Dear Editor:
I welcome the commendable decision of federal government for erecting a national Holocaust monument to honour the innocent people largely Jews who were killed and persecuted by demon- Nazis. The second largest community was of Gypsies who were the victim of Nazi’s genocide and hopefully they should be included in the monument. This community is most discriminated, humiliated, neglected and persecuted in the world
These groups came from Indian sub-continent around 6th century. They split in many groups and several tribes moved to Europe and Middle East. They carry a very rich oral tradition of music, poetry and dance. The new research shows that they use Domari (Romani) language. In western Europe they were called “Rom” and those who remained in Persia and Turkey were called “Dom”. Obviously, they are facing problem of identity. More than five million members of this community are all living in Europe, Africa, Middle East, Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan.
Acharya S.P. Dwivedi
Global Hindu Foundation of Canada
Surrey, BC
