Connecting with the Roots: Girmitiya Memoirs

Abstract

The scholarly discussions on Indian diaspora focus on girmitiyas and the connection of girmitiya descendants with India in present time. Recently The Girmitiya Conference 2021 was conducted virtually on the theme ‘Changing Identities, Shifting Trends, and Roles.’ where a number of descendants of girmitiyas expressed their views on their connection with India. Major topics discussed were the tribulation their forefathers suffered during girmit, their contribution in their host-countries and their contribution in keeping Indian culture alive in their host-lands. Some also discussed that girmitiyas face marginality in their host countries and expect support from Indian government. Few also argued that Indian government gives priority to NRIs and place the PIOs on second position. At this juncture, it is important to note that besides keeping the Indian culture alive in foreign lands, these girmitiyas have played a vital role in enhancing the stature of India abroad and that they are a part of India’s soft power. These girmitiyas look towards India and revere India as their home, once lost and where once their forefathers wished to return but could not. India should identify this emotional attachment of girmitiyas and reciprocate the same love and concern for them. During the aforesaid conference, few of the girmitiya descendants spoke about their expectations from India, and today Indian government has been trying to appease the girmitiya sentiments by a number of programmes and schemes such as the Know India Programme, The Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children, the Bharat Ko Janniye Quiz and the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. The Indian Government works to advocate for the growth and benefits of Diaspora under 4 Cs – care, connect, celebrate and contribute. But these efforts by the Indian government seems lacking something. Somewhere the Indian government has failed to properly understand the girmitiya sentiments. This paper tries to explain and interpret these sentiments through some excerpts from the memoirs by girmitiyas and from the aforesaid conference speeches and then to presume the possible points that are missed in understanding girmitiya sentiments.