African journalist and author Shanthini Naidoo about ‘Different Nation, Same Diaspora’. Both women who are fourth generation Indians in  Suriname and South Africa respectively shared their experiences about growing up within the Indian diaspora in countries that have a complex colonial history. They also discussed the perseverance that was handed over from generation to generation and how their families adapted while making a contribution to the communities they grew up in.

Sardjoe emphasized the unique challenges and successes of the Indian community in Suriname and how cultural values such as family ties,  entrepreneurship and a sense of community played an essential role in the economic and social development of the diaspora. Naidoo shared similar stories from South Africa and emphasized the similarities and differences between both countries. In her speech the CEO of the Rudisa Group of Companies also mentioned the broader impact of the Indian diaspora in the Caribbean. The migration started in the 19th century when indentured laborers from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Bengal were brought to countries like Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana, Suriname and Jamaica to work on the sugar plantations. “Throughout the years the Indo-Caribbean communities combined their Indian roots with local influences which contributed to the cultural, political and economic development of their adoptive countries. Nowadays Indo-Caribbean people form a significant part of the population in Guyana (40 percent), Trinidad (37 percent) and Suriname (27 percent) and they keep playing an important role in the future of their countries,” said Sardjoe who remains a prominent representative of the Surinamese Indian community and a powerful voice for the diaspora worldwide with her participation in the Indiaspora Forum. It was her second appearance as a speaker at the Indiaspora Forum. She gave her first speech when the Indiaspora Forum was held in India. Her presence not only underlines the growing influence of Surinamese entrepreneurs on the global stage but it also underlines the existing power and ties of the Indian diaspora worldwide.