THE High Commission of India in Guyana marked the 74th Independence Day of India at Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Georgetown, Guyana on Saturday morning.
High Commissioner of India, Dr K.J. Srinivasa, hoisted the national flag of India in the presence of few Indian nationals. In order to follow the COVID-19 related health protocols and social distancing norms, the event was restricted to the members of the Indian High Commission and other Government of India agencies operating in Guyana.

The Independence Day-2020 was live streamed through the Facebook page of the Mission for the benefit of the Indian nationals and diaspora in Guyana, Antigua & Barbuda, St. Kitts & Nevis and Anguilla. High Commissioner, Srinivasa read the address to the Nation by President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, elaborating various aspects of life in India, its freedom struggle and foundation of modern India, its fight against coronavirus, improvement of public health services and health infrastructure, acceleration of developments in science and technology, e-learning and distance education and the new National Education Policy of India among others.

The President’s address also reflected upon the assistance of medicines, medical supplies, equipment like ventilators, PPEs, etc. extended by India to various countries across the globe for combating coronavirus pandemic. Dr. Srinivasa also addressed the Indian community and friends and well-wishers of India and made brief remarks on the progress and achievements of India in various sectors and the current global profile of India.

He also referred to the assistance of medicines and medical equipment being provided by the Government of India to the Government and people of Guyana to fight COVID-19. He mentioned about the recent assistance of medicine (10,000 Hydroxychloroquine tablets) and US$1M to the Government of Antigua and Barbuda for combating COVID-19 pandemic by improving health infrastructure and capacities in Antigua and Barbuda.
Antigua and Barbuda had also received Indian help of US$1.1M post Hurricane Irma for rehabilitation of the Hannah Thomas Hospital, which has been officially opened by Gaston Brown, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, on August 14, 2020.

He also spoke about the recent assistance of life-saving medicines and medical supplies worth US$ 100,000 and 10,000 Hydroxychloroquine tablets to the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis as a gesture of goodwill in support of its fight against COVID-19.

Besides, India is currently working on a proposal to extend an assistance of US$1M to the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis for improving its health infrastructure and capacity to fight COVID-19. India is also providing the same level of assistance, i.e. US$1M, to each CARICOM country. The 74th Independence Day of India was culminated with a talk by renowned academician and scholar, Evan Radhay Persaud of the Indian Action Committee on the topic “The Influence of Indian Freedom Struggle on Guyana”. The impressive talk was greatly appreciated by the attendees of the event