Those few of us who have been studying, researching, and writing on indentureship (indentured laborers or girmitiyas as they are known in India and the descendants abroad) have been calling over last couple decades for the establishment of a study and research center (and museum) in India as a collection repository resource center on this diaspora community. The number of descendants of girmitiyas are not known but estimated around 13 million and found in some 25 girmitiya territories and subsequently (developed) countries where they migrated from the colonial original indentured territories, most of which became independent countries post WWII. Almost two centuries ago, one and a half million (ancestral) Indians departed from India as laborers. Of late, Prime Minister Modi have been showing an interest in this concept. At PBD 2027, girmitiyas are hour becomes a reality. India should establish such an institution dedicated to ensuring that the descendants of the indentured laborers never lose their connection with their ancestral homeland.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in remarks to girmitiya audiences in several developing and developed countries committed to establishing research centers in the districts from where they were recruited and strengthening India’s links with the girmitiyas. He also urged students in India to conduct research on the girmitiyas. The PM also stated that he would establish data centers in India that would help (re) connect the girmitiyas to ancestral relatives; that initiative is welcomed by the girmitiyas. Also, External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar stated during his 2026 visit to Trinidad and Tobago that Prime Minister Modi had directed work towards establishing a dedicated Girmitiya Studies Centre. He also referred to cooperation between the National Archives of India and the National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago to help descendants trace their ancestral roots. Furthermore, it was reported that a Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs had previously recommended establishing a Girmitiya university, faculty or academic chair following the 2021 Girmitiya Conference. That idea was proposed by then PM Vajpayee in 2003 and 2004 in Delhi. Space was allocated for a university in Delhi but it never became a reality.
PM Modi ji and MEA Jaishanksr ji’s focus on girmitiyas may help explain the theme of the next PBD which is on “roots” and will be held in January in Kolkata, the port city from where the indentured laborers departed for distant lands where they have established the Indian diaspora. PBD in Kolkata would be an apt time for the PM to give consideration in establishing a Girmitiya Study and Research Centre (GSRC). The PM seems favoring such a center in several of his speeches to girmitiyas; if he decides to initiate girmitiyas center and museum and makes an announcement, it would be one of the most meaningful and enduring outcomes of the 19th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (Jan 7-9, 2027).
The proposed GSRC may help reconnect the millions of descendants with their ancestral villages, recover a history that has remained insufficiently documented and ensure that future generations understand the extraordinary journey of their forefathers. The issue would be where such a main center should be located. Should there also be mini centers in the districts from where the girmitiyas were recruited?
The idea behind the GSRC & Museum is: Historical research, archival preservation, digital genealogy, cultural heritage, academic exchanges, and international collaboration and memory of items and instruments brought from India and or developed locally as used by the girmitiyas in their countries of adaptation. It will be the world’s principal academic institution for the study of Indian indentureship and its global descendants and in remembering them. A GSRC and interactive museum would give institutional recognition to and understanding of the history, sacrifices, and achievements of the girmitiyas (and their descendants) as well of contributions to their home countries and India and in promoting Indian’s culture (soft power) abroad. It would also recognize the continuing contributions of the descendants of Indian indentured labourers to their respective countries or territories such as Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Mauritius, Fiji, South Africa, among others and to India itself through the girmitiyas support for charities, foundations, and tourism.
My recommendation is that the Government of India establish the Centre as a national-level academic and research institution. It can be located at a reputable university, say IGNOU, JNU, BHU, Lucknow, Calcutta, etc. with international partnerships with NGOs, scholars , and institutions across the Girmitiya countries. Indian Council of Historical Research as well as Indian Council of Social Science Research can also be considered as appropriate housing locations. It should be at a university or Council with Professors who have had a history of conducting research on the girmitiyas. It should be the world’s leading centre for the study of Indian indentureship and its diaspora. It can be the repository for all materials relating to the girmitiyas and their descendants. A museum should also be established as a repository for artifacts and materials relating to the girmitiyas and their descendants. The study center and museum can be at the same location. The museum can be virtual if a site can’t be located. A virtual museum has limited expenses. BHU would be ideal as Varanasi is very close to the spirituality of the girmitiyas; almost every visitor to India visits Benaras. Almost every girmitiya to India goes there for darshan. It is also very close to the Bhojpuri belt from where the bulk of girmitiyas were recruited. Delhi is more central and can be the focal point; it can be the headquarters for a virtual museum as well as virtual repository for documents relating to girmitiyas.
Kolkata has exceptional historical significance for a center and museum because it was the major departure point for Indian indentured migrants. The University of Calcutta would have been an appropriate academic environment and place for museum to connect research with the history of emigration. But hardly any meaningful studies on indentureship and girmitiyas were produced from researchers of universities from the city. Also, few girmitiya tourists were known to visit Kolkata; they flocked to Delhi, Varanasi, Mathura, and districts from where their ancestors were recruited. If the center and or museum were established in Kolkata, significant public relations will have to be undertaken to draw girmitiyas to the city. In terms of studies, staff from IGNOU, JNU, Lucknow, BHU, and Delhi University did produce significant research on the girmitiyas. These universities may be better options since scholars are au fait of the subject. Cosmopolitan Delhi may be a better option for the museum since it has several museums that draw millions of visitors. A central research center and a museum in one building will reduce costs.
Wherever its location, the Centre and or museum should have an international advisory board comprising historians, academics, archivists, genealogists, a museum specialist, and representatives of the Girmitiya diaspora. The proposed institutional structure should involve Ministry of External Affairs, the diaspora engagement division, Ministry of Education, and University Grants Commission. Academics from India and diaspora and NGOs involved in research and writings on the diaspora can serve as advisors and consultants. It is particularly important that the diaspora should not merely be the subject of research. Its members should participate in determining the research agenda, preserving family records and shaping institutional priorities.
The Government should give serious consideration of establishing the Centre (and a museum, virtual if not an actual site) in principle, designate a nodal ministry and university (ies), and establish a committee to prepare its detailed project report. If not a national center, consideration can be given to establishing mini-Research Centers in Districts (like DM Offices) from where large numbers of girmitiyas were recruited (in Ballia, Basti, Aara, Patna, Azamgarh, Mau, Chapra, Ghazipur, Gorakhpore, Mathura, Gaya, Patna, Lucknow, Varanasi, etc.). These mini-centers can be linked to local university. And attention should be given to greater development of these districts. In fact, the girmitiyas may become partners in promoting and expanding development. Such an idea was promoted by a group of us led by Dennis Ramdahin of Trinidad and Dr Satish Rai of Fiji – to channel resources for development of the Bhojpuri speaking belt.
Purpose of Main Centre (or mini-centers) & Museum principal functions Serving as:
A. Historical Research and Documentation: Collection of copies of indenture contracts, ship passenger lists, immigration registers, plantation records, colonial correspondence, birth records or registrations, photographs and historical publications.
B. Digitization of Girmitiya Archive: an online database searchable by ancestral village, district, ship, year of departure, destination country and family name. It should be interactive.
C. Storage and promotion of Academic Studies and Publications.
D. Offering fellowships, doctoral research, visiting professorships, etc. Host conferences, symposium, seminars, etc.
E. Publishing books and scholarly journals.
F. Cultural Heritage and Languages Institution: Documenting Bhojpuri, Awadhi and other ancestral languages, folk music, religious practices, customs, festivals and traditions.
G. International Scholars Exchange: Organizing exchanges involving universities, historians, students, cultural organisations and diaspora institutions.
H. Tracing Ancestral Roots and Genealogy: Help descendants trace their ancestral villages, identify family connections and access historical immigration records.
I. Creating a worldwide network of research partners: The Centre should not operate in isolation. It should establish formal partnerships with institutions and individuals holding important indentureship records in India and abroad.
Funding: The center and museum can’t be sustained without Adequate Funding and Responsible Governance.
The Centre needs a sustainable financial foundation inclusive of:
A Government of India establishment grant.
Annual operating support from the Ministries of External Affairs and Education.
Research grants from ICSSR, ICHR, and ICCR.
Contributions from Indian corporate social responsibility programmes, where eligible.
Fundraisers and Corporate Sponsorship
Endowments from Indian and overseas philanthropists.
Research partnerships with international universities and foundations.
Support from Girmitiya countries and girmitiyas themselves.
Governance: An independent Board of Governors should oversee the institution (s) with an academic and or museum director responsible for research and administration.
The Centre and or Museum should publish annual financial statements, research achievements, implementation reports, usage, and visitors.
A realistic implementation timetable of GSRC & Museum (Virtual if not a building)
January 2027 – PBD announcement
Prime Minister Modi announces the Centre and or Museum in principle, identifies proposed host institutions and establishes a high-level committee.
First few months — Prepare a detailed project report, institutional framework, identity premises, approve governance arrangements, appoint an interim director and secure initial funding.
Months 4–6 — Sign archival agreements, recruit researchers and launch the digital archive project.
Months 7–12
Begin research fellowships, oral-history collection, host international girmitiyaor diaspora conference; first publications.
Months 13-15 — Launch a journal on girmitiya studies.
Months 16-24 — Formally inaugurate the Operational Centre, launch academic programmes and establish the international Girmitiya research network.
The proposed January 5, 6, 7 academic seminars and business forum in Kolkata can hold discussions on this concept.
