The Indian Diaspora Journal NEWS, INFORMATION, ISSUES & EVENTS Shared heritage, aspirations, and interests of People of Indian Origin (PIO) INDIAN DIASPORA COUNCIL September 2017 | Issue 01 GLOBAL INDIAN MIGRATION INDIAN MIGRATION MAP COURTESY OF DR. JAGAT MOTWANI Indian Diaspora Council International (IDC), established in 1997, is an international, secular, and non-political, non-profit organization with global affiliates and membership in 21 countries, with the objective to embrace, engage, and enhance—with optimum inclusivity—the shared heritage, aspirations, and interests of persons of Indian origin. EDITOR’S NOTES for 20TH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE PIO of the MONTH This 20th anniversary issue aims to celebrate our shared Pandit Ram Lall is heritage, honor each other’s achievements, identify common honored this month issues, and create an inclusive space to become a stronger for his humanitarian global community as we broaden our horizons together. work and dedication —SUZANNE MAHADEO, CHIEF EDITOR, USA to philanthropy. SEE INSIDE OR CLICK FOR FULL STORIES High Achievers Featured History IDC on the Go Natural Disasters take toll HONORS EVENTS around the world PROFESSOR INDIAN MOUs MIGRATION PRESS STATEMENTS A TUMULTUOUS WRAP-UP OF LIVES AND AREAS CLEM TO THE PROCLAMATIONS AFFECTED BY RECENT NATURAL DISASTERS SEECHARAN CARIBBEAN Letters to Current Issues Glimpses of IDC Arts & Media Community Service the Editor OCI CARDS FOR PIOS PHOTOS & EVENTS BOOKS & FILMS ADVOCACY FOR DISABLED CHILDREN For more news in this issue: www.indiandiasporacouncil.org/news.php News, Inquiries, & Commentary: [email protected] The Indian Diaspora Journal NEWS, INFORMATION, ISSUES & EVENTS A PUBLICATION OF THE INDIAN DIASPORA COUNCIL HAPPY 20TH ANNIVERSARY, IDC! Indian Diaspora Council International (IDC), established in 1997, is an international, secular, and non-political, non-profit organization with global affiliates and membership in 21 countries, with the objective to embrace, engage, and enhance—with optimum inclusivity—the shared heritage, aspirations, and interests of persons of Indian origin. Indian Diaspora Council, Inc. (IDC) SEPTEMBER 2017. Issue 01. ESTABLISHED: 1997, New York, USA. PHONE: +1(347) 494-1502 ADDRESS: Post Office Box 650523, Queens, New York 11365, USA www.indiandiasporacouncil.org info@indiandiasporacouncil CHIEF EDITOR & ART DIRECTOR SUZANNE MAHADEO (USA) INTERNATIONAL TEAM President, International: Ashook Ramsaran Secretary: Jhairam Persaud GLOBAL & CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Treasurer: Santram Dukhbhanjan Director, Community Affairs: Dr. Sharla Madho-Khargi OSCAR RAMJEET. USA Director, United Nations Liaison: Harbachan Singh, Esq. RAGINI ARASEN. France Director, Legal Affairs: Oscar Ramjet CLIFF RAJKUMAR. Canada Director, Cultural Outreach: Ramesh Kalicharran PROF. GHAN SHYAM. India Director, Academic & Cultural Outreach: Prof. Ghan Shyam PROF. CHANDERSHEKHAR BHAT. India Director, Events Logistics: Peter Persaud DR SATISH RAI. Australia Chair, Resolutions Committee: Dr. Piyush Agrawal KRITI LATA RAM. Mauritius Director, Girmitya Arts & Media: Dr. Satish Rai RITA ABRAHAM. South Africa Director, Global Philanthropy: Dennis Ramdahin DR. ARNOLD THOMAS. St Vincent & the Grenadines Director, Disaster Preparedness: Rev. Seopaul Singh JEAN S. SAHAI. Guadeloupe Chair, Indian Diaspora World Business Convention: Deo Gosine SYLVIA GILHARRY PEREZ. Belize Ambassador, West Bengal: Mridul Pathak SHADEL NYACK COMPTON. Grenada Ambassador, Uttar Pradesh Diaspora: Madhukar Jetley DR. DENISON JAYASOORIA. Malaysia JEAN REGIS RAMSAMY. Reunion Island IDC Global Affiliates MAHADAYE RAMLAGAN. Trinidad & Tobago Trinidad & Tobago: DEO GOSINE | Grenada: SHADEL NYACK COMPTON DENNIS RAMDAHIN. International Belize: SYLVIA GILHARRY PEREZ | St Vincent & the Grenadines: DR. HARBACHAN SINGH. International ARNOLD THOMAS | Canada: CLIFF RAJKUMAR | United Kingdom: FAIAZ MARK ANTHONY. International ALI | Mauritius: KRITILALA RAM | Fiji: HIRDESH SHARMA Francophone VIDUR DINDYAL. International Countries: PROF. KRISHNA PONAMAN | Australia: DR. SATISH RAI | St. PROF. MAURITS HASSANKHAN. International Maarten: IMRAN MCSOOD AMJAD The Indian Diaspora Journal | September 2017 | Issue 01 | PAGE 3 From the President NOTES ON THE DIASPORA Today there are over 28 million in the diaspora, fom recent emigrants to several generations in the legacy diaspora. We speak numerous languages and reside in a plethora of countries. Many work on temporary visas in both skilled and unskilled jobs. The fact that there are 160 Indian high commissions and consulates confirms the widespread numbers of Indians outside of India. Other than the Jewish Diaspora, our diaspora is unique and adds to our legacy—a priceless treasure envied by others—intrinsic in so many ways. This is indeed a unique phenomenon of migration where the culture, heritage, and values bind and bond as an overwhelming dose of hereditary jewels, traits and attributes that reside within us whenever and wherever we go. Indian heritage is like a towering banyan tree— strong and vibrantwith many branches and the deepest roots—of shared values of Indianness, which cannot be easily discarded or denied. Indian heritage is a source of inspiration and pride while we try to fathom its depths and howit sustains the diaspora. Indian heritage is the cornerstone of the diaspora, transcending time and place, surviving obstacles and severe situations, remoteness, and influences. Despite speaking different languages, living in different and sometimes remote places, sustaining and improving our lives, we share heartfelt feelings of Indianness and the urge and yearning to connect and belong. Meanwhile, we have inherited and taken a lot fom India and transformed our lives and the new countries of our birth or adoption. The Indian diaspora can be seen as “the export of people seeking better lives for themselves and their families,” which we achieve. Our diaspora is a continuing phenomenon and subsequently, we flourish afer assimilation and adaption with each succeeding generation, while adding to economic progress of our respective new home countries. Indian heritage, culture and values are the driving elements for sustenance, survival, achievement, pride and progress at all levels. The older diaspora, which I refer to as the legacy diaspora, of the Caribbean, Afica, Mauritius, Oceania, and Francophone countries, have retained more of the Indian culture and heritage intact and in its original form for the many reasons associated with remoteness, harsh living conditions, sense of belonging and togetherness, sustenance and bonding—while some adaptation was necessary, such as with foods and clothing, some conversion to Christianity, and the breakdown of the caste system. Later, Indian music and songs witnessed a fusion combination, such as “Caribbean Chutney.” From Durban to Detroit, we strive to do better for ourselves and contribute to our new country’s progress in significant ways: • WE HAVE PUT A WOMAN IN SPACE; OUR DIASPORA IS MOLDED BY CULTURE, HERITAGE, AND VALUES WHILE • CELL PHONES IN THE HANDS ADDING TO AND INFLUENCING BOTH SUBTLY AND IN VISIBLE WAYS: OF WORKING PEOPLE; LANGUAGE, CLOTHING, LIFESTYLE, TECHNOLOGY, AND SOCIAL VALUES. • WIPED OUT POLIO; We have a knack for reconciling our two identities: our inherent Indianness and birth/ • EXCELLED IN TENNIS, CRICKET, CHESS; newly adopted citizenship. We learn to adapt, co-exist, and progress within societies far • EARNED NOBEL PRIZES FOR WRITING, away fom India. Note that adherence to Indian heritage and cultural origin must not diminish national loyalty in other birth or newly adopted countries, as assimilation and adaption are key. The Indian Diaspora Council (IDC) strives to embrace, engage, and enhance the growing Indian Diaspora in many more countries, while monitoring and addressing critical issues of interest and concern. We are grateful to IDC worldwide affiliates, members, supporters and patrons. As IDC celebrates its 20th anniversary, it has become the premiere Indian Diaspora advocacy organization with worldwide recognition among various governments, organizations, institutions and agencies. IDC Journal news is an informative compilation of information, Sincerely, achievements, commentary, issues and events pertinent to the Indian Diaspora, as well as planned events and programs, including collaboration with India’s Overseas Indian Affairs Department of Ministry of External Affairs. Thanks to IDC Journal’s dedicated news and editorial teams headed President by Suzanne Mahadeo, and congratulations and best wishes for continuing AshoINDIANok Ramsaran DIASPORA COUNCIL success of IDC Journal and IDC globally. INTERNATIONAL The Indian Diaspora Journal | September 2017 | Issue 01 | PAGE 4 PIO of the Month HONORING THOSE WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE We honor for a life time of global service Pandit Ramlall FREEDOM FIGHTER 2 SCHOLAR 2 COMMUNITY/RELIGIOUS ICON 2 Born FEBRUARY 28, 1928 in GUYANA now in NY, USA 2 FOUNDER of ARYA SPIRITUAL CENTER 2 PIONEER of NYC ANNUAL PHAGWAH PARADE 2 INTERFAITH SPIRITUAL ADVISOR across Canada & USA RIGHT: PT. RAMLALL AT CENTENNIAL OF ABOLITION OF INDENTURESHIP (NY) 2 ORPHANED AT AGE 6 & TAUGHT HIMSELF HINDI 2 HARD LABORER by age 9 & SUGAR CHEMIST by age 19 2 POLITICAL PRISONER for GUYANA’S INDEPENDENCE 2 TAUGHT HINDI, VEDANTA to POLITICAL PRISONERS 2 CIVIL SERVICE UNION REPRESENTATIVE in NY LEFT: MAURITIUS CONSUL (NY) & PT. RAMLALL AT INDIAN CONSULATE (NY) 2 Received INTERNATIONAL SERVICE AWARD 2Received BHARAT GAURAV AWARD (Joining Mother Teresa) 2 MARCH 23, 2003 declared