Why are Indians abroad called as 'Desis'?

Answer 1

During the heyday of the British Raj and the British Empire, many people from the then undivided Indian sub-continent emigrated to the UK or to other British colonies, in search of education and opportunity. The diaspora from what is now called "South Asia" increased dramatically following the riots and massacres of the Partition of India. Families from the affected areas sought safety in various Commonwealth countries.

Communities that have remained distinct in South Asia have tended to mix in diaspora. Some second or third generation immigrants do not think of themselves as belonging to a particular nation, sub-culture, or caste, but as just plain South Asians or Desis.

Hope this explains.

Answer 2

Indians with western outfits used to make fun of their traditional counterparts by calling them Desi...
now the west has included the word 'Desi' in English dictionary... eventually all the Indians living in western countries are called Desi...
i would like to be called an Indian... 'Desi' is an irritating word...
why not deshi... swadeshi... bharatiya... hindustani...

Answer 3

Because they exhibit true indian qualities ( love thy neighbour , helpful, meeting often ,concerned etc etc u see in good human beings ) and so they call themselves desis.

The moment they step on Indian Land they become Vi-desis but the moment they see a friend from their abode country they exhibit : pure desi quality "

EVERY INDIAN (LIVING IN INDIA) MUST GO OVERSEAS TO LIVE THE LIFE OF DESI INDIA AND THEN COME BACK ...... WE WILL SURELY CHANGE .

WE WILL HELP ALL THOSE WE SEE "NOT HELPED " IN THE BREAKING NEWS ETC TELECAST ON INDIA TV / IBN TV ETC .

HENCE

ARISE ,AWAKE AND TRAVEL TO BECOME A DESI AND COME BACK !

TC

Answer 4

Hindi word for Country is DESH, and who is from the Country is Deshi..

country man means you know , a villager , not cultured , or having style and manners of an Urban suave man..

any Indian from Metro city coming to foreign land will be known by their onw brothern as Deshi... as he has to learn the tricks

If you watch the movie, Where is party to night.. it shows typical deshi Indian and you will know every thing..

Answer 5

Dress like the locals (USA/UK/Canada,etc.) but looks
like Indian locals. Desi Tomatoes, Mangoes = Home grown (born/grown in India and brought up abroad or parents or grandparents are/were from India sub-continent.
(Pakis = Pakistanis = Bin-laden type)

Answer 6

Desi in India means "Belonging to my country"(Desh means Country}Hence in a forign country,all Indians are referred to as Desis,(Belonging to my country}

Answer 7

i am an indian
and desi means they are very traditional to the indian ways
in other words they do and think very different then americans
can u dig it?

Answer 8

because we r more traditional....we cant accept there culture...dont know about any other states but in maharashtra one word is there "Gawathi" its similar to desi.... in college if other students find u backward (means not modrate) they will call u Gawathi ...means Desi.

Answer 9

We call a country as "Desh". So Indians are referred to as "Desis"

Answer 10

Because Indians have great originality of mind I mean Jugaar for every kind of work. The carry this quality when they visit and settled abroad.