Port of Spain: The world lost a great mind four years ago. Professor Brij Vilash Lal, who passed away on December 25, 2021, at the age of 69, devoted his life to the study of girmitiya — the indentureship of Indian migrant labourers and their descendants. A prolific writer, he authored ten books and edited thirty volumes, including his magnum opus, The Encyclopedia of the Indian Diaspora. His academic career spanned institutions such as the Australian National University, the University of the South Pacific at Suva, the University of Papua New Guinea, the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and the University of Fiji. In recognition of his scholarship, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia during the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2015.

Exile and Recognition

Perhaps the most telling recognition of his life’s work came in that same year, when he was forced into exile and indefinitely prohibited from returning to Fiji. This act underscored the power of ideas in challenging injustice. Ironically, prior to this, he had been honoured by the Fiji Millennium Committee and named among seventy individuals who shaped twentieth-century Fiji. Only intellectuals of rare courage provoke such reactions. The world and the Indian diaspora continue to mourn this academic historian, political activist, and public intellectual.

A Collective Tribute

Excerpts that follow are drawn from a Zoom public meeting held on January 16, 2022, titled “History Professor Brij Lal: His Life and Legacies.” The Pan Indo-Caribbean Memorial Tribute was chaired by Shakira Mohommed and moderated by Shalima Mohammed, both of Trinidad. It was hosted by the Indo-Caribbean Cultural Centre, in collaboration with the Ameena Gafoor Institute and the 1860 Heritage Centre in South Africa. Five speakers reflected on his enduring legacy.

Voices Remembering Brij Lal

Selvan Naidoo observed: “We will remain forever indebted to Professor Lal’s commitment, passion and tireless effort in documenting the history of our girmitiya family. He remains in the hearts of scholars globally and will forever be loved for his friendship and kindness.”

Professor David Dabydeen recalled: “Brij was exceptionally helpful to me… He was quite simply an exceptional human being; noble, generous, brave. Brij has gone, but his scholarship is imperishable.”

Professor Doug Munro reflected: “He championed contemporary history… His writings on the recent history of Fiji will eventually affect public discourse. At least, he hoped very much for that.”

Professor Goolam Vahed noted: “I always saw myself as an apprentice to him. In teaching me to think about power, he rescued me from condescension. His power came from his grace.”

Uma Duphelia Mesthrie concluded: “Brij left us words — thousands of them — that cannot be erased. We will read and reread. Hamba Kahle, Brij, my history brother.”