INDIAN Arrival was celebrated in Queens by the Global Organization of
People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) chapter of Upper New York last Saturday with a banquet dinner and cultural presentations.  The organization  comprises  mostly Guyanese. The Indian Arrival celebration coincided with the organization’s 4th anniversary.  There were some 250 people in attendance at the gala affair held at the posh World’s Fair Marina Restaurant & Banquet Hall in Flushing, New York.
The programme was moderated by Satruhan Sukdeo, President of GOPIO Upper
New York chapter, and a former executive staff of Guysuco.  Guests
included officials of GOPIO branches and Ashook Ramsaran who is
President of GOPIO International.  The feature speaker was Guyana
born  professor, author and television host Paul Tennassee who spoke on Indian arrivals as indentured labourers in then British Guiana from 1838 thru’ 1920. Prof. Tennassee was presented a plaque of recognition.
Prominent journalist and community advocate Dr Gary Girdhari read
sections of two of his poems, and GOPIO Upper New York treasurer Tony
Roopnarain provided some lighter moments with Guyanese anecdotes.
Ashook Ramsaran conveyed greetings from GOPIO International and
commended GOPIO Upper New York for being a very active and vibrant
chapter addressing its community’s needs and interests.
Former GOPIO International president Dr Thomas Abraham recounted
GOPIO’s engagement with Guyanese and Caribbean PIOs.
Several US officials attended the event; New York City Comptroller John Liu presented congratulatory proclamations. New York State
Assemblywoman and candidate for Congress Grace Meng remarked on the
contributions of South Asians (including Indo-Caribbeans to life in New York.  Richmond Hill City Council Rep and Minority Whip Erich Urich also lauded the contributions of Indo-Guyanese and Indo-Caribbeans to the city.
Ramsaran inducted the newest GOPIO Guyanese life members with a
ceremony that included the GOPIO pin and Life Membership certificate to each of them: Satruhan Sukdeo; Netram Rambudhan; Jhairam Persaud;
Naidoo Veerapen (recently appointed as Co-Chair of GOPIO Cultural
Council); Sunita Rambudhan as Associate Member.
Indian Arrival celebrations are also planned for Sunday May 20 at
Smokey Park from 2:00 P.M till 8:00 P.M at an open-air cultural event
free of charge.