Indian Arrivals Day 2026

On May 1st, we honoured two deeply connected parts of our story, the journey of those who arrived from India, and the labour, resilience, and sacrifice that helped to build our nation. These observances are intertwined, reminding us that the Indo-Grenadian experience is rooted in both heritage and hard work.

Since 2009, The Belmont Foundation along with the Indo-Grenadian Heritage Foundation , have proudly hosted this annual celebration at Belmont Estate. This year marked a significant step forward with the valued collaboration of the India in Trinidad & Tobago (High Commission of India, Port of Spain) whose partnership helped to elevate the celebration in a meaningful way. We are deeply grateful for their support and shared commitment to preserving and promoting Indo-Grenadian heritage.

We began the day with the official flag-raising ceremony 🇬🇩🇮🇳, chaired by Dr. Vajinder Singh. The ceremony opened in prayer by Dr. Vernessa Noel.

The Grenadian flag was proudly hoisted by Ms. Laureen Salim, Community Leader and Personal Assistant to Minister Dennis Cornwall, while the National Anthem was beautifully rendered by Mrs. Naomi Narine-Roberts. Students from various schools recited the National Pledge, coordinated by Mrs Rose Fraser of Belair Government School.

The Indian flag was ceremonially hoisted by Mr. Sagar Maitra, Head of Chancery at the Indian High Commission, alongside a member of his delegation, and the Indian National Anthem was led by Mrs. Priya Thomas and members of the Indian diaspora.

A special highlight this year was the launch of the “Roots and Resilience” exhibition, a new and meaningful addition to the programme. The exhibition was chaired by Dr. Angus Martin, eminent Grenadian historian and museum curator, and curated alongside @Teddy Frederick and JAM Consultants. It brings to life the stories of Indo-Grenadian families and marks an important step in documenting and preserving our shared history. The Honourable Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, delivered remarks during the exhibition.

We were honoured by the presence of national leaders, including the Honourable Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, the Honourable Emmalin Pierre, Leader of the Opposition, Senator the Honourable Adrian Thomas, Minister for Tourism, Creative Economy and Culture, and former Prime Minister the Honourable Tillman Thomas.

The Indian High Commission was well represented by Mr. Sagar Maitra and Mr. Ajay Yadav, including Mrs. Mrittika Maitra, whose musical performances added a rich cultural dimension to the day.

The celebration continued with a vibrant bazaar and into the restaurant, where guests enjoyed a beautifully prepared vegetarian and non-vegetarian buffet. The meal was a true celebration of Indian cuisine, rich curries, soft roti, and a variety of dishes layered with bold spices and flavour. It was colourful, fragrant, and deeply satisfying, bringing together the many tastes of India in one shared experience.

The cultural programme, chaired by Ms. Jadey Bissessar, Belmont Estate’s Marketing Executive and Event Coordinator, was lively and engaging. Performances by the St. Andrew’s Anglican Secondary School Choral Speaking Ensemble, Ms. Amesiha Persaud, the Belmont Belles, and Mrs. Mrittika Maitra added colour and depth to the celebration. Featured performances by Ms. Vidushi Deepa Bhat and her daughter Nisarga Gurunandan, classical Indian dancers of Bharatanatyam dance, brought a captivating and refined expression of cultural tradition to the stage, complementing the richness of the overall programme.

We were also pleased to welcome members of the Indo-Grenadian community, members of the wider Indian diaspora, and a diverse gathering of guests, all contributing to the vibrancy of the day.

Indian Arrival Day reminds us of who we are, where we come from, and the responsibility we carry to preserve and share our stories. Please view the lovely memories of the day below: