St James and the East Indian connection

THE EDITOR: The commemoration today of 175 years of East Indian arrival to our shores is indeed a significant milestone.

Incidental to this is the 82nd anniversary of the inclusion of St James into the city of Port-of-Spain. This historic event took place on June 1, 1938. Since then, St James has developed from a sleepy village to a vital sub-division of Port-of-Spain.

Originally, St James was settled by Tamil Indians and that was recognised by naming many of its streets after cities and regions in India. Hence we have Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, Baroda, Bengal, Kandahar, Lucknow, Agra, Patna, and Benares, to name some.

Moreover, the two religions associated with Indians of Trinidad, Hinduism and Islam, are very well established there and the Hosay commemoration is a major religious and cultural event.

Furthermore, all forms of Indian cuisine, whether in direct form or indirectly in the manner in which food is seasoned, have become characteristic of St James households, regardless of ethnic origin, and of food vending outlets all over the country.

Additionally, architecture in St James and the enterprising spirit of its people reflect the philosophy of life of the Indian immigrant.

All of those characteristics have caused St James to be seen as the most vibrant sub-division of Port-of-Spain.

Most residents of St James are proud to be St Jamesians and acknowledge the contribution of the Indian immigrant to this outstanding community.

Indians in St James also participate in events of other ethnic groups, thus reinforcing our national motto, Together we aspire, together we achieve.

RISHI LAKHAN

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