Dear Chaman,
my warmest congratulations on the publication on this important subject. I was interested to read of the role and case of Bhagat Singh, who sought to avenge a brutal and tyrannical act, one of many of British imperialism, for which a proper historical accounting has never been rendered,
Best wishes for 2014!
Norman
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Girvan
My tributes to dedicated Jamaican scholar activist Norman Girvan
Norman Girvan passed away in Cuba at the age of 72. He fell from a mountain extridition in Dominica in early 2014 and was taken to Cuba for treatment. I was hoping he would recover, he did not. We both felt sorry for not meeting each other at The University of West Indies, St. Augustine in Trinidad, where he was Professor Emirtus and I was visitng Professor in year 2011. We got connected through mail and social media and he wished to post my article on his bloghttp://www.normangirvan.info/- published in Trinidad Guardian in October 2011, for which I had to face the adverse action by Indian High Commission of that time in Port of Spain, who was my paying master, being on deputation from ICCR. He published my article in full, including one part, which was not published by Guardian, he gave even better title to the article_
http://www.normangirvan.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/lal-imperialism-and-indian-indentureship.pdf
Later we remained in correspondence, which I am sharing here to remember him fondly
I wrote him with others:
Dear friends,
Some of you know the name of Rahul Bhattacharya, I myself was mentioned about him here in Trinidad by some local friend. While I have not read the novel, but The Hindu, the most prestigious English daily of India, has conferred its first ever literary prize to the young writer, among his competitors were many literary giants. I hope my Caribbean friends will be happy at this, one of most prestigious award from India on writing based on Caribbean life.
Greetings
Chaman Lal
He replied:Dear Chaman, this is indeed a great honour for the Caribbean and the Indo-Caribbean connection. I would love to have a copy of the Citation and of Bhattacharya's acceptance speech, to post on my blog. Can you help?Best wishes, Norman
Another exchange:
Norman Girvan norman.girvan@gmail.com
30/05/2012
to me
Good Morning Prf Lal,in yesterday's Trinidad Guardian there is a reference to your articles on Indentureship which were published on Ocrobe23 and 24 2011. Would you be able to send copies of same?Thank you, Norman
On 26 April 2012 14:15, chaman lal wrote:
How colonial UK and neo-colonial US have committed worst fascist crimes against humanity, one can see here!Guyana popular leader Dr. Cheddi Jagan was toppled and was not allowed to be in power for two decades. His book 'The West on Trial' also lists the crimes of US-UK
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/article3353535.ece
Chaman Lal prof.chaman@gmail.com
31/05/2012
to Norman
Dear Norman Girvan,
I probably may be having links to my Trinidad Guardian articles,but I am interested to know in what reference the articles have been mentioned.Article is probably available on TT Guardian website also.
regards
Norman Girvan norman.girvan@gmail.com
31/05/2012
to me
Hi Prof,it was mentioned in a letter to the Guardian on Tuesday saying you had denounced the celebration of Indian Arrival Day and the exploitation of Indian indentured workers by the imperialists. I searched the Guardian website and couldnt find your articles. If you have the links please send. I would like to read and possibly post on my blog, www.normangirvan.infoToo often people forget that Indians and Africans were both the victims of the same forces. The historical similarities need to be recalled in view of the present politically motivate divisions in the society.Norman
Here are the links of the paper, which has published my article in two installments, on the basis of which ,I am sought to be persecuted.
Regards
Chaman Lal
Chaman Lal prof.chaman@gmail.com
31/05/2012
to Norman
This is Pandit Priag Sooku letter,I just checked.At least there are people,who appreciate rational views!
Thanks and regards
Chaman Lal
Chaman Lal,
Professor & Former ChairpersonCentre of Indian Languages, JNU, New DelhiFormer President JNU Teachers Association(JNUTA)
Norman Girvan norman.girvan@gmail.com
01/06/2012
to me
Prof Lal,thank you very much. A very informative and thought-provoking perspective.I agree that in the same way that African-descendants celebrate Emancipation Day it is appropriate for the Indo-descendants to celebrate the Indentureship Abolition day which was a victory coming from years of struggle. It seems to me that the main point about celebrating Indian Arrival Day is to validate the presence of East Indians and their descendants in these societies and their contribution, in spite of prejudice and policies of social and political exclusion by the colonial authorities. I suspect that both events should be marked (Arrival and Abolition) each being given their own significance.
I am really happy that you made the point about Walter Rodney too. In fact the main reason he was assassinated is that he was threatening to succeed in forging a Working People's Alliance between the African and the Indian workers. His book on How Europe Underdeveloped Africa has just been republished by Pambazuka Press.
By the way I am not sure if you meant to imply that Spartacus was a Caribbean slave rebel leader; of course he was not but I think led a slave rebellion against the Roman Republic in the 1st Century BC. Famous slave uprisings in the Caribbean were led by Bussa (Barbados 1816) Cuffy (Guyana 1763) and Sam Sharpe (Jamaica 1831), and Nanny of the Maroons in Jamaica led successful Maroon wars against the British in the 18th century. And the first country to abolish slavery in the Americas was Haiti (on Jan 1 1804, in the Declaration of Independence) Britain is often erroneously given the credit. Very interesting to take a look at Professor Hilary Beckles, The Hate and the Quake, at http://www.normangirvan.info/beckles-hate-quake/
I would love to publish your two articles on my blog, it would be good if you could look into the possibility of checking out those particular historical facts as I am sure that others would do so i it were to published as it is.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Norman
Chaman Lal prof.chaman@gmail.com
09/06/2012
to Norman
Dear Norman,
Reference to Spartacus is in general context of slavery and not in particular context of Caribbean.I got the copy of Black Jacobins during my stay in Trinidad, which I could not find in India since many years. I have a piece on the book if you like I can mail it to you.Of course, Haiti was the first country not only to abolish slavery but make first black revolution in history and I admire CLR James for bringing out that history through his classic book.
I was joining most of the time MSJ/OWTU activities during my stay in The University of the West Indies,I regret we did not meet those days.
Regards
Norman Girvan norman.girvan@gmail.com
09/06/2012
to me
Categorise this message as:
Personal
Never show this again
Dear Chaman,I am sorry we did not meet too. So you do you wish me to use your articles as they are, without any changes?I will send you a flyer about an event next week.Best wishes, Norman
Norman Girvan norman.girvan@gmail.com
13/06/2012
to me, Ozzi
Prof Lal--thank you. I hope you approve of the new title I have given it. This is posted on my blog to coincide with the event to re-launch Rodney's book on How Europe Underdeveloped Africa. It makes an excellent companion piece!In solidarity, Norman
Imperialism and East Indian Indentureship, Chaman Lal
Posted by Norman Girvan
Chaman Lal, who was visiting Professor at Hindi Chair at the UWI , St Augustine, is Professor & Former Chairperson at the Centre of Indian Languages, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi. His article recounts the cruel history of Indian indentureship as a source of exploited labour post-Emancipation and the long and ultimately successful struggle to eliminate it and to forge African-Indian Unity, highlighting the role of Mahatma Gandhi, Cheddi Jagan, CLR James and Walter Rodney.
Read Imperialism and East Indian Indentureship
Chaman Lal prof.chaman@gmail.com
13/06/2012
to Norman
Dear Norman,
I do like your new shape to article,but I missed one thing,as TT Guardian left one part of my article,for blog,complete article would have been better,I am attaching the left out part,which in fact is the last part,which you can put as you deem right.
In solidarity
Chaman Lal,Professor & Former ChairpersonCentre of Indian Languages, JNU, New DelhiFormer President JNU Teachers Association(JNUTA)_Lalwww.facebook.com/Dr.Chaman.JNU http://in.linkedin.com/in/chamanlaljnu
Left Out part of What to Celebrate from The Guardian published article.doc
Norman Girvan norman.girvan@gmail.com
13/06/2012
to me
So happy to get this. I will fix it.PS You can listen to the Rodney Forum tonight at 6 PM TT time in radio I95, link.Norman
CLICK HERE FOR LIVE AUDIO STREAMING OF PANEL DISCUSSION, WEDNESDAY 13 JUNE 6 PM TT TIME ON RADIO I95 FROM TRINIDAD
Go to the link above, bottom bar and Click on “HI”, “MD” or “LO
How Europe Underdeveloped Africa
Walter Rodney’s classic study, How Europe Underdeveloped Africa has just been republished by Pambazuka Press. You are invited to a Panel Discussion on the book at the Cipriani Labour College, CLR James Auditorium, on Wednesday June 13 at 6 PM. Speakers will include Dr Patricia Rodney, Dr George Lamming, Dr Jerome Teelucksing, Mr David Abdulah, Mr Firoze Manji and myself as Chair. The event is sponsored by the O.W.T.U. as the C.L.R. James Memorial Lecture for 2012.
Norman Girvan norman.girvan@gmail.com
13/06/2012
to me
Chaman--I have added the last section. Also I've changed the title because of your point.I've also taken the liberty of inserting references to the Caribbean slave revolts and Haiti in place of Spartacus. I hope you dont mind'.This is really good.Norman
Imperialism and Indian Indentureship, Chaman Lal
Posted by Norman GirvanChaman Lal, who was visiting Professor at Hindi Chair at the UWI , St Augustine, is Professor & Former Chairperson at the Centre of Indian Languages, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi. His article recounts the cruel history of Indian indentureship as a source of exploited labour post-Emanicpation and the long struggle to eliminate it and subsequent movements to forge African-Indian Unity, including the roles of Mahatma Gandhi, Cheddi Jagan, CLR James and Walter Rodney.
Norman Girvan norman.girvan@gmail.com
05/09/2012
Please note the addition of the following:
A Lost Opportunity? The Jamaican Independence Experience Taitu Heron
The entire selection can be accessed at the home page ofwww.normangirvan.info
Thanks, Norman
On 5 September 2012 09:07, Norman Girvan wrote:
CRITICAL COMMENTARIES ON CARIBBEAN ‘INDEPENDENCE’
50 Years of Jamaican In-Dependence Norman Girvan
The Colonisation of Independence Lloyd Best
The Myth of Independence Louis Lindsay
Trinidad and Tobago - A State But Not Yet A Nation Michael Harris
Towards a New Democracy and a New Independence Tennyson Joseph
George Lamming on Collective Caribbean Amnesia
-- Norman GirvanProfessor Emeritus, UWI (Trinidad)
And the last message:
Norman Girvan norman.girvan@gmail.com25/12/2013to meDear Chaman,my warmest congratulations on the publication on this important subject. I was interested to read of the role and case of Bhagat Singh, who sought to avenge a brutal and tyrannical act, one of many of British imperialism, for which a proper historical accounting has never been rendered,Best wishes for 2014!Norman
And shortly after I got the news of his fall, which I shared on face book with my wishes for his recovery and suddenly this news, feel really sad, but pay my tributes to great humanist schaolar activist:
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