The Indian Diaspora Councils of New York and Trinidad will be hosting an Indian Diaspora World Convention from March 17-20 at various venues in Trinidad.
Speaking last week at a press conference at the National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC), Dr. Rampersad Parasram, Chairman of the Indian Diaspora Council (TT) said: “This convention will culminate a series of events around the world commemorating the 100th anniversary of the abolition of the recruitment of indentured labourers in India.”
Parasram referred to the implementation of the Indian Act of 1917 as a “significant milestone in mankind’s quest for social justice and human rights.” He said that the convention will provide a perfect opportunity to reflect on the injustices of indentureship.
Parasram added that the convention will also provide a forum to discuss the impact of indentureship on the millions of descendants of indentured labourers worldwide. He stated that the objective of organizing the convention is to create a platform for critical dialogue towards the advancement of the global diasporic community in developing their respective nation states.
This global convention will be declared officially open on Friday 17th March by Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, and will be followed by a concert and dinner. According to Dr. Deokinanan Sharma, President of the NCIC, the cultural programme will showcase various art forms such as Bharatiya folk songs. He said that the performances will take attendees on an artistic journey from 1845 in Bharat to contemporary Trinidad.
The theme of the convention is “Charting New Frontiers.” Highlighting topics to be addressed over the two-day academic conference to be held at the NCIC on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th March was Conference Coordinator Dr. Primnath Gooptar.
He listed the panels for the conference which included “The Heritage and Historical Contexts,” “Identity in the Indian Diaspora,” “Challenges Facing the Diasporic Indians,” “Documenting the Indian Diaspora,” “The Global Indian Diasporic Community in the 21st Century” and “Youth and Gender Issues.”
Gooptar said the conference will host over 36 speakers from 15 foreign countries such as Belize, the Netherlands, Canada, St Vincent, Bharat, UK and Japan. Attendees can expect interesting presentations such as “The Significance of History and Archaeology in the Indian Diaspora” by Nisha Ramracha, “Racial and Political Discrimination and Victimization in Guyana” by Vishnu Bandhu, “The marginalization of Indian men in advertisements in Trinidad and Tobago” by Kumar Mahabir, “Indo-Caribbean’s growing economic status in New York” by Tarachand Singh, and “Indian Involvement in Cricket in the Caribbean” by Daren Ganga.
The academic conference is free and open to the public on both days (March 18-19) by registration at 8:30 on mornings.
A gala banquet will be hosted by the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS) at their St Augustine headquarters on Sunday 19th March. SDMS representative, Vijay Maharaj, said the banquet will include performances by some of the students of the SDMS’ 52 primary and five secondary schools. Feature speakers at the banquet will include Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
Another event included in the global convention will be the release of new books on the theme of Bharatiya identity in the Diaspora. There will also be tours for foreign visitors to various places of diasporic interest e.g. Indian Caribbean Museum, the Temple in the Sea, and the 85-foot Hanuman Murti (sacred statue).
A reception and dinner will be hosted by the Indian High Commission at India House for conference presenters. Community outreach academic programmes have been planned for Felicity, Sangre Grande and Penal. In recognition of the abolition of the recruitment of indentured labourers in Bharat, a plaque-unveiling ceremony will take place at the office of the Mayor of Chaguanas.
(This media release was provided by Dr. Kumar Mahabir – Chairman, Indo-Caribbean Cultural Centre Co. Ltd (ICC), Trinidad and Tobago, Mobile (868) 756-4961, E-mail: [email protected])
HinduPost Comment
Those who wish to gain a deeper understanding about the social hegomenisation of Hindus, who were transported from Bharat to the West Indies by the British imperialists as indentured slave labor, can refer to this 10-part series by Shri Ravi Dev – Sanghachalak of Hindu Swamyamsevak Sangh (Guyana).
