A NEW Monument Garden, named the Peepal Garden at Enmore, East Coast Demerara, was commissioned by former First Lady, Varshani Singh, on Indian Arrival Day, May 5.
The monument pays homage to Guyanese Indian ancestors and is situated in a park that has unique features catering for children, seniors and the differently-abled.
During a brief presentation, Singh said the site was appropriate for the monument garden since it was the location of the first mandir built by Indian indentured servants on their arrival at Enmore Estate over 100 years ago.
She disclosed that the new Monument Garden project at Enmore has been funded through community fundraising and monetary donations from persons in Guyana, UK, USA and Canada over the past eight years.
The management committee also received donations in kind, ranging from technical expertise to actual labour and services, the former first lady said.
The garden is in the first phase of development which includes the installation of play equipment, signage and the strengthening of the infrastructure.
The management committee has created and installed play equipment,
including wheelchair-friendly equipment for seniors and children who are differently-abled and physically challenged.
“Peepal Tree recognises the rights and needs of everyone, regardless of age or physical ability to be able to play, hence, the unique features we have begun to install at the Peepal Garden,” she stressed.
She said too that recognising the need for respect and protection of the environment, the park will be designed to use solar and wind power and there will be recycling of waste so that the park will become a natural classroom, giving children first-hand experience of nature flowers, trees, insects, birds, animals and all that goes with caring for a garden from planting to harvesting.
The plaque on the monument reads “In memory and in honour of all indentured labourers lest we ever forget their sacrifice and struggle for us.”
The garden will feature a logie on site with trulie roof, mud walls, cow mouth, daabed bottom house and latrine.
“This exhibit will bring to life 1838 and beyond, for us to remember, appreciate and respect the humble beginnings of our ancestors, the sacrifice and the great effort they made to make the lives of us–the generations to follow–easier,” Singh said.
The garden will also be equipped with a library and research centre which will collect the stories of these humanitarian giants which had never been written before, she said.
Singh thanked all the friends and donors who had made the commissioning of the monument garden possible
The Management Committee for the project comprises Bhowandai Somaroo (President); Youlanda Vasconcellos (Secretary), Sattie Sasenarine (Treasurer); Amaraydha Kartick and Setaldai Kartick, committee members; and trustees Varshnie Singh and Dhanrani Nand.
During the commissioning, attended by a small gathering, prayers were offered by representatives of the Christian, Hindu and Muslim Communities.
The ribbon was cut and the facilities, which included slides, swings, see-saws and a merry-go-round for children in wheelchairs, were declared open for use and were promptly and fully utilised by the children in attendance.
