— Indian Action Committee urges

THE Indian Action Committee (IAC) has issued a call for an alcohol-free celebration at events to commemorate the 180th anniversary of the arrival of the first batch of East Indian indentured immigrants from India to Guyana.

The IAC in a release said while the official anniversary will be May 5, 2018, countrywide events are scheduled before and after.
Since its establishment in 2003, the IAC has, from its first event to commemorate Indian Arrival in Guyana, advocated that no alcohol be allowed at these functions and implemented measures to prevent promotion and consumption.

“It was heartened that other organisations promoting similar activities subsequently joined the advocacy which has now become a fixture in related advertisements. The IAC strongly believes that the Indian Arrival commemoration events, which promote family values, must be free from the impact of alcohol consumption and promotion. Corporate entities, which over the years have partnered with the IAC to promote these events and which are known for the production of alcohol, must be commended for promoting non-alcoholic beverages and other similar products,” the IAC said.

The IAC said it feels compelled to reiterate that alcohol must not to be promoted and consumed at the upcoming events, since some promotions have already begun openly advertising its sale.

“The IAC, therefore, urges those involved to be mindful of the negative impact these promotions would have, not only on the events and the family values intended to be fostered, but the additional challenges it poses socially.

“The IAC takes this opportunity to invite the general public to celebrate with us our 15th Grand Annual Cultural Melas (free admissions) slated for Saturday, 28th April 2018, at the Anna Regina Community ground, Essequibo, and Saturday, 5th May 2018, at the Albion Sports Complex, Berbice,” the release concluded.