Today marks a memorable milestone for Pravasi Setu Foundation — we had the privilege of meeting Mr. Dilip Giri, the founder of Girmitiya Foundation, and felicitating him for the phenomenal work his organization is doing to help the Girmitiya (indentured Indian diaspora) community reconnect with their roots.
On behalf of our foundation, we expressed profound appreciation for Mr. Giri’s dedication and determination in this deeply meaningful mission. The Girmitiya Foundation’s primary focus is helping descendants of Girmitiyas trace their ancestral homes in India — and to date, more than 15 families have been successfully reconnected with their historical places of origin, while over 150 detailed ancestral research projects have been pursued.
During the meeting, we engaged in an in-depth conversation about potential future collaborations between Pravasi Setu and Girmitiya Foundation. There are many ideas in the pipeline, and we are excited about co-creating projects that further amplify the reach and impact of root-tracing, heritage preservation, and diaspora engagement. Stay tuned for more updates as we bring these plans to life.
About Girmitiya Foundation: Mission, Projects, and Impact
For those unfamiliar, here’s a primer on what the Girmitiya Foundation does and why its work matters:
Girmitiya Foundation is an NGO registered in India, whose mission is to support individuals of Indian origin in foreign lands to rediscover their ancestral heritage and reconnect with their Indian identity.
Some of their key initiatives and project streams include:
- Reconnect to Your Roots: The flagship project, through which they trace the villages, birthplaces, and family histories of Girmitiya descendants from across the globe.
- Girmitiya Mahotsav: A cultural festival intended to bring together diaspora communities through artistic, literary, and heritage events.
- Our Village, Our Heritage: Programs to preserve village lifestyles, folk culture, and traditional arts of the regions from which many Girmitiyas originated.
- Education & Skill Development: Running model schools, training programs, and life-skills initiatives, especially for underprivileged children and youth.
- Women Empowerment (“Shakti”): Providing materials, training, and support for women to become financially self-reliant and socially empowered.
- Pilgrimage & Heritage Tours: Organizing—“Girmitiya Teerth Yojana”—pilgrimages in India (for example via Kolkata, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh) that trace the historical journeys of indentured laborers.
The foundation operates across several Indian states, with teams in Delhi, Kolkata, Patna, Varanasi, Lucknow, and more. Their work resonates deeply with diaspora communities in countries such as Mauritius, Fiji, the Caribbean, and parts of Africa, where descendants of Girmitiyas still preserve strong emotional and cultural bonds with India.
Our Collaboration Vision: What Lies Ahead
The meeting today was not merely ceremonial; it set the stage for meaningful partnership. Some of the collaborative ideas we discussed include:
- Joint Research Projects — pooling archival, genealogical, and local expertise to scale root-tracing efforts across many more families.
- Cultural & Heritage Festivals — co-hosting events that bring diaspora communities together, share stories, and celebrate the shared Girmitiya legacy.
- Educational Programs & Exchanges — facilitating visits, cultural immersion, and exchange programs for younger generations to experience their ancestral land.
- Digital Platform & Archives — digitization of documents, oral histories, genealogical databases, and community storytelling repositories.
- Awareness & Advocacy — working jointly to raise awareness in India and abroad about the history and challenges of the Girmitiya diaspora.
We believe this partnership has the potential to amplify both organizations’ reach, deepen impact, and open new pathways for connecting India with its global diaspora.
We are deeply inspired by Mr. Dilip Giri’s vision and the spirit of the Girmitiya Foundation. Pravasi Setu Foundation is proud to be part of this journey. Watch this space — many exciting announcements are coming soon.
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