Indian High Commission celebrates Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 

The Indian High Commission on Thursday celebrated Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2019, which was also held in commemoration with World Hindi Day at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Bel Air, New Haven, Georgetown.
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is usually celebrated on January 9 each year in recognition of the contribution of the overseas Indian community in the development of their country.

The simple ceremony was held in the company of the Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Venkatachalam Mahalingam; guest speaker, Pandit Rabindranauth Persaud; Haji Roshan Khan; students of the High Commission and other stakeholders.
While sharing his opening remarks, the High Commissioner stated, “We have chosen what binds Guyana and India so that we can focus on that more and also, the image of modern India amongst Guyanese so that we know how Guyanese look at India.”
After cultural performances by students of the Centre, Pandit Persaud elaborated on the focal points which link Guyana to India, while highlighting their contributions in the various sectors.
“The East Indian’s contributions are visible in every aspect of nation-building. For instance, agriculture continues to head the list while other fields such as business, education and medicine, engineering, culture, sport and politics continue to enhance growth in various regards.”
Calls were made for the relationship between the two countries to be further strengthened which will lead to both nations learning more about each other. At present, youth are provided with the opportunity to learn more about India and its culture by visiting for some time.
“These experiences fuse the relationship with their ancestral land and the people of India and other parts of the world. What is more enlightening is visiting the place of birth of our fore-parents. India and Guyana continue to strengthen their relationship in the interest of humanity,” said the Pandit.
Meanwhile, Haji Khan spoke on the image that is created in the minds of young Guyanese about the modernisation of India, which has been unfolding for some years.
“India’s diversity and culture, land of numerous groups, the global giant, the international educator and human inspiration. I stand in awe that our motherland has 15 official languages, over 300 minor languages and 3000 dialects,” Khan stated.
He added, “As Guyanese, we see India that is aggressively working towards further establishing itself as a leader in industrialisation and technological development.”
Winners of the Bharat Ko Janiye Quiz were awarded as well as the winner of the essay writing competition.