Page 49 - Man Ki Baat Nov 2024 (English)

Historian James Rodway from the late 1800s allowed the
(British-born Guianese, 1848– Indian diaspora to excel in all
1926) acknowledged the aspects of Guyana’s society.
importance of East Indian Writing on the centenary of the
immigration for the survival emancipation of African slaves
and growth of the sugar and (1938), Joseph Ruhomon, an
rice industries, as well as the intellectual and journalist and
cultural enrichment of Guyana. one of the founders of the British
Rodway noted that their unique Guiana East Indian Association
customs and religions added (BGEIA), called for an Indian-
a new and interesting element African ‘combine’ in the society.
to the population. Although His brother, Journalist Peter
sugar and rice cultivation are Ruhoman, soon after wrote on
still thriving industries with new the centenary of the arrival of
advances in methodologies, the the Indians to British Guiana,
contributions of Indo-Guyanese noting that those who remained
to the economy and nation- in British Guiana had decided
building go beyond agriculture. to make the colony their home,
Education and business building themselves a new
acumen, supported by a community. Dr. Jung Bahadur
religious and cultural foundation, Singh, O.B.E. (1886-1956) one

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Diwali celebrations by Guyana
Hindu Dharmic Sabha