HC’s Remarks at Indian Arrival Day Celebrations 2026

(Penal, 30.05.2026)

• Hon’ble Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Prime Minister of T&T
• Hon’ble Ministers, MPs, Senators
• Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Amb Alvaro Sanchez, Amb of Venezuela 
• Members of the Diplomatic Corps
• Mayors, Councillors, Community Leaders
• Members of Media
• Ladies and Gentlemen!!

Namaskar ! Jai Sita Ram! Very Good Afternoon

I begin with extending warm greetings from the Government and people of India to the Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago on the occasion of the 181st Indian Arrival Day. It is a day to recognize the courage, determination and sacrifices of the man and women who undertook the perilous journey of sea and crossed thousands of miles to reach this land of Trindiad and Tobago.

On this occasion, I express my sincere gratitude to Hon’ble Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago – first of all for organizing the Indian Arrival Day at this grand scale and gathering the communities from all over the country; and secondly for giving opportunity to the High Commission family to participate in it.

Excellency, this is indeed a big honour for us, the team in the High Commission and MGICC to take part in the Indian Arrival Day celebrations in your constituency today.

Earlier this month, Dr S. Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India visited this constituency on the invitation of Her Excellency for the inauguration of the National Prosthetics Centre – a noble humanitarian service with India’s Jaipur Foot technology

The inauguration of the Quick Impact Project for infrastructure upgradation of the Nelson Island by your Excellency and Dr Jaishankar in this month of the Indian Arrival Day is a befitting tribute to the ancestors who had wished for a better future for their generations. 

Similarly, the inauguration of the agro-processing plant in Couva is a tribute to the hard working ancestors in the field of agriculture – and a reminder to the younger generation the importance of advancement in the field of agriculture 

Excellency, Today, we have brought with us a special cultural troupe Brij Lok Manch from Bharat – from the land of Brij Bhumi  - Vrindavan – the birth place of Bhagwan Shri Krishna – led by Shri Sanjay Kumar Sharma and the group of talented artists. 

The troupe has been here for the last 9 days – and they have been performing in different constituencies on their respective Indian Arrival Day celebrations – starting from NALIS in Port of Spain to Krishna Mandir in San Fernando to MGICC in Mt Hope to Mayaro to Naparima to Spring Village Madir in Couva South to Princess Town to Dattatreya Centre in Capuruchima – and finally to your esteemed Penal. They have received an overwhelming response from the cross section of the people of this country in the last few days. 

We have also brought with us some authentic cuisines of Bharat with us and I hope you and other dignitaries would like these. 

Excellency – Ladies & Gentlemen

Under the esteemed leadership of Your Excellency and Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi Ji, the India – T&T Relations have been scaling new heights with intense bilateral engagement. The memories of the landmark visit of Prime Minister Modi Ji, his grand welcome are still fresh in the memories. 

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji has reiterated the importance of honouring and reconnecting our Girmitiya legacy, including in Trinidad and Tobago. It is in this context that we are working closely with the National Archives of T&T for potential collaboration for its upgradation. 

We are also working hard on the m promotion of the OCI Scheme – for which our PM had announced issuing Cards up to the 6th generation. A number of workshop have been organized at different places – it is our sincere effort that the diaspora of T&T maximize availing this scheme 

I sincerely thank Your Excellency and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago for all your support and guidance and facilitating the High Commission in its operations in a range of areas.  With your blessings, we have progressed in a number of areas and are working in many new areas for collaboration. 

I also take this opportunity to thank all the people of T&T and especially the diaspora members for their warmth, affection and bondage with which you have participated in our various activities and events and continue to support us in various endeavours. 

Like our ancestors, let us step forward united, teaching the younger generation the meaning of courage, hard work and resilience! 

Let our daily actions reflect the profound values of hard work, family, and faith that our fore parents strived to preserve. Let us safeguard the legacy they built. 

From the fields to the forefront of nation-building, our ancestors turned hardship into a vibrant, lasting legacy. Let us honor their great sacrifices by continuing to build a prosperous and harmonious society. 

Thank you, and Happy Indian Arrival!!

Namaskar

Jai Hind & Jai Trindiad and Tobago!

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