BUSSIN Communication

External

News article

English Translation by Vasundharadevi V Reddy:

“Colonialism” and the negative impact on South Indian Workers – Dr Geetha V Reddy

Article published by Malaysian Tamil Daily – ‘Nanban’ on 3 Sep 2023
Reporter – Perujee Perumal

Dr Geetha Reddy, an assistant professor in England is about to begin research on South Indian migrant workers who were brought into then Malaya because of colonialism. Their research will be on the livelihood of Estate Workers and will delve deeply not only into their contributions as pioneers and but also the challenges and hardship they endured during this period.

Dr Geetha quoted the historical facts and findings and explained that since 1834 till the end of first World War, Fiji, Ceylon, Gyana, South African countries were included in indentured labour practices because slavery was abolished by the British government in 1917.

Dr Geetha’s research will focus on the positive impact and influence of colonialism and colonisation. In the history of Estate Workers, one should not deny or forget the first impressions created by the ancestors. Dr Geetha expressed in Tamil that the deep rooted stories and contributions must be brought to light.

Dr Geetha has attained their Bachelors, Master and PhD in psychology. Even though they have been moving from one country to another in their quest for knowledge, she has kept working on issues affecting Indians and their lives.

Dr Geetha is a linguist who is able to converse in eight languages including and not limited to Tamil, English, French, German, and Mandarin. Their versatility in languages has made them an international citizen.

Dr Geetha’s mother has been a vice principal for 15 years and is a Tamil language teacher in Singapore. Their father has been a sensible guide. Their maternal aunt has been in a senior position in the Ministry of Health in Singapore and is a popular personality in the media and with Indian community. Dr Geetha’s family has been doing their part in serving the Indian community and contributing towards Tamil Language in Singapore.

Through Dr Geetha’s hope that more light will be shed on the impact of colonisation on Malaya Indians, their lives, hardship, family times/bonding, upbringing of children through the hardship they have endured through their research findings. It is with the fervent desire that today’s Malaysian youth and the next generations will remember and cherish the hardship of their ancestors and live a life filled with values such as care, compassion and love for one another.

No one can deny or forget the greatest contribution of the Estate migrant workers of yester years. Its with the researches like the one Dr Geetha has embarked will make known of the magnificence of our ancestral roots of migrant workers during colonialism in Malaya.

Dr Geetha is keen to share their findings and suggestions with the relevant stakeholders and authorities. They hope these will be useful documented information for the future.

Dr Geetha also shared about their future projects, one of which is to research on the nativity of Malaysian and South African migrants and having deeper conversations with these groups.

Dr Geetha was remorseful about the manner in which many people were enslaved. They were resolute in saying that it is time for the rights of human beings and their basic welfare, well-being and interest need to be protected.

Internal

Newsletters

The BUSSIN newsletter, organised and disseminated by Dr Subashini Gordon, serves as an avenue for the BUSSIN research team to keep the BUSSIN Collective informed of research activities that are taking place in the UK, Malaysia, Brazil and South Africa. The newsletter is also a way to remind the BUSSIN Collective of what had taken place in each of the five meetings held from November to March. The newsletter features applicable details of the meetings, the various activities of the BUSSIN pilot projects and provides a space for the BUSSIN Collective to share their artistic talents, related to BUSSIN, with the group.

To request a copy of the newsletter, please email Ope Olusoga or Geetha Reddy.