The 184th anniversary of the first arrival of Indians to Guyana was commemorated on the afternoon of May 5, 2022 at Palmyra, Berbice at tge Indian Monument. To celebrate the occasion, The High Commission of India in Guyana joined hands with Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha in organizing commemorative activities.
A press release in the event noted that the High Commissioner of India Dr KJ Srinivasa and Hon’ble Minister of Social Security Dr. Vindhya Vasini Persaud paid their respects to the Indian ancestors at the Indian Arrival Monument in Palmyra and partnered/participated in “SANSKRITI” – a celebration of heritage, culture and traditions’ in the evening organised by Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha.
As the release noted, the iconic monument at Palmyra was illuminated in multicolored lights by the High commission of India to mark the occasion and showcase ever growing India-Guyana friendship.
The release added:
The dignitaries addressed the gathering and lauded the contributions of East Indians to the development of Guyana. The High Commissioner paid rich tributes to Indo-Guyanese Diaspora and called for a more widespread commemoration and recognition of their contributions to Guyana. He also briefed on the latest developments in the India-Guyana bilateral relations and updated on the various collaboration projects under execution as part of Indian development assistance to Guyana. The ongoing projects and proposals under process include in the sectors of infrastructure, transportation, drainage & irrigation, healthcare, education, training & skill development, agriculture, etc.
Signifying the importance of the Indian Arrival Day and the standing of the Indian Diaspora in Guyana, the Government of India donated Indian Arrival Monument consisting of six bronze statues which was installed at Palmyra Village in Berbice during the Indian Arrival Day celebrations on 5 May 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.
India is celebrating its 75th Anniversary of Independence Day on 15 August 2022. In the run up to the celebration of this historic occasion, Government of India is organizing a number of events across the world. As a part of these events, High Commission of India in Guyana in collaboration with prominent Indian Diaspora Organizations in Guyana thus commemorated the Indian Arrival Day.
In observance of Arrival Day in Guyana on 5th May, on behalf of the Government and people of India, the High Commission of India in Guyana, extends its best wishes to all Guyanese brothers and sisters. Long live India-Guyana Friendship.
By Dr Vishnu Bisram
