Celebrating 180 Years of Indian Heritage in Trinidad and Tobago
Commemorating Indian Arrival Day
Port of Spain, June 2: The Indian High Commission hosted a celebration at Nelson Island, Trinidad and Tobago, to honor 180 years since the arrival of the first Indian immigrants in 1845.
The event, which took place on Sunday, was a vibrant celebration of music and culture, attended by a wide array of guests, including Jagdeo Singh, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Deputy Speaker Aiyna Ali, senior Cabinet Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, Members of Parliament, Mayors, and various community leaders from the Caribbean.
Sean Sobers, Minister of Foreign and Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Affairs, served as the Chief Guest for the occasion.
Guests were greeted in a traditional manner by Indian High Commissioner Pradeep Rajpurohit.
Participants explored the historical ruins and exhibits on the island.
Indian Arrival Day is observed on May 30, marking the day the ship 'Fatel Razack' brought 225 Indian indentured workers to Trinidad, then under British rule.
"The 225 individuals who arrived on the Fatel Razack could not have anticipated the profound influence their presence would have on the nation. They came with the belief that they could return to India after five years of indentureship. Fortunately for Trinidad and Tobago, most chose to stay, altering the course of our history forever," stated a message from the President of Trinidad and Tobago.
"On Indian Arrival Day, we honor their enduring legacy, celebrating their bravery and resilience, as well as the values and traditions that helped them through challenging times. We express our gratitude for their role in preserving and passing down a rich cultural heritage that has significantly enriched Trinbagonian society," the statement continued.
India maintains a historically warm relationship with Trinidad and Tobago, with diplomatic ties established on August 31, 1962. Since then, the partnership has flourished through various levels of engagement.
India has awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award to Christine Carla Kangaloo, the President of Trinidad and Tobago, in recognition of her significant contributions to public affairs and enhancing India's global standing.
Kangaloo, who has Indo-Trinidadian roots, was the chief guest at the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, from January 8-10, 2025, where her virtual address received widespread acclaim.
In her speech at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, Kangaloo underscored the deep historical connections between India and Trinidad and Tobago, tracing back to 1845 when Indian indentured workers first arrived.
She noted that India was among the first nations to establish diplomatic relations with Trinidad and Tobago following its independence in 1962.
The Indian community in Trinidad and Tobago has evolved from indentured laborers to successful entrepreneurs, comprising business leaders, professionals in law, medicine, academia, and more.
According to the Indian High Commission, the diaspora is a significant force, representing the largest ethnic group in the Caribbean, known for their wealth, cultural strength, and progressive contributions to the diverse society of Trinidad and Tobago.