by Ariti Jankie in Houston, Texas
Indian Arrival Day celebrations may well be the most anticipated festival for the Caribbean migrants in Houston, Texas. Rooted, as it is, in memories of a time when poor people lived rich lives, the Girmitays or children of Indenture step forward to participate with an emphasis on telling their stories and reminiscing on the good ole days.
Trinidad and Tobago joined Guyana, Fiji and Mauritius to host is first Houston arrival last year and heard stories of hardship and struggle in the early days by both the ancestor and the migrant population. This year, several temple and cultural groups have joined in the planning stages, a trophy has been designed and made to honor twelve persons and rehearsals continue with a locally composed song and popular old songs designed to capture the essence of Indentureship and the early days.
Shomie Ramdial
Shomie Ramdial was born in Cumuto. She married Nandkumar Rampershad of Guyana in 1982 and migrated to Texas in 2004. She has the voice of an angel and is the lead singer in both the Trinidad Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha mandir as well as Guyanese rooted Sanatan Dharam mandir. She embodies the “sweetness” attributed to Trini women by walking with the tastiest dishes in both mandir celebrations and is known for a heavy hand with the hot pepper.
She has composed a song especially for the occasion and listening to her sing I am tempted to record and publicise this beautiful rendition with great pride.
Shomie and Nandkumar will receive top honours for dedicated service in religion, arts, culture and community service on May 24th when the second Indian Arrival Day celebration will take place at 12918 Players Street, Houston 77045 from 7.00 a.m.
Ramkisssoon Goonie of Biche, a father of 15 moved to Texas 30 years ago. He was honoured last year
Felicity in Chaguanas is "alive and well" here in Houston with the contributions of Chris Ramlochan. As a little boy riding his bicycle in the village, he one day heard music playing. He rode straight under the house sitting on tall wooden posts and found a man playing the harmonium with lots of drums and other instruments lying around. He asked if he could have a harmonium and was told to bring an old one if he could find it. The repair man offered to fix a harmonium for young Chris.
Chris found his passion and has never left his music since. He took it with him to Florida and now in Texas he has invested in music equipment and travels on Fridays and Sundays to provide music at the temple.
Prematee Jaggessar is popularly called Dulsie and also referred to as “Queenie” here in Houston. She is from Cunupia and pays attention to details in temple activities. Always with a smile, she’ll happily take a day off, to make sweets as well as dhalpuri and other Indo-Trini dishes whenever there is an occasion. Most of all, she has no enemies and is everyone’s friend with a career in designer drapery.
Ram and Jasodra Sharma
Jasodra Sharma is cultural icon who when she calls everyone comes running. She is calling now to all those who came to Houston from the Caribbean to gather for this one day when we meet as children of Indentureship. In her childhood days in Guyana, she staged plays at the mandir and was versed in singing. Jasodra used to sew dresses for Guyanese one dollar. She came to America as a student’s wife and set herself up with a sewing machine to earn US $5 for simple alterations. Determined to have an education, she studied book keeping. She is a mother of five. Always well dressed in ethnic wear, she inspires others to make the temple a more inspiring place to visit. Along with her husband, Fiji-born Ram Sharma, she is well travelled and a singer par excellence.
Dharam Vishal Chatoor born in Couva leads the Maha Sabha. He spares no effort in striving for perfection with his wife Radica beside him.
The immortal Vindra Naipaul’s daughter Sharlene is a vibrant member of the group as well as petroleum engineer Shashi Beharry of Chaguanas and Ravi Garib from Cunupia is a successful realtor all working together to carve a niche for the Caribbean diaspora here in Houston, Texas.
Indian Arrival Day idea may be mine but it found rich soil and for me surprisingly, Texas has become home.
Pundit Sase Narine
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