NY Guyanese commemorated Indian Arrival

Jun 06, 2024 Letters

Dear Editor,
Indian Arrival was celebrated in New York City last Sunday June 2 with a magnificent entertainment packed cultural variety concert and a (talent) pageant that included a brilliant display of singing of Bollywood songs and sizzling dancing at the Smokey Park in Richmond Hill, Queens. Cultural talent from Guyana, Trinidad, Suriname, Jamaica, and the USA entertained an audience of hundreds. Several Punjabis and non-Indians were among the crowd drawn to the five hours of fun-filled, fantastic entertainment. Sunita Sukhram and Imran Ahmad emceed a great programme.

The celebration was planned and organised by the Indo-Caribbean Federation, a nonprofit organisation. This was the 39th annual Indian Arrival Celebration hosted by the Indo Caribbean Federation founded in 1984. Local politicians and community leaders graced the event and committed support. Unlike in Guyana, the celebration is called Indian Arrival Day, commemorating the arrival of Indians to the Caribbean and from there to USA.

According to the ICF President, Mr. Ralph Tamesh, a 36-year veteran of the organisation, the event paid homage to the immense contributions Indians have made to the Caribbean and North America. The ICF marked the 186^th anniversary since Indians first set foot in Guyana. Indians were also indentured to several other territories and thence to other parts of the Caribbean. From Guyana and elsewhere, they migrated to North America, UK, Holland and France, the colonial empires that recruited indentured labourers to their Caribbean colonies.

The pageant was organised and co-ordinated by Lolita Singh; it included an introduction of the contestants, modelling and talent (dancing and singing) as well as answering a random question in order to choose an Indo-Caribbean Federation Queen. The participants were beautifully dressed for each segment.

The queen reigns for two years. Ms. Ashmita Singh was crowned Miss ICF Queen 2024 followed by Aryana Singh as runner up, Shaila Somnarain in third place and Salena Beharry in fourth. The emcee, Lolita Singh and Ambika Singh described all of the participants as winners. Attendees were dressed in traditional Indian attire (Shalwar Kameez, lahenga, choli, kurtha sets, Nehru suits).

There were several past Queens and runners-up who performed a piece called “Down Memory Lane”. The event also had a Skit performed by the Nirvana Humanitarian Foundation about Indian Arrival and included several ICF executives. The judges for these competitions were Parmanand Sukhu, Shivana Subhir and Haley Persaud.

Guyana’s Justice of Peace Parmanand Sukhu delivered a feature address on indentureship. He also commended the organisers for their dedication in promoting Indian culture in the greater NY area. The ICF President Ralph Tamesh expressed gratitude to the organisation’s executive members and volunteers who he credited for making the event happened.

The audience cheered the performing artistes who performed gratis. Music was powered by Toro Sounds. Imperial Entertainment Tassa brought the curtain down. Star Party rentals provided the Stage and other accommodations. Decorations were done by Shanta Flowers. Several businesses sponsored prizes. A business, Coffee Distributing, provided refreshments and also helped to underwrite the costs associated with the programme. Some individuals also volunteered their time. The ICF put out a special publication, Indo-Caribbean Magazine, highlighting its activities.

The ICF President Ralph Tamesh expressed his gratitude to all who helped to make the event a success, Anthem Blue BlueCross, the local businesses, the media, the NYPD and Sherry Algreado, Community Board 9 Chairwoman.

The programme was streamed live on the internet on YouTube and Facebook.

Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram

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