I was happy to participate in the Global Indian Diaspora Conference 2025 sponsored by the NCIC and held at the Divali Nagar, Chaguanas on May 31st and June 1st. Scores of scholars and academics, both locally and abroad, presented papers on issues in the diaspora to equip participants with a better understanding of the workings of the diaspora.
What was most interesting was the general absence of politicians and community leaders including pandits in the audience. Possibly if asked to present a paper or to bring greetings, may be, they would have been present. Unfortunately, it was clear to me that such a conference over the weekend was of little value to them.
How on earth can a group of individuals who offers themselves to serve the welfare of a people refrain from learning about the issues and challenges confronting them? May be our leaders are more practical in their approach and less inclined to ramblings on abstracts? Or, may be, the topics are dull and less sensational to arouse passion and controversies which are integral to political life?
I know that seminars and conferences can be quite boring compared to political rallies with the blaring of horns and party faithful cheering at the top of their voices. Nevertheless, this connection with the world of scholarship is necessary for a better understanding of the social world and its many challenges.
Community leaders are no doubt useful people and more so politicians who are in power with goodies to disburse. And even in seminars and conferences they will find an audience to beseech them for favors. After all, academics and scholars, though dressed in academic guise, are humans and have to live! They have families to care for!
And may be that is one reason why our politicians who are now in government have chosen to abstain? Nevertheless, they were very much present in the huge cultural events both in their constituencies and about, bringing greetings, making speeches and mingling with the people.
More sadly, it was not just our politicians who were visibly absent but also our community leaders and in particular, our learned pandits, acharya, dharmacharyas and paramcharayas. But that is expected of our pandits who are scholars in their own right. After all, what is there for them to learn? In fact, they attract larger audiences than most of our academics- two hundred plus while in some of these seminars the audience does not exceed forty!
Maybe we just don’t need to panic as we still have Kamla Persad Bissessar to fight for us! We have Roodal Moonilal, a scholar is his own right, to take the fight to parliament. As for other leaders they just need to look good and have a strong presence in social media! And, always remember – presentation is everything! Look good! Walk with a straight back, keep your chin up and leave the rest to Roodal Moonilal and Kamla Persad Bissessar! As for our pandits, it is kaljug and nothing can be done!
