THE atmosphere around Anna Regina on the Essequibo Coast in Region Three was palpably festive on Thursday evening.Music filled the air; and joy, peace, love and brotherhood abounded as the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha Essequibo Praant held its colourful Mela to celebrate the 177th year since East Indians arrived in Guyana.

The Mela lighted up the park at Anna Regina and attracted a large crowd which travelled from as far as Charity and Supenaam to participate in the historic activity that marked 177 years since East Indians first landed on the shores of Guyana from India.

President of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, Dr. Vindhya Vasini Persaud, addressing the large and colourful gathering, extended arrival day greetings to all.

She pointed out that the legacy of the Indian ancestors is alive and well and is being preserved. She said the programme to celebrate the 177 years of East Indian arrival to Guyana was organized by the Essequibo Praant of the Dharmic Sabha.

Dr Persaud urged persons to continue preserving the legacy their foreparents brought from India by continuing to worship in the various forms of the faith. She deemed Guyana a rich multi-facet nation, and said Guyanese need to come together and make wise choices that would ensure preservation of their culture and faith.

She disclosed that the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha would continue to promote the rich culture of East Indians and ensure that Hindu dance and drumming classes continue at the Kendra.

Dr Persaud told the huge crowd the Sabha would ensure that the Kenda at Anna Regina is set up so that young people can attend and benefit from the dance and drumming classes.

The programme featured energetic performances by members of the Dharmic Nritya Sangh Khandyia dance troupe, and the CV Nunes Primary School. Songs were also reportedly done by winners of the E-Networks Emerging Voices contest, Vishalie Soonaram and Anir Khan, and there was also tassa drumming and Queeda singing.

The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha Essequibo Praant also distributed food hampers to senior citizens of the Region.

Rajendra Prabhulall in E/bo)