TO commemorate Arrival Day without highlighting the sacrifices and achievements of the East Indians in Guyana is to disregard history. Every ethnic group was created by cosmic intelligence and with a purpose. This was evident when John Gladstone, the father of the Britain Statesman, applied for permission to recruit East Indians to serve in British Guiana as Indentured Labourers. Mr. Gladstone’s aspiration of satisfying the needs of the Sugar Industries was dampened as a result of shortage of labourers.
Africans, Chinese and Portuguese were imported to satisfy the demands of the Industry, but their efforts were inadequate. The success of the Sugar Industries depended mainly on resources that are durable and effective. The East Indians were considered synonymous with sugar. This was evident in Mauritius. As such on 13th January, 1838, the Whitby and Hesperus were chartered to transport from Calcutta, India, 238 immigrants who arrived in British Guiana after a voyage of 112 days, on the 5th May, 1838. On arrival, the male adults engage themselves to willingly and diligently execute their duties as labourers in the Sugar Plantations.
It was the investment in East Indians that strengthened the industry, which altered the landscape of British Guiana. When human resources are properly tapped into, it can secure tremendous success.Guyana has undoubtedly benefited from all the immigrants that were imported.
Portuguese and Chinese mainly occupied the Business and Trade positions and the East Indians and Africans secured Agriculture and other Industries. Guyana, like Trinidad and Suriname benefitted tremendously from the selfless sacrifices of East Indians.
East Indians embraced a culture of securing adequately for the future. They believed in hard work and the proper dispensation of wealth. Their ability to survive with minimum necessities is beyond comprehension. They believe in struggles and have the capacity to overcome crisis. In Guyana, East Indians transcended their limitations in the form of food, clothing and housing, to become independent.
Today, East Indian occupies position in every aspect of national development. From Indenture-ship, the East Indians have evolved to gain prominence in the various divisions of growth and expansions. Their sacrifices, if not parallel has surpassed the contributions of every other ethnic group in Guyana. Every professional position, such as Politics, Medicine, Law, Business, Education, Engineering, Arts & Crafts, Sports, Agriculture and other Industries, the East Indians of Guyana occupied with great esteem.
East Indians are thrifty and has the ability to survive hardship and struggles with faith and endurance. The East Indians of Guyana always believe in fostering good relationships. Their relationship with other ethnic and religious groups is demonstrated in every aspect of social coherence.
To observe arrival day is to remember and embrace the sacrifices of our ancestors and to include their memories in our everyday life. How could we forget our heroes in the fields of Politics, Medicine, Law, Academics, Sports and Business etc?
It is therefore necessary to reflect on the contributions and sacrifices of our ancestors who had influenced our existence. It is through their hard work, efforts and sacrifices that we are enjoying the fruits of their actions and similarly, Viraat Sabhaa encourages all Guyanese to continue to work, build and sacrifice so that generations unborn will enjoy the fruits of our action.
The Viraat Sabhaa encourages all our citizens to observe this occasion with deep pride and purpose.