Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar SC has called for unity and mutual respect in her address marking the 181st anniversary of Indian Arrival Day in Trinidad and Tobago.
Speaking in the Lower House on Friday, the Prime Minister described the occasion as “a solemn and proud reminder of one of the defining chapters in the making of Trinidad and Tobago”.
Paying tribute to the first Indian indentured labourers who arrived aboard the Fatel Razack 181 years ago, she reflected on the sacrifices made by the early immigrants, saying they arrived with few material possessions but carried with them resilience, discipline, spirituality, and an unwavering determination to survive and succeed.
“When they came, they had no traveller’s cheques, I said it before. They had no credit cards. They had no wire transfers. But they came with something even more valuable. They came with the Koran. They came with the Gita, with the Ramayana, and the holy books, and with their own disciplines and ways of life, which they brought into our country. Through sacrifice and perseverance, they transformed adversity into opportunity. They laid a foundation for generations to come. Today, their descendants stand proudly with all the people of T&T, all those who came to Trinidad and Tobago to create the beautiful rainbow nation that we now call Sweet T&T.”
The Prime Minister said Indian Arrival Day should be viewed as a national celebration for all citizens and highlighted the cultural contributions of Indo-Trinidadians, including tassa drumming, Ramleela, Divali, Pagwa, chutney music, and Indian cuisine, noting that cultural identity “strengthens the mosaic of our nation”.
She said the country’s diversity continues to be one of its greatest strengths and urged citizens to remain committed to unity and peaceful coexistence.
“We may have all come on different boats, but we are all united under one banner, Mother Trinidad and Tobago, and we are all now in the same boat, Trinidad and Tobago. Every group that came to our shores brought with them traditions, values, customs, which collectively enriched Trinidad and Tobago. As we celebrate Indian Arrival Day, we celebrate the enduring truth that diversity remains one of our greatest national strengths here in T&T.”
She concluded by urging citizens never to take unity for granted.
“May this observance strengthen our appreciation for our shared history, deepen our respect for one another, and inspire continued national unity for generations to come.”