"Girmitiyas" were Indian indentured laborers who, despite unfair "girmit" agreements and harsh conditions akin to "blackbirding," were transported to British colonies. Though they endured immense struggle, their descendants have since prospered globally, achieving significant success in government, business, and arts, embodying resilience and strong values.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Trinidad and Tobago highlighted the contributions of the Indian diaspora, particularly the descendants of "Girmitiyas".
The term "Girmitiyas" refers to Indian indentured labourers who migrated from India in the mid to late 19th century to work on plantations in various British colonies.
The word 'girmitiya' derives from 'girmit', a local Indian pronunciation of 'agreement', referring to the indentureship contracts they signed.
Following the abolition of slavery in British colonies in 1833, a severe labour shortage emerged in plantation economies. To address this, the British initiated the indentured labour system, recruiting workers largely from the underprivileged regions of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in India.
The labourers signed contracts hoping for better wages and opportunities, however, the agreements were largely exploitative.
Girmitiyas survived dangerous sea voyages on crowded ships, often old slave vessels, under inhumane conditions.
Upon arrival, they faced poor living conditions in "slave barracks," received meagre wages, and had virtually no legal recourse for grievances.
They were subjected to "blackbirding," a practice that tricked them into forced labour far from home.
While not legally slaves, their conditions were akin to slavery, characterized by exploitation and loss of fundamental rights.
Strengthening Bonds => India views the Girmitiya descendants as an integral part of its global diaspora, who act as "Rashtradoot" (Ambassadors of India's values, culture, and heritage), strengthening bilateral ties and projecting India's soft power.
Current Initiatives
India is creating a comprehensive global database of the Girmitiya community, documenting their ancestral villages in India and their settlement locations abroad to reinforce historical linkages.
India has extended Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Cards eligibility to the sixth generation of the Indian diaspora in countries like Trinidad and Tobago, to facilitate easier travel and connections with their ancestral land.
The annual Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (Non-Resident Indian Day) celebrates the contributions of the Indian diaspora, including the Girmitiya communities, and serves as a platform for engagement.
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. What term refers to Indian indentured laborers who migrated overseas during the British colonial period? A) Sepoys B) Zamindars C) Girmitiyas D) Nawabs Answer: C Explanation: "Girmitiyas" is the specific term used for Indian indentured laborers. "Sepoys" were Indian soldiers, "Zamindars" were landowners, and "Nawabs" were regional rulers. |
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