The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Indian heritage foundation is preparing to host a series of activities from this weekend, to commemorate the 158th anniversary of the arrival of the first Indian indentured labourers to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Indian Arrival Day declared by an act of parliament in 2007 and has been celebrated each year since then with a series of events to mark the occasion.
Speaking today on WE FM’s Wake Up Morning program, President of the Foundation Junior Bacchus said they will begin their celebrations on June 1st with a church service at the Calder Seventh Day Adventist Church to be attended by the executive, members, and other well-wishers..
He noted that on the morning of June 2nd at 8:30 AM, a boat will leave Blue Lagoon and sail into Indian Bay for a re-enactment of the arrival of the first Indians to SVG. Upon arrival at Indian Bay, those onboard will disembark, line up, get “registered” and presented with a certificate bearing their names. Before the end of the proceedings, brief remarks will come from the President of the Foundation, Mr Junior Bacchus.
In the afternoon, the celebrations will culminate with a family afternoon at Rawacou, where the main attraction will be a visiting group of twenty-six dancers from Suriname. During the ceremony, addresses will come from the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition with the featured address by historian Dr. Adrian Fraser.
During the ceremony, the foundation will officially launch its website svgihf.org, which will serve as a communication hub for the organization locally and in the diaspora.
The celebrations will conclude with the honoring of several Indo-Vincentians who have made significant contributions to the development of St Vincent and the Grenadines in various fields. Indian food will also be on sale for those who wish to have a taste of authentic Indian cuisine.
