We are all in the same boat, says Ramsaran

Those who reside in the Indian Diaspora continue to make contributions, not only to the countries in which they live, but also to the well-being of the people.{{more}}

And this was the premise of the two-day Indian Diaspora conference which ended here on June 3.

According to Ashook Ramsaran, President of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) International, there were 27 million people, spanning six generations, living in the Indian Diaspora.

More specifically, Caribbean people of Indian origin resided in 12 countries and spoke four languages: French, Spanish, Dutch and English, and they arrived here between 1838 and 1917, settling in large and small countries throughout the region, he continued.

“Each with a unique feeling of oneness,” he said.

And while they are of Indian heritage, those living in the Diaspora have a national responsibility to the country and identity they belong to first.

It has been 161 years since Indians first arrived here, he said, which was a momentous occasion.

“But regardless to your origin, we all came in ships, but we are in the same boat together. Striving for common causes is on our agenda as well,” Ramsaran said.

“So, when Indians achieve, we all achieve, because we are in this together,” he continued.

Vibert Bailey, local GOPIO President, in his address during the opening ceremony on Friday, June 1, said that it was important for the Indians of St Vincent and the Grenadines to understand where they came from.

“So we would see that the light would help to remove the darkness from the corridors of our mind,” Bailey said, adding that this was important so that when the Indians move forward, they do so as a stronger people ready to move forward.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, the feature speaker, said that the Indians who resided in St Vincent and the Grenadines were not as fortunate, from a cultural standpoint, as those who reside in Trinidad and Guyana, where large numbers of Indians reside.

They were able to maintain their religious and cultural practices.

“So, in a short period of time, they lost them,” Gonsalves said.

He also spoke of the contribution made by Indians over the years to the nation.

“They are people who are highly disciplined, hard-working,” the prime minister said.

The Indians that reside here started off working on small parcels of land, much like the other ethnic groups, Gonsalves explained.

However, he said that following the Second World War, Indians living here began taking education seriously.

“They realized that education was the mechanism for social mobility and for status and that is why we have so many Indian professionals coming out of the post war period.”

According to the prime minister, there was a greater sense of confidence and self mastery by the various ethnic groups living in the country.

But this was especially true for those members of the local Indian community.

The prime minister said in his final comments that this country was currently developing relations with India.

Gonsalves announced that the names had already been submitted for the setting up of an Honourary Counsel.

“We are working on that and we are seeking to build the links,” Gonsalves said.

Hansby Lewis, President of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Indian Heritage Foundation, Dr Arnold Thomas, GOPIO International Coordinator for the Caribbean, Lucienne Sacarabany, President GOPIO Martinique, David ‘Darkie’ Williams and area representative for South Windward Frederick Stephenson also make remarks at the launch on June 1. (DD)