Dear Editor,
The Saturday was wet, windy and chilly. But nature smiled and gave us a barmy 58 degrees on Sunday, and with a cloudless sky. The weather was set fair for a parade. It was the 35th annual Phagwah Parade on Liberty Avenue, in New York. It was also the first celebration after the COVID lockdown. The community could not wait to take to the streets to usher in Spring and the renewal of hopes and aspirations for a better year. The New York Police Department Desi Group, the Mounted Police, and the marching band took to the streets.
The Phagwah Parade started thirty-five years ago by a group of selfless persons that wanted to bring Indo-Caribbeans together. The immigrant population at that time was only a handful. It was said in 1985 that for every ten blocks in Liberty Avenue there was only one Indian. Today, in one block there are over 100 Indians. The heavy in-migration led to significant changes in the community. They were evident in the business and cultural fields. West Indian stores sprung up, first in Manhattan, and then in Queens. This was followed by the founding of mandirs, mosques and churches. By 2000, home ownership increased and remittances flowed into Guyana, and other countries.
The Phagwah Parade started a decade earlier through the vision of Pandit Ramlall and Ramesh D. Kalicharran, and others. The first Parade had a total of 44 persons but the numbers kept increasing and by 2010 it was described as the largest street festival in Queens, New York, and the biggest Holi celebrations in North America. The turnout was estimated to be around 100,000 persons. This is remarkable for an immigrant community and it received a seal of approval when Mayor Michael Bloomberg visited in 2010. Former Councilman Eric Ulrich, with the help of Latchman Budhai, and others, instituted “Chowtal at City Hall” that was a staple for years.
The growing youth population has energized Richmond Hill and the adjoining areas. Young professionals are to be found in many areas of employment and are keen to be identified with the land of their parents. This was evident with the co-naming of Liberty Avenue in New York as ‘Little Guyana Avenue.” More than half of those that turned up for the occasion were young people. The same could be said for other public events such as the Diwali Motorcade and Ramayana in the Park. The local churches and mosques also report a growing youth population.
Last Sunday’s Phagwah Parade experienced the usual excitement with an increase in the number of floats and dignitaries. The Grand Marshals were Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar and Vedo Basdeo. Ms. Rajkumar is the only Hindu to hold elected office in New York while Ms. Basdeo has selflessly served the Hindu community for years. Jenifer rode in an open top car and sparkled as she wowed the hundreds on Liberty Avenue with her charm.
There were groups that represented a wide range of interests, including law enforcement, education, LGBTQ rights, education, and women empowerment and justice, among others. In this way the Parade has been inclusive. But there needs to be a revisit to the rules of the parade that asks for no alcohol, or the playing of music, other than Holi songs on the day.
There can be no denying that the day belonged to the community. They came out in thousands to witness magnificent floats, spectacular dances, chowtal, and songs that reflect the Holi celebration. As is usual, the elected officials had their say too, from a Senator to members of the Assembly. The most prominent of them was New York Senator Chuck Schumer who praised the Guyanese, Trinidadian, Surinamese, and Indian communities for their contribution, and for making America rich in its diversity.
The icing on the cake occurred late in the day when Mayor Eric Adams visited. He was decked in Indian attire and was escorted to the stage by Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar. Mayor Adams played Phagwah with the audience and thanked the community for keeping its culture alive. The vagaries of New York’s weather were felt when the skies opened up, rains fell, and the chill took over. But it was on the Monday, the day after the Parade!
Sincerely,
Dhanpaul Narine