India Reaches Out to PIOs in Caribbean

Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has written to all elderly Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) above the age of 80 in Trinidad and Tobago as part of India’s diaspora outreach and “Celebrating the Elders” initiative.

Initiated on Sept. 15, 2018, “Celebrating the Elders” is an event to pay tribute to the elderly members of Indian origin living in the Caribbean islands who have continued to cherish Indian roots and ‘Indianness.’ As part of the outreach, 38 elderly Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) between the ages of 80-105 years were felicitated by heads of prominent social, cultural, and religious organizations.

The initiative was led by Indian High Commissioner Bishwadip Dey and implemented under the supervision of Swaraj.

According to a post by the Indian Commission, elderly members are the second or third generation Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) whose parents or grandparents, known as the Jahajis, had migrated from India to Trinidad & Tobago during the late 18th century.

This initiative by the Indian government is to seek their blessings and thank them for maintaining and promoting ‘Indianness’ in the Caribbean. The commission has knowledge of 110 veteran citizen of Indian origin living in the island. Among them, 13 people are over the age of 100.

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According to MEA, the Indian diaspora form nearly 42% of the total population of 1.3 million, constituting an integral part of the economic, political and social fabric of Trinidad and Tobago. The presence of a substantial population of Indian origin (the largest ethnic group) has contributed immensely to close bilateral relations between Trinidad and Tobago and India.

Moreover, the Indian diaspora is known to be a formidable force in Trinidad, the largest numerical representation in the entire Caribbean; the most well-to-do and culturally strong and progressive ethnic group in the uniquely plural society of Trinidad and Tobago. By acknowledging the elders of this strong community, the commission aims to encourage cultural and emotional engagement and sustenance need to be met so as to reinforce the historical links between the two countries.