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DIASPORA View of the gathering at the Kolkata Memorial inauguration (extreme left Sayantan Chakravarty, editor, India Empire) ous countries, expressing their gratitude for the Kolkata Memorial as a symbol of their connection and roots in India. It is a long overdue tribute to those who took the risks on barely a promise, to their individual and shared sacrifices and their endurance that made it possible for their descendants to flourish with the spirit of Indianness that transcends time, and to their courage which become a living testament in so many lives. The inauguration and unveiling was a solemn event with the expected heartfelt emotions by so many who came from far off lands to witness this historic event. The delegations from Mauritius and Reunion Island sang familiar songs, expressing their gratitude for their presence and 24 | YATRA | JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2011 GOPIO <strong>International</strong> Executive VP, Ashook Ramsaran, Historian Leela Gujadhur and High Commissioner on the bridge linking Kolkata Memorial with the Jetty from where ships carrying indentured workers departed Launch of GIDHS participation at the inauguration and unveiling with meaningful significance to all of them. The Kolkata Memorial project has meaningful significance to millions of descendants of those who left India as indentured Indian labourers from 1834 to 1920. The plan to begin with the installation of the inauguration plaque on 11 January followed by the memorial museum and resource centre, has been received with overwhelming emotional sentiments and enthusiastic support from all corners of the global Indian Diaspora, in particular from persons of Indian origin (PIOs) in destination countries where Indian indentured labourers emigrated. ❖ The Global Indo Diaspora Heritage Society (GIDHS) The Global Indo Diaspora Heritage Society (GIDHS) has been established with the primary objective of providing a single location at a suitable site with physical connection for the descendants of indentured workers “in recognition and remembrance of Indian Indentured Labourers of the 19th – 20th centuries”. GIDHS has planned a two-phase program of meaningful significance to millions of descendants of those who left India as indentured Indian labourers from 1834 thru’ 1920. The plan included the installation and unveiling of the commemoration plaque on 11 January, 2011 followed by setting up of a memorial museum and resource center in Kolkata. The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) has been very supportive of GIDHS’ endeavour to set up the museum. A major accomplishment was achieved on 7 July 2010 when MOIA Secretary Dr. A. Deedar Singh, GOPIO, <strong>International</strong> Ashook Ramsaran and eminent Diaspora Historian Leela Sarup visited and evaluated the emigration depots along the Hooghly River and decided on the first phase of the project – The installation of a commemoration plaque at the Kidderpore Clock Tower. The first step has indeed become a reality on 11 January, 2011. The Global Indo Diaspora Heritage Society (GIDHS) has been established to: Design, construct and maintain a museum and resource centre: • A library to house books of reference, emigration records, writings, research materials, films, documentaries, speeches, articles and news items on Colonial Emigration and other related publications by PIOs. • To display models of ships used for transport of Indian labourers and records of Colonial Emigration during the 19th and 20th centuries from British India. • A research centre for Indian emigration of that period. • An art gallery when PIOs will come and exhibit their works of arts. • A centre to trace roots of PIOs and development of such villages as and when found, should the persons concerned desire to set up schools / hospitals / clinics etc. • To offer scholarships to deserving students for arts and cultural activities such as advance courses in Indian classical dances, songs and other allied subjects. • Other related activities. For membership contact: membership@gidhs.org Visit website: www.gidhs.org The High Commission of India in Trinidad and Tobago, Port of Spain
The High Commission of India in Trinidad and Tobago, Port of Spain DIASPORA The Kolkata Memorial – Paying Homage to Indentured Labourers Demerara There come certain times in life when we try to connect with the past in order to understand those circumstances of history that helped shape the present. Such yearning persists unless and until we can connect with those who came before us, those who paved the way for us and made it possible for us to stand tall on their shoulders. There is this belief among most of us — that if we know about our yesterday, then our today and our tomorrow can be better understood and shared. Moments in history are unique and are rarely duplicated in their entirety. Specifically, for those of us whose ancestors came from India as indentured laborers, we bear a unique responsibility to document their special history – our history, in fact – for ourselves and for posterity. The fact that we, the descendants of Indian indentured laborers, are scattered across continents and oceans apart, speaking various languages and living among diverse populations and ethnic groups and cultures, further behoves us to document the realities of our past. Else, we would have failed in our obligation to past, present and future generations. Therein lies our obligation and duty to connect to our past and, in so doing, connect to ourselves, among ourselves from various countries globally and to the motherland of India. BY ASHOOK RAMSARAN Clock Tower Docks as it was then We share a common thread, one of the many branches of a huge tree with deep roots. We are now coming full circle by preserving the history of our forebearers. The Kolkata Memorial The Kolkata Memorial project has meaningful significance to millions of descendants of those who left India as indentured Indian laborers from 1834 till 1920. The plan to begin with the installation of the inauguration plaque on 11 January 2011 followed by the memorial museum and resource center, has been received with overwhelming emotional sentiments and enthusiastic support from all corners of the global Indian Diaspora, in particular from persons of Indian origin (PIOs) in destination countries where Indian indentured laborers emigrated from 1834 thru’ 1920. This will be a lasting legacy for present and future generations. “A noble effort indeed”, said writer and historian Dr. Anand Mullo of Mauritius; “An extra ordinary service to the Indian Diaspora”, said Indian emigration roots researcher Shamshu Deen of Trinidad & Tobago; “A commemoration tribute whose time is overdue”, said Prof Mohan Gautam of The Netherlands; “We are all deeply indebted for the Kolkata Memorial which is a tremendous achievement”, said prominent Indo- Caribbean Diaspora icon (Dr.) Yesu Persaud of Guyana. YATRA | JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2011 | 25
Page 2 and 3: YATRA (The Journey) Vol. 3, Issue 1
Page 4 and 5: BILATERAL HIGH COMMISSIONER’S VIS
Page 6 and 7: BILATERAL 6 | YATRA | JANUARY - FEB
Page 8 and 9: CULTURE On the eve of Republic Day
Page 10 and 11: BILATERAL - CULTURE TRIBAL FOLK ART
Page 12 and 13: EXCERPTS OF PRESIDENT OF INDIA’S
Page 14 and 15: FEATURE Also coming out of the conv
Page 16 and 17: ECONOMY America, Europe, Middle Eas
Page 18 and 19: SCIENCE India uses the sun to battl
Page 20 and 21: BIOGRAPHY laws was condemning peopl
Page 22 and 23: BIOGRAPHY physical, intellectual an
Page 26 and 27: DIASPORA The Global Indian Diaspora
Page 28 and 29: CULTURE Flying high: International
Page 30 and 31: HINDI SECTION 30 | YATRA | JANUARY

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