Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar SC has paid tribute to the resilience, sacrifice, and enduring contributions of the Indian indentured labourers who helped shape Trinidad and Tobago’s national identity.
In her Indian Arrival Day 2026 message, she reflected on the journey of the jahajees, highlighting their role in building the nation while calling for unity, peace, and national progress.
Read her full statement here:
MESSAGE OF PRIME MINISTER THE HONOURABLE MRS KAMLA PERSAD-BISSESSAR, S.C, M.P, ON THE OCCASION OF INDIAN ARRIVAL DAY 2026
On the occasion of Indian Arrival Day, I extend warm greetings and best wishes to the people of Trinidad and Tobago as we commemorate this defining milestone in our nation’s history.
One hundred and eighty-one years ago, the arrival of the Fatel Razack marked the beginning of a journey that would profoundly shape our country’s development and identity.
The jahajees, or boat people, who came under the system of Indian Indentureship from 1845 to 1917, arrived in hardship and uncertainty.
They were drawn into deeply exploitative recruitment arrangements that today would be recognised as a form of human trafficking.
Many left their villages and families across India, crossed the kala pani under harsh conditions, and entered a Colonial society marked by poverty, labour exploitation, and discrimination.
Yet, through sacrifice, faith, discipline, enterprise, and commitment to family, they endured, progressed, and helped lay the foundations for the nation we know today. They preserved religious traditions, cuisine, festivals, and values that remain vibrant parts of our national identity.
They also contributed to agriculture, commerce, education, medicine, law, religion, labour, public service, politics, and national development, helping to shape the unique and inspiring character of Trinidad and Tobago.
Indian Arrival Day, therefore, stands not only as a tribute to one community’s journey but also as a celebration of our shared national story, for ours is a nation built by many peoples, histories, and sacrifices.
We honour the heritage of every community while embracing our shared national identity as proud citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.
As we commemorate this occasion, let us recommit ourselves to unity, peace, tolerance, equality, mutual respect, and national progress for all.
May the enduring legacy of the jahajees continue to inspire generations to come, and may God continue to bless our great nation and people.
Happy Indian Arrival Day.