By Jeune Bailey Van Keric

MINISTER of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton has announced that the Indian Arrival Monument at T Junction, Palmyra, Corentyne, Berbice will be commissioned on April 17. The announcement was made during a site visit on Thursday.
The monument was built in commemoration of the arrival of East Indians from India to these shores in 1838.

The mounted bronze memorial consists of artistic sculpted metal, depicting the lives of the Indians in their routine everyday life. Each figure carries something of importance — a jahaji bhandal (ship bundle) loaded with food, spices, herbs, clothing, jewellery, their deities, religious texts and drum; a karahi (cooking pan) tawa (flat circular metal for cooking roti); grass knives (scythe); a cutlass and rice plants. The figures are presented in a straightforward realism with the human factor ever present.

During his visit, Minister Norton observed that there were minor areas which need improvement but the general presentation of the site is excellent.

Public viewing of the monument will be allowed after April 17th and while an entry cost has not been decided on as yet, Chief Executive Officer of the National Trust of Guyana, Nirvana Persaud, who accompanied the minister, explained that such a fee may be discussed so as to allow for the maintenance of the site.

The US$150,000 project features six bronze statues depicting three men, two women and a child. The monument was designed by local sculptors, Winslow Craig and Philbert Gajadhar.
After the initial monument, which was constructed under the previous administration, crumbled, the Indian Government decided to lend financial support for its rebuilding. The process was spearheaded by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

Following the official opening, the monument will be handed over to the Ministry of the Presidency, Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport.
On Wednesday, Dr Norton spearheaded an engagement with Indian High Commissioner, Venkatachalam Mahalingam to discuss the hosting of the opening ceremony.

The discussions held at the minister’s Main Street, Georgetown office, centred on the contents of the agenda for the opening ceremony, including the proposed cultural items, prayer, and speeches.

The meeting also addressed concerns pertaining to the text and format of the monument’s commemoration plaque, as well as the hoisting of the Indian flag at the monument site.
On May 5, 2015,  at an Indian Arrival Day pilgrimage at Plantation Highbury, East Bank Berbice, Ambassador Mahalingam announced the proposed erection of the monument and was greeted with loud applause from the gathering there.

Then, the diplomat noted that since his arrival to Guyana in September 2014, he had been working in collaboration with the local Ministry of Culture to establish an Indian Arrival Monument.