Back to Dutch settlement from 1638 to 1710 there is information regarding the presence of Indian labourers or slaves on the island which they brought from their trading posts in India.

Diaspora is derived from the greek word ‘dias’ meaning through or over and ‘speira’ connoting spreading or dispersal or sow. Understandably so – it is a complex and contested word because of its specific historical association with the scatterings of the Jewish people.

Peoples of Indian origin meet in Rajasthan this weekend to discuss “Global Indian Inclusive Growth.”  This 10th Annual Indian Diaspora meeting, also called the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas(PBD), will be held in Jaipur, from January 7 to 9. The PBD-2012 will be inaugurated by the Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh and the closing address will be delivered by President Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil on January 9.