Indo Grenadian Historical information in chronological order

 

1854

• Grenadian planters agreed to adopt the Indentureship Scheme and ship Indian workers to Grenada.

 

1857

• The Maidstone set sail from Calcutta with 304 passengers, arriving 89 days later at Irwin's Bay in St. Patrick on May 1st, 1857 with only 287 survivors.

• The survivors were first taken to Belmont Estate as a holding area and then distributed to 15 plantations in St. Patrick.

• Over the next 28 years approximately 3200 East Indians arrived here from the cities of Calcutta and Madras.

• Initially 24% of migrants boarding vessels, died in transit to Grenada.

• The new migrants entered into Indentureship contracts with plantations for one year in the first instant, and contracts were later extended to three (3) years.  

 

1862

• In 1862 five (5) year contracts were granted. Contrary to popular belief the Indians were also subjected to very severe working conditions on the plantations.

 

1864

• Grenadians white colonists established the ‘Association for the Instruction of Indian Immigrants’ aimed at converting the Indian’s to Christians.

 

1867

• A commission of enquiry was appointed to investigate the high mortality rate of indentured East Indian workers on the Mt Alexander Estate in St Patrick.

 

1872

• The Association for the Instruction of Indian Immigrants collapsed due to lack of funding and instructors.

 

1884

• The Mission to East Indian Immigrants was established.  A highly active Anglicising drive aimed once more at converting Indian’s to Christianity. 

 

1890 - 1893

• The period of Indentureship officially ended.

• Some Indians continued to work under existing contracts until 1893.

• 302 Indians choose to repatriate to India, but most used their bounty funds, to which they were entitled, to purchase lands or to start a savings account in the local banks, and assimilated into the society inter-marrying with the Africans, Europeans and other island inhabitants.

• Many adopted the names of the plantation owners, some retained their Indian names and others varied their names in the course of cultural assimilation.  i.e. Jagoo was changed to De Gale and Mahadai to Thomas.

 

1930

• The last Hosay procession in Grenada was held in St Andrew and stopped by Police.

 

1954 

• Frederick Mirjah and Lincoln Kahlicharan Charles formed the ‘Grenada East Indian Cultural Association’ (GEICA) aimed at stimulating and developing Indian cultural consciousness in Grenada.

 

1957

• On the outskirts of Belmont Estate, a primary school (now Hermitage Government School) hosted celebrations for the 100th Anniversary of Indian Arrival, organised by the GEICA.

• Hundreds of Grenadians of Indian descent attended the celebrations and marched.

• The Government of India gave a few scholarships to Grenadians of Indian decent to study in India.

• Norbert Nyack the then owner of Belmont Estate and grandfather of the current owner Shadel Nyack was instrumental in attempting to reintroduce some Indian traditions to Grenada along with other members of the GEICA. 

 

1961

• The first politician of Indian descent was elected to the Government of Grenada.

 

1963

• The GEICA raised funds and assisted by the Church of Scotland in Grenada, built Mac Donald College.

• Norbert Nyack appointed Senator by Eric Gairy.

 

1970s

• The last Punjahs (Indian Dinners), where Indian food was offered to Grenadians of African descent, were held in Ford, Maran, Samaritan, Clozier, Conference, Gouyave, Grand Bacolet and Belair.

• Norbert Nyack appointed Senator

 

2007

• On May 1st, a symbolic Christian Thanksgiving Service was arranged by a group of people of Indian descent directed by historian Dr. Beverley Steele.  It was held at the Mac Donald College to recognize the 150th of the arrival of The Maidstone.  This group was later to emerge as the Indo-Grenadian Heritage Foundation.

 

2008

• On May 1st a worship service was held at the Samaritan Presbyterian Church with Mr Clifton Ali arranging and sponsoring the guest speaker Rev. E. Seunarine from the Presbyterian Church in Trinidad to talk about how Indians in Trinidad were Christianized.

 

• The Indo-Grenadian Heritage Foundation, (IGHF), a non-profit organization, was incorporated in September 2008, to promote and preserve East Indian culture and heritage in Grenada, document our history, to help to gain recognition for and increase the awareness of the contributions of East Indians in Grenada, and to ensure that Indian Culture is represented on a national level.

 

• Wilbur Adams was president of the foundation until his sad passing in 2017. He will always be remembered for his hard work and passion for the Indo-Grenadian community and for promoting the awareness of our Indian ancestry.

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• The 250 year old estate road to the original Indian arrivals landing site at Irwin’s Bay, St Patrick was surfaced by the Ministry of Works..

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2009

• La Qua Brothers Funeral Home donated a marble commemorative plaque to be erected as a monument at the Irwin’s Bay arrival site.

 

• The first Indian Arrivals celebrations were held at Belmont Estate included the airing of a historical documentary about the indentured Indians of Guyana, along with Indian cultural performances including drummers and dancers from Trinidad.  Every year Indian's Arrivals Day celebrations are now held at Belmont Estate with a full Indian lunch and Indian cultural entertainment.

 

2010

• An ‘Indian Arrivals’ commemorative plaque was unveiled by His Excellency, Sir Carlyle Glean, Governor General of Grenada.  The plaque was temporarily housed at the premises of Mr and Mrs. Hermione George-sister of Senator Kenny Lalsingh at La Fortune, St Patrick.

 

• Road signs Irwin’s Bay and Maidstone Road unveiled.

 

• The Grenada Trade Union Council invited the IGHF to participate in the May Day Celebrations with a message of solidarity delivered by the President of the IGHF.

 

• Indian Arrivals day celebrations and cultural performances at Belmont Estate included Indian fashion show, Indian music, dancing, storytelling and songs

 

2011

• Symposium facilitated by Dr Terence Marryshow with presentations from His Excellency, Mr Malay Mishra, High Commissioner of India, Dr Ron Sookram, offering historical insights into the Indo-Grenadian community since 1857 and Mr Prodyut Debnath ‘East Indies to West Indies’.

 

• Indian Film Festival with screenings at cinemas in St George and Grenville along with schools in St Patrick, St Marks, and St David.

 

• ’India’ focused television programmes recorded and aired in Grenada and subsequently repeated during the month of May in honour of Indian Arrivals.  These included Indian fashion and cuisine ‘ChitChat’ programmes hosted by Lexan Fletcher and featuring Prodyut & Keya Debnath, Dolly Singh and Geeta Prem

 

• A series of Hindi language classes hosted by Prodyut Debnath and aired on the Government Information Service.

 

• Ms Deboolena Paul, the award winning Indian dancer and teacher was invited as a special guest on ‘Day Break’ during her teaching secondment to Grenada, by the kind arrangement of the High Commissioner of India, His Excellency, Malay Mishra.

 

• Ms Paul’s facilitated a six month long, series of dance classes for local children and adults.  Many of her students have gone on to perform at prestigious events in Grenada and many other Indian artistes have performed in Grenada by kind arrangement of His Excellency, Malay Mishra.

 

• Indian Arrivals celebrations at Belmont Estate with performances from a 16 member Bhangra and Giddha Group from Trinidad.

 

• Visa waiver for Indian Nationals to Grenada.

 

• Gandhi Awareness Programme introduced, educating on Mahatma’s contribution to peace and non-violence

 

• ICT Training Centre financed by the Government of India, officially opened by Prime Minister, The Right Honourable Tilman Thomas providing facilities for over 800 students annually.

 

• The Government of India donated cricket equipment to the Parish of St Marks during the visit of His Excellency, Mr Malay Mishra, High Commissioner of India.

 

• A delegation from the town of Patna in Bihar, India attended St Mark’s Day with a view to arranging the twinning of St Mark with Patna.

 

 

2012

• By kind permission of Mrs. Sylvan the Indian Arrivals commemorative plaque was installed on her property, as the nearest available point of the Indian Arrival landing site.

 

2013

• The Government of India gifted a bust of Mahatma Gandhi to Grenada.  The bust was erected at Mac Donald College in St Patrick, during their 50th Anniversary celebrations on a site overlooking Sauteurs and Irwin’s Bay.  This location is particularly fitting, as the ‘Grenada East Indian Cultural Association’ had been instrumental in establishing the College in 1963.

 

• The Indo-Grenadian Heritage Foundation participated in two Seminars organized by the Indian High Commission and the University of the West Indies at the St. Augustine Campus on the Indian Diaspora.​

 

2014

• IAD proceedings attended by the new High Commission of India to Trinidad and Tobago, His Excellency, Mr. Gauri Shankar Gupta.

 

• Laying of garlands at Gandhi and visit to Irwins bay site.

 

2016

• IAD proceedings attended by the High Commission of India to Trinidad and Tobago, His Excellency, Mr. Gauri Shankar Gupta.

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2017

• The Govenment of Grenada officially declares 1st May a national holiday to commemorate Indian Arrivals on the island.

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• Indian Arrivals Day celebrations at Belmont Estate attended by the Prime Minister and former Prime Minister with speeches from the Governor General of Grenada, President of the Indian Cultural Organisation, Minister of Tourism and performances by Khalnayack Academy.

 

• Letter of recognition from the Indian Diaspora Council marking 160th Anniversary of Indian Arrivals in Grenada

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2018

• Appointment of the Honorary Consul on 28th April, 2018 marked the official appointment of Honorary Consul for India to Grenada, the High Commissioner of India to Trinidad presented Shadel Nyack Compton to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Labour, the Hon. Peter David.

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• The visit of the Honourable Mrs. Anupriya Singh Patel, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare of the Government of India to Grenada in May 2018 marked a historic moment in the relationship of our two countries.  It was the first time that a Minister of the Government of India made an official visit to the country and the visit opened up opportunities for increased bilateral cooperation and mutual advancement.

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• The Hon. Minister Patel met with Prime Minister Mitchell and many other government ministers and dignitaries during her visit. A highlight of the trip was the signing of the International Solar Alliance agreement by Minister for Foreign Affairs and Labour, the Hon. Peter David

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2019

• The first Consular Camp was arranged by the Honorary Consul in collaboration with the High Commission of India to Trinidad.  At the camp Indian Nationals were offered consular services without having to travel to Trinidad.  This special service will be arranged yearly to Indian Nationals.

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• Simon Green from Grenada was kindly sponsored by the Government of India to attend Kumbh Mela 2019, the biggest religious festival in the world.

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2021

• On 8th December, 2021 the Indian High Commissioner accompanied by the Honorary Consul officially opened the new community complex at Union, St Mark funded by the Government of India.  

• The Indian Government donated approximately XCD 1.6 million to Government and people of Grenada for the complex. The three-story complex is a multi-purpose facility built for educational, sporting, cultural and social events.

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• The Honorary Consul makes arrangements with the government for Indian Independence Day to be officially celebrated in Grenada on 15th August every year with flag raising and a commemoration service.

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• A special awards ceremony was introduced by the Honorary Consul to recognise distinguished individuals every year on Indian Independence Day for their stellar contributions to community, education and culture.

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• 2024 Honorary Consul, Ms Shadel Nyack Compton's 6 year tenure in office ended.  Shadel continues to work to maintain our excellent bilateral relations with India and to improve Grenadian knowledge of our Indian Heritage.  Her long-term aim is build a heritage centre to educate students, visitors and locals on this aspect of our history.