– create ‘new awareness’
SOME 200 persons assembled last Saturday at the Promenade Gardens in Georgetown to witness the formation of a new Cultural Organization – the United Federation for Arts and Culture. Those in attendance were treated to the melodious beating of the tassa drum as persons meandered their way to the site  where the new committee was established and its leaders elected.
A call was issued for organisations throughout Guyana to join the Cultural and Arts group, which intends to continue efforts to make the Guyanese people move closer to their goals of being ‘one people’, in making up ‘one nation’ as they move towards ‘a common destiny’.
“One of the aims of the newly-formed body is to impact favourably on the growing menace of racialism as the people are bound closer,” the organization said in a statement.
It said the move is also designed to cement the people of Guyana as one people who are determined to achieve together, and to join hands in the move to combat the crime wave, to keep crime to the minimum and to help the Guyanese people to join together in attaining the common goals that are ahead.
The officers of the newly formed organisation were introduced to the public at Saturday’s launching ceremony. The organisation is headed by Mr. Vishnu Bandhu, C.E.O.  of  V.B. New Approach General Construction Inc of  Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara.
“The afternoon ceremony included colourful cultural presentations.  Guests were greeted with tassa drumming at the entrance of the beautiful Promenade gardens.  The music set the ambience for the official launching of this noble organization,” the organisation stated.
Among the well-wishers were His Worship, the Mayor of Georgetown Mr. Hamilton Green, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission Mr. Ramesh Dookhoo, and Pro-Chancellor of the University of Guyana Dr. Prem Misir.
The keynote address was delivered by the Hon Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy who commended President Bandhu and the Board of  Directors for this timely initiative.
Dr. Ramsammy said it is important for the nation to preserve its culture. He wished the organisation and its Board of Directors well in their further endeavors.
There was a breathtaking power point presentation by ‘KALITECH Inc’ which is serving as a consultant of a planned project of UFAC called ‘The Aryan Benevolent Home’.
The  project is intended to be the first of its kind in Guyana, providing the elderly with a place for leisure,  rest, care, and physical and spiritual enhancement.
It will also include a swimming pool, movie theater, dining hall and a medical facility among other amenities for elderly citizens.
Mr. Bandhu gave a brief  overview of the organization’s  goals and objectives. He outlined the mission statement that entails promoting and maintaining the ideals of Indian culture with its core values of righteousness, respect, education and teamwork.
He encourages all groups to promote their diverse cultures “as we strive to live in peace, love and harmony”.
He said UFAC will soon begin to promote music and other arts. The foundation plans to launch a musical band to teach the youths how to play instruments so they can perform at concerts and
cultural events.
It is the intention of the organizers that while the initial move will encourage the development of Indian Culture, other persons and organizations such as the Africans, the Portuguese, the Chinese, as well as the Amerindians will seek to imitate the first move and that a new awareness would be created thus having a truly cultural revolution sweeping across Guyana.
Mr. Bandhu, in his inaugural address, also urged that leaders in various cultural sectors follow suit and adopt the principles that will maximize the use of the proposed eight acres plot to be acquired by the organisation.
The organization also expressed its sincere gratitude to the following individuals and companies for making this launching possible: popular performer on the cultural stage, Mr. Neaz Subhan; Mr. Salim Salahudeen from New York; Demerara Distillery Ltd; Banks D.I.H Ltd; Caribbean International Distributers Ltd; V.B New Approach General Construction Inc.; KALITECH Inc Design and Supervision Consultant; and New Building Society.