Nalini Parasram-Rajballie, Chairperson, SWAHA Publications Committee
One hundred and eighty years after our Indian ancestors survived the voyage across the Indian and Atlantic oceans, and planted their jhandis in a new land, we pause and reflect once again on what strides we have made, both personally and as a people.
Many generations ago, our ancestors arrived, not only seeking a new way of life, but as envoys of dharma. Facing many adversities, they still upheld their faith through daily worship, mantras and sacred traditions. They arrived with little materially, yet some brought their scriptures, and also transmitted our philosophical heritage orally, through bhajans, kathas, Ramaayan readings and traditional festivals. They held satsangs, preserving the flame of Sanaatan Dharma, and through great self-sacrifice and determination, eventually built mandirs and other service centres throughout the land.
Indian Arrival Day is not just about looking back; it is about looking within and ahead. Our ancestors may have arrived on ships, but their real journey is one of spirit, towards self-realisation. We have inherited their legacy of philosophical strength through the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, Ramaayan, Vedas and Puranas – scriptures that teach endurance, detachment and resilience. Their ability to remain spiritually rooted in spite of social and economic oppression is a teaching in inner fortitude.
Living with their rich philosophical and cultural heritage, means more than remembering the past, it means living by their values of humility, seva (selfless service), family unity and respect for elders and Gurus. We honour our ancestors by living their virtues: prayerfulness and devotion to duty.
The responsibility now remains with us to maintain the spiritual and cultural identity in a rapidly changing world. SWAHA has contributed significantly to preserving and enhancing the vast spiritual and cultural inheritance through its myriad temples and centres, social outreach and schools. Over the years, the annual Swadeshi ceremony has also honoured champions of service and developed cultural innovation and teamwork via friendly cultural competition between temples, centres and schools.
As we reflect on 180 years as Indo-Trinbagonians, the words of the Paramacharya, H.H. Pundit Hardeo Persad provide advice that transcend time, place and circumstances: “Do some solid self-reflection and gauge how far you have progressed at the personal level. Be critical and honest with yourself. Set a goal in mind and take steps towards that goal so that when (the next) Indian Arrival comes around, real, authentic spiritual growth can be celebrated. According to Mahatma Gandhi, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Change starts with you. Only when this happens can we really proclaim that we have arrived. Only then can we…celebrate not only the historicity of Indian arrival but, even better, a true spiritual arrival.”
Happy Indian Arrival Day 2025.
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