The Upper New York Chapter of the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), comprising of mainly Guyanese persons, celebrated its third anniversary, and Indian Arrival Day, with a dinner and dance at the World Fair Marina at Flushing, New York on May 14.
Presentation of Plaque from GOPIO Upper New York. Naidoo Veerapen (left) presents the plaque to Dr Clem Seecharan, while Satruhan Sukdeo looks on
The gala event was well attended by more than 200 members and supporters of GOPIO, including GOPIO International officials Ashook Ramsaran and Dr Thomas Abraham. Both officials brought greetings from the parent organization, and congratulated the Upper New York chapter for its many achievements in just three short years. In his remarks, Dr Abraham also challenged the chapter to develop programmes and activities that would attract the participation of society’s next generation and senior citizens.
New York City (NYC) Comptroller John Liu also attended the event and extended warm congratulations to the GOPIO chapter.
Liu, an Asian immigrant himself and an acknowledged friend of GOPIO, expressed pride at the development and achievements of immigrant groups in NYC, and paid tribute to the rich cultural diversity they have brought to the great city.
The President of GOPIO Upper New York chapter, Satruhan Sukdeo, a former Guyana Sugar Corporation [GuySuCo] staffer, spoke of the significance of the Arrival Day observances and paid homage to ancestors.
Sukdeo also outlined some of the programmes and achievements of the GOPIO chapter since its establishment.
“No one person by himself can achieve much in social changes and community progress; but, as a group, there is so much more that can be done,” he said. “We are honoured to have the opportunity to add the Indian and Caribbean fertilisers that will nourish the roots of the American family tree.”
Dr Clem Seecharan, Professor of Caribbean History at London Metropolitan University, United Kingdom, during the feature address, made a short but brilliant presentation based on his new book, “Mother India’s shadow over Eldorado; Indo- Guyanese politics and Identity 1890s – 1930s”. He outlined the identification of the Indo-Guyanese with a mythical India which, though nonexistent, serves as a rallying point against a tyrannical, closed existence. Dr Seecharan traced the development of Indian intellectualism in Guyana, and the rise of Indian voices against tyranny in the colonial British Guianese society.
He concluded with new information on the formative Indian political awareness, and the brave pioneering leaders who made their mark during the era covered in his work.
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