A Guyanese-American, Ralph Tamesh of East Coast Demerara was re-elected as President of the New York- based Indo-Caribbean Federation of North America(ICFNA). The election meeting was well attended by community organisers and a farewell speech was given by each of the outgoing executive members. There was also a review of the current finances of the ICFNA and the activities of the organisation over the last year.
Mr. Ralph Tamesh, the outgoing President, thanked the outgoing officers for their long years of service and for the many charitable activities it conducted helping the needy including a family of five, who recently lost their home.
The organisation was founded in 1984 by individuals like Vishnu Bisram, Gora Singh, Baytoram Ramharak, Bhanu Dwarika, Karna Singh, Mahadai Das, Vishnu Bandhu, Ramesh Kalicharran, etc., to address problems of disunity among Indo-Caribbean people and to fill a vacuum in effective leadership at a time when Indo-Caribbean people were facing difficulties of adaptation in the U.S. and an onslaught of prejudicial attacks.
The aims of the ICFNA were to propagate and perpetuate Indian culture and to develop, strengthen, and promote an Indian identity.  The organisation’s mission was also to help new emigres adapt to this strange environment. The members see as their civic duty to organise the Indo-Caribbean community to help immigrants live a more productive life in America.
Among the ICFNA’s accomplishments are participation in the annual Phagwah and Diwali parades and holding of cultural variety shows for public consumption, Cultural and Beauty Pageants.  It also held many free health clinics and fun-filled trips for senior citizens as well as a Christmas luncheon. The organisation has offered financial assistance to a large number of needy people. Moreover, the association has also supported many people in Guyana for such purposes as house construction, medical treatment, education, self-employment, and regular food aid. In addition, it hosts an annual Indian Arrival Day celebration to commemorate Indian (indentured) migration to the West Indies.
The organisation also participates in the annual immigration day parade in Manhattan. The organisation publishes a newspaper, Indo-Caribbean review, highlighting its activities. They have engaged in a lot of charity activities helping victims of crime and disasters in the U.S. and internationally.  They have also organised cricket benefit matches for retired cricketers, Guyanese and other West Indian cricketers including for Bernard Julien, Raphick Jumadeen, Clive Lloyd, Alvin Kalicharran, Leonard Baichan, Romain Etwaroo, Basil Butcher, etc.
The ICFNA has contributed to an awakening in Indo-Caribbean history, culture and identity, and our place in the world.  It has also helped to harmonise relations between diverse peoples and to promote peace, understanding, and goodwill among each other. There is an atmosphere of sharing and caring among the officers. They engage in effective work.
Last Sunday’s election of officers was well attended.  The election was presided over by a respected independent community person. Of all the positions, the President and Secretary, both Guyanese, were re-elected.
Ralph Tamesh, formerly of East Coast Demerara, Guyana, was re-elected President.  Other officers are:  Lisa Edoo (Vice President), Balram Rambrich (Treasurer), Rita Persaud (Secretary), and Anushka Prabhudyal (Assist Secretary/Treasurer).  The Committee Members are: Anoop Dhanpat, Yvonne Singh, Ena Persaud, Desh Baron, and Stanley Raj.  The Board of Directors are: Jagdesh Mohunlall and Frank Singh.  All the positions are for a one-year term.
Mr. Tamesh welcomed the incoming executive.  He urged them to stay focused on achieving the goals and aims of the organisation. He said the organisation faces a lot of   issues and he appealed for community involvement to take them up.
Vice-President Lisa Edoo, a hard-working media and real estate person, lauded the achievements of the organisation and said it needs to do more constructive things for the welfare of the community. She pledged to work harder to achieve the goals of the organisation.  All the other executive, committee members, and board directors also pledged to ensure there is better inter-action between and among organisations as well as to work together to carry out activities beneficial to the community.