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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline NOVEMBER 14, 2025 | The Indian Eye 24

GOPIO Launches Ambitious Plan for

World’s First Indian Diaspora Museum

Global initiative aims to chronicle migration, culture, and contributions of Indians across continents

OUR BUREAU bellion inspired freedom movements
across continents. From there to Sil-
New York, NY
icon Valley and Capitol Hill—this is
n a landmark move to immortal- the continuum of the Indian journey.”
ize the journeys of millions of In- He cited pioneers like J.J. Singh, who
Idians who have made their mark helped secure the first immigration
across the world, the Global Orga- quotas for Indians in 1946, noting, “Fu-
nization of People of Indian Origin ture generations must know how hard-
(GOPIO) on November 1 announced won this place in the world truly is.”
the creation of the world’s first Indi- From Durban, South Africa, for-
an Diaspora Museum. The ambitious mer parliamentarian Omie Singh re-
project—unveiled at a global virtual flected on the 165-year-old journey of
gathering of GOPIO chapters—seeks Indians in Africa. “They came aboard
to become a living archive of the three ships—the Truro, Belvedere,
global Indian experience, celebrating and Umlazi—to work in sugarcane
centuries of migration, resilience, and fields,” he said. “Through faith and
achievement. hard work, they built communities
GOPIO’s founding president and helped shape South Africa’s de-
and chairman, Dr. Thomas Abraham, The proposed Indian Diaspora Museum Exhibition Overview mocracy.” Singh reminded that it
called the initiative “a long-overdue was in South Africa where “a young
tribute” to generations of Indians who lawyer named Mohandas Gandhi be-
have transformed societies far beyond came Mahatma Gandhi—changing
their homeland. “We have seen exhib- the course of human history.”
its at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas conven- Among the strongest endorse-
tions,” he said, “but there has never ments came from Prakash Hinduja,
been a permanent museum to honor Chairman of the Hinduja Group (Eu-
the Indian diaspora story.” Abraham rope). Calling Dr. Abraham “the ar-
recalled GOPIO’s earlier efforts in chitect of GOPIO’s foundation,” Hin-
2011 to build a memorial in Kolkata, duja urged the involvement of the tech
from where many indentured laborers community and younger generations.
were shipped abroad. “But a museum “The Hinduja Foundation will always
that brings together the story of our support this cause,” he affirmed.
people—that is still missing,” he added. Delivering the Hinduja family’s
To lead this global vision, GOPIO message, Nitya Hinduja, a Harvard
has formed a museum committee and Columbia graduate representing
chaired by renowned museologist Vi- the next generation, described the
nod Daniel, who has worked on her- initiative as “a living archive of our
itage projects in more than 60 coun- collective identity.” She said, “India
tries. Daniel described the museum as has given birth to one of the most vi-
“not just a collection of artefacts but Speakers at the Indian Diaspora Museum Campaign Launch, Top Row (left to right): Prakash Hinduja, brant and dynamic diasporas in the
a mirror for a people—a bridge to a Prakash Shah, Dr. Bhuvan Lall; Middle Row (left to right) Omie Singh, Prof. Prabhu Guptara and Dr. world. Across continents, our people
homeland.” His proposal includes Thomas Abraham; Bottom Row (left to right): Vinod Daniel, Shalima Mohammed and Nitya Hinduja have carried values of resilience, en-
four main galleries—History, Migra- terprise, and spirituality—often while
tion and Settlement, Celebration, and and funding are secured, the museum figures such as Sheikh Dean Moham- facing adversity with quiet dignity.”
Culture—along with rotating exhibi- could be completed within 18 months. med, who opened the first Indian The proposed museum, she added,
tions, digital archives, and an interac- Speakers from across continents restaurant in London, and Madam “is not just a space for artefacts; it is
tive Migration Theatre that recreates lent historical depth and regional Bhikaji Cama, who unfurled the first a place where history, heritage, and
the experience of Indians journeying context to the discussion. From Cam- Indian flag in 1907. “These are stories hope converge.”
to distant lands. bridge University, Professor Prabhu of courage and intellect that must be From Los Angeles, Ashok Amri-
“The museum’s mission,” Daniel Guptara, an authority on the Indi- preserved,” he said. traj, Hollywood producer and CEO of
said, “is to celebrate the stories, strug- an diaspora in Europe, traced ear- Indian author and filmmaker Dr. Hyde Park Entertainment, offered a
gles, and successes of the Indian dias- ly movements of Indians to Britain. Bhuvan Lall, reflecting on the U.S. cinematic perspective on the commu-
pora while preserving the homeland “The first Indians arrived as lascars— diaspora, traced the journey from the nity’s evolution. “From Silicon Valley
connection. It will be a global cul- seafarers in the 17th and 18th centu- late 18th century to the rise of Indian to Sydney, from New York to New
tural bridge for future generations.” ries,” he said. “Our presence in Eu- Americans in public life today. “Our Delhi, Indians have achieved extraor-
He suggested New Delhi as an ideal rope is distinct: one of intellect, trade, modern story begins in 1913 with the dinary success,” he said. “It’s time we
location, citing accessibility and sym- and education rather than indenture.” launch of the Ghadar newspaper in build a museum that preserves both
bolism, and estimated that once land He urged that the museum spotlight Berkeley,” he said. “That spark of re- our traditions and our triumphs.”

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