The Office of the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
  • Home
  • The President
    • Christine Carla Kangaloo
    • Role and Function
      • Extracts from the Constitution
    • The President’s House
    • Greeting the President
    • History of the Presidency
    • Did You Know?
  • Trinidad and Tobago
    • National Anthem
    • National Symbols
    • National Holidays and Festivals
    • State Structure
    • National Awards
      • National Awards Ceremony
      • Database of National Awardees
  • News & Events
    • Press Releases
    • Presentations of Credentials
    • Courtesy Calls
    • Appointments
    • Messages and Speeches
    • Other Events
    • Photo Galleries
  • Contact

Select Page

Message on Indian Arrival Day 2025

May 30, 2025

Message on Indian Arrival Day 2025

The story of the arrival of the Fatel Razack at the Port of Spain harbour on May 30th, 1845, and of what happened thereafter, is one of the most powerful and inspirational stories in our nation’s history. It is a story, not just of survival, but of triumph over every imaginable adversity. It teaches us what can be achieved when we persevere and do not give up.

The 225 passengers who disembarked from the Fatel Razack that day could hardly have known the transformative impact their arrival would have on the country. They came as immigrants, with the understanding that they would have the opportunity to return to India after five years of indentureship. Happily for Trinidad and Tobago, very few returned. The vast majority of them elected to remain in the country. And their courageous decision changed the course of our history, forever.

Today, 180 years later, we reflect, with respect and gratitude, on the experiences, sacrifices and enduring legacy of those fearless men and women. Their journey across the Kala-Pani was perilous, and we can imagine that loneliness and uncertainty must have threatened to overwhelm them, even before they arrived. We can also imagine that many of them might well have stepped off of that ship with downcast hearts. Yet, once on land, their indomitable spirit revived. Even though they had no temples, mosques or churches where they could seek solace, and even though their landlords, the colonial British Raj, discouraged social gatherings and subtly frustrated any effort at worship, they refused to languish and die. Instead, they held firm to their principles and beliefs, and devoted themselves to changing difficulties into opportunities. The result has been one of the greatest lessons in resilience that our country has ever witnessed.

Rising above discrimination, injustices, and harsh working and living conditions, they worked hard and silently, slowly building themselves into a powerful and productive force the likes of which, even to the most optimistic observer at the time, must not have seemed remotely possible when first they dragged their tired bodies off of the ship by which they were transported here. Shored up by their rich traditions, deeply held values and aspirations for a better life, they ushered in a period which would leave an indelible mark on the cultural, social, demographic and economic landscape of our nation.

On Indian Arrival Day we celebrate their rich and lasting legacy. We celebrate their courage and their resilience, and the values and traditions that sustained them throughout their years of hardship and uncertainty. And we thank them for safeguarding and passing down the rich cultural heritage which has enriched and strengthened the fabric of Trinbagonian society beyond measure.

This year, let us use the occasion of Indian Arrival Day to pay tribute to their legacy, not just by expressions of gratitude and congratulations, but also by the way in which we choose to live, daily. Let us commit to leading lives that exemplify the values they worked so hard to preserve. Let us undertake to do our part to contribute to the growth and development of the country that they worked so hard to build. Let us dedicate ourselves to completing the work that they began of creating a more respectful and unified society.

The story of Indian indentureship teaches us what can be achieved when individuals choose to commit to a vision greater than themselves. This Indian Arrival Day, let us choose to commit ourselves to the vision of a greater Trinidad and Tobago.

I extend best wishes to all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago for a joyous and a reflective Indian Arrival Day.

Photos Courtesy Jeff Mayers.

Share:

PreviousPresentation of Credentials: Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway
NextTheir Excellencies congratulate Joshua Regrello on Official Guinness World Record Confirmation

Related Posts

Appointment of Port Authority Commissioners

Appointment of Port Authority Commissioners

May 21, 2019

Her Excellency extends condolences on the Passing of Lawrence Duprey

Her Excellency extends condolences on the Passing of Lawrence Duprey

August 25, 2024

Appointment to the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago

Appointment to the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago

April 9, 2024

Message from Her Excellency Paula-Mae Weekes, O.R.T.T., President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on World Cancer Day 2019

Message from Her Excellency Paula-Mae Weekes, O.R.T.T., President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on World Cancer Day 2019

February 4, 2019

Facebook Feed

Cover for The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T
20,493
The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T

The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T

The official Facebook Page of The Office of the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T

4 days ago

The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T
#HappeningNow The third and final stop of the day has brought Their Excellencies to the San Rafael RC Primary School as they continue their educational outreach programme on the Presidency. ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T

4 days ago

The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T
#Happeningnow The Brazil RC Primary School is the second stop of the day for Their Excellencies Christine Carla Kangaloo ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Kerwyn Garcia, SC, First Gentleman, on today’s visit to schools in the St George East Education District. ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T

4 days ago

The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T
#HappeningNow The Office of the President's School Visit programme continues today, Thursday 29th May, 2025, as Their Excellencies Christine Carla Kangaloo ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Kerwyn Garcia SC, First Gentleman, visit schools in the St. George East Education District. The first stop of the day is at the Talparo RC Primary School and the Mundo Nuevo RC Primary School which are both housed on the same compound. ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T

5 days ago

The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T
On Tuesday 27 May, 2025, Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, met with Senator the Honourable Wade Mark, President of the Senate at The President’s House.As outlined in Section 27 of the Constitution, the President of the Senate is entrusted with the responsibility of acting as President in the absence or illness of the Head of State. Her Excellency extended heartfelt congratulations to Senator Mark on his appointment and expressed her best wishes as he assumes this significant role. ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T

5 days ago

The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T
Excitement filled the air during recent student tours of The President’s House and grounds! This week, the Office of the President was delighted to welcome students from:📚 St. Dominic’s R.C. School, Morvant📚 Poole River Presbyterian Primary School📚 Arima Girls’ R.C. SchoolDuring their visit, the students had the unique opportunity to witness parts of the Presentation of Credentials ceremonies taking place at The President’s House on that day. Some students were even fortunate enough to meet and interact with Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo, ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, following the conclusion of one of the ceremonies. 🇹🇹📸 Take a look at some memorable moments from their visit!Click the links below to view the full photo albums:🔗 St. Dominic’s R.C. School, Morvant: flic.kr/s/aHBqjCfT6y🔗 Poole River Presbyterian Primary School: flic.kr/s/aHBqjCg2Yo🔗 Arima Girls’ R.C. School: flic.kr/s/aHBqjCg4xw ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Categories

  • Appointments
  • Courtesy Calls
  • Featured
  • Galleries
  • Media Releases
  • Messages and Speeches
  • Multimedia
  • News & Events
  • Other Events
  • Presentations of Credentials
  • Publications
  • Videos

  • THE PRESIDENT
  • Christine Carla Kangaloo
  • Role and Function
  • Extracts from the Constitution
  • The President’s House
  • Forms of Address
  • History of the Presidency
  • Did You Know?

  • TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
  • National Anthem
  • National Symbols
  • National Holidays and Festivals
  • State Structure
  • National Awards
  • Ceremony
  • Database/Past Ceremonies

  • NEWS AND EVENTS
  • Press Releases
  • Messages and Speeches
  • Appointments
  • Presentations of Credentials
  • Courtesy Calls
  • Other Events
  • Galleries

Contact

President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Office of the President
Circular Road
St Ann’s
The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

Telephone: (868) 225-4687
Email: otp.mail@otp.gov.tt

Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress