On November 21, 2024, Indian Prime Minister HE Narendra Modi, during his state visit to Guyana, visited the Indian Arrival Memorial Monument at Monument Gardens in Georgetown, Guyana, which was formerly a British colony then known as British Guiana, situated on the northern coast of South America.
Prime Minister Modi was welcomed at the Indian Arrival Memorial by Ashook Ramsaran, the president of the Indian Diaspora Council International (IDC), along with his grandson, Jaden Ramsaran, from the USA. They engaged in an interactive discussion about the memorial’s history and significance. The visit was marked by heightened security and a limited guest list, making it a historic highlight of PM Modi’s trip to Guyana.
The event was organized by the Indian Commemoration Trust (ICT) in close collaboration with the Indian Commission in Guyana. The ICT Chairman, Mr. Hemraj Kissoon, and President Sasenarine Sankar made the invitation to Ashook Ramsaran. ICT’s Dr. Seeta Shah-Roath coordinated the program for the historic visit of PM Modi to Monument Gardens, working closely with Indian Commissioner Ambassador Dr. Amit Telang and Second Secretary Mr. Rudra Jayanta Bhagawati.
Indian Arrival Memorial Monument (IAMM)
Ashook Ramsaran played a pivotal role in creating and realizing the Indian Arrival Monument and Museum (IAMM) in Guyana. His efforts encompassed designing the monument, securing funding from the Indian government, crafting its poignant inscription, and unveiling it in 2013—a year that marked the 175th anniversary of the arrival of the first 396 Indian indentured laborers aboard the Whitby, which had sailed from Kolkata to British Guiana in 1838.
The IAMM in Guyana stands as a symbolic twin to the Kolkata Memorial, unveiled in 2011 at the Kidderpore Demerara Depot on the Hooghly River’s bank. This location holds historical significance as the departure point for ships carrying indentured laborers to British Guiana and other former British colonies from 1834 to 1917.
Ramsaran’s vision and persistence were instrumental in persuading the Indian government of the necessity for such a memorial, honoring those who left India as indentured laborers. His collaborative efforts extended to the monument’s design and his crafting of its inscription. The unveiling ceremony, attended by hundreds of descendants of Indian indentured laborers from various countries, served as a poignant tribute to their ancestors’ legacy.
Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA)
For this and his many other efforts to embrace, engage, and enhance the Indian Diaspora, Ashook Ramsaran was honored with the Indian Government’s prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) in 2011. PM Modi looked at the PBSA lapel pin that Ashook Ramsaran was wearing and smiled in acknowledgment and appreciation.
Other Guyanese who have been awarded PBSA are the late Sir Shridath Ramphal, then president, now Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, the late Dr. Yesu Persaud, former president Donald Ramotar, and current President Dr. Irfaan Ali.
Homage to Indian indentured laborers
On his historic visit to Guyana, PM Modi visited the IAMM in Monument Gardens in Georgetown to pay homage to the Indians who were brought to these shores under indentureship from 1838 to 1917. He paid tribute in flowers at the base of the monument of the ship, a replica of the S.S. Whitby, which brought the first group of Indians on May 5, 1838. He also planted a tree and observed a replica of the logies the Indians first lived in when they came to this country.
Over 239,000 Indian indentured laborers worked on British-owned plantations after the 1834 emancipation of slaves brought from Africa. Indian indentured laborers were also taken to other former British colonies in large numbers to Mauritius, Fiji, South Africa, Malaysia, and the Caribbean region, with significant numbers to Guyana, Trinidad, Suriname, Jamaica, and several smaller colonies.
Note: There were Indian indentured laborers taken by the French under a similar system of indentureship to work on plantations in French territories of Reunion Island, Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana beginning in 1828.
Only a relatively small number of indentured laborers returned to India at the end of the 5-year indentureship contract, while the vast majority of them remained despite the harsh working and living conditions. They settled there, persevered under severe hardships, raised families and owned land and businesses. Each subsequent generation of their descendants progressed in all segments of society and contributed significantly to the development of Guyana, in particular the economic, political, academic, medical, legal, athletic and cultural sectors.
Remarks by Ashook Ramsaran:
Ashook Ramsaran welcomed PM Modi at the IAMM. With clasped hands, Ashook said “Namaste, Your Excellency, it is an honor to meet you again.” PM Modi shook Ashook Ramsaran’s hands with a clasp and with a warm smile. Introducing Jaden Ramsaran, standing next to him, Ashook said, “I would like you to meet my grandson Jaden Ramsaran.” Jaden with clasped hands said, “Namaste, Your Excellency, I am honored to meet you.” Likewise, PM Modi shook Jaden’s hands and smiled with a friendly kindness.
Ashook Ramsaran said, “Your Excellency, thank you for visiting this Indian Arrival Memorial Monument which is meaningful to us as descendants of Indian indentured laborers who arrived in this country beginning in 1838. It is a replica of the Kolkata Memorial which I collaborated with the Government of India to design, construct and unveil in 2011 in Kolkata. It is a memorial tribute by India to the hundreds of thousands of Indian indentured laborers who were transported to British colonies during the period 1834 through 1920 after the end of slavery of Africans. I take heartfelt pride in my role in the Kolkata Memorial for which wrote the inscription and grateful for the support of the Government of India.
This memorial and a similar one at Highbury where the first ship landed are replicas of the Kolkata Memorial, and have been designed and constructed with funding by the Government of India for which we are grateful. Again I am honored to have written the inscriptions and participated in the unveilings in 2013 marking the 175th anniversary of the first arrivals of Indian indentured laborers in Guyana. These are meaningful markers of our journey from India to Guyana and beyond.
Your Excellency, I am honored that you share our interest in our history with deep roots in India and grateful that you acknowledge our shared heritage, history and culture, thereby strengthening the inherent bonds between India and Guyana, in particular Indo-Guyanese.”
Prime Minister Modi Expresses Gratitude:
Prime Minister Modi examined the monument, took a moment to read the inscription, and observed the plaque at its base. He expressed his gratitude, stating, “I am delighted to be here and thank you for your contributions to this important endeavor. The Government of India appreciates all that you are doing for the Indian Diaspora and for these memorials.”
Ashook Ramsaran referred to grandson Jaden, who was wearing a USA/Guyana lapel pin, saying, “He is 6th generation person of Indian origin born outside of India.” To which, PM Modi again shook Jaden’s hand and placed his hand on Jaden’s shoulder with a warm and engaging smile, and said. “Wow !”.
The moment held deep significance, as Ashook Ramsaran’s own family history intertwines with the narrative of Indian migration to Guyana. His great-grandfather, Poorye Bhookhul, arrived in British Guiana in 1853 aboard the SS Adelaide, while his great-grandmother, Radhah Chum, followed in 1860 on the SS Colgrain.
This encounter at the monument was both poignant and historic, symbolizing a shared heritage and strengthening the bonds between India and Guyana, particularly with the Indo-Guyanese community. It served as a powerful tribute to the enduring connection between the two nations and the legacy of Indian indentured laborers.
Remarks by PM Modi:
PM Modi remarked during his speech at Guyana’s National Cultural Centre on 21st November 2024: “Today, I visited the India Arrival Monument. It has been a profoundly moving experience. It brings to life, the long and difficult journey of your ancestors nearly two centuries ago. This connects the past with the present in the most heartfelt way. It is a fitting tribute to the unyielding spirit of the countless Indians who embarked on a journey to these shores generations ago, carrying with them their culture, values and dreams. 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. (Former President) 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 Irfan Ali, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, former President Donald Ramotar, they are all Ambassadors of the Indo Guyanese community. Joseph Ruhomon, 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”.