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Picture on the left shows President Bharrat Jagdeo (fourth from right) being escorted into the Indian Monument Gardens by Chairman of the Indian Arrival Commemoration Committee, Mr. Yesu Persaud (third from right) and others






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President
hails indomitable spirit of early
immigrants
(MESSAGE
OF HIS EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT BHARRAT JAGDEO ON INDIAN ARRIVAL DAY- 5 MAY
2003).
I am extremely pleased to join the nation in observing the anniversary
of the arrival of East Indians to our country. We are a diverse nation; our
nation has been peopled by various ethnic groups who over the course of our
history came from different lands and who transposed their cultures to this
land, in the process diversifying and enriching the cultural mosaic of Guyana.
The arrival of the vessel bringing the first East Indians to our shores was
indeed a watershed event in the history of Guyana. From this beginning, the
East Indian community has grown from strength to strength, making an
indispensable contribution to the development- economic, social and religious-
of our country.
I hail the indomitable spirit of these early
immigrants. They came with a pioneering spirit to a land of which they
knew very little but to which they were prepared to dedicate their energies in
order to make a good life for themselves and their families. They came here
with a conviction to struggle and to work hard, hoping that their offspring
and generations to come would benefit from their sacrifice.
Life was not easy for these immigrants and their descendants. But theirs was a
spirit that would not succumb to disillusionment. They continued to carve out
a place for themselves in this land and have distinguished themselves in all
aspects of our national life.
Despite occasional problems, East Indians have generally co-existed
harmoniously with the other ethnic groups in Guyana, and therefore on this
auspicious occasion, I reiterate the need for all our people to live together
in peace and unity. I also wish to reiterate our position that the Government
sees our rich ethnic diversity as an asset.
I wish to extend greetings to all Guyanese, especially the East Indian
community on the occasion of the 165th anniversary of the arrival of East
Indians to Guyana.
`
The programme featured a fusion of rich cultural items in song and dance, with Invocation Dances by Nadira Shaw and the Indian Culture Centre Dance Group, performance by the Best Village Mandir Group; reflections, narrations, and exhibition and sale of Indian cultural dishes and condiments among other items.