On May 5, 2007 Guyana commemorated the 169th anniversary of the first arrival of Indian laborers who came on May 5, 1838 on the ships, Whitby and Hesperus, that landed with 936 Indian indentured workers after a hazardous journey crossing from Calcutta to then British Guiana. The descendants of Indian laborers in Guyana now number over 400,000 and have contributed significantly to the development and culture of Guyana. There is an almost equal number residing in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and countries of the Caribbean region.
The Indian Commemoration Trust, chaired by Yesu Persaud, Guyanese industrialist and Chairman of GOPIO Guyana, played a major role in the commemoration activities. These included hosting an evening of culture, music and dance on the lawns of the Monument Gardens in Georgetown. There was a prayer session with recitations of a Hindu prayer, a Christian prayer as well as a Muslim prayer. In addition, the Indian Religious Cultural and Social Organization hosted its annual Arrival Day event at Vreed-en-Hoop on the West Coast of Demerara.
Persaud stated that The Indian Commemoration Trust on the 169th Anniversary of the Arrival of Indians to Guyana pays tribute to these indomitable pioneers for the sacrifices they made for this and future generations who are today making a mark not only in Guyana but in several parts of the world.
Other significant Arrival Day events include: Pushpanjali 7, an evening of mesmerizing songs and dances, hosted by the Indian Commemoration Trust on May 4; The Indian Arrival Committee Grand Cultural Melas in Albion, Berbice on May 5 at the National Park in Georgetown, on May 6 at Anna Regina and at the Community Centre Ground in Essequibo on May12; the Berbice Indian Cultural Committee celebration at Plantation Highbury in Berbice
Guyanas President Hon. Bharrat Jagdeo issued a statement on the 169th Anniversary that stated, in part Descendants of indentured laborers continue to make immense strides in the social, economic, cultural, education, political and trade union fields. Indeed they are actively engaged in every facet of life in our Guyanese society of today.
