India Foundation, in collaboration with India Habitat Centre, organised a book discussion on ‘The Indentured and Their Route: A Relentless Quest for Identity’, authored by Amb Bhaswati Mukherjee, President, India Habitat Centre and Ambassador of India to the Netherlands (2010-2013) at Gulmohar Hall, India Habitat Centre, on July 02, 2024. The event began with the initial remarks by Captain Alok Bansal, Director, India Foundation, who introduced the book to the audience and later moderated the discussions. Prof Amitabh Mattoo, Dean & Professor, School of International Studies, JNU and Dr T.C.A. Raghavan, Former Director General, Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) discussed the book with the author.
Ambassador Mukherjee eloquently highlighted the compelling narrative of this book, which sheds light on the heart-breaking journey of Indian indentured labourers who were compelled to leave their homeland for distant lands like the West Indies, Mauritius, Suriname, Reunion, and Fiji. Driven by desperation due to famine, poverty, and oppressive conditions in India, these individuals were lured by false promises that ultimately led to forced labour and significant loss of heritage.
Professor Mattoo praised the author, noting that this book is a breath of fresh air as it delves into an important area with elegance, drawing from diverse sources and imbued with poetic language. This book fearlessly challenges conventional wisdom and offers a novel perspective on indentured labour and their ancestral connection with their Indian homeland.
Dr. Raghavan shed light on the content of the book, stating that the book provides numerous examples, such as Fiji, where the identities of former indentured servants were on the brink of being systematically erased. These individuals, tied to colonial legacies, were compelled to sever their connections to their roots and histories. The book offers a profound insight into the enduring impact of indentured slavery, a practice often viewed as a temporary phase in human history, yet persisted for 70-80 years. He found the book to be deeply reflective and thought-provoking, challenging readers to consider the complexities of legacy and urging a re-evaluation of how we perceive diaspora communities today. The discussion was followed by Q & A session where several questions related to the book and the author were asked by the audience.
