Indian Arrival Day
Thousands celebrated at Joe Vieira Park
Thousands turned out at the Joe Vieira Park last Sunday to celebrate the 165th Anniversary of the arrival of East Indians to Guyana.
The event, hosted by the Indian Religious Cultural and Social Organisation, featured a variety of cultural activities and competitions, including tassa drumming, floats and an Indian Rani Pageant. According to the Government Information Agency (GINA), President Bharrat Jagdeo in his feature address reiterated the importance of keeping one's culture, noting that many young people are ignorant of their culture. He also reminded those present that their ancestors had been through a lot and survived, urging them to live up to their ancestry. GINA stated that the President once again gave his promise to have May 5 made a national holiday.
The programme featured dancers from the Indian Cultural Centre among others and performances by the Best Village Mandir Group. The Indian Rani Pageant featured seven contestants wearing traditional outfits worn by East Indians in the early 19th century and was won by fourteen-year-old Addevi Sookram from Bishop's High School. She walked away with $50,000 and a trophy, portraying a typical rice farmer in the 1950's. First runner-up was Poonam Mohan

Saturday May 10, 2003