Today, we celebrate the true essence of our nation – our ancestors and their arrival to these shores. Guyana is a product of six peoples – Our First Peoples, the Amerindians, along with the Europeans, Africans, Portuguese, Chinese and East Indians. Together, they birthed a culturally distinct nation, and as we bask in the glory of all that we are as a people, it is important that we honour of ancestors, who transformed a land that witnessed their blood, sweat and tears, into a place that each of us can now find solace.

I believe that even before we attempted to become ‘One People’ of ‘One Nation’, we were all following ‘One destiny’. It seems more than a mere coincident that six very different peoples, with their own cultures, traditions and beliefs could be so neatly amalgamated to create one single identity – that of the Guyanese. I describe it as sheer brilliance, perhaps orchestrated by a divine force.

Arrival of the East Indians
May 5th calls for double celebration, as it marks the 180th anniversary since the arrival of the first batch of Indian Immigrants. They came as Indentured labourers in 1838, on two ships – S.S. Whitby and the Hesperus. Between the years 1838 and 1917, a total of 240,000 Indians arrived. They weathered the cruelties of indentureship, and when that system ended more than a century ago, approximately 70 percent of the Indian Immigrants who came, chose to persevere and make Guyana their home. Today, their descendants account for approximately 40% of the country’s population, and have made invaluable contributions to the growth of every facet of this nation – academically, politically, culturally, etc.

The Indian culture is an integral part of Guyana’s vibrant identity – from the foods and clothing to the religions and holidays. Guyanese of Indian origins have been successful in keeping their traditions and practices alive, while remaining respectful of those of their brothers and sisters of different ancestry. On this occasion of Arrival Day, let us all pledge to intensify our roles in building this nation. Our ancestors did that for us, and we now, owe it to those who may come after. Let us unite to build our country.