At a press briefing at the Everest Cricket Club yesterday, Executive Committee Member, Mr. Evan Radhay Persaud said the event, which will usher in the 165th anniversary of the arrival of Indians in Guyana, is intended to showcase the contributions of East Indians to the cultural landscape of Guyana in music, song, dance, drama, fashion and food.

To be held under the theme `Indo-Guyanese and National Unity', it will feature healthy entertainment for the entire family - games, merry go-round and more, and there will be a wide assortment of Indian dishes, including vegetarian and halaal food, he said.

Admission to the Mela is free, and buses will be at the Mahaica Market, Parika Market, and Grove, East Bank Demerara to transport interested persons to and from the venue.

Executive Member, Mr. Raymond Azeez stressed that security will be assured for patrons as well as vehicles. He said the cooperation of the Police has already been sought, and arrangements are in place for top security.

Meanwhile, alluding to the theme of the celebrations, Persaud said that it is in recognition of the need for national unity, while celebrating the contributions of various groups, in this case East Indians, to this endeavour.

He recalled that it was on May 5, 1838 that the first group of East Indian indentured labourers arrived in British Guiana to work on sugar plantations, but noted that over the years, for a number of reasons, there has been a lack of emphasis on the contributions of Indo-Guyanese to these efforts to construct a Guyana, which is a country of migrants, forced and voluntary.

Also lacking, the IAC noted, is the celebration of various forms of culture and entertainment brought by East Indians to Guyana.

Therefore, the celebrations planned, the committee agreed, "are intended to reverse that trend and provide the initial push necessary to sensitise all cultural and religious organisations to work, develop and continue programmes towards national unity, while recording and preserving the rich heritage brought by our forefathers."

Persaud noted that the committee has called on President Bharrat Jagdeo to declare May 5, Indian Arrival Day, a public holiday.

Meanwhile, May 5 will also mark the beginning of a lecture series on the theme "Indo Guyanese and National Unity," at the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre, Georgetown, commencing at 16:30 hrs.