Paniya ke jahaj par paltaniya le ke gaile/ Hamara ankhiya ke putariya raam kahawan gaile ho na (The ship carried them in hordes to unknown destination; where did it take our loved ones?) More than a century has clocked by since the British colonials lifted people in hordes mainly from the Bhojpuri belt of Bihar as indentured labourers to Mauritius and several Caribbean countries to work in the sugar and agriculture sectors. Those who were forced to board the ships never returned.

But the folk song, reflecting the grief and trauma of those who lost their near and dear ones, is still popular in Bihar's Bhojpuri-speaking belt including Chapra, Siwan and old Sahabad.

The Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee's recent announcement on providing duel citizenship to the People of Indian Origins (PIOs) in seven countries has spread happiness among those who have developed relationships with the PIOs living in Mauritius, Trinidad, Fiji and other Caribbean countries through marriages and other ties.

The decision has brought new light in the old eyes of Mr Krishna Shankar whose eldest sister, Mrs Raj Laxmi alias Malti, has been married to Mr Murli M Gujadhor of Mauritius. "The duel citizenship will enable my sister and brother-in-law to visit us more regularly", says Mr Shankar, a resident of Chainpur in Chapra district.

Mr Murli Gujadhor's ancestors belonged to Gaya. They were made to migrate to Mauritius sometime in the 19th century. Through their hard work and talent the Gujadhors have made their mark in Mauritius owning the biggest sugar factory in that country.

"My sister was married to Mr Murli Gujadhor in 1940's when I was born", says Mr Krishna Shankar. He recalled: "She came for the first time after her marriage when I was a kid. I still remember her holding me in her lap." Several others in the family including Mr Trilochan Gujadhor and Mr Aditya Gujadhor are married in Bihar.

Mr Nawal Kumar Singh and his daughter Ms Shikha Kazal too are "extremely happy" at the Prime Minister's announcement. Mr Singh's daughter Mrs Parinita Shilpa is married to Mr Naresh Narayan who lives at Quartrebornes in Mauritius. "Now I will see my daughter and son-in-law regularly for the duel citizenship will make it easy for them to visit us at their will." Mr Singh belongs to Chapra. Naresh's ancestors too had their roots in central Bihar.

"It's a landmark decision for the NRIs and the PIOs who will now find it easy to trace their roots", said Mr Ramakant Sharma. Mr Sharma is an advocate in Patna High Court and resident of Senari village in Bihar's Jehanabad district. Senari has over 30 people who migrated to Peru, Trinidad and Mauritius. Mr Sharma remembers how Mr Mahendra Singh from Fiji had paid a visit to Gaya.

But there are people who are not that optimistic about the Prime Minister's announcement. "It's a drama to present a generous face before the NRIs after perpetrating mayhem on its own people in Gujarat", said Mr Razi Ahmad, a Gandhian and secretary of the Gandhi Sangrahalaya." The dispensation which thrives on driving a wedge among its own people on the basis of religion can't be generous and benevolent to those who left us decades and centuries ago", he said

Nalin Verma
The author is The Statesman’s Patna-based Special Representative.