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EYE ON INDIA JULY 11, 2025 | The Indian Eye 6

From Bihar to the Caribbean:

Modi Celebrates the Indian Diaspora’s

Spirit in Trinidad and Tobago

In his historic first visit to Trinidad and Tobago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the Indian diaspora as a
living bridge between two civilizations and deepened cultural diplomacy with gestures rooted in heritage and emotion.

OUR BUREAU
Port of Spain
s chants of Bhojpuri Chautaal echoed
through Port of Spain, Prime Minister Nar-
Aendra Modi was not just arriving in Trinidad
and Tobago — he was stepping into history. With
45% of the Caribbean nation’s population tracing
their roots to India, mostly from Bihar and eastern
Uttar Pradesh, Modi’s visit carried a resonance that
went beyond politics or economics. It was a celebra-
tion of identity, belonging, and the enduring power
of cultural memory.
“This is a connect like no other,” Modi posted
on X after witnessing the traditional Bhojpuri per-
formance, a tribute to the roots that thousands of
Indian-origin Trinidadians have preserved across
generations. It was a moment of homecoming —
not for Modi, but for the diaspora whose ancestors
had left India as indentured laborers over a centu-
ry ago, carrying little more than the Ramayana in
their hearts and hope in their souls.
In his address to the Indian community in Port
of Spain, Modi praised the courage of those who Prime Minister Narendra Modi arriving in Trinidad & Tobago on Thursday (ANI)
braved colonial hardship and built new lives in the
Caribbean. “They left the Ganga and Yamuna be-
hind, but carried Ramayana in their heart. They It was cultural diplomacy at its most emotion- depth — not just economic or geopolitical muscle.
left their soil, but not their soul,” he said, adding al. Instead of trade agreements or joint statements, Modi also highlighted India’s achievements
that their perseverance has shaped the cultural, Modi offered stories, rituals, and heritage — binding in space exploration, from Chandrayaan-3’s suc-
spiritual, and economic life of Trinidad and Tobago. threads that reaffirm India’s global civilizational role. cessful Moon landing to the upcoming Gaganyaan
The Indian diaspora here is not just surviving By offering sacred water from Indian rivers to manned mission. “Even the sky is not the limit,”
— it is thriving. From politics to education, busi- be poured into the Caribbean’s own “Ganga Dha- he declared, reminding the diaspora that India’s
ness to music, Indo-Trinidadians have been pivotal ra,” Modi not only honored the diaspora’s roots growth is inclusive and aimed at lifting the poor
in shaping the nation’s journey. Modi’s speech ac- but extended India’s spiritual geography across the while inspiring the world.
knowledged their legacy, calling them “messengers oceans. It is this blend of diplomacy and devotion He praised the winners of the Bharat Ko
of a timeless civilisation.” that has come to define Modi’s outreach to the In- Janiye (Know India) Quiz — Shankar Ramjattan,
Among those celebrated was Trinidad and dian diaspora around the world. Nicholas Maraj, and Vince Mahato — calling them
Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Strengthening practical ties, Modi announced symbols of a curious, connected new generation of
whom Modi referred to as a “daughter of Bihar” that citizens of Indian origin in Trinidad and To- the diaspora.
— a nod to her ancestral roots in Buxar. “Kamla bago — up to the sixth generation — will now be This was not just a visit to a friendly nation.
ji has visited her ancestral village. People consider eligible for Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards. Modi’s trip to Trinidad and Tobago was a deliber-
her a daughter of Bihar,” he said, drawing applause “You are not just connected by blood or surname. ate outreach to the Girmitiya diaspora — descen-
from a crowd deeply connected to that lineage. You are connected by belonging,” he said. dants of indentured Indian laborers spread across
In one of the most symbolic moments of the In his speech, Modi went beyond nostalgia to the world. Through symbolic gestures, cultural
visit, Modi gifted Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar underline Bihar’s legacy as a center of knowledge, recognition, and practical policy, Modi reasserted
sacred water from the Sangam and Sarayu rivers politics, and global thought. “Centuries ago, Bihar India’s commitment to its global family.
— including from the recent Mahakumbh — along showed the world the way — in democracy, diplo- As he concluded his address, Modi reminded
with a replica of the Ram Mandir. “I request Kam- macy, and higher education,” he said, invoking the the crowd: “India welcomes, and India embraces
la ji to offer this water to the Ganga Dhara here in ancient traditions of Nalanda and Pataliputra. you.” For thousands gathered in Port of Spain, and
Trinidad and Tobago,” he said, creating a powerful By linking modern diplomacy to this civiliza- for millions across the Caribbean and beyond, the
symbolic link between the Caribbean and India’s tional past, Modi signaled India’s intent to project message was clear — their homeland may be far
spiritual heartland. soft power rooted in its philosophical and cultural away, but its heart beats for them still.

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