QUEENS, NY — Indian Arrival was celebrated in New York City on Sunday June 2 with a magnificent entertainment packed cultural variety concert and a (talent) pageant that included a spectacular display of singing of Bollywood songs and sizzling dancing at the Smokey Park in Richmond Hill Queens.
Cultural talents from Guyana, Trinidad, Suriname, Jamaica, and the USA entertained an audience of hundreds. Several Punjabis and non-Indians were among the crowd drawn to the five hours of fun-filled, fantastic entertainment.
The celebration was planned and organized by the Indo-Caribbean Federation, a nonprofit organization. This was the 39 Annual Arrival Celebration hosted by the Indo Caribbean Federation founded in 1984. Local politicians and community leaders graced the event and committed support. Unlike in Guyana, the celebration is called Indian Arrival Day, commemorating the arrival of Indians to the Caribbean and from there to USA. According to the ICF President, Mr. Ralph Tamesh, the event pays homage to the immense contributions Indians have made to the Caribbean and North America. The ICF marked the 186th anniversary since Indians first set foot in the Caribbean. Indians were also indentured to several other territories in Guyana and thence to other parts of the Caribbean. From Guyana and elsewhere, they migrated to North America, UK, Holland and France, the colonial empires that recruited indentured laborers.
The pageant was organized and coordinated by Lolita Singh and Haley Persaud it included modelling and talent (dancing and singing) as well as answering a random question to choose an Indo-Caribbean Federation Queen. The queen reigns for two years. Ms. Ashmita Singh was crowned Miss ICF Queen 2024 followed by Aryana Singh as runner up, Shaila Somnarain in third place and Salena Beharry in fourth. The emcee, Lolita Singh and Ambika Singh described all of the participants as winners. Attendees were dressed in traditional Indian attire (Shalwar Kameez, lahenga, choli, kurtha sets, Nehru suits).
Guyana’s Justice of Peace Parmanand Sukhu delivered a feature address on indentureship. He commended the organizers for their dedication in promoting Indian culture in the greater NY area. The ICF President Ralph Tamesh expressed gratitude to the organization’s executive members and volunteers who he credited for making the event happened.
The audience cheered the performing artistes who performed gratis. Music was powered by Toro Sounds. Star Party Rentals provided the Stage and other accommodations.
Decorations were done by Shanta Flowers. Several businesses sponsored prizes, Coffee Distributing provided refreshments, and helped to underwrite the costs associated with the program. Some individuals also volunteered their time. The ICF put out a special publication, Indo-Caribbean Magazine, highlighting its activities. There were several past Queens and runners up who performed a piece called Down Memory Lane, the Imperial Entertainment Tassa made an appearance. The event also had a Skit produced by Ramesh Deochand, Parbaty Tejsingh and Radhika Olarte of the Nirvana Humanitarian Foundation about Indian Arrival and included several ICF executives. The program was streamed live on the internet on You Tube and Face Book. The emcees were Sunita Sukhram and Imran Ahmed.
The judges for these competitions were from Guyana Parmanand Sukhu, Shivana Subhir and Haley Persaud. The ICF President Ralph Tamesh expressed his gratitude to all who helped to make the event a success, Anthem Blue Blue Cross, the local businesses, the media, the NYPD and Sherry Algreado Community Board 9 Chairwoman.
