As part of its activities to celebrate the 174th anniversary of the arrival of Indians to Guyana, the Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) will seek to raise awareness of societal ills, such as domestic and alcohol abuse.
On Sunday, a Cultural Parade will be held on the Essequibo Coast starting at 4pm from Affiance. “The parade, which showcases aspects of Indian heritage, will be used to heighten awareness of societal ills, including, domestic, child and alcohol abuses,” the IAC said in a press release.
It added that the parade will culminate with a cultural programme at the Anna Regina Community centre ground at 5pm. The Essequibo-based Sangeet Rhythm band will provide entertainment and 2012 Chutney Monarch Haresh Singh is expected to make a guest appearance.
The event will come a day after the IAC will stage its Grand International Mela, which will feature Kris Ramkellawan and the Shakti Strings Orchestra.
The IAC said the cultural programme will start at 4.30pm at the Albion Community Centre on Saturday. It will also feature other local artists in addition to Surinamese Indian folk singer Ramkellawan.
Admission is free to both the Berbice and Essequibo events.
This year, the IAC will be holding a Food Fair as part of its activities. Set for Saturday May 19 on the lawns of the Indian Cultural Centre, the fair will include cuisines from a number of local restaurants. Patrons will also be treated to a rich, cultural evening featuring entertainment from the Shakti Strings Orchestra and other leading dance troupes. The festivities start at 4pm. Tickets with redeemable chits will soon be on sale.
Meanwhile, the IAC also extended felicitations to Guyanese and West Indies cricketer Shivnarine Chanderpaul for recently reaching 10,000 runs in Test Cricket. Once again Chanderpaul has also been named the World’s Number One batsman in this format of the game and he is the only Guyanese to have reached this landmark, the IAC said, adding that the magnitude of this achievement should be further recognised by the nation. While he is already the recipient of a National Award, the IAC believes that in the light of his recent accomplishments, more honours should be bestowed upon Chanderpaul.
