First Indian Diaspora Conference in Jamaica

The Indian High Commissioner to Jamaica, on Sunday, March 26, hosted the first Indian Diaspora Conference at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston. Indians of diverse backgrounds, from across the island, came to support the growth of the Indian Community.

Indian High Commissioner H.E. Masakui Rungsung welcomed the over 300 patrons including Nation Leaders such as Jamaica’s Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs Marlene Malahoo Forte, Senator Aubyn Hill, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, Mayor of May Pen Winston Maragh, CEO of Seprod Group, Richard Pandohie, Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers – PwC Jamaica Wilfred Baghaloo, Mayor of Kingston Delroy Williams, and Councillor Venesha Phillips.

Commissioner Rungsung said the day is geared toward giving people a glimpse of Indian history. “The objective is to get all the Indian diaspora together and see how they have been in this country for a long time and it is also a platform providing them, especially the second and third generation – giving them the opportunity to reconnect with the country of the origin of the country where they have descended from,” said Rungsung. The entrance to the Ballroom was outlined with cultural and religious artifacts expressing their diverse history.

The afternoon was highlighted by two major Panel Discussions which were directed at the Indian-Jamaican identity and the creation of new opportunities, in the true spirit of Jamaica’s ‘Out of Many One People” Motto. Questions were raised and answered, and a donation of half a million dollars was promised to put towards the growth of both nations.

The crowd came alive during the performance of the ‘Mudra Art Group’ when the dancers maintained their composer even when the music failed them.

Watch the highlights here: