Anniversary of indentureship abolition was adequately covered

Apr 09, 2017 Letters

Dear Editor,
I write in response to letters by certain “Indian activists” who claim that activities to mark the Centenary of the ending of indentured labour were poorly covered by the newspapers. I must confess that in all the media, this year’s Phagwah celebrations had received the widest coverage which also highlighted the multi-ethnic participation. I have also read a number of articles in the newspapers on various events about the end of Indian indentureship in Guyana.
This observance was elevated to a national event by H.E David Granger, president of Guyana, in his address to the Nation to mark Guyana’s Republic Anniversary in February. Then on Sunday March 5, 2017 ‘ “we are better off now” says Prime Minister Moses. V. Nagamootoo’ was a lead story on the event, held at the National Cultural Centre where yjr Guyana Indian Indentureship Abolition Association (GIAA) hosted a programme to observe the Centennial anniversary of the end of indentureship in Guyana. Coverage was also given on a dinner function hosted by the Indian High Commissioner.
On the said March 5 2017 “Indentureship and the Indian Guyanese narrative of suffering and victimization” was a feature article by Dr David Hinds; on Indian conditions and contributions. I wish to bullet- point other coverage in the media, as follows:-
· Sunday March 5,2017 Prime Minister lauds contributions of Indians to Guyana’s development
· Monday March 6 2017 “Indian Immigration transformed Guyana” says President Granger at Leonora to observe the 100th year of the abolition of indentureship in Guyana.
· Tuesday March 7 2017 “Ethnic accusations” editorial addressed issues raised in the public event to mark 100th anniversary and also reiterated the achievements of Indians to Guyana’s development.
· Tuesday March 7 “Ravi Dev responds to David Hinds” in relation to the article titled “Indentureship and the Indian Guyanese narrative of suffering and victimization”
· Thursday March 16 2017 “sugar won’t close’ PM urges union to be a part of the solution. Minister KhemrajRamjattan in his presentation stated that “the martyrdom of March 13 epitomizes the resistances of Indians on the plantation and was a part of the epic of struggle for improved living and working conditions.
· Saturday March 18″Indian arrival monument sign unveiled”
However, there were some other activities that should have been covered, for example, on March 12, 2017 at Mahaica, there was an event organized by IAC and Virat Sabha. The honorable George Norton Minister of Social Cohesion was present at this event but I did not see any coverage of it.
It is insensitive for anyone to suggest that there is ethnic exclusion in Guyana, and lay blame on a Government that is not even two years in office. Also, the charge of marginalization of Indo Guyanese would really indict the former PPP Government, as it had been in office for an undisturbed period of twenty three years.
Carlyle Goring

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