Indo-Guyanese contributions to Guyana highlighted at Arrival Day celebrations

In observance of the 184th Anniversary of Indian Arrival Day, Indian High Commission to Guyana, Dr KJ Srinivasa, joined hands with the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha in celebrating the occasion at the Indian Arrival Monument at Palmyra, East Coast Berbice.

At the venue, the High Commissioner and Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud paid their respects to the Indian ancestors, and participated in “SANSKRITI” – a celebration of heritage, culture, and traditions.
The event was organised by Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha.
The iconic monument at Palmyra was illuminated in multicoloured lights by the High Commission of India, to mark the occasion and showcase the ever-growing India-Guyana friendship.

The dignitaries addressed the gathering and lauded the contributions of East Indians to the development of Guyana.
The High Commissioner paid rich tributes to the Indo-Guyanese Diaspora, and called for a more widespread commemoration and recognition of their contributions to Guyana.
He also spoke on the latest developments in the India-Guyana bilateral relations, and updated on the various collaborative projects under execution as part of Indian development assistance to Guyana.

The ongoing projects and proposals under process include the sectors of infrastructure, transportation, drainage & irrigation, healthcare, education, training & skill development, agriculture, among others.
Signifying the importance of the Indian Arrival Day and the standing of the Indian Diaspora in Guyana, the Government of India had donated the Indian Arrival Monument, consisting of six bronze statues, which was installed at Palmyra Village in Berbice during the Indian Arrival Day celebrations on May 5, 2019.
The six bronze statues depict a Hindu man, a Muslim man, a Drum boy, a woman with bundle, a woman with tawa and cahary, and a man with cutlass and rice plant.
A similar event was held at Plantation Highbury, which was attended by the High Commissioner; Education Minister Priya Manickchand; Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr; Public Works Minister Sonia Parag; Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond, along with Regional Chairman David Armogan and other officials.

The cultural aspect showcased the history of the celebrations through Indian classical and fusion dance performances by students of Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre.
It was at Plantation Highbury that the first set of East Indian Indentured labourers landed on May 5, 1838. On that day, two ships, Whitby and Hesperus, landed in the then British colony (Guiana) with approximately 423 East Indians.
Meanwhile, India is celebrating its 75th Independence Anniversary on 15 August 2022. In the run-up to the celebration of this historic occasion, the Government of India is organising a number of events across the world. As a part of these events, the High Commission of India in Guyana, in collaboration with prominent Indian Diaspora Organisations in Guyana, thus commemorated the Indian Arrival Day.
In observance of Arrival Day in Guyana on May 5, on behalf of the Government and people of India, the High Commission of India in Guyana extended best wishes to all Guyanese brothers and sisters.