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6th ODI Young Scholar Diaspora Conference (YSDC)

On

“Impact of COVID-19 on Diverse Indian Diasporas in Africa:

Role, Challenges, Expectations and Emerging Research Agenda”

27th June 2020; from 9:30 AM to 4:40 PM

Jointly organised by

Centre for African Studies (CAS), SIS, JNU &

Centre for Diaspora Studies, Central University of Gujarat (CUG)

In collaboration with

Organisation for Diaspora Initiatives (ODI India)

On WebEx platform hosted at JNU

PROGRAMME

 

Inaugural Session                  9:30 AM-10:00 AM

9:30AM-9:35AM

Welcome and Introduction by Moderator

Prof. Ajay K. Dubey, Chair: Centre for African Studies, School of International Studies, JNU  &  President, ODI India

9:35AM-9:40 AM

Invocation of CUG Kulgeet

9:40 AM-9:45AM

About ODI Young Scholar Initiative

Prof Aparajita Biswas, Former Director, African Studies, Mumbai University & VP- ODI India

9:45AM-9:50AM

Initial Remarks

Dr.Atanu Mohapatra , Chairperson, Centre for Diaspora Studies, Central University of Gujarat (CUG)

9:50 AM-9:55 AM

Guest of Honour

 

Sri Shyam Parande, Secretary General, Antar Rashtriya Sahyog Parishad (ARSP) Delhi

9:55 AM-10:05AM

Chief Guest

Prof. Rama Shanker Dubey, Vice-Chancellor, Central University of Gujarat

10:05 AM

Vote of Thanks

Ms Ivy Handique, Convener,  6th YSDC, Doctoral Research Scholar, CAS-JNU

 

 Theme Session                                  10:10 AM- 10:26 AM

 

Theme and Structure of Webinar

Moderator

10:10AM-10:15 AM

Dr. Sushmita Rajwar, Series Coordinator -YSDC & Assistant Prof. Delhi University.

Theme presentation

10:15 AM-10:18 AM

Dr. Rajneesh Gupta, Co-Convenor-6th YSDC,  & Assistant Professor, Centre for Diaspora Studies, Central University of Gujarat

Theme Discussant

10:18 AM-10:24 AM

Dr. Jyoti Tyagi, Associate Editor, Diaspora Studies, Duesseldorf, Germany

Vote of Thanks

10:24 AM-10:26 AM

Ms. Aarshi Dua, Series Co-Coordinator-YSDC,  &  Doctoral Researcher, JNU

 

 Technical Session I                          10:26 AM- 11:46 AM

Theme

African Countries with Indian Diaspora under COVID-19: Diverse Experiences of Anglophone, Francophone, Lusophone and Arabic Africa

Moderator

Dr Rajneesh Gupta, Co-Convenor-6th YSDC,  & Assistant Professor, Centre for Diaspora Studies, Central University of Gujarat

Speaker 1

Ms. Chandani Tiwari, PhD Scholar, African Studies, JNU

Speaker 2

Mr. Amit Alok Ranjan, MPhil Scholar, Department of African Studies, Delhi University

Speaker 3

Mr. Dhanraj Gusinge, PhD Scholar, Centre for Diaspora Studies, Central University of Gujarat

Speaker 4

Dr.Gayettri Dixit, Asst. Prof, Centre for African Studies, JNU

Speaker 5

Mr. Samir Bhattacharyya, MPhil Scholar, CAS, SIS, JNU

Speaker 6

Dr. Sasmita Mohanty, Assistant Professor, Rajdhani College, Delhi University

Speaker 7

Mr. Aditya Anshu,   Doctoral Scholar, CAS, SIS, JNU

 

Technical Session II                          11:46 AM-1:05 PM

 

Theme

Impact of COVID-19 on Indian Diaspora in Africa: Their Role, Challenges and way forward

Moderator

Mr. BK Pandey, Secretary- ODI India, & PhD Scholar, CAS, SIS, JNU

Speaker 1

Ms. Ivy Handique, Convenor,  6th YSDC,  PhD Scholar, CAS, SIS, JNU

Speaker 2

Ms. Archana Kumari, PhD Scholar, Department of African Studies, DU

Speaker 3

Ms. Gayatri Raj purohit, PhD Scholar, Centre for International Politics, Central University of Gujarat

Speaker 4

Dr. Medha Bhattacharyya, Assistant Prof, Bengal Institute of Technology

Speaker 5

Mr. Mohamed Musthafa KT, PhD Scholar, Centre for Study of Indian Diaspora, University of Hyderabad

Speaker 6

Ms. Jyoti Kumari, MPhil Scholar, CAS, SIS, JNU

Speaker 7

Mr. Sujeet Kumar, MPhil Scholar, CAS, SIS, JNU


LUNCH BREAK


Technical Session III                        2:00 PM-3:20 PM

Theme

Indian Diaspora in Africa during COVID-19: Their Expectations and Expectations from them- Local and Beyond

Moderator

Dr. Ajaya K. Sahoo, Associate Professor, Centre for Study of Indian Diaspora,

University of Hyderabad

Speaker 1

Ms. Meghna Muralidharan, MPhil Scholar, CAS, SIS, JNU

Speaker 2

Mr. B.K. Pandey, Secretary- ODI India,  &  PhD Scholar, CAS, SIS, JNU

Speaker 3

Mr. Randhir Kumar, PhD Scholar, Department of African Studies, DU

Speaker 4

Ms. Aarshi Dua, Series Co-Coordinator-YSDC,  & PhD Scholar, CAS, SIS, JNU

Speaker 5

Mr. Raj Kumar, PhD Scholar, Centre for Diaspora Studies, Central University of Gujarat

Speaker 6

Ms. Silki Singh, PhD Scholar, CAS, SIS, JNU

Speaker 7

Ms. Sarita Nandmehar, PhD Scholar,  SIS, JNU

Speaker 8

Mr. DD Gautam, PhD Scholar, CAS, SIS, JNU



Technical Session IV              Panel Presentation and Discussion          3:20 PM-4:40 PM

Theme

Emerging Research Agendas for Indian Diaspora in Africa in the post-COVID Situation

Moderator

Dr. BijayPratihari, Assistant Professor, Academy of International Studies, Jamia MilliaIslamia

Speaker 1

Dr. Jyoti Tyagi, Associate Editor, Diaspora Studies, Duesseldorf, Germany

Speaker 2

Dr. Rajneesh Gupta, Co-Convenor-6th YSDC,  & Assistant Professor, Centre for Diaspora Studies, CUG, Ghandhinagar

Speaker 3

Dr. Sushmita Rajwar, Series Cordinator -YSDC,   Delhi University &  Joint Secretary, ODI

Speaker 4

Dr. Priyadarshika Subba, Research Assistant, India Centre for Migration, Delhi

Speaker 5

Dr. Neha Sinha, Research Fellow, ICWA, Delhi

 

Concept Note

“Impact of COVID-19 on Diverse Indian Diasporas in Africa: Role, Challenges, Expectations and Emerging Research Agenda”

Webinar Conveners:  Ms. Ivy Handique (Doctoral Researcher, JNU) and Dr. Rajneesh Gupta, Co-Convener (Assistant Professor, Centre for Diaspora Studies, Central University of Gujarat)

ODI Webinar Series Coordinators: Dr. Sushmita Rajwar, (Faculty, DU) and Ms Aarshi Dua (Doctoral Researcher, JNU)

 

Impact of COVID-19 on Diverse Indian Diasporas in Africa: Role, Challenges, Expectations and Emerging Research Agenda

The global pandemic of novel Corona has not only brought entire socio-economic structures into a standstill but has also challenged globalization and global operations of enterprises. Out of 30 million people comprising the Indian Diaspora, around 3 million People of Indian Origin (PIO) live in Africa which has diverse experiences in Anglophone, Francophone, Lusophone and Arabic-African countries.  There three million Indian diaspora consists of PIO and that of Indian passport holders (NRI). People are worried about the spread of the virus in Africa as there is lack of equipment, lack of funding, insufficient training of healthcare workers, and inefficient data generation and availability. Indian Diaspora in Africa eagerly looks forward for support from both host and home countries.

In such unprecedented times, the role of Indian Diaspora has to be understood. The Indian Diaspora has been taking several initiatives for example, Indians living across Mali have taken an initiative to collect funds among the Indian Diaspora in Mali to contribute to Mali’s fight against COVID-19. They feel that their duties are both towards ‘Janam Bhoomi’(home) and ‘Karam Bhoomi’(host). At the same time in some countries PIO are also facing certain challenges in their fight against Covid-19. India’s High Commissioner to Nigeria managed to extend requisite help to stranded and distressed Indians, by helping them access to approved medical facilities for testing and hospitalization, providing visa-related assurances, facilitating locally arranged supply of medicines and food to patients. Also, the North African state of Tunisia sent back 25 stranded Indians onboard in its military flight free of charge who were from states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and UP. The current role of Indian Diaspora and the challenges faced by them also brings us to the way forward for them, African governments, African civil societies, world communities and their home country. It needs to be examined as to what lies ahead for the Indian Diaspora in the African continent?

The outbreak of the corona virus has reached a worrying figure and confirmed positive cases across the African continent are increasing every day. As African countries firm up strategies to deal with the pandemic, the Indian Diaspora has some expectations from home countries and at the same time there are also expectations from them by their home country. More than 1,000 Indians stranded in Tanzania following COVID-19 pandemic have sought the intervention of Indian government for their repatriation. From facilitating hospitalization in Lagos, supplying Indian food in Benin City of Edo State, assisting in medical supplies and ensuring overstay visa-waivers; the efforts of the Indian High Commission in Nigeria have had a positive impact. Also, Indian Diaspora remittances from Africa is expected to take a huge knock as the Corona virus has put a brake on the economic activities and the inability of the expats to send money home along with lost revenues from remittances and tourism. 

The emerging research agenda points out at several factors that can be further taken up for research in the post-covid-19 times. Several ideas have been pushed forward to deepen India’s engagement with Africa and also to help the Indian Diaspora in Africa in some or the other way by the Indian government.  The Ministry of External Affairs has already extended the e-ITEC course on “COVID-19 Pandemic: Prevention and Management Guidelines for Healthcare Professionals” to healthcare workers in Africa. Technological innovations from India could be crucial in providing assistance to African nations specifically in the field of healthcare, education and agriculture. One needs to share the diverse experience of PIO in Africa, role and responses of local government and communities, and their role for larger African communities.

Thus, keeping in mind the role, challenges, expectations and emerging research agenda for the Indian Diaspora in Africa, the proposed Conference would broadly deliberate on the following sub-themes under four different sessions: 

  1. African countries with Indian Diaspora under COVID-19: Diverse experiences of Anglophone, Francophone, Lusophone and Arabic Africa

  2. Impact of COVID-19 on Indian Diaspora in Africa: Their role, challenges and way forward.

  3. Indian Diaspora in Africa during COVID-19: Their expectations and expectations from them- local and beyond.

  4. Emerging research agendas for Indian Diaspora in Africa in the post-COVID situation- panel presentation and  discussion

 

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