In a speech in Jaipur at the annual Pravasi conference celebrating India's disapora, Persad-Bissessar described Bahadursingh as "a most illuminating example of the closely-intertwined histories of Trinidad and Tobago and India".
She highlighted the significant the role he played in India’s independence struggle.
Inderjit Bahadursingh, who was a Trinidad & Tobago citizen, studied at Oxford University alongside Jawaharlal Nehru, with whom he established a firm friendship.
It was during their studies at Oxford that Bahadursingh joined the University’s Majlis Society, through which he became immersed in the Indian struggle for freedom.
"Nehru encouraged Bahadursingh to ‘return’ to India in service to his ancestral home, and this he did with great effect.
"Not only was he involved in the Indian Independence struggle, but he also remained in post-Independence India, joining the Indian foreign service and serving as Chief of Protocol and as Ambassador to several countries," she said.
"Bahadursingh the freedom fighter also became involved in Independence struggles in Africa, where he was honoured with an honorary Kikuyu chiefdom.
Unity Through Diasporic Linkages
"This example amply highlights the underlying, key message of what can be gained by reaching out to the Diaspora for any country, and also for welcoming the Diasporas of other countries.
"This message is one of international unity- unity that does not stand isolated, but that crosses oceans, that transcends and blends different cultures.
"By embracing the Diaspora and embodying this sense of international unity, the ways in which we can benefit and support one another as nations, as communities and as individuals are endless.
"Through the many dynamic and active Diasporas across the globe, we are all reminded that the modern world is now, more than ever before, a melting pot of peoples and cultures.
"And through significant occasions such as the Pravasi, we are called to reach out to one another regardless of borders or distance to the greater benefit of all," Persad-Bissessar said.
Inderjit Bahadursingh, who was a Trinidad & Tobago citizen, studied at Oxford University alongside Jawaharlal Nehru, with whom he established a firm friendship.
It was during their studies at Oxford that Bahadursingh joined the University’s Majlis Society, through which he became immersed in the Indian struggle for freedom.
"Nehru encouraged Bahadursingh to ‘return’ to India in service to his ancestral home, and this he did with great effect.
"Not only was he involved in the Indian Independence struggle, but he also remained in post-Independence India, joining the Indian foreign service and serving as Chief of Protocol and as Ambassador to several countries," she said.
"Bahadursingh the freedom fighter also became involved in Independence struggles in Africa, where he was honoured with an honorary Kikuyu chiefdom.
Unity Through Diasporic Linkages
"This example amply highlights the underlying, key message of what can be gained by reaching out to the Diaspora for any country, and also for welcoming the Diasporas of other countries.
"This message is one of international unity- unity that does not stand isolated, but that crosses oceans, that transcends and blends different cultures.
"By embracing the Diaspora and embodying this sense of international unity, the ways in which we can benefit and support one another as nations, as communities and as individuals are endless.
"Through the many dynamic and active Diasporas across the globe, we are all reminded that the modern world is now, more than ever before, a melting pot of peoples and cultures.
"And through significant occasions such as the Pravasi, we are called to reach out to one another regardless of borders or distance to the greater benefit of all," Persad-Bissessar said.
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