Indian community celebrates Diaspora Day |11 January 2017
• Honours distinguished Seychellois of Indian Origin
The local Indian community on Sunday celebrated the Indian Diaspora day.
The occasion, which is also known as the Non-resident Indian Day or Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas, commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi to India from South Africa on January 9, 1915 and also the contribution of the Indian Diaspora in the development of India and of the whole world.
The size of the Indian Diaspora is believed to have reached about 30 million – the largest in the world – with most of it living in the United States and the United Arab Emirates. There are currently about 10,000 Indians living in Seychelles, a figure which is considered as important among a local population of 93,000.
The chairperson of the Indian Association of Seychelles Ramu Pillai rightly reminded that since the arrival of the first Indians along with the French and African settlers in 1770, his compatriots have greatly contributed to the development of Seychelles.
For the occasion, ten distinguished Seychellois of Indian origin were posthumously rewarded for what has been described as their hard work, honesty and sincerity towards their adopted country. Their award was collected by their family members.
They are: Kali Deenadayalu Pillay (Deenu), founder of Chez Deenu supermarket, politician and anti-diabetes activist; T.M.K.R. Kannusamy Pillay, merchant; Kantilal Jivan Shah (Kanti), merchant and pioneer in tourism development and environment protection; Meghjee Kalyanji, merchant whose shop is now a centenarian building; P. Rajagopal Naidoo (Razu), merchant and camera, bicycle and fountain pen repairer; Shantilal Dhanjee, merchant, philanthropist and Rotary Club chairman; Sorab Oliaji, one of the founders of Temooljee Super Market, coprah exporter and agent of Thomas Cook and other brands like Kraft, KWV and Rolex; Srinivasen Chetty, importer and retailer; Suleman Adam Moosa, importer and retailer of sugar, fuel, vehicles as well as TV sets, coprah exporter and politician; and G. Subramanian Pillay (G.S. Pillay), importer, retailer and distributor of Seychelles’ Breweries products.
The ceremony which took place at the Savoy Resort and Spa at Beau Vallon was attended by Vice-President Vincent Meriton, Minister for Finance, Trade and Economic Planning Dr Peter Larose and the acting Indian high commissioner Ananya Banerji.
The guest of honour was Professor Bibek Debroy, a known economist and member of the National Institute for Transforming India where he teaches policy and research.
Professor Debroy, who is also a reputed columnist, editor and author brought the best wishes from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He reiterated the latter’s call on the Indian Diaspora – which he termed as “human resources and human capital made in India” – to reconnect with their country and invest in its development.
He reminded that in spite of urbanisation, trade and economic development India has remained a poor country. Consequently, he proposed six solutions to alleviate poverty. These are: The need to bring goods and services to every individual through transport, electricity and other needs; entrepreneurship and enabling business development; efficiency in public expenditure; subsidy for individual households which deserve it; decentralisation; and institutional change with reforms in laws and policies.
“India is by any indicator still poor and India must change,” he said.
The professor at the same time noted signs of change which he says have been brought by public participation.
“Smart cities are determined by citizens’ participation and not by the Prime Minister or Minister of Urban Development. India will change because of citizens’ participation and the participation of the Diaspora. When we leave and depart, let us leave India in a better state of governance and prosperity,” Professor Debroy said.
He also reminded that the relation between Seychelles and India has created a historical and cultural legacy which has resulted in what he insisted was “genuine and legal trade”, among which maritime trade which he qualified as very important for the two countries.
During the ceremony, Vice-President Meriton announced that at the request of the Indian Association of Seychelles, the government will be providing space in Victoria for the erection of a statue of Mahatma Ghandi. He also added that as government is relooking at the public holiday landscape in relation to new social, political and religious realities, the day of the Indian Diwali Festival could also be considered as a public holiday.
Mr Meriton remarked that the distinguished gentlemen of Indian origin who were rewarded on Sunday have left their mark in the economic, social and environmental fields.
“We are here to mark things that we have in common: These are the thirst and desire to succeed and make a difference in life as well as hard work. India has helped us chart the way forward in unity, diversity and the spirit of indivisibility,” he said.
Dr Larose also thanked the Indian community for their contribution in Seychelles’ development.
“We will continue to rely on your partnership and on the friendship we have established with India,” he said.
As for the acting Indian high commissioner, he remarked that his compatriots who have come here as traders, construction workers and professionals are world known for their dedication and professionalism.
He emphasised that his country has great pride in celebrating its good relations with Seychelles.
