IN observance of the 185 years since the arrival of Indians to Guyana, persons from all walks of life gathered at Highbury, in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) to commemorate their fore-parents who came here on boats as indentured labourers.

The event was organised by the Berbice Indian Arrival Committee, and was held in the area where the first boat landed.

Those gathered were treated to a rich cultural programme that depicted the diversity of the Indian culture. There were songs, classical dance performances and skits that portrayed life on the plantation in the early days.

Regional Chairman David Armogan reflected on the journey and sacrifices that were made, and noted that despite the hardships they endured, the Indians who came were a contented group of people.

He emphasised that it is for this reason it is important for the descendants to always reflect on how they persevered with whatever little they had.

Further, he said that the sacrifices made by the ancestors have laid the foundation for the thriving Indian community in Guyana today, and it is their duty to continue to preserve and promote their traditions for generations to come.

“They were contented people, and we (the descendants) should also be contented people. Today, there are many things we learn from our ancestors. One of those is resiliency. We do not give up easily. We work very hard. We build on what we have and above all, we are resistant to people who try to exploit us. These are the things we were taught. We were taught courage; we were taught to stand up to people. Today, they must be proud of us. Wherever they are, they are looking down on Guyana today. They would recognise their sacrifices have not gone in vain because we the descendants of these people have done very well for ourselves and have made Guyana into what it is today; a proud country that is now accelerating towards moving to first world standard,” he said.

In continuing, he said that as we celebrate our ancestors, “we can never forget the roles our ancestors played in the building of Guyana, the then Guyana and [in] the now modern Guyana, we are continuing that work they have started…Today, we are building on that. Today, we are proud of them. Today, we continue the kind of culture they left with us.”

According to Armogan, a people without a culture is a lost people.

“So, we are very proud. We are very fortunate that our ancestors left with us a great culture; a culture of music, dance, food, worship, rituals, functions,” he added.

The Indian High Commissioner to Guyana Dr. K. J Srinivasta, who was present at the function, also spoke about the struggles of those who made the journey, but persevered and managed to remain grounded to their roots.

“I believe we should take lesson from that unique history of the people that came that despite their extreme hardships they were determined, they endured and persevered and overcame their circumstances even their own survival but they always worked hard to maintain their sense of origin, their traditions and culture,” he said.

After reflecting on some of the achievements made since that journey 185 years, he said: “Their children, grandchildren and their descendants will always take pride in these unique achievements of theirs and recognise their sacrifices and achievements they made on their behalf.”

He reassured those present that not only will his country continue to work with the Government of Guyana, but with every Guyanese so that more people can benefit and learn more about people of Indian origin and their achievements.

Meanwhile, Minister of Human Services and Social Security Dr. Vindhya Persaud, and Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water Susan Rodrigues attended a similar event at Palmyra, which is also located in Region Six. The Indian High Commissioner was also in attendance.