ALBION, CORENTYNE – Thousands gathered at the Albion Sports Complex yesterday to celebrate the 167th Anniversary of the Arrival of East Indians in British Guiana .

Organizers said that, despite the morning thunderstorm that accompanied the heavy rainfall, the activity was a success.

Various craft, including traditional Indian jewellery, were on display, as was an array of food items.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Gail Teixiera, who addressed the gathering after the cultural extravaganza, spoke of the journey and the contribution of the East Indians.

She said that during the period 1835 to 1917, some 300 persons were brought to the shores of British Guiana .

In 1805, a count revealed that there were only 120,000 people in the colony. When the new arrivals set foot on the shores of British Guiana , some worked on sugar plantations.

In 1835 persons came from Madeira , but many did not last long on the sugar plantation, and so the indentured labourers came.

Of the 238,000 people from India , only 70,000 went back. Those remaining faced cruelty and hardship.

The Minister noted that the Indian ancestors fought to ensure that their descendants would not face a life of bondage.

She spoke of the appalling conditions the Indians faced on the plantations. Many of the immigrants had left their homeland unaware of what the future held for them. Their lot was not much different from that of slaves. In many instances some of them were flogged.

Friday 05-06-2005