HUNDREDS yesterday morning joined the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) in celebrating the 175 Anniversary of Indian Arrival Day in Guyana with a warm welcome of traditional Indian food shared as token to celebrate the holiday.

Among those arriving were famous Bollywood playback singers Alka Yagnik and Udit Narayan from India here to perform at the National Stadium along with Trinidadian Yakesh Yankaran and Premala Dance Academy also here to celebrate in two shows at Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast and Albion Community Centre, Corentyne Berbice.
The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) activity which caught many by surprise and brought true Guyanese welcome with tears to their eyes, a good and hearty Guyanese welcome they never expected on this holiday.
Guyana Chronicle who spoke to a few of the arriving passengers who expressed thanks to the GTA in having such a welcome in true Guyanese and Indian traditional style.
Speaking to one of the passengers as she noted that from the arrival at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) she felt the lush fresh air and saw some beautiful flowers at the airport.
She noted that this visit was the first in 22 years since she had migrated to the US. She expressed her disbelief of the opposition slashing the 2013 budget on the expansion project of the CJIA since she was looking forward to contribute her expertise to the project.
She told this newspaper that her present job as an aviation security consultant working in the USA was planning to return home to seek the opportunity in having a job to share and contribute some of what she has gained overseas.
‘All is not lost’ she said and that she has faith in the Almighty and the government of our country and hopes shortly all this dust will be settled and progress will continue.
Another passenger who returned after 30 years for a week’s vacation was flattered at the welcome by the GTA.
She noted that in years travelling to many different countries the experience yesterday was overwhelming as she too felt a true traditional Guyanese welcome.
Working in the tourism sector in between the USA, Bahamas and Jamaica this was a true surprise and innovation of the GTA she added.
‘ I felt lost for words, never remembered that today (yesterday) was a holiday, Indian Arrival Day, 175 years of these great people coming here’ as tears come from her eyes down her face.
The CJIA authorities confirmed that the total arrival yesterday morning saw some 431 passengers between Delta Airlines and three flights from Caribbean Airlines.