Invitation to our 127th weekly ICC (+AGI) zoom public meeting by Staff Reporter
Last month (1/10/22), the United Nations observed International Day of Older Persons, focusing on the theme “Resilience of Older Persons in a Changing World.” NGO Committees celebrated this theme on Ageing in New York, Geneva and Vienna. The ICC and the AGI joined the United Nations with a unique and complementary approach. The UN stated that it is vital that recognition must be given to the contributions of older persons, and the inclusion of their voices, perspectives and needs are critical to creating meaningful policies to enhance a holistic response to local, national and global challenges and catastrophes. In this context, we have invited older folks again – supported by their children and grandchildren – to share personal stories about their life experiences in the 1940s, about 20 years after Indian indentureship officially ended in 1920.
Historically, the actual voices of living Indian elders are often unrecognised, underrepresented, unheard and undocumented in many research collections in the Caribbean and the wider Indian Diaspora. In this respect, Noor Kumar Mahabir’s book (1985) entitled The Still Cry: Personal Accounts of East Indians in Trinidad and Tobago During Indentureship, 1845-1917 is a rare, and unique exception.
The value of these narratives was expressed in a statement in the Pan Caribbean Sankofa Oral History Project in this way: “The stories of the individuals who lived and worked [at that time] … are essential pieces of the historical puzzle – without these recorded stories, valuable insight into the past and many cultural memories will be lost. Oral history interviews help to enrich our understanding of life …, and they ensure that a variety of experiences and viewpoints are represented in the documented history. Our goal is to capture the broadest possible range of individual and collective experiences – everyone’s narrative is irreplaceable and important. We want to give everyone an opportunity to tell their own story in their own words.”
Please join us THIS SUNDAY for the 127th weekly ICC (+AGI) ZOOM Public Meeting on November 6, 2022 at (1.00 p.m. Belize), (2.00 p.m. New York/Eastern time), (3.00 p.m. Trinidad/Atlantic time), (3.00 p.m. Guyana), (4.00 p.m. Suriname), (7.00 p.m. England), (9.00 p.m. South Africa), (Sun 12 midnight, India, ND), (Mon 7.00 a.m. Fiji).
TOPIC: LIVE Conversations with Indian Elders in the Diaspora about long time days – Part 2
SPEAKERS:
- Ramrajee Ramsawak, 103 (Trinidad) – Granddaughter of indentured labourers. Married at 15. Had 10 children. Worked in rice and cane fields. Cooks, cleans, plants and sells vegetables in the market.
- Kamlapersaad R. Sitaram, 85 (South Africa) – Earned a BA Degree in English and History, and a Teacher’s Diploma at the University of Natal in 1962. Taught at Sastri College.
- Lekhraam B. Bhagoe, 81 (Suriname) – Former tailor and businessman in textiles. Loves and knows old Indian music, movies and songs. Has two theatre screens in his house. Plays khajari and reads Hindi.
- Barbara Lackansingh, 89 (Trinidad) – Loves Indian movies. Cooks traditional Indian dishes. Much sought after nationwide as a folk healer to massage (“rub”) the abdomen of women.
- Bob Gopee, 83 (Trinidad) – Born in Cedros, educated at Naparima College, UWI and in London as a Chartered Accountant. Published books of translations of Hindi songs and people’s names.
Join Zoom Meeting THIS SUNDAY by touching or clicking on this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84099847044
ZOOM Meeting ID: 840 9984 7044
No Passcode Needed
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kjreIboGj
Live-streamed on the YouTube channel of the Indo-Caribbean Cultural Centre
https://www.youtube.com/user/dmahab
Hosted by www.indocaribbeanpublications.com + https://ameenagafoorinstitute.org
WhatsApp +1 868 756 4961 or +1 868 381 0386
dmahabir@gmail.com, indocaribbeanstaff@gmail.com
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is a full-time anthropologist at the University of Guyana (UG) and Fellow of The Eccles Centre for American Studies, British Library (2022-23). He is a former Assistant Professor at the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT). He obtained his Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Florida (UF). As a doctoral student, he won a Florida Caribbean Institute Award, an A. Curtis Wilgus Grant, and an Organization of American States (OAS) Fellowship.
Mahabir received a National Award (Hummingbird Silver Medal) for his contribution to education in his country in 2011. He was among 50 recipients who received a Distinguished Alumni Award from the UWI Alumni Association.
Mahabir is the author of 12 books to date.