The Kolkata Memorial touches us all. Its unveiling on January 11 at the Kidderpore Depot along the Hoogley River in Kolkata would have undoubtedly reached deep into the hearts of those who were present.
Many representatives traveled from Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Guadeloupe, from here in Canada, the US and the UK for this historic event. There were many other representatives from the Netherlands, Switzerland, South Africa, Kenya, Fiji, Mauritius, Reunion Island, New Zealand and Australia, as well as from the many other countries where the diaspora is now entrenched.
Certainly, some among us would have shed a few tears, even here in the GTA, and across the rest of Canada.
The memorial pays tribute to our ancestors who left India as indentured labourers between the years 1834 to 1920. It recognises those from whom we are descended who left to seek better lives elsewhere. It marks their pioneering spirit, their determination, resilience, endurance, thriftiness and perseverance despite harsh and at times demeaning conditions. It was in these faraway places across the kala pani, in places such as Georgetown, Paramaribo and Port Louis, where they preserved their sense of origin, their traditions, culture and religion. It was in these places where they promoted their culture, and from here, where as descendants, we left yet again to continue the journey across the seas to where we now reside in the GTA, New York, and in London, UK.
It was from the Kidderpore Depot in Kolkata where many of our ancestors took the first step. The location of the memorial here is meaningful to us who number in the millions as descendants from those who journeyed across the kala pani.
“A noble effort indeed,” said writer and historian Dr Anand Mullo of Mauritius following the inauguration.
“An extraordinary service to the Indian diaspora,” said our own genealogy expert, Shamshu Deen of Trinidad and Tobago.
“A commemorative tribute whose time is overdue,” said Professor Mohan Gautam of the Netherlands.
“We are all deeply indebted for the Kolkata Memorial, which is a tremendous achievement,” said our own Guyanese-born son, Dr Yesu Persaud.
The effort was spearheaded by yet another Guyanese-born son, Ashok Ramsaran, Executive Vice President of the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin.
“This will be a lasting legacy for present and future generations of their descendants,” he said.
He added: “I feel so honoured and privileged to be actively working in a prominent leadership role to see the Kolkata Memorial become a reality… our ancestors who left those shores truly deserve their place in the annals of Indian history and the journeys of people of Indian origin. We owe them due recognition and a lasting remembrance… The vision of a single, suitably significant place of emotional and physical connection for the descendants of indentured workers is finally becoming a reality.”
Last week Ramsaran also became a recipient of the prestigious Pravasi Samman Award. It is the highest recognition given by the government of India to a foreign-based person of Indian origin. This award recognises outstanding overseas-based Indians who distinguish themselves in enhancing India’s image and prestige while helping their own community.
It was “a special honour to be recognised” for this award, Ramsaran said. “It is because of the strength, resilience, perseverance and sacrifices of our ancestors that we all stand tall. I feel gratified that I have been able to bring about recognition and remembrance of our ancestors who left India as indentured labourers… by making the Kolkata Memorial a reality...”
This memorial will be followed by a museum and a resource centre. Both projects are part of the bigger plan to continue recognising the legacy of our brave ancestors who crossed the kala pani.
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