PRESIDENT of the Tobago Hindu Society Pulwaty Beepath has one major wish for this year’s Indian Arrival Day observance.
She is hoping that significant progress will be made on the organisation’s Hindu temple in Signal Hill, which, when completed will be the first in the island’s history.
“We are still in the process of building the temple and anybody wanting to donate anything towards the construction, it will be greatly appreciated because right now we have to get lights, water, windows, doors. So are looking at the end of the year to see how far we will reach with the construction of the temple,” she told Newsday on May 20.
The Tobago Hindu Society hosts its annual Arrival Day celebration at the Gulf City Mall, Lowlands, on May 24, from 5 pm-8 pm. It is one of the organisation’s signature cultural events.
Pundit Ramdath Mahase is expected to officiate.
Indian Arrival Day, observed on May 30, commemorates the arrival of the first indentured labourers from India on the Fatel Razack in May 1845.
[caption id="attachment_1156566" align="alignnone" width="768"] President of the Tobago Hindu Society Pulwaty Beepath -[/caption]
Beepath said the Hindu Society’s Arrival Day function has been in existence since the organisation was formed in 1992.
“We started observing Divali functions and Arrival Day up to this present time. We have been having these things for the many years and we never stopped.”
She said the event continues to grow.
“Every year, we have more and more people attending the function. So the event is definitely growing. This year, we are catering for about 300 people.”
Beepath said the event will feature performances from several artistes, including the Kashmir Indian Orchestra, Archarya Rukminee Holass Beepath, Govinda Ramlogan (Tobago Channa), Beesram Seudath, Mia Beepath, Sanjay Sharma, the Mahatma Gandhi institute for cultural co-operation among others.
She said Niall George, assistant secretary, Division of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities and Transportation, is scheduled to deliver an address on behalf of Chief Secretary Farley Augustine.
A representative from the Mahatma Gandhi Institute is also expected to address the gathering.
Deputy Chief Secretary Dr Faith Brebnor and other members of the THA, including the Minority bench, have also been invited.
[caption id="attachment_1156568" align="alignnone" width="640"] Seeta Beepath Combie -[/caption]
Beepath, who has been at the helm of the organisation for more than 20 years, said she was pleased to again celebrate such a significant milestone.
“The East Indians arrived in this country in 1845 and its 180 years now. There are a lot of East Indians living in Tobago and many of them are going back and forth to Trinidad to work.”
She added many of them have joined the Tobago Hindu Society and were actively involved in the organisation and assisting with various projects.
Beepath said the organisation’s main goal is to complete the temple.
The construction of the temple suffered a setback in January when thieves stole
