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Ambassador Arunkoemar Hardien had the honour of welcoming Dr. Chan E.S. Choenni and his spouse at the Embassy of the Republic of Suriname and receiving the first copy of his landmark book, ‘History of Hindostanis 1873–2023.’”
“History of Hindostanis 1873–2023” charts the community’s transformation from indenture to a prosperous, culturally resilient population in Suriname, the waves of migration to the Netherlands before and after Suriname’s independence in 1975, and the evolving ties with India in the twenty-first century including the cultural influence of Bollywood. The 378 page book combines rigorous archival research with lived experience and thoughtful analysis to illuminate migration, identity, integration, and cultural continuity across three continents.
Dr. Choenni, emeritus professor and of Hindostani descent, and publisher Radjin Thakoerdin (Sampreshan Publisher’s) have made a bold decision to make the PDF edition freely available online. This opens a global access for scholars, community leaders, students, and anyone interested in migration histories, South Asian diaspora studies, and Caribbean and Dutch multiculturalism.
Dr. Choenni will present his book on 15 October 2025 during the “India and The Global South Conference” at the School of International Studies (SIS), Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
Source: Embassy of Suriname in India’s