“Mr Junior Bacchus, President of the SVG Indian Heritage Foundation and Executive members sincerely thank all who contributed to the success of the commemoration and celebration of Indian Arrival Day 2025.
Sunday June 1st 2025 was the 164th anniversary of the arrival of 2,474 Indians from India to SVG during the years 1861 to 1880.
The Foundation held its re-enactment and official ceremony at Indian Bay at 2.00 p.m. on Sunday June 1st 2025.
The Programme included:
- Arrival of boat
- Re-enactment
- Registration / Assignment to estates in SVG
The papers handed out in the re-enactment contained the actual names of the persons who arrived in 1861 to 1880, which was transcribed from the register at the National Archives in Kingstown. The information included:
Ship, Colonial number, Name, Age, Sex, Height, Father, Ship No. District, Village, Estate in SVG, ID marks, English names adopted in SVG, family connections in SVG, and who took 10 pounds, (in lieu of, rather than) returning to India.
SUMMARY OF ACTIVITY ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON:
- Prayer: Pastor Ruel Bacchus
- National Anthems: India and St Vincent and the Grenadines
- One-minute silence (Necrology) for persons of Indian Heritage who passed from 2024 to 2025
- Welcome, Remarks: MC: Mrs Cheryl G. Rodriguez – Treasurer, SVG Indian Heritage Foundation
- Remarks: Mr Junior Bacchus – President, SVGIHF
- Remarks: Dr the Hon. Godwin Friday – Leader of the Opposition
- Remarks: Dr the Hon. Ralph E. Gonsalves – Prime Minister of SVG
- Featured Speaker: Mr Nowell Soleyn
- Guest Appearance:
- Miss Jaea Williams – Miss Kingstown Preparatory School Heritage Queen 2025
- Parade of Indian wear by all attendees; photo session - Closing Remarks: Mr Colvin Harry – PRO, SVG Indian Heritage Foundation
- Photo Session
- A Taste of India – Indian food for all
The Foundation paid tribute to the following persons who shared their rich stories in the series “Conversations with our Elders” and “Outstanding Persons of Indian Heritage in SVG and the Diaspora” (Feb. 21, 2020 to present):
- Walter Bacchus
- Theresa Jack
- Samuel “Sonny” Deane
- Elese Louisa Williams
- Patrick Deane
- Sadie Bowman
- Nowell Soleyn
- Winston Bacchus
- Egbert Thomas
- Eleise Morgan Rodney
- Neta Lewis
- Dennis Deane
- Avil Bullock
- Bertram Lewis
- Teroy Thomas
- Edward Williams
- Anton “Tookie” Bowman
- Dr Gideon Lewis
- Dr Rudi Bailey
- Peter Moore
- Shawn Bullock
- Noel Thomas
- Lenroy Thomas
- Kennard King
- Agnes Amelia Perreira Williams
- Arnold Deane
- Berkeley Alexander
Interviews can be viewed on the Foundation’s YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@svgindianheritagefoundatio6305
The Foundation acknowledged the invaluable contribution of its Honourees:
- Dr Gideon Cordice
- Randolph Russell
- Osley Baptiste
- Rene Baptiste
- Indian Ambassador KJS Sodhi
- Dr Junior Bacchus
- Aliena Baptiste
- Kanhai Kangal
- Purushotum Singh
- Anton “Tookie” Bowman
- Haniff Sutherland
- Pearline Marks
- Knox Thomas
- Vibert Bailey
A moment of silence was observed for persons of Indian heritage who passed between June 2024 and June 2025, including:
- Grafton Bullock – Fountain, SVG (June 15, 2024)
- Ivan O’Neil – SVG (June 19, 2024)
- Carmena Bowman – Richland Park, SVG (July 2024)
- Viola Caesar – Calder, SVG (Aug. 2024)
- Joy Roberts Lampkin – Prospect & Rose Bank (Aug. 2024)
- Lenos Da Silva – High Wycombe (Oct. 2024)
- Patrick Deane – Golden Vale, SVG (Nov. 2024)
- Rosanna Baptiste-Traun – SVG (Nov. 2024)
- Mackson McDowall – Canada (Nov. 2024)
- Matthias Williams – UK (Nov. 2024)
- Jerome Labban – Calder, SVG (Dec. 2024)
- Joycelyn “Tiny” Thomas – Trinidad (2025)
- Shirley Virginia Small – North Hampton, UK (2025)
- Cherryann Bullock – Scarborough, Canada (2025)
- Calville David Bacchus – High Wycombe, UK (2025)
- Patricia Moore – Richland Park, SVG (2025)
- Dolly Eugenia Sharpe – High Wycombe, UK (2025)
- Genetha Gaymes Clark – Worthing, UK (2025)
- Kenroy Morgan – Brighton, SVG (2025)
- Veronica Henry Hadley – New York (2025)
- Holista Morgan – Toco, Trinidad (2025)
- Leonie Pereira – High Wycombe, UK (2025)
- Joseph Bullock – Calder, SVG (2025)
- Rupert Bullock – Calder, SVG (2025)
The SVG Indian Heritage Foundation expresses special thanks to members of the media: SVG TV, NBC Radio for hosting President Junior Bacchus, and to the API for facilitating the live stream of the Indian Bay activity via their page and across NBC Radio, VC3, and the SVGIHF Facebook Page.
Gratitude is also extended to all radio stations and news outlets who provided coverage, including Nice Radio, We FM, NBC Radio, Praise FM, One News, The News Newspaper, Searchlight, and The Vincentian. Special thanks to Mr Kingsley Roberts for photographing the event.
To all who attended and supported the function in any way – thank you.
The full programme can be viewed on the Foundation’s YouTube channel.
We are satisfied that we had an unforgettable, well-spent afternoon with great company, good spirits, and delicious Indian cuisine. All praise and thanks to Almighty God for another wonderful year.