Indian Guyanese thrive on the sacrifices of Indian Indentured Immigrants

Indian Guyanese thrive on the sacrifices of Indian Indentured Immigrants

Today commemorates 187 years since the first arrival of Indian Indentured Immigrants to then British Guiana. It is through the hard work, sacrifice, fortitude and perseverance of these Indian immigrants who came as labourers that the current Indian Guyanese population thrives, recognized or unrecognized. We, descendants of Indian Ancestors have a duty to honor and celebrate their lives and sacrifices not only today, but at all times.

As Hindu descendants, let us pledge to preserve our great heritage, religion, culture and tradition which our ancestors brought with them and which could have not been thrown overbroad during their arduous voyage to British Guiana.

Our fore parents brought Bhagavaan (God) or Bhagavaan accompanied them to their new home. They brought the Bhasha—Sanskrit and Hindi languages to praise Bhagavaan along with Bhajans (hymns) and Bhakti (devotion) to glorify and worship the Lord. They brought Bhojan—food in varieties which are most distinguished and have shaped our national taste buds in many ways. Most importantly, they brought Bhakti—unceasing love for God; devotion to truth, perseverance, fortitude and commitment to the higher values of life. These are some of the things as we celebrate today, we must commit and recommit ourselves to preserve and protect.