Economic Development Or Cultural Identity?

A community in Southern California is divided over whether to be recognized as "little India."

1 minute read

August 27, 2004, 5:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"Merchants over the last 20 years have transformed this stretch into Southern California's largest concentration of Indian businesses, a place that draws South Asians and others to Pioneer Boulevard to dine and shop.

So, shop owners thought it would make perfect sense to formalize the neighborhood's identity by having Caltrans erect exit signs on the freeway welcoming people to 'Little India.'

Some of the strongest opposition has come from the city's powerful Portuguese community, whose dairy-farming ancestors helped found the city."

Thanks to Chris Steins

Thursday, August 26, 2004 in The Los Angeles Times

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