Dear Editor,
Indian Diaspora Council International (USA) and partners in Guyana and Trinidad will host a global convention in Trinidad from March 17 to 20 at various sites on that island to commemorate the centenary of the end of girmitya (indentured) labour from India. There will also be symposiums and cultural melas in Guyana to commemorate same at various locations on different dates. Presenters from various parts of the globe are attending the Trinidad convention. Presenters are coming from around the region and India for the series of symposiums in Guyana.
The theme of the convention is ‘Aspirations and Interest; Reflecting on the Past and Planning for the Future’. The aim of the convention and symposiums is to strengthen the association of the diasporas with each other and with Mother India, connect the diaspora youths with their roots and each other around the globe, and cement cultural relations with Mother India.
The mini conference will be held in Guyana over several days beginning on March 3. The Dharmic Sabha is hosting a symposium on March 10 at the Kendra and there will be others on the morning of March 11 on the Corentyne and in Georgetown, and the following week in Anna Regina. Other activities are also planned post Phagwah.
In Trinidad, a dinner reception will be hosted by the High Commissioner on March 18. This is preceded by an opening ceremony from a Minister of Government from India as well as a banquet on the evening of March 19 and the unveiling of a monument on March 20 to memorialize those girmityas who sacrificed their lives for the survival of the Indian communities. This will be followed by luncheon hosted by a government official and visits to historic sites.
It is an open conference with a call for the presentation of papers by scholars on various topics pertaining to the diaspora. Scholars from around the globe have confirmed their attendance. Guyanese are invited to attend the convention as guests or as presenters. There is no registration fee and all meals and local transport are free. Some limited complimentary or minimal cost accommodation is also available. The public is invited and participation is not restricted.
Heads of state and governments have been invited, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has been asked to deliver the keynote address. Prime Minister Aneerood Jugnauth has been invited as a special guest of honour. In addition, the former President of Singapore and Governor General of New Zealand as well as the former PMs of Trinidad and former Presidents of Guyana and Suriname have been invited as guests of honour. The PMs and ministers of several Caribbean girmitya countries have also been invited.
For further info, email pgoopta@hotmail.com, dmahabir@gmail.com,
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
