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| The Rector Magnificus Henk Zijm (left) with the minister of the Indian Embassy Riva Ganguly Das at the minisymposium last Saturday in the Vrijhof. |
In the framework of the UT-project Stimulering Twents Talent (STT) and in cooperation with organizers from the Suriname Hindustani community, the minisymposium discussed the central theme of `Migration and Immigration' to mark the 135 year anniversary of the Hindustani immigration to Suriname.
On this evening, nearly 130 guests were warmly shown the way by women dressed in brilliantly colored saris, who handed out programs, while others sauntered through the crowd offering sweet traditional pastries, revealing the convivial hospitality of the Hindustani culture.
In an open forum discussion, noted panelists debated factors of importance for the integration of migrants in Dutch society and the academic world. Out of Enschede's population of 155,000 inhabitants, 25% are immigrants, which is higher than the national average of 19%. One of the primary aims of both the university and the government of Enschede is to stimulate the international community to become active partners in public and academic activities and institutions.
The Rector Magnificus Henk Zijm concurred with the goals of the government, `Building bridges between different cultures in a globalizing world is important and it helps to overcome possible differences of opinion and leads to future understanding and all that is essential in a globalizing world,' he stated during the open forum session. `I say to all students, we have 65 nationalities at the UT campus, join us, but never forget where you come from.'
Displayed on tables in the foyer of the Vrijhof were tell-tale objects of the Hindustani culture, stretching back to their roots in India. Treasures of the past like the tharia (metal plate) and the lota (drinking jug) symbolized for hundreds of immigrants their Indian identity.
Many of the forefathers of modern-day Hindustani people in the Netherlands brought these sacred utensils with them on the arduous journey aboard the first ship Lalla Ruka that docked on the shores of Suriname in 1873. More ships followed the Lalla Ruka with thousands of Indians immigrating to the Dutch colony before this practice was finally abolished.
One of the honored guest, Riva Ganguly Das, the minister of the Indian Embassy, emphasized in her comments the fact that the Indian Minister of Overseas Foreign Affairs Vaylar Riva traveled all the way from India to show his support for the Hudustani community and to join in celebration marking the anniversary in Den Haag last week.
She spoke about the difficulties facing an ethnic group who had to endure a double migration. `They have been displaced twice,' she said, `Once from India to Suriname and then from Suriname to the Netherlands. She offered a portrait of the Hudustani community in the Netherlands, saying that: `They are proud Dutch nationals, and they hold onto their Indian culture. They are one of the most, well-integrated, micro-communities within the Dutch society.' She added, `The fact that you are having such a celebration here at the university, where the mayor himself is present, shows the positive contribution that the community makes to Dutch society.'
Another panelist, Economist and Historian Sandew Hira, who has published 19 books, many about the theme of the symposium, offered the historical backdrop of this anniversary by explaining the stages of migration of the Hindustan to the Netherlands. The large migrations of the 19th century he said were mainly based on a need for agricultural labor. He foresees the next big future migration will witness a new wave of immigrants who will supply intellectual expertise in the area technology. `The higher education institutes are producing massive numbers of highly qualified graduates,' predominately arriving from India and China. `You will see recruitment agencies for engineers because there are not enough here.' He wonders if the west is open and ready for this mass migration.
Seeta Auta, one of the main organizers, closed the forum session asking guests to join her for the buffet provided by local restaurant Bombay Spice. Such delicacies as tangy Bombay Potatoes, Onion Bhaje, Basmit pillaw and Navarattan Jalfrezi perfumed the air with the smell of hot Indian spices. Dressed in a stylish yellow sari, she rang a bell to announce the commencement of the cultural performances. The folkdance (Lounda ke naatj) was preformed on stage and audience members danced to the nostalgic Bhaithak Gana music of the four-member Rotterdam group Madhur Sangeet, whose musicians and vocal soloists revived the northern Indian music of their ancestors.
