Dear Editor,
May 5 marked 179 years since the people of East Indian ancestry first came to this territory, to rescue the decrepit sugar plantations following the end of slavery.
The day is a holiday. It is important for the nation to reflect on how and why Indian Arrival is a national holiday, and how it came about.
The Indian labourers have been the largest immigrant group to the territory. And, for decades, they have been the largest ethnic group in the then British colony and after independence. The indentured labourers have left an indelible imprint on the cultural (language, food, etc) landscape, and in the economic, social, religious, and political fabric of Guyana.
Their immense contributions and accomplishments in every field have been on the basis of great personal sacrifice (of disconnection with their ancestral homeland, a good life, etc.), and against great odds.
They have been an ethnically persecuted people since the time they arrived on May 5, 1838. They lived in inhumane, slave-like conditions. They were cheated out of their pay, battered and bruised by the white colonial masters and other ethnic groups. They overcame the adversities they faced with dignity and with much cultural retention as practised in India. They persevered, and their presence has added to the richness and uniqueness of the nation: multi-cultural, multi-religious, and multi-ethnic. Thus it is appropriate for the nation to recognize the contributions made by Indians, and what they brought from India; and to honour them with an appropriate celebration like the granting of an Indian Arrival holiday, as was requested by Indian rights activists.
But it took decades after independence to convince national politicians that the tremendous contribution and sacrifices of Indians to the nation must be recognised with a national holiday similar to the honour (Emancipation Day) given to enslaved Africans, whom the Indians replaced on the plantations under some similar conditions of abuse. Emancipation Day was recognized as a holiday early in the nation, but it was a long struggle before the Indians were given recognition of a national day, just over a decade ago. Even the PPP was not strong supportive of a day to honour Indians for their pioneering efforts.
Indian activists and community leaders had to wage a long, arduous battle for this recognition to be accorded the indentured Indians, as both the governing PNC (1964 to 1992) and successor PPP administrations were opposed to a national holiday. It took intense lobbying. This holiday honours the hard work and great sacrifices made by Indian indentured labourers, who laid the foundation for a better life for their descendants. Indian Arrival Day is a day of reflection of the presence of Indians in Guyana. It salutes the Indian pioneers for their sacrifices, hard work and perseverance. As we commemorate their arrival, we must do so in acknowledgement of their struggle to survive and to build a better society.
But their work remains unfinished. Equality for all has eluded the pioneers and their early descendants on the Guyanese territory. So we must take cognizance of the fact that the struggle continues for equality, not only for Indians, but for all groups. Every group must find an equal place and space in our national community and in the sharing of resources. We must also exploit the resources for a higher standard of living. This will allow for the construction of an ethnically harmonious society.
It is noted that some 179 years after the end of slavery, living conditions of Indians have not improved as much as the pioneers would have expected. The territory is still divided along racial lines, with political leaders playing the lead role in dividing the people by ethnicity. Sugar workers are still fighting for a decent wage and to hold on to their jobs.
Politicians of all stripes have let down the nation. People must put pressure on their political leaders to come together to build a just and equitable society for all.
Yours truly,
Vishnu Bisram
