Wrapping up his two-day, event-packed visit to Guyana, PM Shri Narendra Modi of India addressed the Indo- Guyanese community at the National Cultural Center. Ironically, the center was built by the PNC in 1972 using money expropriated by Burnham from the “Indian Repatriation Fund”.
In his entire speech, Modi emphasised the connections with Indian culture.
“First of all, I want to thank President Irfaan Ali for joining us. I am deeply touched by the love and affection given to me since my arrival. I thank President Ali for opening the doors of his home to me. I thank his family for their warmth and kindness. The spirit of hospitality (“Atithi”) is at the heart of our culture. I could feel that over the last two days. With President Ali and his grandmother (Nanie), we also planted a tree.”
On the Order of Excellence he was awarded, he said, “This is an honour to 1.4 billion Indians. It is the recognition of the 3-lakh (300,000)-strong Indo-Guyanese community and their contributions to the development of Guyana.”
He recollected his visit to Guyana in August 2000, in which Swami Aksharananda and I had been involved. He took time to visit us at SVN earlier, where he displayed a remarkable recollection of the details of that visit and the one to the Enmore Martyrs’ Monument.
“I have great memories of visiting your wonderful country over two decades ago. At that time I held no official position; I came to Guyana as a traveller full of curiosity. Now I have returned to this land of many rivers as the Prime Minister of India. A lot of things have changed between then and now, but the love and affection of my Guyanese brothers and sisters remains the same! My experience has reaffirmed you can take an Indian out of India, but you cannot take India out of an Indian.
“Today I visited the Indian Arrival Monument. It brings to life the long and difficult journey of your ancestors nearly two centuries ago. They came from different parts of India; they brought with them different cultures, languages and traditions; over time, they made this new land their home; today these languages, stories, and traditions are part of the rich culture of Guyana.
“I salute the spirit of the Indo-Guyanese community. You fought for freedom and democracy; you have worked to make Guyana one of the fastest growing economies; from humble beginnings, you have risen to the top. Shri Cheddi Jagan used to say: ‘It matters not what a person is born, but who they choose to be.’ He also lived these words. The son of a family of labourers, he went on to become a leader of global stature.
“President Irfaan Ali, VP Bharrat Jagdeo, former President Donald Ramotar, they are all Ambassadors of the Indo-Guyanese community. Joseph Ruhoman, one of the earliest Indo-Guyanese intellectuals; Ramcharitar Lalla, one of the first Indo-Guyanese poets; Shana Yardan, the renowned woman poet; many such Indo-Guyanese made an impact on academics and arts, music and medicine.
“Our commonalities provide a strong foundation to our friendship. Three things in particular connect India and Guyana deeply: culture, cuisine and cricket! Just a couple of weeks ago, I am sure, you all celebrated Diwali; and in a few months, when India celebrates Holi, Guyana will celebrate Phagwa!
“This year, the Diwali was special, as Ram Lalla (the icon of the Baby Shri Ram) returned to Ayodhya after 500 years. People in India remember that the holy water and shilas (bricks) from Guyana were also sent to build the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Despite being oceans apart, your cultural connection with Mother India is strong. I was one of those who had taken several bricks to India in 1997.
“I could feel this when I visited the Arya Samaj Monument and Saraswati Vidya Niketan school earlier today. Both India and Guyana are proud of our rich and diverse culture. We see diversity as something to be celebrated, not just accommodated. Our countries are showing how cultural diversity is our strength.
“Wherever people of India go, they take one important thing along with them — the food! The Indo-Guyanese community also has a unique food tradition, which has both Indian and Guyanese elements. I am aware that dhal puri is popular here! The seven-curry meal that I had at President Ali’s home was delicious. It will remain a fond memory for me.”
