The East Indian immigrants truly made an ineradicable mark in Guyana’s history. Before the year of 1988, which would’ve been the 150th Anniversary of their Arrival, there was no structure to
commemorate their arrival. In August of the 1987, Dr. Yesu Persaud was unanimously elected as the Chairman of the 150th Anniversary Committee. In May of 1988, Dr. Persaud met with Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, who was the then Vice President of India, and expressed his desire to have the monument built. That occasion saw the agreement to erect a monument in recognition of the East Indians and their contribution to the Guyanese culture. The committee then decided on a location, which was agreed to be the section of the Merriman’s Mall bordered by Church and Alexander
streets, North Road and Camp Street, opposite the St. Rose’s High School. A country wide competition was held for the design of the monument, which saw hundreds of entries. The winning entry was a
replica of the ‘SS Whitby’, the first ship which arrived on Guyana’s shores with the first batch of immigrants. It cost a total of $250,000 and was sculpted in bronze. It rests on a pedestal of black marble that is coloured in yellow, green and black and reaches a height of ten feet. Mr. Balkishen designed the sculpture of the Whitby, while Mr. Albert Rodrigues was the architect with the creative mind behind the landscape. The monument was cast in India and is now the centerpiece of the
monument gardens. The structure is encompassed by low partitions that have writings of calligraphy and other illustrative scenes. There can be found wall paintings and carvings which give understanding into the way of life of the sugar cane workers on its external surface. The Heritage site
is managed by the Indian Commemoration Trust and is a beautiful reminder of the East Indian History and culture.