annual report1-final.qxd - Overseas Indian

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
Netherlands Government to make films on how
Indians were doing in former colonies like
Guedalope, Suriname and Caribbean Islands. He
made a short presentation about people in
Martinique and Jamaica and mentioned that there
was a rejuvenation of Indian identity in these
islands. He sought the assistance of the
Government of India in such projects.
Dr. Gautam said that historical and oral records
should be preserved besides making efforts to identify
those Indians who motivated the immigrant
Indians to preserve Indian cultural values and traditions
during the British period. Biographies should
be written and information should be disseminated
in greater detail about the colonial migration
process and all the countries to which migration
took place. He suggested that an international museum
of Indian diaspora be established in India. The
old diaspora formation should be introduced in the
curriculum at the school level, he said and added
that the Government of India should make efforts
for creating linkages with all diasporic communities.
Rajendra Prasad made a brief presentation of his
book, Tears in Paradise, and pleaded for the support
of the Government and everybody for the cause
taken up by him to document the injustice meted
out to the indentured labour in Fiji.
The following issues came up for discussion:
! Whether records of indentured labour in
Jamaica were available or not
! Clarification on the term ‘Aapravasi’
! Preservation and practice of caste system in
Mauritius.
! Neglect of Indians in Kenya and also help
sought for the return of Indians in Kenya in view of
the deteriorating situation there.
! Installation of a plaque at the destroyed site
of Bhawanipore depot in Kolkata.
! Publication of the proceedings of the PBD.
The Chairman summed up the session by appreciating
the views expressed by the participants
while sharing their experiences. He said that the
present century belonged to India and overseas
Indians should take pride in the culture, heritage
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