Dear Editor,
If we are to move forward as One People, it is important that this generation be not encircled with a historical narrative that is destructive and inaccurate, oft times repeated and believed by innocent people based on an old propaganda ploy.
I briefly refer to the report appearing in the highly respected Stabroek News dated November 22, 2024, written by Milton Grannum and titled “ I felt a spiritual connection with one of the most vibrant democracies in the Caribbean’ – Modi – a condition when Indian immigrants came to Guyana was that the British established a fund known as the ‘Indian Immigration Fund,’ so that at the end of their indentureship they could draw on this fund to facilitate their return to India.
Records showed that a small number took advantage of this facility. In 1926, a high-ranking Indian, Pandit Sharma came to British Guiana and held a series of meetings with East Indians, the largest being a meeting in Meten-Meer-Zorg.
After reviewing conditions in India and British Guiana at that time, he advised them to make their home in British Guiana. Facts showed that the Indians stated here, worked hard, clung to their religious and cultural foundations, practised deferred gratification and with the help of others opted to stay here. The result was that no one drew on this fund for several decades.
With the approach of CARIFESTA, the idea to build a National Cultural Centre surfaced. The idea was to harmonise the strands of our Amerindian, African, Chinese, Indian, Portuguese and European forms in songs, dance, poetry, etc. Burnham consulted the leaders of the Indian Organisations, Sase Narine, Gowkarran Sharma, representatives of certain mosques, such as Hyatt Ali and others.
It was agreed as a sort of token that small sums languishing in the treasury will be used . I can’t access the records but the sum from the Immigration Fund was no more than five to ten percent of the cost to build the National Cultural Centre we see today.
The only controversy was a politically inspired Statement from Freedom House who for years persuaded Indo Guyanese to stay away from the National Cultural Centre. It is therefore, for me gratifying that an event was held there as part of the welcome for the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi. I have no doubt the author of the article meant well, but as one who was involved in all aspects of the Cultural Centre including performances for CARIFESTA, when they used palms as the roofing and side of the Cultural Centre, only the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth can set us free.
Yours faithfully,
Hamilton Green
Elder