I extend my heartfelt congratulations and sincere gratitude to Chairman Dr. Binod Kumar Singh Chauhan ji for his thoughtful and dedicated initiative in inviting the visionary social scientist, Dr. Shardanand Hiranandan ji, to visit and bless us here in India.
Dr. Shardanand ji’s unwavering commitment to addressing the critical issues related to our forefathers, the Girmitiyas, is widely known and deeply inspirational.
Most recently, at the University of Lucknow, Dr. Shardanand ji successfully conducted a 15-day long masterclass focused on recording and digitizing an archive dedicated to Girmitiyas across the globe. His relentless efforts in uniting hearts across both space and time serve as a remarkable inspiration, especially for the younger generation—because there is still so much to be done.
Research on the lineage and legacy of Girmitiyas requires a sensitive and multidisciplinary approach, blending emotion with insights from culture, society, economics, politics, and practical action. In this spirit, we aim to formalize a structured framework for study. As a first step, we plan to launch a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Girmitiyology at the University of Lucknow. Our Department of English and European Languages, under the able leadership of Prof. Onkar Nath Upadhyay, has been working tirelessly to align diaspora studies and literature with this context.
Therefore, the present visit of Dr. Shardanand ji has been immensely valuable to our efforts.
We are committed to building a wide-reaching network of Girmitiyologists across universities and institutions, not just in India but around the world. Through this initiative, we hope to reconnect the lost threads of our ancestral ties and strengthen cultural bonds among Indians globally.
I wish this noble chain of activities great success, and I warmly invite all colleagues and friends to participate wholeheartedly—joining this Yagya with both heart and mind.
Warm regards,
Dr. Murli Manohar Verma
Professor, Department of Physics
Dean, Research
University of Lucknow
Wāh!
This is an overwhelming honour for me—a humble 81-year-old grandson of the Girmitiyas.
Amice Professor Dr. Murli Manohar Verma ji, esteemed Dean of the University of Lucknow, your deeply moving words about my modest efforts in Bhārat echo far beyond me. They are, in truth, a tribute to all descendants of Girmitiyas across the world—those who have upheld their ancestral legacy with grace and dignity, and who are now coming together as one Sarva Girmitiya Samaaj, far from our beloved Bhārat Mātā.
Jai Hind.
May the Divine bless you, your venerable father, your son, and the ever-gracious Neela ji.
With deepest respect,
Professor Dr. Shardhanand Harinandan Singh
Rotterdam / Madhubani 🙏
