Ashook Ramsaran, Yesu Persaud honored on 186th anniversary of first Indian arrivals in Guyana

Both Ashook Ramsaran and Dr Yesu Persaud are recipients of India's prestigious Pravasi Samman awards.

The Indian Commemoration Trust presented a plaque to Ashook Ramsaran. / Courtesy Photo

To mark the 186th anniversary of the first Indian arrivals in Guyana (then British Guiana), the late Dr Yesu Persaud and Ashook Ramsaran were honored in an event on May.5. Both Persaud and Ramsaran are recipients of India’s prestigious Pravasi Samman Awards (PBSA).

A well-known industrialist and philanthropist, Dr Persaud was lauded for his vision and continuous commitment to the preservation of Indian culture and history in Guyana.

Ramsaran, president of the Indian Diaspora Council (IDC) was born in Guyana and resides in the US. Ramsaran was honored for his efforts in convincing the Government of India to install the Kolkata Memorial in Kolkata, India, on Jan.11, 2011 in recognition of those who left India as indentured laborers from 1834 through 1920.

Chairman of the Indian Commemoration Trust (ICT), Hemraj Kissoon, presented a plaque to Ramsaran, that states: “At Highbury, and in Kolkata – Inscription by Ashook Ramsaran 5th May 2013: While we dedicate this memorial, I am certain we are not alone. The souls of our ancestors are looking at us from above, smiling and saying: ‘Thank you. You have done well’. To which we would all reply: ‘Thank you for making it possible’.”

The plaque depicts a replica of the inscription on the Kolkata Memorial at the Kidderpore Depot on the bank of the Hoogly River in Kolkata, from where most of the indentured Indian immigrants departed.

In 2013, on the 175th anniversary of Indian arrival in Guyana, Ramsaran collaborated with the Government of India and Dr Persaud of ICT to erect the replicas. Another replica is at the Indian Arrival Centre at Highbury Estate in Berbice where the SS Hesperus, one of the ships carrying the indentured laborers, landed on May.5, 1838.

Guyana’s Minister of Culture, Hon. Charles Ramson and Indian High Commissioner Hon. Dr Amit Telang, both in attendance, lauded the rich and enduring Indian culture and its positive impact on the development of Guyana. Also in attendance was US Deputy Chief of Mission, Adrienne Galaneck, as well as several other officials and community leaders.

The SS Whitby ship left Calcutta on Jan.13, 1838. Of the 249 indentured (233 men, five women, and six children) on this ship, five passed away. They voyaged 112 days and arrived in Guyana on May.5, 1838. The SS Hesperus left Calcutta on Jan.29, 1838 and also arrived in Guyana on the night of May.5, 1838. Of the 165 passengers, 13 died, leaving 135 men, six women, and 11 children.

For the next 80 years until 1920, nearly 239,000 Indians came to Guyana as indentured laborers. Large numbers also were taken to Trinidad, Suriname, Jamaica, and other British colonies. The majority of these workers would never return to India.