In bid to expand PIO footprint, government tells Romas, ‘You’re India’s children’

NEW DELHI: For members of the Roma community in the audience, it must have felt like homecoming. On Thursday, union external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj welcomed them with the words, “You are the children of India who migrated and lived in challenging circumstances in foreign lands for centuries. Yet you maintained your Indian identity. You are indeed the first flag-bearers of Indian culture overseas. Your ‘baro than’ (land of ancestors), India, once again welcomes you with an open heart,” she said.

The minister was addressing a gathering of Roma scholars and performers from 12 countries attending a three-day International Roma conference and cultural festival.

According to an ICCR note, Roma community, also referred to as Romani people, is 20 million strong and spread across 30 countries covering west Asia, Europe, America and Australia. Treated harshly down the ages, Romani people are referred to by different names in different countries: gypsies in Britain, Tshingan in Turkey, Gitano in Spain, Tatara in Sweden and Tsyiganes in France.

Several Europe-based Roma scholars and historians insist the roots of the Romani people are in India. Another school of historians believe they are nomadic tribes of Europe. “One senses an emotional, linguistic and cultural bond while speaking with a Roma community member. Their Indian roots needs to be further researched anthropologically, linguistically and culturally,” says C Rajashekhar, director general, ICCR.

India has been trying to connect with them for decades. The first Roma conference was organised in 1976 in Chandigarh followed by a cultural conference seven years later. In a paper, Serbian journalist Bajram Haliti writes, “In 1983, at a festival of Roma culture in Chandigarh, Indira Gandhi had recognised Roma as ‘children of India’. Like Swaraj, she too had said, ‘welcome to baro than’.”

In his keynote address, Lokesh Chandra said Parisbased Roma scholar Vania had termed his people, Ramno chave (sons of Rama). At least one member of the Roma community could be spotted with a Jai-Shri-Ram stole.

Roma community members, this reporter spoke to, were no doubt that their roots are in India. Belgrade-based Jovan Damjanovic, president, World Roma Organisation, said the Roma people originated from India.“We too say nak for nose and dant for teeth,” he said.

Meanwhile, Valentino Olah, a guitarist from Novi Sad town in Serbia, said it is obvious that the Roma community has its roots in India considering the similarities of traditions and languages.

As Rajashekhar said, “Foreign relations is all about connecting with another country. This can be an important bridge to reach out.”