On January 8, 2005, a panel session titled TRACING OUR ROOTS was held at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in close coordination and support from the Ministry For Overseas Indians. This session was proposed by Ashook Ramsaran, Secretary General of GOPIO, who presented the theme after introduction by panel chairperson Hon Basdeo Panday, the former Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago. The session dealt with the essential need of people of Indian origin, numbering over 22 million, most of whom want to trace their roots back to the villages of their forefathers who left India generations ago or even relatively recently.
The panel session examined the historical background, experiences and insights of those who lived though some of it, the general scope of the proposed global database project and the objectives in mind, with due consideration to the practical aspects, and the potential benefits of such a worthwhile initiative. Prof Mohan Gautam of The Netherlands discussed how the overall history of migration of Indians to many lands outside of India evolved into settlement in those lands, while PIOs and NRIs living there still identify with the land of their forefathers.
The presentation made an outstanding and valid argument on the need for this undertaking. It portrayed the needs of those who languish in several countries not knowing but could be given the opportunity to find out more about their forefathers. It would identify the respective parties and processes involved, the scope and objectives and the global aspects of this unique undertaking. It made a broad appeal to all parties that need to be convinced of their respective roles, the obligations and the responsibilities and the potential benefits as well, viewed from all aspects. The theme solicited wide appeal globally and attempted to garner support from social, political, academic and business segments of PIO society.
The panel participants included Shamshu Deen, a genealogist from Trinidad who has been successful in tracing the ancestral villages of many PIOs living in Trinidad, including Hon Basdeo Panday, the former Prime Minister. Dr Chandra Shekar Tiwary of New Delhi is Mr Deens counterpart in India who assisted in finding the respective villages and relatives. David Appasamy of Sify Ltd gave an insightful presentation on the application of technology to develop and access the proposed global database via the internet. Saloni Deerpalsingh of Aapravasi Museum in Mauritius presented details of extensive and well organized tabulation, documentation and arrival records that can be used to trace the roots of a PIO in Mauritius. It was stressed that, whereas much work has been done in Mauritius and Suriname, there is critical need for urgent tabulation in countries such as Guyana and Trinidad where records have become fragile and access may be limited. Author Anand Mullo of Mauritius also wrote a paper which is being added to the proceedings.
Hon Jagdish Tytler, Minister For Overseas Indians, who has taken a personal interest in this session since it was first proposed to him in 2004 by Ashook Ramsaran, participated in the session as well. Minister Tytler re-iterated his interest in the project, his ministrys support and the welcome proposal for some funding to initiate the project.
There were several interactive questions, comments and positive responses from the session audience, highlighting the interest of many PIOs who attended Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. One such person was Deo Gosine, formerly of Trinidad and now living in the United States, who was able to find the village of his ancestors with the help of both Mr Deen and Dr Tiwary.
The session concluded with a very positive and progressive agenda to proceed with initiation of the global database project as envisioned in the session proposal. GOPIOs Secretary General Ashook Ramsaran will be working closely with the Ministry for Overseas Indians towards this noble objective that has received universal interest and appeal.
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