He said that today, the descendants of the Indian indentured labourers are scattered across continents and oceans. Many of them have done extremely well for themselves and their adopted countries. In fact, some have reached the highest political positions in their countries and are now shaping the destinies of their adopted countries. He further said that this memorial symbolizes the deep emotional connect the descendants of those Indians, who are now living in different countries of the world, have with India. All of them nurture within their hearts, a strong bond with the land of their ancestors, India. It is the innate Indianness that each of them still carries, that ensures that India’s footprint is felt all over the world.

During the indenture system, which lasted from 1833 to 1920, more than 1,190,000 Indians were sent to work to different parts of the world. About 453,000 went to Mauritius, 239,000 to British Guiana, 144,000 to Trinidad and 152,000 to Natal, South Africa. This is the first ever Memorial established in India in honour of Indian Indentured Labourers that travelled from India in the 19th & 20th centuries. The Kolkata Memorial recognizes and honours the indomitable spirit and heroism of all Indians who left the shores of their motherland from 1833 to 1920 to embark a long and hazardous journeys to far away lands and begin a new life there.

The text of the Memorial Plaque reads as follows:-

From Here They Set Forth……

This memorial commemorates the thousands of indentured Indian workers who sailed from Kolkata Port between 1834 and 1920, to lands far away, seeking better livelihoods for themselves and their families.

This is a celebration of their pioneering spirit, endurance, determination and resilience.

They made significant contributions to their adopted countries, yet cherished and passed on the spirit of Indianness – culture, values, traditions – to their descendants.

We salute them!

Jai Hind

January 11, 2011

Kolkata