Media Release

New Delhi, Sep 25: The novel 'Parinda - The indomitable courage saga of indentured labourers written by Dr Yogesh Dube and published by Pralek Prakashan was released by the central education minister, Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal here.

The novel is the poignant tale of over four and a half million indentured labourers sent from central India to Mauritius in the 18th century, who, with their hard work and indomitable courage, made the rocky soil of Mauritius gold.

This book is inspired by the story of an Indian youth who travels from India to Mauritius and becomes indentured labour, eventually making Mauritius the next motherland. This story is of a mass forced migration of people of India to various countries during the British rule.

Bharat Ratna, Late Pranab Mukherjee, high commissioners, vice-chancellors and luminaries from the world of literature have also expressed their views on the novel. This novel is also available online.

President of Mauritius, Prithviraj Singh Rupan while expressing his views on the book said, “I have no doubt that ‘Parinda - Girmitiya Mazdooro Ki Admya Sahas Gatha’ written by Dr Yogesh Dube will enrich the literature and cultural bonds between India and Mauritius and further strengthen the rich traditional and historical relationship between our two countries.”

Dr Yogesh Dube did extensive research before writing the book. While sharing his experience about the beginning of this journey, he said, “I had the pleasure of visiting Mauritius in official delegation along with the then foreign minister Late Sushma Swaraj Ji to attend the 'Vishwa Hindi Sammelan- 2018'. This gave me the inspiration to write a book on 'Girmitiya mazdoor- The Indenture Labour'.”

From the 1820's, Indian workers started coming to Mauritius and Suriname to work on sugar plantations. From 1834 when slavery was abolished by the British parliament, a large number of Indian workers began to be brought as indentured labourers. The book 'Parinda- Girmitiya Mazdooro Ki Admya Sahas Gatha' is inspired by the story of an Indian labourer.

About Dr Yogesh Dube

Dr Yogesh Dube is a person of eminence who has carved a niche for himself in the world of Politics and Social Service. He received the national award as the 'Best Individual working for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjans)' by the Government of India in 2019. He has received several awards by the Government of India, the most important ones are Divyang Mitra Award in 2016, Shreshth Baalak Paalak Puraskar in 2004, Rashtriya Yuvak Samman in 2001 for youth education, and the National Youth Award (1995-96) by the ministry of HRD, Government of India. Dr Dube is a well-known public figure and working with the various high-level committees, of the Government of India.

Dr Dube is a charismatic personality, who has worked tirelessly for the people from all walks of life. He is the chairman of Bhartiya Vikas Sansthan, vice-president of the Disable Welfare Trust of India and the national vice-president of Hindustan Scouts and Guides. Dr Dube has been relentlessly working for women, divyangjans, children and underprivileged people for the last 25 years.

Dr Dube has been honoured by several national and international institutions, societies, trusts, groups and organizations for his varied contributions for the good of society and the divyangjans.