A large crowd of Guyanese families and friends gathered today, to celebrate the arrival of their ancestors, from India to Guyana 172 years ago, at a presentation of cultural performances in the form of prayers, songs, drumming and dances, organized by the Indian Arrival Committee (IAC).
One of the main highlights of the annual anniversary celebrations is the annual award, which is given in recognition of the achievements of Indo-Guyanese, who contributed significantly, and positively, to the development of Guyana. Previous awardees included Yesu Persaud, Sattaur Gafoor and, posthumously, to notable Guyanese artiste, Latchmi Kallicharan, among others.
President Bharrat Jagdeo addressing the gathering at Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) Mela, celebrating 172 years since the Indian people arrived in Guyana
Leila Ramson, known for her work with the Radio Needy Children’s Fund, was recognized for outstanding contributions in the field of education and her efforts in the teaching profession. She noted that in Guyana there has been much development culturally, and this is growing, especially in Regions 2 and 6. She urged all Guyanese to work towards the development of Guyana.
The second awardee was Badrudin “Bobby” Hassan for his contribution in the field of religion, having served in an official capacity in many organizations over 50 years.
President Bharrat Jagdeo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud and Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Ali, at the Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) Mela
President Bharrat Jagdeo presented the third award to world famous Guyanese cricketer Shivnarine Chanderpaul, for his excellence and outstanding performance in sports. Chanderpaul thanked the organization for the honour and said to the crowd, “I will continue to make you all proud.”
Joined by Minister of Agriculture and patron of the IAC, Robert Persaud, and Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Ali, President Jagdeo interacted with citizens around the park.
In his brief but poignant remarks, President Jagdeo said he was pleased that the awardees choose to ignore the “silliness that is passed off as analysis in many of the newspapers in Guyana, that somehow the receipt of the IAC award and the celebration of the Indian culture demeans the rest of Guyana”
President Jagdeo hands over award to Shivnarine Chanderpaul, for excellence and outstanding performance in the field of Sports
The President emphasized that it is recognized that Guyana is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural country and that all people have contributed equally to its development. Therefore, he said, “the Indian culture that was brought by our ancestors does not belong only to Indian people, it belongs to all of Guyana, and to all the races.”
He noted “that as Indian arrival is celebrated, there should be the encouraged celebration of African, Amerindian and other heritages, because it is an essential part of who we are. We were born in this land, with that history and we have to embrace the total history, not just one part of it, because if we do that we would be bigoted like some of these people who by speaking negatively about these awards cause division in our ranks.”
Raymond Azeez of the IAC hands over award to Badrudin Hassan for his outstanding contribution to Religion in Guyana
Donald Ramotar, the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) extended best wishes to all Guyanese on this important occasion and referred to the hard work of the labourers, noting that Indians have contributed to the development of the national culture and the building of a strong society since their arrival and as a proud Guyanese he was confident that Guyana will continue to grow as citizens use the culture to unite and build the country.
Secretary of the Indian Arrival Committee (IAC), Priya Mahase, handing over award to Leila Ramson, for her outstanding contributions to the teaching profession
He stated that “We as Guyanese have an opportunity to labour and toil not for the colonial leaders but for Guyana and the preparation of a better country, for our children and the future generation of Guyanese. Use strength to help Guyana to become one of the most developed countries in the region.”
Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Subit Kumar Mangal said it was a pleasure to be celebrating Indian Arrival Day in Guyana and acknowledged the journey of the ancestors who came to Guyana, and the culture that was brought from India which was alive and being practiced in a vibrant way.
Indian Arrival day as Emancipation day represents a common heritage shared by all Guyanese, one where we were exploited and made to endure the worst forms of abuse imaginable at the hands of the colonialist. Today we have moved on we have achieved and surpassed even the very people who sought to subjugate us in slavery, we triumphed.
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