The Arrival Day Committee of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) in collaboration with the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) recommissioned the East Indian Settlement Monument on Saturday at Bush Lot, Essequibo Coast.
This was executed as part of the Indian Arrival Day activities in the region. The monument was built in commemoration of the first group of East Indian immigrants who arrived in the region and who settled at Anna Regina in May 1838.
Bush Lot was chosen as the site for this monument because of the relatives of the first 90 East Indian indentured immigrants who settled in that area.
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Nigel Dharamlall; India’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr KJ Srinivasa; the Regional Chairperson and a representative of the Indian Action Committee standing in front of the East Indian Settlement Monument
During his address, India’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr KJ Srinivasa related that the Essequibo Coast feels like India due to its cultural background. Dr Srinivasa explained that the East Indian immigrants are responsible for the success of the rice and sugar industries and ultimately the economic development of the region.
He reflected that the Indian presence began with the arrival of indentured immigrants to primarily work on the sugar plantations to develop the country’s political and economic status.
Further, the envoy reflected on history, stating that the immigrants were transported in two ships – the Whitby and the Hesperus. The Whitby sailed from Calcutta on January 13, 1838, with 249 immigrants, and after a voyage to Guyana 188 years ago, the indentured immigrants endured 144 days of hardship and struggled for their lives.
“Despite the hardship, the Indians managed to contribute towards the economic and political subject of the country. The least of 25% of Indians returned to their homeland of India while others settled in Guyana. As I know, the Imam Baksh family was one of the most outstanding family that settled within the Bush Lot Settlement after the Hamburg Beach was completely flooded in 1867,” Dr Srinivasa related
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Nigel Dharamlall, who was present at the event, stated that the East Indians would have faced tremendous difficulties while working on the sugar plantation.
He stated that they had to toil very hard for their living and as such managed to survive during the indentureship. He mentioned that Indians paved the path for colonialism and fought for Guyana’s Independence.
The Regional Chairwoman, Vilma D Silva, took the opportunity to thank the High Commissioner of India for his time and effort to visit the region for its significant and historical purpose. She too stated that East Indians played a major role in Guyana’s economy, especially in the agriculture sector.
Meanwhile, Regional Executive Officer Devanand Ramdatt stressed that Arrival Day is a symbolic event for the region but unfortunately, the monument was left unrecognised for more than five years.
He explained that the committee was put together to ensure that the region maintains the historic symbol.
