MOIA MINISTER RAVI PAYS TRIBUTES AT INDIAN ARRIVAL DAY IN SURINAME  

Minister Vayalar Ravi of Government of India's Ministry of Minister Vayalar Ravi lays wreath at Commewijne to honor Suriname IndiansOverseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) on June 4, 2007 paid tribute to the first arrivals of Indians in Suriname by laying a wreath at the Mai-Baap sculpture in Paramaribo, Suriname. The sculpture representing a male and female Indian indentured laborers was erected in June 5, 1993 at the site of depot where the first ship on June 5, 1873 unloaded the first of many batches of indentured laborers in the subsequent years until 1917 when the practice was abolished.

 

"We will always remember their sacrifices and the hardships the faced", said Min Ravi as he acknowledged the difficulties encountered by the Indian indentured laborers in Suriname andMinister Ravi and MOIA Jt. Secretary Malay Mishra at Mai-Baap Schulpture elsewhere in the Indian Diaspora. The tribute by Min. Ravi at the Mai-Baap sculpture and previously at Commewijne where 24 Indians were killed were scheduled and coordinated by Krishna Nandoe, Harold Ramdhani and other executives of GOPIO of Suriname chapter. GOPIO International included President Inder Singh and Secretary General Ashook Ramsaran, as well as Chairman Yesu Persaud of GOPIO of Guyana and Life Member Dr Chan Misier of the Netherlands.

 

The tribute at Mai-Baap was followed that evening by a well attended GOPIO of Suriname Indian Arrival Dinner where Min. Ravi was the guest of honor and attended by several prominent members of government, business and civic organizations. Dr Chan Misier presented his new book titled Spirituality to Min. Ravi, Amb. Sharma, Mr. Inder Singh and others

 
From : GOPIO <gopio@optonline.net> 
Subject : GOPIO NEWS BULLETIN - JULY 1, 20007
Date : Tue, Jul 03, 2007 01:44 PM