MESSAGE OF OPPOSITION LEADER THE HONOURABLE MRS KAMLA PERSAD-BISSESSAR, S.C, M.P, ON THE OCCASION OF INDIAN ARRIVAL DAY 2024
Today, Trinidad and Tobago celebrates the 179th anniversary of the arrival of the first group of East Indians to our shores— 220 men and women aboard the Fatel Razack.
Over 140,000 Indians left their homes and made the dangerous journey across the Kala Pani to Trinidad and Tobago between May 30th 1845 and 1917 when indentureship ended.
Their arrival heralded a new era of economic, social, and cultural development that would eventually play a crucial role in shaping our unique national identity.
Today, thanks to these Jahajees our country can boast of the unique adaptations of East Indian cuisine, music, dance, clothing, language and observances of Divali, Eid-ul-Fitr, Phagwa, and Hosay which now form part of our cultural fabric of Trinidad and Tobago.
Today, I am also very proud of the fact that in our rainbow country we are able to celebrate this holiday together with all other ethnicities whose ancestors united to build our beautiful nation.
We also do so at a time when many countries across the globe are currently engaged in active warfare and violent civil unrest due to religious and ethnic differences.
Yet, Trinidad and Tobago can still boast of being the best example to the world of a country where such a tremendous melting pot of ethnicities, cultures, and religions live in harmony.
This, then, is a major significance of Indian Arrival Day—a testament to our nation’s commitment to democracy in its most promising form.
Today we honour the legacy and achievement of our East Indian foreparents, proud in the knowledge that their sacrifice and contributions have carved for us a clear path to equality and progress.
As we celebrate Indian Arrival Day 2024, let us therefore re-dedicate ourselves to the cherished principles of justice, peace, harmony, tolerance, respect, and goodwill for all citizens, in our perpetual quest for a brighter and more prosperous Trinidad and Tobago.
Happy Indian Arrival Day.