SVG to mark Indian Arrival Day on June 1

After an absence of two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the St Vincent and the Grenadines Indian Heritage Foundation, (SVGIHF), will mark the 161st anniversary of the arrival of 2,474 Indians from India to St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), during the years 1861 to 1880.

Each year, the SVG Indian Heritage Foundation (SVGIHF), commemorates Indian Arrival Day on June 1 with a package of activities including a re-enactment of Indians, their families and friends dressed in Indian wear, arriving on a boat at Indian Bay, followed by breakfast.

A rally at Rawacou with addresses from dignitaries, and cultural performances featuring overseas artistes from Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and India, and SVG has also formed part of the celebrations.

This year, as an added feature, the Foundation will present the second series of eight interviews with Indian elders namely: Egbert Thomas of Calder; Bertram Lewis of Villa; Eleise Morgan-Rodney of Salt Pond/Brighton; Dennis Deane of Akers; Avil Bullock of Calder and Neta Lewis of Rose Bank. Also in the listing are Edward “Karal” Williams- Gravesend of Kent, U.K, and Teroy Thomas of High Wycombe/Bucks, U.K.The first set of interviews with the Indian Elders was done in 2020 involving: Theresa Jack, and Sonny Deane (now deceased), Sadie Bowman; Winston Bacchus; Patrick Deane; Walter Bacchus; Noel Soleyn; and Elise Williams.

The Foundation said: “ The fascinating stories were recorded and shared in the media”, and it was decided to continue with a second set, “as we found that so many of them with rich stories were passing on without sharing their valuable experiences”.

The second series of interviews will be released two per week during June starting on Wednesday June 1,2022.

“We sincerely thank all who have been instrumental in making this project a reality, for capturing the exciting and intriguing stories of our Indian Elders,” the SVGIHF said in the release.

This year’s re-enactment of the arrival of Indians will begin at 7.00 a.m. A boat will leave a location and arrive at Indian Bay, where there will be registration of the ‘newly arrived Indians’, dressed in Indian wear. This will be followed by an official ceremony, photo shoot and breakfast that will be served to all in attendance.