On the occasion of Indian Arrival Day, the Peoplexs Progressive Party extends best wishes to the Indo-Guyanese community whose ancestors arrived here 171 years ago. It is an occasion for all Guyanese to celebrate.

In our continuing quest to develop our country, we recognise that our Indo-Guyanese sisters and brothers have made a tremendous contribution to every aspect of life in Guyana. The culture and way of life they preserve when they were brought from India to work as indentured labourers in the sugar plantation has enriched our country and added significantly to our diversity. That contribution in its development makes up our distinction as a people and nation.

We cannot downplay their role in the major struggles in Guyana. Together with other sections of the population, they fought to end colonial domination, they struggled to better the lives on the sugar plantations and waged epic battles for democracy in the country.

Their struggles and a deep sense of commitment to nation building signify their importance in the history of Guyana and their outstanding role in Guyanaxs development.

Today, other goals face our nation; for example, the goal to forge national unity. This is important to face the challenges we confront presently and which are ahead, many imposed from outside.

To achieve that unity and to strengthen the measures already taken towards that end, the Indo-Guyanese community must jealously safeguard their own unity and be wary of attempts to fracture their ranks. The challenges of today require our united effort as a people if we are to effectively face up to todayxs problems.

We take special pleasure in extending to the Indo-Guyanese Community our greetings; and in doing so, recognise their rich contributions to the Guyanese tapestry, their significant role in the struggles of our people, their achievements, and their on-going all round contribution to our development.

We must guard our unity in diversity like the apple of our eyes. We must all take responsibility to continuously develop and promote the unity of all Guyanese people.
Peoplexs Progressive Party