Georgetown: Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Robert Persaud has urged the Indian Government to play a much more substantial role in supporting the preservation of the Indian culture in the Indian Diasporas.
The Minister was at the time speaking at an Evening of Music hosted recently by the Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) at the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC), Bel Air, Georgetown. Also in attendance were Minister in the Ministry of Finance Juan Edghill, Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) Executive Member Neaz Subhan and Mr Tirath Singh Indian High Commisioner (ag).
“We do hope that we will see a greater contribution from the Indian Government in terms of supporting Indian culture in much more meaningful way and supporting activities such as the 175th anniversary,” Minister Persaud said. This year will mark 175 years since the first batch of Indian nationals arrived to work as indentured immigrants in Guyana. Minister Persaud said that the time is now right for the Indian Government to learn from other countries such as China and Israel, in terms of how they mobilise their Diasporas. “What we need is a very tangible, very substantive participation of the Indian Government ; support for the Indian Diaspora,” he said. Executive Member, IAC, Neaz Subhan said there is a proposed plan to open an Indian Heritage Centre to showcase the Indian arts and the proposed unveiling of a monument befitting the celebration of Indian arrival to Guyana. The IAC is seeking the support of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport on the latter and is considering Berbice as the location for the said monument, Subhan said. Much effort will also be placed on having Huis’t Dieren, on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two declared a heritage site. The endeavour to realise the Indian Heritage Centre is part of the IAC’s agenda of chronicling and preserving the history of Indian Indentureship and the contribution of Indo-Guyanese to the continuous development of Guyana, Subhan said. The Heritage Centre is located in Cummings Lodge and the building is currently being outfitted with all the relevant materials including arts, photography and artifacts. The venue will also serve to foster the various aspects of the arts including music, dance and classes. The IAC began its year of activities with the inter-faith service to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the Lusignan Massacre on January 25.
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