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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