In order to sensitise the people of India about the unaddressed issue of Romas, Human Rights Defense International (HRDI) is organising a symposium “THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF ROMANIES: INDIC DIASPORA, EUROPEAN CITIZENS” (The tragic story of lost children of India) on May 3, in New Delhi. A documentary addressing the Journey of Romas from India to Europe will be broadcasted followed by speeches by distinguish speakers of International repute and supporters of Human Rights of Romas. Till 1867, Roma gypsies were part of European slave population. Their crime – a different language, a different religion and they looked different. After living in Europe for 1000 years, they were considered ‘outsiders’ – and did not mix much with ‘native’ Europeans.
We are talking about the same Roma Gypsies who have contributed to the Spanish cultural icon – Flamenco! And who along with Arabs brought Indian music systems to Europe – based on which the Western music system developed over the last 300-400 years.
They always claimed they were from India, and the recent DNA mapping just confirmed it. A Russian-Roma poet (born in Latvia) Leksa Manush, wrote the Roma version of the Indian epic poem, Ramayana as “Ramajanam”.
The big question is what are we (Indians) doing for our own people? What do we think about the “Lost Indian Tribe?” The answer is nothing.
To find an answer to all these questions, HRDI is just trying to establish a bridge between Romas and the rights/ cultural organisations based in India. And it is believed that this small beginning would prove to be a milestone in finding ‘the lost children of India’.
