bahrain predominantly work in blue-collar jobs, with around 70% working in the construction sector. This is a pattern that has persisted since the post-World War II oil boom, when Indians emigrated to Bahrain to fill manpower demands as workers, managers, and salesmen. The Bahrain Petroleum Company, the country's sole oil company, employed more than 600 Indians by the 1950s.

The history of Indians in Bahrain dates back to the time of the Dilmun civilisation in 3000 BCE, when the civilisation served as a trade link between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley civilisation. Proper immigration of Indians to Bahrain began in the late 19th century, with merchants arriving from British India. Initially, Indian merchants in Bahrain traded dates, but most later entered the pearling business and helped to export pearls to the world market. By 1925, it was estimated that there were 2,500 Indian families settled in the country, most of whom were involved in the retail sector.

With the discovery and refinement of oil in Bahrain between 1932 and 1945, there was a growing demand for manpower in the oil sector, leading to an increase in Indian workers immigrating to the country. Following World War II, the expansion of Bahrain's economy due to the oil boom further contributed to the rise in Indian emigration. This trend has continued, and today, there are about 350,000 Indian nationals in Bahrain, making them the largest expatriate group in the country.

While 70% of Indians in Bahrain work in the construction sector, others hold various blue-collar jobs such as barbers and carpenters. Around 15,000 Indian women work as domestic workers, and many Indian women work as teachers in the country's private schools. In addition to these blue-collar jobs, there is also a presence of Indians in white-collar professions such as pharmacists, physicians, and accountants.

There are 32 registered Indian cultural organisations in Bahrain, with a further 68 unregistered socio-cultural organisations and clubs

Indians are the largest expatriate group in Bahrain, with about 350,000 Indian nationals currently residing in the country. Indian cultural organisations in Bahrain are plentiful, with 32 registered groups and a further 68 unregistered socio-cultural clubs and organisations. These groups are an important part of the social fabric of the Indian community in Bahrain, providing support, cultural connections, and a sense of belonging for Indian expatriates.

The history of Indians in Bahrain dates back to the time of the Dilmun civilisation in 3000 BCE, when the region served as a trade link between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley Civilisation. However, significant Indian immigration to Bahrain began in the late 19th century with the arrival of Banyan merchants from British India, also known as the British Raj. Over time, many Indian merchants in Bahrain transitioned from trading dates to the pearling business, contributing to the export of pearls to the world market.

By 1925, it was estimated that 2,500 Indian families had settled in Bahrain, and the discovery of oil in the 1930s further increased the demand for Indian workers in the country. Following World War II and the subsequent expansion of Bahrain's economy due to the oil boom, a large number of Indians emigrated to Bahrain to start businesses and fill various roles in sectors such as construction, retail, education, and healthcare.

Today, Indian cultural organisations in Bahrain play a crucial role in preserving and promoting Indian culture, traditions, and community bonds. These organisations host a range of cultural events, celebrations, and support networks for Indians living in Bahrain. The Co-ordination Committee of Indian Associations (CCIA) is an umbrella group that coordinates events such as the Indian Republic Day and provides relief for Indian workers during tragedies.

One of the oldest and largest Indian social clubs is the Indian Club, established in 1915, with over 4,000 members. Other notable Indian associations include the Bahrain India Society, founded in 2007 to promote ties between the two countries, and the Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam, established in 1947. Additionally, there are multiple schools in Bahrain that offer the CBSE curriculum, catering to the educational needs of the Indian community.

Indians in Bahrain are permitted a great deal of freedom for social and religious activities, with 300-year-old Hindu temples, 5 churches and 6 Gurudwaras

Indians in Bahrain are the largest expatriate group in the country, with around 350,000 Indian nationals currently living there. The history of Indians in Bahrain goes back to the time of the Dilmun civilisation in 3000 BCE, and proper immigration started in the late quarter of the 19th century.

Indians in Bahrain are free to practice their religion and have multiple non-Muslim places of worship, including Hindu temples, churches, and Gurudwaras. The Shrinathji Temple, a 200-year-old Hindu temple in the country's capital, Manama, was built by the Thattai Hindu community in 1817 and is dedicated to Lord Shrinathji, a form of Krishna as a seven-year-old child. In 2019, the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, visited the temple and launched a $4.2 million renovation plan. There are also five churches in Bahrain, including two Catholic churches: the Sacred Heart Church in Manama, which was built in 1939, and the Church of Our Lady of Visitation in Awali.

Additionally, there are six Gurudwaras in Bahrain, catering to the Sikh community. While the names of these Gurudwaras are not readily available, sources mention the Gurudwara Sahib Adliya and the Sikh Temple in Salmabad.

The presence of these religious institutions indicates that Indians in Bahrain are permitted a significant amount of freedom for social and religious activities. This freedom is further exemplified by the existence of 32 registered Indian cultural organisations and 68 unregistered socio-cultural organisations and clubs, such as the Indian Club, the country's oldest and largest Indian social club, established in 1915.

Indians in Bahrain are well-regarded by the Bahraini leadership, who publicly acknowledge their contributions to the development and growth of the country

The history of Indians in Bahrain dates back to the time of the Dilmun civilisation in 3000 BCE when the civilisation served as a trade link between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley civilisation. Proper immigration of Indians to Bahrain first started in the late quarter of the 19th century, with Banyan merchants arriving from British India.

Today, over 65% of the Indian expatriate workforce is employed in the construction, contracting and maintenance sectors. There is also a relatively small number of Indian housemaids. In addition to the predominant blue-collar labour force, there are a sizeable number of doctors, engineers, chartered accountants, bankers, managers and other professionals who play a vital role in Bahrain's economic development.

The Indian community in Bahrain is permitted a great deal of freedom for social and religious activities. There are a number of worship places of different religions including a 200-year-old Hindu Temple, five churches and six Gurudwaras. The Bahraini philosophy of religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence is one of the reasons for making it a favourite destination for Indian expatriates.

The Indian community in Bahrain is well-regarded by the Bahraini leadership, who publicly acknowledge their contributions to the development and growth of the country. The Indian community has created a substantial, visible imprint on the social milieu of Bahrain. The presence of a large Indian community in Bahrain constitutes an important link between the two countries. The Kingdom of Bahrain has been exceptionally friendly to India and Indians.

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