Today is Indian Arrival Day. It marks the arrival of the first Indian indentured laborers in Trinidad in 1845.
The first ship to arrive in Trinidad was the Fatel Razack, which left Calcutta on 16 February 1845 and sailed into the Bay of Paris on 30 May 1845, with 227 emigrants on board. By the time the practice of Indentureship was finally banned in 1917, over 147,000 Indians had arrived in Trinidad. They eventually assimilated and integrated into the national landscape – with their own culture, cuisine, customs and habits.
Among the prominent people who hailed Indian Arrival Day were Kitchens, who said: “Many of my colleagues are Indian. We tap into each other’s reservoir of knowledge and skills. When we are in wards or emergency rooms, we don’t have time to focus on ethnicity, race or class. We are there to look after the patients and make sure everything goes smoothly. We have been ‘brothers’ for many years and that will never change. Our Indo-Trinidadian doctors and nurses are among the brightest and most caring in the country. Happy Advent Day to all my Indo-Trinidadian friends, community and nation. God bless us all.”
Minister in the Ministry of Education Lisa Morris-Julian said: “I am a (Gen D’ Arime), which means ‘real Arima people’. The Morrises grew up alongside the Maharajs, Singhs and Fordes. We all shared our meals and looked after each other. Arima is a truly cosmopolitan municipality and a model of integration. I appreciate the rich diversity that Indo-Trinidadians brought to our country. The Indo-Trinidadian community is a rich part of our tapestry. Let us be our brothers’ keepers and move forward in a spirit of love and unity. I wish the Indo-Trinidadian community and our blessed nation a Happy Indian Arrival Day.”
La Ciudad De Brazil Christmas Association Secretary Constance Nanhoo-Coker said: “I wish the Indo-Trinidadian community a Happy Advent Day. I admire the work ethic of my late parents (Babwah and Councillia). They encourage their children to work hard and make a better life for themselves. I like to cook roast meat like duck and roti. I like to dance to chutney music.”
“I encourage all children and young people to read passionately about the contributions of various ethnic groups—including the Indo-Trinidads. They would gain a deeper appreciation for the labor of love that went into developing our nation. I like to read Indian folk tales. I admire the work of retired history professor Dr Brinsley Samaroo, who had mapped the contribution of Indians to the Caribbean,” added Nanhoo-Coker.
Economic stress
Former Planning Minister Dr Bhoe Tewarie said: “I take this opportunity to wish all Trinidadians a Happy Indian Arrival Day. I hope the approach to the holiday is one of unity, cohesion and national purpose. It is clear from talking to people in the community Indian that they feel a sense of pressure and worry at this time. This is also typical of many people in the urban environment who have seen great hardship post-Covid-19 and who are finding themselves in great difficulty trying to make ends meet. “
Tewarie added: “The Indian community feels under pressure in a number of areas such as agriculture and food production where they want to contribute. But they feel unappreciated. The other is in the educational achievements that children and young people strive to achieve. But they feel that their achievements are viewed with doubt and skepticism.”
“A third area in which they feel a certain pressure has to do with small and medium-sized enterprises. They feel that not enough attention has been paid to this sector during the period of Covid-19, and in this period where everyone is hoping for a recovery. In addition, there is a general concern in society due to economic stress almost everywhere – from the middle class to people who are unemployed and underemployed. This is a feeling that permeates society regardless of ethnicity. The challenge is to create the conditions for recovery. There is a need for shared prosperity and political inclusion in order to alleviate this sense of anxiety and worry about the present and the future,” Tewarie added.
St Augustine’s Campus Assistant Lecturer in the Department of History, Dr Aakeil Murray, said: “We are grateful for the significant contributions they have made – not just in food, music and dance, but in the general realms of education, business and politics. . We have examples like former prime ministers Basdeo Panday and Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Then the late former president Noor Hassanali.”
“We can take example and be proud of their ability to fight against the colonial system that did not suit their cultural practices and belief systems. They were able to organize and protest; thus ensuring the preservation and legalization of their culture and beliefs. They were able to perform cremations in the open air and marry according to Hindu rites. They have shown themselves to be resilient and hardworking,” added Murray.
Veteran calypsonian and historian Dr Hollis Liverpool (Chalkdust), who is also a 2019 recipient of the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, said: “The Indo-Trinidads have arrived and they have ‘stirred up’ the world of carnivals, calypso and culture. They have influenced him tremendously and positively. Not just in the names of East Indian communities, but in their cuisine and storytelling. When we study the culture of Trinidad and Tobago, we must understand and acknowledge their contributions.”
He added: “The late Ras Shorty I (Garfield Blackman) experimented with Bhojpuri rhythms and created soca. He was described as the ‘inventor of soca’. The late Claude and Frank Martineau, promoters at Spektakula, brought the Indo-Trinidads to the tent. He brought in artist Chris Garcia to sing ‘Chutney Bacchanal’. The Indians have played their part and we wish them the best.”
Outstanding contribution
Carapo Shiv Mandir President Naresh Timal said: “I greet the Indo-Trinidadian community for a Happy Advent Day. I thank all those who helped us stand up after the vandals desecrated our temple. We have forgiven them. I I admire the endurance and perseverance of our ancestors as they made the journey across the kali pani (dark waters) from India. We have contributed immensely to the landscape of Trinidad and Tobago.”
Sancho Francisco, fashion photographer and son of the iconic calypsonian Sparrow (Slinger Francisco), said: “I have many Indo-Trinidadian friends. I greet you Advent Day and salute their excellent contribution. My father has created several songs with chutney and spicy lyrics. He took the time to honor the Indo-Trinidadian community and pay homage to their language, using words like closet and kitchen. “Sexy Marajhin” is by far the most popular and popular song. It’s number one among his fans.”
Former commerce minister Vasant Bharath, who has lived and worked in India, said: “We share many common experiences that have allowed us to become a melting pot that we can be proud of. Indo-Trinidadians continue to maintain cultural practices that have enriched our society. The people who left India to seek a better life for themselves are the real entrepreneurs. India is a fascinating country. You have the very rich and the very poor. The crime rate it is very low, simply because they accept it as part and parcel of their destiny (karma).
“On this occasion, let us celebrate the courage and foresight of our ancestors. They created a better life for themselves and in doing so helped build a stronger and better nation. We thank them profusely for their tremendous contribution,” added Bharath.
