We honour our ancestors who crossed the Kala Pani 184 years ago. The first ship, the Whitby, that brought indian indentured servants to this land sailed from the ports of Calcutta and landed here on 5th May, 1838 at Plantation Highbury.

History had framed their journey in portraits so one day we could find the connection to the motherland.

My great, great grandparents, Kowlesure and Gunais from Uttar Pradesh, North of India, near to Nepal and China, came to these shores of British Guiana in 1887 aboard the ship Foyle.

They were allocated to Plantation Port Mourant.

They had come a long way from the poor, dusty village of Mother India, sailing for months under inhuman conditions, as poor souls who died during the long journey were tossed into the sea.

Desperate men and women had followed a dream for a better life, that in their eyes was painted in bright colours. But the naked reality when their bare feet touched this green land splashed shades of grey on the picture.

The blood, sweat and tears under indentureship rule and their unbroken resolve kept alive their culture and religion as they paved smooth paths, creating footholds for a progressive future, a legacy we the East Indians of today have inherited.

The portrait over the century was repainted in a hue of colours.