Indian ancestors to be remembered with gifted $35M bronze monument –Indian High Commissioner at Plantation Highbury
Indian High Commissioner, Mr. V Mahalingam addressing the gathering yesterday at the Highbury memorial service
Indian High Commissioner, Mr. V Mahalingam addressing the gathering yesterday at the Highbury memorial service

An iconic Monument , a tribute to the Indian ancestors , will soon be a reality , as the Government of India pledges $35M, towards its construction in motherland.The bronze memorial will be situated at a the T junction at Palmyra Village , Corentyne, just off the eastern side of the Berbice River Bridge.
The announcement , made by the High Commissioner of India Mr. V. Mahalingam, was greeted by loud applause from those attending the yearly pilgrimage of Indian descendants to Plantation Highbury ,East Bank Berbice, where the first batch of immigrant Indians arrived as Indentured labourers on May 5, 1838.
The Diplomat noted, that since his arrival to Guyana nine months ago, he had been working in collaboration with the local Ministry of Culture to establish an Indian Arrival Monument , which will be erected on a decorated one acre piece of land.
Further, he described the sculpted artistry , as being a fitting tribute to the ancestors who came to the then British Guiana.
‘Remembering history is a must, and in this regard , remembering our ancestors is always good. When your first batch of ancestors descended on May 5, 1838 as indentured labourers, they never had any idea of the harsh realities of life that were awaiting them .They worked hard with their fellow African brothers and sisters to make their adopted land a better place for future generations.’
‘Today, you are better off because of their hard labour and the immense pain that they had gone through . So it is time to pay your gratitude and respect to them .’
In addition to the monument, the Envoy, gave G$$ 30,000 to the Berbice Indian Cultural Committee pledged support in promoting and enhancing the culture between the two lands.
‘’Please count us in all your activities to promote your culture and to enhance people to people contacts between your beautiful country Guyana and India. I know we all, not only you , but also we at the High Commission, feel that we are separated by large distance …. and to add to that there is no direct transport communication between the two countries .It is our endeavour to see that this difficulty is eased for all of us to get in touch with India physically in a comfortable way’.
Earlier, hundreds of persons, though a disappointing crowd ,as compared to previous years, motored to the East Berbice Village, where they witnessed a skit, a reenactment of the arrival of Indians to British Guiana , songs and dances skillfully portrayed by their descendants.
Also in attendance were Regional Chairman David Armogan, Former Local Government Minister Mr Harripersaud Nokta, Former parliamentarian Mr Moses Nagamootoo, along with other dignitaries.

Jeune Vankeric

 

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