Dear Editor,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi-ji arrives here this evening after a G20 summit in Rio in neighbouring Brazil. As is expected, a grand welcoming ceremony is planned.
Head of state ceremonies are technically or diplomatically reserved for visiting heads of states, not heads of governments. Mr Modi is not a head of state, but would be accorded a welcoming ceremony and treatment deserving of a head of state of a very powerful nation or global power.
As is the norm in all of his foreign trips, PM Modi is expected to be accorded a grand welcome by the Indian diaspora, separate from the warm, friendly welcome by the state or Government. The state would accord him an official welcoming ceremony that is given to a visiting head of government or state, perhaps with the presence of the cabinet and all the trappings that go with it.
Modi-ji is not just any foreign leader, he is leader of an extremely important country: one with which Guyana has shared cultural values and objectives, and one that has been very generous in aiding Guyana’s national development. He is a political rock star, and will be treated accordingly by the state. His visit would be accorded the status of a head of state even though he is not one, signalling the towering respect Government has for this visiting leader, and the importance of India as a partner in development.
As regards the diaspora, in his dozens of overseas trips, the Indian diaspora has been known to provide this PM a cultural welcoming ceremony: garlanding him, presenting him bouquets of flowers, and singing the Indian National Anthem and bhajans. It is certain that the latter would be done at the airport as well as at the hotel where the PM would stay. Huge billboards with photos of Ali and Modi stare down travellers with signs of welcome.
In India, when foreign leaders visit, welcoming posters are plastered all over Delhi or other cities visited by the dignitaries.
The Indian diaspora is very complex and all-encompassing, as it includes descendants of indentured labourers who are now fourth-and-later generations of Guyanese, as well as recent migrants from India (NRIs) who have come to Guyana in various capacities (business, employment, students, residents, new citizens, etc) and lengths of presence.
Girmitya countries, those with descendants of indentured labourers — like several in the Caribbean, Africa, the Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Asia — present a challenge in regard to participation in ceremonial activities relating to India. Then there is the diaspora twice removed, comprising Indian Guyanese or Indo Caribbeans who have settled in USA, Canada, Europe, etc. They can be termed the double-degreed Indian diaspora, a unique diaspora category or group of Indians attached to their former homeland as well as to Mother India.
Which of the two or more Indian diasporas would preside over or participate in the unofficial ceremonies for Modi-ji? As experienced in Africa, Fiji, Mauritius, etc, where there are two categories of Indian diasporas, as distinct from visits in USA and Europe, Australia and New Zealand, both diasporas participated in ceremonies welcoming Modi, as they should. The PM is very fond of the diaspora, and has a special place in his heart for the Girmityas, or descendants of indentured labourers, who are the pioneers of the Indian diaspora.
Thank you, President Dr Irfaan Ali, for inviting the Indian PM to visit our country. This visit would strengthen ties between our two countries, resulting in increased developmental assistance.
Sincerely,
Dr Vishnu Bisram
