It’s high time that all ethnic groups recognize INDIAN APPRECIATION DAY in Trinidad and Tobago. After Emancipation Day the Africans wanted nothing to do with agriculture in spite of those who say the Africans lost their negotiated economic power with the arrival of the Coolies [Indians]. The local Whites and Africans were well integrated in the Crown bureaucracy as government administrators, police and what we call white collar workers.
Oil was discovered in 1920 and most Whites and Africans were hired in the oil industry while Indians were primarily still indentured agricultural workers because of their contractual obligations. Oil revenue for the past 60 years or more has not been able to foot the bill and feed all the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago. Trinidad still depends on coolie [Indian] workers in the agricultural sector for revenue from sugar, cocoa and coffee products to pay the White collar workers employed as government civil servants.
While some Indians participated in local county politics starting in the 30s
many Indians were still field workers who were illiterate, uneducated and was paid the lowest wages whilst working in the most horrible conditions. In the political arena Indians were the ones to SAVE DEMOCRACY in Trinidad and quite possibly prevent the African-based party PNM from toppling down by not participating in the African uprising against the Eric Williams PNM government.
Had the PNM Anglo-African government been toppled by Afro-centric Socialists buttressed by rejected Anglo-Indians the PRIVILEGED local Whites, Syrians, Africans would have lost it all today. Trinidad today would have been a totalitarian state. The civility of Trinidad is still cushioned by Indians even today because of their inactive passive politically inactive ways in spite of their oppressions and second class treatment.
Indians today add to the economy of Trinidad and are not dependents of the state on handouts and welfare. It’s suspected that Indian entrepreneurs hired more people than Syrians and local Whites. Therefore, why can’t these non-Indians appreciate the Indian contributions to Trinidad and Tobago by giving thanks to Indians on Indian Appreciation Day on the 2nd of August after Emancipations Day1st August because after slaves were emancipated Indians took up the slack and the labor burdens till this day.
Sita Ram,
Vassan Ramracha.