Asian Indians in Michigan

Title Page, Copyright, Dedication, Acknowledgements, Series Acknowledgements

Asian Indians in Michigan DISCOVERING THE PEOPLES OF MICHIGAN Arthur w. Helweg and linwood H. Cousins, Series Editors Ethnicity in Michigan: Issues and People Jack Glazier, Arthur W. Helweg French Canadians in Michigan John P. DuLong African Americans in Michigan Lewis Walker, Benjamin C. Wilson, linwood H. Cousins Albanians in Michigan Frances Trix Jews in Michigan Judith Levin Cantor Amish in Michigan Gertrude Enders Huntington Italians in Michigan Russell M. Magnaghi Germans in Michigan Jeremyw. Kilar Poles in Michigan Dennis Badaczewski Dutch in Michigan Larry ten Harmsel Asian Indians in Michigan Arthur W. Helweg Discovering the Peoples ofMichigan is a series ofpublications examining the state's rich multicultural heritage. The series makes available an interesting, affordable, and varied collection of books that enables students and lay readers to explore Michigan's ethnic dynamics. A knowledge of the state's rapidly changing multicultural history has far-reaching implications for human relations, education, public policy, and planning. We believe that Discovering the Peoples ofMichigan will enhance understanding ofthe unique contributions that diverse and often unrecognized communities have made to Michigan's history and culture. Asian Indians in Michigan Arthur W. Helweg Michigan State University Press East Lansing Copyright © 2002 by ArthurW. Helweg @ The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of ANSIINISO Z39.48-1992 (R 1997) (Permanence of Paper) Michigan State University Press East Lansing, Michigan 48823-5245 Printed and bound in the United States ofAmerica 08 07 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-TN-PUBLICATION DATA Helweg, Arthur Wesley, 1940Asian Indians in Michigan 1Arthur W. Helweg. p. cm. - (Discovering the peoples of Michigan) Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index. ISBN 0-87013-621-6 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. East Indian Americans-Michigan-History. 2. East Indian Americans-MichiganSocial conditions. 3. Immigrants-Michigan-History. 4. lmmigrants-Michigan-Social conditions. 5. Michigan-Ethnic relations.!. Title. II. Series. F575.E2 H45 2002 305.891/411077421-dc21 2002006335 Discovering the Peoples of Michigan. The editors wish to thank the Kellogg Foundation for their generous support. Cover design by Ariana Grabec-Dingman Book design by Sharp Des!gns, Inc. COVER PHOTO: The Grewal Family, courtesy of G. S. Grewal. Visit Michigan State University Press on the World Wide Web at: www.msupress.msu.edu To Thyra Jennings counselor, educator, mentor, and aunt and Laura Helweg educator, helpmate, and mother ACKNOWLEDGMENTS In a work like this, many people gave of their time and energy to help tell the Asian Indian story completely and accurately. In Kalamazoo, I am particularly gratefule to Vijay Mehta, who was indispensable in supplying and researching material. In Detroit, special thanks goes to Gurmale Singh Grewal and his daughter Mandeep for arranging meetings and providing insight. Kam Kamruwe provided invaluable help. Special gratitude goes to my wife Monica who patiently helped, supported, and understood the sacrifices made to complete this project. My institution, Western Michigan University, has provided financial support at crucial times. Also, my appreciation goes to Fred Bohm, director of the Michigan State University Press, and Elizabeth Demers, senior editor, for putting her heart and soul into editing and making fruitful suggestions. Appreciation also goes to Sandy Judd for her meticulous copy editing. It must be remembered, however, that the integrity of what is written is entirely my responsibility and any errors or omissions are my fault. ARTHUR W HELWEG Kalamazoo, Michigan SERIES ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Discovering the Peoples of Michigan is a series of publications that resulted from the cooperation and effort of many individuals. The people recognized here are not a complete representation, for the list of contributors is too numerous to mention. However, credit must be given to Jeffrey Bonevich, who worked tirelessly with me on contacting people as well as researching and organizing material. The initial idea for this project came from Mary Erwin, but I must thank Fred Bohm, director of the Michigan State University Press, for seeing the need for this project, for giving it his strong support, and for making publication possible . Also, the tireless efforts of Keith Widder and Elizabeth Demers, senior editors at Michigan State University Press, were vital in bringing DPOM to fruition. Otto Feinstein and Germaine Strobel of the Michigan Ethnic Heritage Studies Center patiently and willingly provided names for contributors and constantly gave this project their tireless support. Many ofthe maps in the series were drawn by...