Virtual conference discusses Indian diaspora’s vital role abroad

A to the ‘Role of Diaspora in Promotion of Indian Culture Abroad,’ was organized on December 8. The event was organised by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and the Overseas Indian Affairs Division of the Ministry of External Affairs in partnership with the Diaspora Research and Resource Centre, Antar Rashtriya Sahayog Parishad. The conference is an essential part of the annual flagship Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.

Speakers from various countries, including Australia, Mauritius, Kenya and many others, participated in the virtual conference.

In his address, Dr Vinay Prabhakar Sahasrabuddhean, Member of Parliament and National Vice President of Bharatiya Janata Party, who is also President of ICCR, said that members of Indian diaspora wherever they are, must engage with the local community there. He said that Indian diaspora have an important role to play in promoting as well as in making people across the world understand Indian culture. For this he said that it is essential that Indian diaspora must engage with the local community, local media, academia and civil society.

Addressing the conference Minister of Arts and Cultural Heritage, Government of Mauritius, Avinash Teeluck, spoke elaborately about the cultural contributions of the Indian community in Mauritius, besides their other contributions.

In his address Minister of State for External Affairs, Government of India, V Muraleedharan said that the Indian diaspora is among the top and most successful expat communities globally.

Referring to the Indian diaspora the minister said that the Indian diaspora is the second-largest worldwide, and that Indians aced various roles in the field of politics, economy, industry, technology, and education in different countries of the world. Despite migration for opportunities, the heterogeneous non-resident Indians were identified and united by their deep-rooted cultural inclination for their country and the sentimental values and emotions, the minister said.

“I would like to recall the formations of Government under President Irfan Ali in Guyana and President Chandrikapersad Santokhi in Suriname,” Muraleedharan said. “Indian origin leaders have also done exceptionally well at the recentlyheld elections in the United States,” he said.

He added, “There are leaders of Indian origin in Congress, Senate and scores have won seats in the State legislatures in the USA. We are all proud of their victories, congratulate them and wish them all success.”

The minister highlighted important positions held by the Indians abroad, such as the mediators, bridges, facilitators, lobby and advocacy groups who supported India’s national security and economic interests, all the while maintaining their ethno-cultural roots. “We were also looking forward to sharing with you in person the various policy initiatives for shaping the idea of “New India”, including the concept of Atmanirbhar Bharat,” Muraleedharan said to the virtual conference.

Among the speakers representing Indian diaspora from various countries, one of them was Surya Ambati, who is a member of the Multicultural Advisory Board, Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Interests, Government of Western Australia. He spoke on the topic ‘Role of Diaspora in Promotion of Indian Culture in Australia’. He highlighted the two main objectives of the activities of the Indian Diaspora in Australia: how can the members of the Indian diaspora integrate with the local community and what is the impact of such integration on the local community.

He talked about initiatives taken by the Indian community with the support of the local community in organizing events such as Holi celebrations, India’s Independence Day celebrations, Yoga, Diwali Mela, NAARI on International Women’s Day and a host of other events.

He talked about how their initiatives are also helping job seekers among the Indian students in Australia. He also informed of an Indian Community Centre being launched in Western Australia, the first of its kind in Australia.