— virtual symposium titled ‘India-Guyana Relations from 1838 to 2021’ hears

HIGH Commissioner of India to Guyana, Dr. K.J. Srinivasa in delivering opening remarks at a virtual symposium titled, “India-Guyana Relations from 1838 to 2021” on Thursday last boasted of longstanding cooperation enjoyed by the two countries and enticed the audience with future projects to be rolled out.

India will be celebrating its 75th anniversary of independence on August 12, 2022 and in anticipation of the monumental and historic occasion, the Government of India is organising a number of events worldwide.

As part of these celebrations and on the occasion of Indian Arrival Day, the High Commission of India in Guyana in association with the University of Guyana organised the virtual symposium which was held on Thursday last.

A press release from the High Commission of India in Guyana noted that the High Commissioner comprehensively informed the audience about India-Guyana relations in various fields and the present status of cooperation between the two nations pertaining to several projects

In making his point, he highlighted many significant infrastructural projects between the two countries, such as construction of the Providence Cricket Stadium; road construction from Diamond to Ogle; the supply of solar energy/household solar panels for 30,000 houses in hinterland/rural community and the supply of heavy-duty irrigation and drainage pumps to Guyana.

He also indicated a broad spectrum of areas for future collaboration, which includes an Electronic Medical Patient Record (EMR) System; fruit processing and bio-degradable ware and collaboration in agriculture with the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI). High Commissioner Srinivasa also mentioned that India’s discussions on the purchase of oil from Guyana are in the advanced stage

Guyana will also see deputation of sugar experts, legal experts, specialists in the field of Sustainable Aquaculture Management and Development and fisheries experts from India, and assistance with electoral reforms, media training and air force training, to name a few.

The High Commissioner’s speech was followed by remarks from Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Dr Paloma Mohamed-Martin, who highlighted that a number of Guyanese who were educated in India occupy important positions in Guyana and are contributing to the country’s development.

The symposium consisted of two panels; the first panel comprised Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud; Governor of the Bank of Guyana, Dr Gobind Ganga; Alim Hosein, Lecturer, University of Guyana; Tota Mangar, historian and Ravi Dev, Media Consultant and of the Hindus for Selfless Service (HSS) Sanghachalak.

The first panel held discussions on progress of relations between Guyana and India in several fields including culture, economy, diaspora relations and common history since the arrival of East Indians as indentured labourers in 1838 and how this contributed to the progress of Guyana.

The second panel comprised Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Vikash Ramkissoon; Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) R.K. Sharma; Dean, Texila American University, Dr Dheeraj Bansal; Lecturer, University of Guyana, Dr Taijrani Rampersaud, and Director, Department of Events, Conferences, and Communication (DECC), University of Guyana, Jainarine Deonauth, some of whom discussed the experiences of their stay in India for pursuing studies.

“Overall, both the panelists concluded that India and Guyana always had very cordial relations in all possible sectors for almost two centuries and the relations are getting better and stronger with the passage of time. The symposium concluded with the wishes from all panelists for continuation of same good relations between the two countries,” the press release noted.