Muscat: The Embassy of India in Muscat successfully concluded the highly anticipated lecture series 'Mandvi to Muscat: Indian Community and the Shared History of India and Oman' on May 1, 2024. The final lecture was delivered by renowned expert Prof Dr. Calvin Allen from the United States, who provided a comprehensive overview of the Indian diaspora's rich history in Oman, spanning from ancient times to the present day.
Dr. Allen's lecture shed light on the cultural exchanges, people-to-people connections, and socio-economic interactions that have played a pivotal role in fostering a strong bond between India and Oman. From ancient trade routes to modern-day collaborations, the audience gained valuable insights into the deep-rooted relationship between the two nations.
The event also featured other distinguished speakers who further enriched the discourse. Harshendu Shah discussed the evolution of Indian schools in Oman, while Kiran Asher, a recipient of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award, presented a detailed narrative on Oman's Hindu temples, emphasizing the inclusive nature of Omani society.
Dr. P. Mohammad Ali, another recipient of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award, shared inspiring anecdotes from his personal journey during Oman's modern renaissance. Dharmin Ved provided valuable insights into the illustrious history of the Ved family, further highlighting the enduring people-to-people connections between India and Oman.
The event, held at the Mahajan Recreation Centre in Al Wadi Al Kabir, witnessed a remarkable turnout of over 300 attendees, including dignitaries, scholars, and prominent members from the Omani, Indian, and Indian-Omani communities.
The presence of esteemed guests such as Dr. BR Mani, Director-General of the National Museum, New Delhi, Jamal Al-Moosawi, Secretary-General of the National Museum of Oman, Sayyid Nooh bin Mohammed Al Busaidi, Chairman of Oman Historical Association, and Pankaj Khimji, Advisor for Foreign Trade and International Cooperation at the Ministry of Commerce, added prestige to the occasion.
The Minister of State for External Affairs of India, Shri V Muraleedharan, inaugurated the lecture series on October 19, 2023. The event on May 1 marked the end of an eight-month journey, providing valuable insights into the historical connections between India and Oman.
Distinguished academics, historians, and anthropologists from Oman, India, the US, and the UAE participated in the lecture series. This included Dr. M. Redha Bhacker, a renowned scholar from Oman; Dr. Chaya Goswami, a historian specializing in the western Indian ocean; Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council; Prof. James Onley, a historian from the American University Sharjah; Dr. Sandhya Rao Mehta, an Associate Professor at Sultan Qaboos University; and Swagath Pani, an Anthropologist Historian based in the US.
Furthermore, the lecture series featured the narration of family histories from Ratansi Purushottam, Khimji Ramdas, Naranjee Hirjee, Lakhoo Ved, Toprani, and Shah Nagardas families by their latest generations. From a more contemporary perspective, the experiences of Dr. Syed Mohammed Rafay from Bihar and Dr. Mohamed Ali from Kerala were also presented.
The 'Mandvi to Muscat' lecture series has been a unique initiative that has significantly contributed to promoting a deeper understanding of the history of the Indian community in Oman. It has also fostered a greater appreciation for their role in nurturing and strengthening the special bilateral relationship between India and the Sultanate of Oman.
