Hon'ble Vice Chancellor Prof. Alok Kumar Rai Delivers Valedictory Address at Global Archives Digitization Workshop

 

Hon'ble Vice Chancellor Prof. Alok Kumar Rai Delivers Valedictory Address at Global Archives Digitization Workshop

LU Workshop Focused on Preserving the Legacy of Girmitiya Descendants

Lucknow, May 31, 2025:
The Department of English, University of Lucknow, successfully concluded its multi-day international workshop titled "Digitizing the Archives of Girmitiya Descendants across the Globe", with an insightful valedictory address delivered by the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Prof. Alok Kumar Rai, on the final day of the event.

The workshop, held at the University of Lucknow, brought together scholars, archivists, historians, and digital humanities experts from India and abroad, focusing on the documentation, digitization, and preservation of the historical and cultural records of Girmitiya descendants—the indentured laborers who were taken from India to various colonies during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Vice Chancellor Emphasizes Global Academic Responsibility

In his valedictory speech, Prof. Rai emphasized the moral and academic responsibility of institutions like the University of Lucknow in preserving and digitizing the intangible heritage of displaced communities. He highlighted the role of digital technology in reconnecting future generations to their roots and acknowledged the Girmitiya legacy as a significant chapter in India's global diaspora history.

“Digitizing the archives of Girmitiya descendants is not just an act of academic inquiry—it is an act of cultural reclamation and justice,” Prof. Rai stated.
“As an institution committed to global scholarship and community engagement, the University of Lucknow is proud to be at the forefront of this crucial initiative.”

Workshop Themes and Global Participation

The workshop featured a series of lectures, hands-on digitization training sessions, panel discussions, and presentations from prominent scholars and practitioners. Key themes included:

• Historical Narratives of the Girmitiya Communities
• Digital Archiving Tools and Best Practices
• Oral Histories and Cultural Memory
• Transnational Collaboration for Archival Research

Participants from countries such as Fiji, Mauritius, Trinidad & Tobago, South Africa, and Suriname contributed case studies and shared methodologies on preserving Girmitiya archives in digital formats.

Department of English: Leading Cultural Preservation through Digital Humanities

The Department of English at the University of Lucknow, under the leadership of its visionary faculty, continues to push the boundaries of literary and cultural studies by integrating technology and archival research. The workshop reflects the department’s commitment to digital humanities, diaspora studies, and the preservation of marginalized histories.

A Step Toward a Digitally Inclusive Heritage Future

The valedictory ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks and a pledge to continue collaborative efforts in this field. The event marked a milestone in the University of Lucknow’s ongoing mission to engage with global heritage initiatives and empower the historically displaced with digital tools of remembrance and recognition.

Keywords (SEO):
Girmitiya Descendants, Digitizing Archives, University of Lucknow, Prof. Alok Kumar Rai, Digital Humanities, Indentured Labor, Diaspora Studies, English Department Lucknow University, Global Workshop on Archives, Cultural Preservation India