Jajpur (Odisha) [India], October 26 (ANI): Ramrup Jagannath, a Mauritius resident, has travelled to Odisha's Jajpur to look for his Indian roots.

Based on the information he possesses and the data collected, he has visited Odisha's Jajpur three times in the past but has returned to Mauritius disappointed each time.

However, encouraged by his friends, he has come to Jajpur directly for the fourth time. However, unlike before, he is hopeful now, as the district administration is extending full cooperation in his search.

According to records, his ancestors migrated from Jajpur to Mauritius in the year 1870. Ramrup Jagannath belongs to the fifth generation of that lineage.

Saroj Kumar Pati, a local priest, shared that in 1870, the British took Jagannath's family from Jaspur to Mauritius.

His family lived in that country for five generations.

The priest further mentioned that a resident of Mauritius had an introductory letter, which he would present whenever he visited Odisha.

However, during those visits, he found nothing of significance. When he travelled to India for his grandfather's funeral, a meeting was subsequently arranged to discuss this further.

'His name is Ramrup Jagannath, his father's name is Parameshwar Das, Parameshwar's father's name was Sunsundar Das, and his father's name was Satyavadi Das. He is a Brahmin. In 1870, the British took him to Mauritius from a village in Jajpur. That's why he stayed there for five generations. He had an identity card. His village's name was Jaspur. That's why he came to Odisha again and again and searched for Jajpur, but he didn't find anything. This time, he came for his grandfather's funeral to do Aasti Visarjan. Later, I told the collector and sub-collector of the Kal Birja Mandir. He called a meeting to find his identity card,' Pati told ANI.

Ramrup Jagannath, while sharing his experiences of tracing his ancestral roots, noted that he visited India in 2012, 2015, and 2019, but nothing significant happened during those trips.

Initially hesitant to visit again, he was encouraged by his friends to make a fourth trip to the country. This time, based on an address provided by the British, the administration has been actively working on his case.

Discussing the proof of his visit, Jagannath said that the British used to register the details of all the indentured labourers.

'My name is Ramroop Jagannath. I am a resident of Mauritius. I have come from Odisha to my ancestors. In 1870, they left Odisha and went to Mauritius. They became Girmitya, i.e. indentured labourers. I have come 3 times before. In 2012, 2015, and 2019. But nothing happened. Every time, I was told that we are searching. We will go here and there. We will meet this person and that person. But no one did anything.... I didn't want to come this time. But such people encouraged me. I want to take their names. First is Dr. Subhraj Krusty. Then is my friend Prakash Nayak. And my best friend, who encouraged everyone. He is Rabindranath Tamal.' Jagannath told ANI.

'He brought everyone together. Then my 4th visit started. The British used to register then. When you go to any country, there is a registration. The name of the person who went there. The name of the immigrant. The British used to give a number. Which country they used to go to. Their father and mother's names. And which boat they went on. Everything is written there.What is written here? What is the address? Yes, the address is written there, Village, Jajpur. District, Cuttack. There is one additional information. It is called Pragana. That is Mulgaon. This time I can say,' he added.

Echoing similar sentiments, Subrat Kumar Prusty, Member and Secretary of Odiya Studies in Bhubaneswar, stated that when Jagannath's ancestors left, they had Odisha's language, literature, and culture in mind, and that the district administration is fully cooperating.

'I am a member of the search and rescue organisation. See, Ram Roop Jagannath, who is a resident of Mauritius.He has come to Odisha.To find the identity of his ancestors. The document he has got, it is written in it. At that time, the district was cuttack. So when he went at that time.He went only for one thing. But in his mind, he had the language, literature, culture, everything in his mind. And there in Mauritius. He was working in the field of sugarcane. His son, his next generation, was also doing the same work. But his fifth generation, Ram Roop Jagannath, is now in police service in Mauritius....On the basis of that writing. Today, Raghuram has come here. The district administration is fully cooperating. Yesterday we have also got the map of Jajpur village,' the temple priest told ANI.

Prakash Nayak, the research scholar, mentioned that they are staying in Jajpur for a week to gather information on Jagannath's family, caste, and revenue records.

Speaking to ANI, Nayak said, 'My name is Prakash Chandranayak. I am a culture activist and researcher. The Rambabu Jagannath who has just come from Mauritius. For him, where is his root? Where is his family in Odisha? To find all this. We are staying here for a week. We are staying here for a week. The main aim here is to find his family, his caste and the revenue record. We will get that. On the basis of the assurances given by the district administration. We will reach his village...This time in the administration....There is a lot of pressure....All the arrangements have been made.Every day, What we take out. We take review meetings. We hope that, after staying here for 5-7 days. We will get that it.' (ANI)