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Arrival Day or Indian Arrival Day?

May 06, 2017 News

For several years, Indian-Guyanese groups had been agitating for a public holiday to commemorate the arrival of their ancestors to this land.
The issue was debated extensively in the letters pages and editorials of the national press.
The issue was finally submitted to a Parliamentary Committee and after extensive written and oral submissions from groups and individuals, it recommended that Indian Arrival Day be declared a national holiday. This was in 2003, reports have shown.
It was contended that the holiday would assist in nation-building by reminding the other groups making up the Guyanese mosaic of their impact and contribution to this land. This was expected, in effect, to increase social capital.
The issue was taken to the National Assembly. Somewhere between the recommendation and the Presidential assent to the Bill, the holiday was declared and designated “Arrival Day”.
The National Assembly took the decision to widen the significance of the day to encompass other ethnic groups that had also “arrived”.
However, the question lurks whether the populace understands the significance of May 5; whether it is day that has been designated for the arrival of Indians or the arrival of all races. Or is it one of the same?
Recently, the Portuguese arrival was recognised with May 3 being designated Portuguese Arrival Day.
May 5 is Indian Arrival Day. During one of the celebrations a very controversial pamphlet became the subject of much debate after the phrase: “Dress-Walk-Talk-East Indian” was highlighted.
The pamphlet advertised an event that was held in Diamond last evening. The event organised by a Mandir and a private entertainer and was graced by over 250 to 300 persons. Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan and the Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, also attended.
Kaieteur News visited the event and spoke to one of the organisers who explained that the phrase was not meant to insult but rather, to serve as a “catchphrase”.
He said that the phrase was not meant to sow discord and as if to solidify his assertion, he pointed out that the event was held in a multi-ethnic community.
The ambiguity over the holiday has also been seemingly inherited by politicians.
Minister Ramjattan during his remarks called for national unity and then wished participants “Happy Indian Arrival Day”.

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