May 5, 2003.

I am extremely pleased to join the nation in observing the anniversary of the arrival of East Indians to our country. We are a diverse nation; our nation has been peopled by various ethnic groups who over the course of our history came from different lands and who transposed their cultures to this land, in the process diversifying and enriching the cultural mosaic ofGuyana.

The arrival of the vessel bringing the first East Indians to our shores was indeed a watershed event in the history of Guyana. From this beginning, the East Indian community has grown from strength to strength, making an indispensable contribution to the development- economic social and
religious- of our country.

I hail the indomitable spirit of these early immigrants. They came with a pioneering spirit to a land of which they knew very little but to which they were prepared to dedicate their energies in order to make a good life for themselves and their families. They came here with a conviction to struggle and to work hard, hoping that their offspring and generations to come would benefit from their sacrifice.

Life was not easy for these immigrants and their descendants. But theirs was a spirit that would not succumb to disillusionment. They continued to carve out a place for themselves in this land and have distinguished themselves in all aspects of our national life.

Despite occasional problems, East Indians have generally co-existed harmoniously with the other ethnic groups in Guyana, and therefore on this auspicious occasion I reiterate the need for all our people to live together in peace and unity. I also wish to reiterate our position that the Government sees our rich ethnic diversity as an asset.

I wish to extend greetings to all Guyanese, especially the East Indian community on the occasion of the 165th anniversary of the arrival of East Indians to Guyana.