Parliamentarians believe the East Indian community plays a vital role in making TT what it is today.
Their messages came during the inaugural sitting of the 13th Republican Parliament on May 23, to commemorate Indian Arrival Day observance on May 30.
Cycle of poverty
On behalf of the government, Barataria/San Juan MP Saddam Hosein said this year commemorates the 180th anniversary of the first indentured labourers' arrival recounting the hardships they endured and overcame.
"Our forefathers, on arrival, entered a period of indentureship. They struggled on the sugar cane fields, meeting many challenges and horrendous working conditions. Some lost hope while others lost their lives at the hands of the colonial rulers. Through resilience, they persevered.
"As a people, we pay respect and homage to the invaluable contribution of the East Indian community of TT. While many of them were uneducated, they stuck to the belief that education remains the gateway out of the cycle of poverty."
Hosein said this foundational perspective and belief in education was imparted to successive generations and reaped promising results for the country.
"Through struggle and labour, the offspring of the indentured labourers played a critical role in shaping the direction of TT. They have occupied seats in this parliament, in court as judges and magistrates, they held the highest office of the land the Office of the President, the Office of the Prime Minister, the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, attorneys, doctors, engineers, Nobel prize winners and much more. From sweat and toiling on the sugar cane fields, they ensured that their children had a space at the table of decision-making."
Hosein said this journey that began almost two centuries ago led to a daughter of Bihar, India becoming Prime Minister for the second time (Kamla Persad-Bissessar)
He also celebrated parts of Indian culture brought by the labourers which became a mainstay in TT's cultural landscape such as the sounds of dhantal, the dholak, the manjira and the harmonium and foods such as curry and doubles.
He celebrated the country for being a place where various cultures and traditions can exist harmoniously and compelled the public to find strength in their differences.
"While we may be different and while we came on different boats, we are one society, we are one country but most importantly we are one people. As the Prime Minister tells us, let our differences unite us instead of divide us so that we can build a brighter and prosperous TT."
Perilous journey
On behalf of the opposition, Arouca/Lopinot MP Marvin Gonzales too celebrated the country for being a place where different cultures could exist in harmony.
"Ours is a tapestry woven from strands of the greatest cultures and constructs from around the world. Each fibre is part of our lineage, our heritage, our essence and our very being. Together, we create our Trinbago civilisation and today we honour a valuable component of our being, the East Indian community; the people, the cul
