6 thoughts on “Indian Arrival Day Celebrations”

1. Hello and happy indian arrival day i am reading some comments it is so racial what these people are writing any way can some one post some pictures of the indentured indians of our forefatjers there is no pictures for the young generation to see Thank you

2. why see race in every comment? Is it that you only see what you look for ? People must have different views it does not mean hate.It is time to see the richness in our diversity and wisdom in differences and be proud of your past.
   Once this is in the context of mother T&T and not mother India or Africa and not dwelling in the past.I have a real problem with citizens who wish to continue sowing hate and distrust in this nation.
   People are entitled to different views once there is a credible basis.If persons are wrong or stupid ..deal withh that without inciting the race bogey…. it will not help.

3. My only question for those who have never lived in India, Africa, or China is how long will it take to manifest an identity that is indigenous to Trinidad and Tobago post colonization?
   It’s obvious that the past should not be forgotten and does deserve to be celebrated. My concern is that in celebrating our diverse past we loose sight of where we are and who we are which prohibits us from working together for a productive future and a better community. A community that places is Trinidad and Tobago first and personal differences in what ever order after that. All those who call themselves Trinibagonians should keep Trinidad and Tobago first. It’s not where you’re from but where your at.
   I see no problem with individual groups celebrating their history. In my opinion, any celebration that doesn’t represent the nation should be private celebrations and backed by the government very little.

4. Well, what about Afican Arrival Day, Indigenous Being Here Day, Syrian Arrival Day etc. It would seem to me that if we are going to be equitable about recognizing the contributions of every group in T&T we will either need to have a common holiday to celebrate all, or individual holidays for each group celebration.

   And before cognitively challenged wags respond with Emancipation Day, that is not an African Cultural Holiday. Aficans should have the right select and name their day to the same degree it is allowed for others.

   And for the same group who will take issue with this that it emphasizes race and ethnicity, well wop de do, how come this is only bothering you now?

5. This is an excerpt from an article on Caribbean Net News. It seem that Manning is racist for not empasizing “Indian” before arrival day. So much for “awee a wan”
   *********************************************************************
   Indo-Trinidadians take PM to task for Arrival Day observance

   Published on Friday, May 29, 2009

   By Oscar Ramjeet
   Caribbean Net News Special Correspondent
   Email: oscar@caribbeannetnews.com

   PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — The Chairman of the Indo-Trinbago Equality Council (ITEC), Devant Maharaj, has taken Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Patrick Manning to task for omitting “Indian” from the official state holiday known as Arrival Day.

   In a statement, Maharaj said that that Manning at the close of Parliament on Wednesday insulted the Indo-Trinidadian community when he affirmed the People’s National Movement (PNM) government’s adherence to and preference for “Arrival Day” over the official name of “Indian Arrival Day”.

   “That such an artificial, parallel could be created by the PM in relation to an official state holiday to mark the arrival of our East Indian forefathers to these shores underscores the contempt of the Manning administration towards the Indian community,” the statement said.

6. Correct me if I’m mistaken but wasn’t the name changed from “Indian Arrival Day” to “Arrival Day” to incorporate all the races that make up T & T (who all arrived from somewhere)?

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