On Arrival Day- President Jagdeo calls for unity
- their sacrifices have prepared for Guyanese an age of greater enlightenment
Georgetown, GINA, May 5, 2009
In a message to mark the anniversary of the arrival of indentured labourers to Guyana’s shores, President Bharrat Jagdeo has urged all Guyanese to unite in order that they can triumph over adversity and realize the vision of a progressive and peaceful country.
He urged too that they reject the negativity of the old divisive attitudes and focus efforts on making Guyana a better place for future generations, in similar vein as those whose arrival is being celebrated.
“Let us emulate the work ethic and resolve of our ancestors as we commemorate this special day in our nation’s history. As Guyanese, we have all made positive contributions to building this great nation,” the President said.
This year marks 174 years since indentured immigrants first came. The Portuguese, the East Indians, the liberated Africans and the Chinese, came to these shores following the culmination of slavery.
“Our ethnic backgrounds, religious beliefs, dress, food, music, and festivals are diverse; but it is these very differences that lend us strength, character and beauty as a nation, and serve to unify us under one common heritage,” the Head of State said.
He noted that by way of the struggles, trials and tribulations of Guyanese fore parents, they now live in a free, democratic society governed by the rule of law.
“We now have opportunities, where once they faced threats arising out of inhuman conditions, injustice, and the challenges of race and class prejudices. Their unyielding sacrifices have prepared for us an age of greater enlightenment which should teach us tolerance, understanding and appreciation of a common history of struggle towards a shared nation and a common destiny.”
He urged that it is now the responsibility of their descendants to continue where they left off, and together, secure the nation so that their work would not be in vain.
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De Velde, Baracara farmers receive aid from Ministry of Agriculture
Georgetown, GINA, May 5, 2009
Farmers of De Velde, Region Ten, and Baracara, Region Six, today received seeds, planting materials, tools and equipment from the Ministry of Agriculture which visited the area.
The visit is part of an overall drive by the Ministry to expand and revive agriculture in remote areas. According to Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud, who was part of the visiting team, the donation was meant to encourage farmers.
Romeo Harris, a resident of De Velde, speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries said that the donation was appreciated by the community and the visit was significant as well as historic since it was the largest government contingent to visit the area in recent times.
Earlier, Regional Chairman, Region Six, Zulfikar Mustapha had said that the area was neglected for some time and the visit would motivate farmers to increase their output.
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud interacting with residents of De Velde and Baracara
Minister Persaud had visited Baracara last year and residents were assured that they would receive extension aid from the Ministry of Agriculture. They were also encouraged to form a farmers group to assist them in garnering services offered by the Ministry.
The Minister said that many services are available and the access to them is being made available to the communities. He encouraged residents from the two communities to get involved in gainful activities.
Minister Persaud noted that there was an interest in logging in the area and advised farmers to look at other options that will generate economic activity since he wanted farmers to look at external markets. For example, he said, Trinidad and Tobago was now importing from Guyana produce that they never imported before. He noted that exports from Guyana had increased significantly.
He also noted that even though De Velde is some 125 miles from Georgetown he did not want farmers to be left out of the mainstream of activities.
Government via the Region Six administration is currently resuscitating the health centre in Baracara while there will be the reinstallation of solar panels in the area. Administrative services have been offered to the community. De Velde, will be receiving sport gears.
Some 2000 packets of seeds, cutlasses, shovels and spray cans were also distributed to these communities.
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud, Regional Chairman, Region Six, Zulfikar Mustapha and General Manager GMC, Nizam Hassan with supplies that were given to residents of Baracara and De Velde
Training for farmers in these communities will commence in two weeks and an individual from both areas will be identified to be trained as an extension agent for their respective area. The training for farmers will include agro-processing, soil testing and how to deal with various pests and diseases that affect crops. This training will be coordinated by the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI).
On the issue of finding markets for their produce, Minister Persaud said the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) will investigate and he encouraged farmers to work together. He said that a list of exporters will also be published.
In terms of dealing with pests and diseases, farmers’ manuals were given to the communities which will help farmers to diagnose and treat their crops.
An engineer from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) will shortly visit De Velde to investigate drainage issues.
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President, Prime Minister join thousands in observing Arrival Day
Georgetown, GINA, May 5, 2009
As Guyanese turned out in their numbers to celebrate Arrival Day, President Bharrat Jagdeo and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds joined them in observing this day which commemorates the 171st anniversary of East Indian arrival in Guyana.
Children gather around President Jagdeo. On his left are President of the West Demerara Indian Religious, Cultural and Social Organisation, Angad Rupee and Prime Minister Hinds
At the Joe-Vieira Park, West Coast Demerara, the President greeted patrons of the event as they enjoyed the unique cultural display of the Indians which depicted the past and present traditions.
A section of the gathering
The celebration was made up of cultural items such as local Mandirs (Hindu temples) competing by showcasing the arrival ships, and “logies” which were the homes inhabited by the early immigrants, and the general way of life of the people when they arrived in the then British Guiana. There was also dancing and singing of traditional songs.
Events to commemorate this day have been on-going during the week which has been held at the Anna Regina Community Centre, Essequibo; the National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara; Albion Community Centre, Berbice and the Joe-Vieira Park, West Coast Demerara.
May 5, 1838 is observed as the date of arrival of East Indians to Guyana, on two ships the Hesperus and the Whitby. During the period 1838 and 1917 more than 200,000 East Indians arrived on these shores to work on the sugar-cane plantations.
This year marks 174 years since indentured immigrants first arrived.
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