The Desi Buzz Desk
GOPIO Launches World’s First Indian Diaspora Museum to Celebrate Global Indian Legacy: In a groundbreaking move to honor the global Indian experience, the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) has announced the establishment of the world’s first Indian Diaspora Museum, launched virtually on November 1, 2025. This visionary project aims to serve as a permanent institution dedicated to documenting and celebrating the rich history, achievements, and cultural contributions of Indians across continents — from Africa and the Americas to Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific.
Welcoming participants from around the world, Dr. Thomas Abraham, GOPIO’s Founding President and Chairman, described the museum as a “long-overdue tribute” to generations of Indians who left their homeland yet continued to embody its values of resilience, enterprise, and service. “There have been exhibits at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas conventions,” he noted, “but never a museum that truly honors the diaspora’s journey.” Dr. Abraham recalled GOPIO’s earlier efforts to establish a memorial at Kolkata’s Hubli River — the point of departure for thousands of indentured laborers — and emphasized the need for a space that would now preserve their collective legacy.
The newly formed Museum Committee, chaired by renowned Australian museologist Vinod Daniel, will lead the design and development. Daniel unveiled an ambitious concept plan featuring four main galleries — History, Migration and Settlement, Celebration, and Culture — supported by digital archives, interactive displays, and a “Migration Theatre” that immerses visitors in the historical voyages of Indian communities abroad. “This museum is not just a repository,” Daniel said, “but a bridge between generations — a mirror to our past and a light for our future.” He proposed Delhi as the ideal location due to its symbolic connection to India’s national identity, estimating that the project could be completed within 18 months once land and funding are secured.
The event featured perspectives from scholars and community leaders spanning five continents, reflecting the diversity of the Indian diaspora experience. From Cambridge University, historian Professor Prabhu Guptara traced the arrival of the first Indians in Europe as seafarers and intellectuals, highlighting figures such as Sheikh Dean Mohammed, who opened Britain’s first Indian restaurant, and Madam Bhikaji Cama, who raised India’s first national flag in 1907. From Malaysia, Prof. Datuk Dr. Denison Jayasooria emphasized the ancient civilizational links between India and Southeast Asia, citing the influence of the Chola Empire, Sanskrit, and the shared cultural footprints visible in temples and traditions across the region.
Adding the American perspective, author and filmmaker Dr. Bhuvan Lall recounted the evolution of the Indian community in North America — from early traders in the 1770s to leaders in technology, politics, and science today. “From Swami Vivekananda’s Chicago address in 1893 to Silicon Valley’s innovators, the Indian-American story reflects resilience, intellect, and aspiration,” he said. From the Caribbean, Shalima Mohammed of the Indo-Caribbean Cultural Centre underscored the emotional power of historical preservation. “When families can’t trace their ancestors or their ship records, they lose a part of themselves,” she said. “This museum can help restore that identity — and dignity.”
Representing Africa, Omie Singh, former South African parliamentarian, shared the 165-year journey of Indians in the region, reminding attendees that it was in Durban that “a young Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi evolved into the Mahatma.” Singh noted that the museum should chronicle not only triumphs but also the struggles and sacrifices that shaped global movements for justice and equality.
The launch also drew strong backing from global business and philanthropic leaders. Prakash Hinduja, Chairman of the Hinduja Group Europe, lauded Dr. Abraham’s leadership and urged the involvement of younger generations and the tech community. Representing the Hinduja Foundation, Nitya Hinduja — a Harvard and Columbia graduate — described the museum as “a living archive of our collective identity, a space where history, heritage, and hope converge.” Hollywood producer Ashok Amritraj, Chairman and CEO of Hyde Park Entertainment, echoed that sentiment, saying, “From Silicon Valley to Sydney, from Hollywood to Hong Kong, the Indian diaspora has achieved remarkable success — it’s time we preserve those stories for the world.”
As the event concluded, Dr. Abraham reaffirmed GOPIO’s mission to collaborate with governments, universities, cultural institutions, and private donors to make the museum a global reality. “This will be a place of pride, reflection, and education,” he said. “A testament to how the Indian spirit continues to inspire across continents.”
GOPIO International President Prakash Shah welcomed all community members to join the initiative, emphasizing that the project represents “a new era of unity for people of Indian origin worldwide.” The event closed with a vote of thanks by GOPIO Secretary Siddarth Jain and technical coordination by Vatsala Upadhyay, marking the beginning of what promises to be a historic cultural undertaking.
