Roopnarain Persaud presents some notable Indo-Caribbeans who have kept the Indian culture alive in faraway lands.
Kalamudin Mohamed of Trinidad & Tobago belongs to this distinguished category. He contributed in all areas of life in TnT: politics, media Indian radio, national development, religion and Indian affairs. He was once the acting prime minister and has been honoured as the only government minister who served for thirty (30) continuous years. Mr. Mohamed speaks five (5) languages fluently English, Hindi, Urdu, Persian & Arabic!At the age of 26 he held the title of ‘Youngest Imam in the British Commonwealth’. He is the first non-white to be appointed president of the World Health Organisation (WHO). Kamal, as he fondly known, is a man who has mixed with kings, presidents and prime ministers without ever loosing the common touch or his Indian identity! He is lovingly referred to as the ‘father of East Indian culture’ in Trinidad &Tobago! He is the recipient of his country’s 2009 National Republic Day Award, the most prestigious award in Trinidad and Tobago.
When it comes to heroes of the people in Guyana (and people of all races) Mooni Singh, popularly known as Uncle Rattan, stands very tall and probably dwarfs many who claim such title. Singh suffered severe losses in his estate with floods after floods in the Mahicony River rice farming area of Guyana. He was not concerned only about himself and his family. He organized his fellow farmers into working teams to combat the floods with very little (if any) assistance from the then government of Guyana. Singh and his family of ten (10)were forced to flee his estate when racial and political violence was encouraged by the then ruling government of Guyana the dictatorship of L.F.S. Burnham. He resettled in Vryheid’s Lust on the East Coast of Demerara and led his villagers into new territory to start a new village and a new life. This man was a leader! He surmounted untold hardships both political and economic to establish a community for his villagers and himself. In spite of all that was demanded of him he retained his love of humanity irrespective of race, colour, or religion. He built the first school in the Vryheid’s Lust with sheer determination and resilience. The building still stands to this day and an application has been sent to the Ministry of Education to name the school in his honour. Singh played the game of cricket and coached many young enthusiasts who became famous players.
An Indo-Caribbean delegation from Suriname and Indo- Caribbean personalities in New York are welcomed and hosted by Shri Ramesh Kalicharran at his residence in New York. The Surinamese travelled to New York, USA, to participate in and contribute to the annual ‘Kitchrie’ festival organised by The Rajkumarie Cultural Center in New York. The Suriname Minister of Home Affairs and a professor of history from the Suriname University (second from right) accompanied and chaperoned the visiting troupe of performers. Surinamese are unique among Indo-Caribbeans: they speak Hindi and only they have kept alive that dance form known as ‘Loundey Ki Naach.’ Under oppression by the colonial exploiters, women of Indian origin were required to dance to entertain their ‘masters’ and their ‘masters’ friends and guests. And, on many occasions, these female performers were even sexually exploited or raped. The men, therefore, took it up on themselves to dress in female costumes and entertain with their style of Indian dance, which came to be known as ‘Loundey Ki Naach’. Surinames have kept the Hindi language alive in the Caribbean Region and they are most proud of this accomplishment.
Dr Winston Tolan of Jamaica must be included in this distinguished group of Indo-Caribbeans. Dr Tolan and his wife joined the Indo-Caribbean Community in New York to celebrate Indians’ Arrival Day in 1986! His wife, Tolan opened the program in Kings Park, Queens, NY with a well-remembered Indian folk dance. Dr Tolan, a medical doctor, was the pioneer of Indian cultural preservation in Jamaica.
He started by singing Indian songs! His interest, dedication and spirit of brotherhood inspired Indo- Caribbeans in Jamaica as well as non-Indo-Caribbeans! His contribution has been recognised by the Jamaican government and all Jamaicans. Dr Tolan received the national honour of ‘Order of Distinction’ for culture and medicine in Jamaica. His citation also mentioned his service while epitomising his spirit of service, volunteerism, patriotism and humility. Performing with the Naya Zamana band, he spread the Indian culture to diverse audiences as well as serving as a resource person for cultural development at the national level. Dr Tolan is lovingly called the ‘singing doctor’ in Jamaica.
Guadeloupe has its share of Indo-Caribbeans also, albeit ones that speak French. A monument commissioned t o commemorate Indians’ Arrival day in Guadeloupe features an old Indian man reading his Indian book. In keeping the Hindu traditions alive, Ram Leela is annually enacted in Guadeloupe too. This legendary story transcends language, time and place! Indo-Caribbeans in Guadeloupe, though small in number, hold on to their Indian culture and identity. They deserve our every accolades and our utmost respect. We should organise a group and visit them, bringing to them our tangible love and adoration. This writer joins with all other Indo- Caribbeans to salute the Indo-Caribbean community in Guadeloupe.
As is demonstrated here….in Guyana, in Trinidad and Tobago, in Suriname, in Jamaica, in Guadeloupe all Caribbean Countries, people of Indian origin have kept the heart and spirit of India alive through the generations. We claim and have the right to our Indian Heritage and Culture, just asmuchas anyone born on Indian soil!
