A large group of Guyanese (drawn from Guyana and the diaspora) returned from a sight seeing tour to India a couple weekends ago. In conversation with some of them, they said they had a fantastic trip filled with memories for a lifetime. Almost all of them said they have realized their long held dream of visiting the land of their fore-parents and witnessing first hand the kind of life their fore-parents lived. Everywhere they went, “the people were warm, kind and hospitable”, they said.

The tour was organised by Kali Travel and Tours of Jamaica, New York (NY), the pioneer of Caribbean tours to India. KTT celebrated its silver jubilee last year with a reception in Mumbai that was attended by Bollywood stars.

Kali group left NY in early October aboard an Air India 777 non-stop flight from JFK to Delhi where there were given a traditional welcome with mala and tika. At JFK, they were given a splendid send off by the charming Miss India NY, Neha Multani, and Air India NY managers as well as Ashok Ramsaran, V.P of GOPIO. Ramsaran told the gathering that he was pleased to see so many of them making the trip to visit the land of their ancestors. “I am certain that your trip will further strengthen the emotional bonds we share with Mother India”. He arranged for ‘PIOTV’ to greet the group on its arrival for broadcast internationally.

The Director of the tour, Ramesh Kalicharran, said they were treated royally aboard the Air India plane as well as on the Kingfisher aircraft during their domestic travel in India. “The service was just excellent”, said the members of the group. All the flights were wonderful with plenty to eat and drink

The group visited many cities. They celebrated Diwali in Jaipur where they met visiting Minister of Labor, Manzoor Nadir, by sheer coincidence. The group lit deyas to construct a huge Om symbol. They snapped group photos with the Minister who was very pleased to see them and recognized quite a few who currently live in Guyana. Minister Nadir described the group “as the most organized he had ever come across”.

The group said Diwali was special for them, first of a kind of experience. They participated in several special events and for Diwali they sang bhajans as well as experienced a play which portrayed the welcoming Lord Rama from Banwas along with Lord Hanuman, Lutchman, etc.

For Diwali, all members had an opportunity to perform aartie. They noted Diwali was slightly different from that in Guyana because in India it is a time for sharing and giving. One tourist, Anand Kishore, said: “It is like their Christmas” where the females present gifts to the males and people present gifts to the elders.

The group visited shrines, monuments, and other historic places of interest. The Guyanese visitors said they learned a lot about their history, religion, music, and customs. Members of the group said the sites have a rich history and are extremely popular with tourists who love the splendid architecture, great beaches, magnificent temples, ancient forts, historic buildings, and places of religious and cultural significance. They noted that the grandeur of the Akshardam was just breath-taking and one is mesmerised by the beauty of its architecture. The tourists said they met people from all walks of life and from different parts of the world including westerners who experienced the vast richness of India when it comes to culture and religion, fashion, and entertainment. There is natural beauty and constructed beauty.

At every city where they overnight, they were entertained by dancers and singers. Veena Ahuja sang for them in Delhi. In India’s film capital, Mumbai, the group met with several Bollywood celebrities and were also entertained by stars and musicians in Mumbai.

The group also experienced a traditional wedding. A couple who took their marriage vows in NY decided to hold the traditional ceremony in Jaipur where all invitees were attired in traditional garb.
The group complimented the tour director for a well planned trip.
VISHNU BISRAM