Indian Arrival Day is a national holiday in Guyana, and that is a very well known fact. What is not so well known is the fact that the first ship, the SS Whitby, with 128 Indians aboard, landed at Plantation Highbury on the east bank of the Berbice River, about 20 miles from New Amsterdam.
Before I say anything further on the subject, let me reflect on a grand memorial service that was held not too long ago at Babu John, Port Mourant on the Corentyne Coast, to pay tribute to the late Dr and Mrs Jagan. It was a well-attended ceremony where people from all walks of life travelled great distances to be there. President Bharrat Jagdeo was also there. Two things were notable about the memorial service for those two great persons: there was just one service held and it was held at the site where they were both cremated – Babu John – and not the National Park or even the Botanical Gardens. While it is true that there was a very large crowd present, it is also true that not all the supporters of the PPP were there, and because they were both presidents of Guyana, all Guyanese should have joined in the celebration. However, not all of Guyana was there – and that is quite acceptable.
Now back to Indian Arrival Day. There has been for many years now a group of persons who do their best to have a celebration at Plantation Highbury every year. It used to be on the most convenient day nearest to May 5, prior to that day being declared a national holiday; and now it is on May 5 because that day has been declared a national holiday. What is yanking at my sanity is the fact that the Indian Arrival Committee (IAC), which is the nationally recognised group to celebrate the arrival of Indians, has never held a celebration at Plantation Highbury. Not only have they not held a celebration at Highbury, they have never assisted or even had a member attend the celebrations there.
The Highbury celebrations take the form of an Indian cultural presentation, with songs and dances by some of the best in the business, skits and a guest lecturer. There is no chutney song or dance. Transportation is provided free of cost to those who want to attend and cannot provide their own. Lunch and soft drinks are provided and those are also free. (Now, the group caters for at least 4000 meals, and funds come strictly from donations received from the public.) There is no entrance fee, and at least 2500 seats are provided for the visitors. I must say that the Berbice police have done a fine job in providing assistance with traffic and the crowd. So why is it that the IAC is not a part of this celebration?
The IAC is a money-making entity. They hold a regular fair, and call it Indian Arrival Day celebrations. They have celebrations in Georgetown, Berbice and Essequibo and they provide nothing for free. They have a gate or entrance fee and yet those who support the fair do not know what they spend the money on. Why can they not team up with the Highbury people and have a grand celebration to mark the arrival of Indians in Guyana, and why not have it at Highbury?
I have spoken to a few of the executive members and asked that they do not hold their celebrations in Berbice on the same day that the celebrations are held at Highbury, so as not to detract from the sanctity of the occasion. They have celebrations the following week or the preceding week in Georgetown and Essequibo, so why can’t they hold their fair in Berbice on one of those dates and leave the May 5 celebrations at Highbury for those who want to attend something historic? Then they can also attend.
Equally sad about the way the IAC is doing its thing is that they have boasted that they get more people at Albion than the people who turn out at Highbury, and they have the support of government and the region.
I wonder what it would be like to have a memorial service for the late President Burnham at Babu John, or maybe a memorial day service for the late Presidents Janet and Cheddi at the Botanical Gardens in Georgetown? Maybe I should form a presidents’ memorial committee and ask Neaz, Radhay, Danny and Jagdish to join me. I am sure we will make some money.
The four people named are responsible for the celebrations held in the name of Indian Arrival Day and they ought to have enough dignity to join in the celebrations at Highbury or at least not run a competition with those who truly celebrate the arrival of Indians at the first landing site in Guyana.
Yours faithfully,
Charrandass Persaud
