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Indian Express
15 hours ago
- General
- Indian Express
When a ship with Indians docked in the Caribbean
On May 30, 1845, after a five-month voyage from Calcutta, the Fatel Razack docked in the Gulf of Paria. The vessel carried 225 people, mostly young men and a smattering of women, from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Bengal, to work on sugar cane and cocoa plantations in the dual-island Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago after the abolition of African slavery. This 14,000-mile journey would mark the beginning of the arrival of over 1.44 lakh Indians in Trinidad and Tobago between 1845 and 1917. Under contract for five to 10 years, these Indians were promised a free passage back home. However, at least 75% of them ended up staying back and settling in the New World colony. Named Indian Arrival Day in 1979, May 30 was in 1994 declared as a public holiday by then Prime Minister Patrick Manning. On May 30 each year, their descendants, who now comprise about half of the Caribbean nation's 1.3 million multi-ethnic society, commemorate the arrival of their ancestors to these shores. This year marked 180 years since Indian immigrants had first arrived in the island nation. Records provided by the National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago show that of the 225 who landed on its shores on May 30, 1845, about 85% were Hindus, 14% Muslims and the rest either Christians or from other communities, with Bhojpuri being the common tongue. Records show that 228 ships from India landed there between 1866 and 1917. The gruelling journey across the kaala pani (the sea) saw diseases like cholera claim many lives. Upon their arrival, the labourers would be quarantined at Nelson Island, which became the Immigration Depot for Indians migrants after the system for receiving immigrants was reorganised in 1866. This involved the disembarkation of immigrants from the ship onto barges and then onto Nelson Island. On arrival, Indian immigrants would be medically examined. Then, they would either be sent to the Marion Hospital for treatment or to the Convalescent Depot to regain their strength after the strenuous sea journey. The immigrants would then be made to sit in the assembly area, where they would be addressed by the 'Protector of Immigrants' and his interpreters. These officials would read them their contracts in Hindi and Urdu. Ten days after their arrival on the island, most migrants would be sent off to estates, bound by strict contracts. In the early years, Nelson Island's Immigration Depot provided accommodation for approximately 450 people. By 1881, it was enlarged to hold 600 persons. In 1912, it could accommodate 1,000 persons. But not all was hunky-dory. The indentureship system was often exploitative, with labourers bound to estates for years, receiving meagre wages and forced to live in poor conditions. Though women, comprising around 29% of the arrivals, navigated additional challenges, many still chose to migrate for economic opportunity. Despite hardships, the girmitiyas (indentured labourers from India contracted to work on plantations) showed remarkable resilience. Of the 75% who stayed back after their contracts ended, most received or bought land to farm and build a community, complete with temples, mosques and schools, to preserve their heritage. Indo-Trinidadians, now into their fifth and sixth generations, have become the largest ethnic community settled there. In fact, the community has come full circle now, with both the President (Christine Kangaloo) and the Prime Minister (Kamla Persad-Bissessar) having Indian roots. Earlier this year, the President was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman by India. In the late 1800s, Mahatma Gandhi initiated protests against the discrimination faced by free, professional Indians in South Africa. This protest expanded to include Indian indentured labourers and the cause was taken up by nationalists in India. It spread to Fiji and Mauritius later. Though the recruitment of Indian labourers to work in overseas colonies was suspended on March 12, 1917, due to the military requirements of the First World War, it never resumed after the war. Till 1939, Nelson Island served as a port of departure for those returning to India. The returning immigrants would stay on the island until 300-400 of them were gathered to fill an entire ship. Over all, over half a million Indians were transported to the Caribbean as indentured labourers after the abolition of slavery. Many of these migrants chose to settle down in the Caribbean at the end of their contracts, particularly in Guyana, Trinidad and Suriname. In Suriname and Guyana too, Indian-origin people have become a sizeable chunk of the population. On June 5, Suriname marked the Indian Arrival Day to commemorate the docking of Lalla Rookh on the shore of Paramaribo, its capital, in 1873. On board the ship were 400 Indian indentured labourers, who became the first people of Indian origin to arrive in the then Dutch colony. Between 1873 and 1916, nearly 34,000 Indians would arrive in Suriname. Their descendants now make up the single largest demographic in Suriname, accounting for 27.4% of the country's population. In many ways, these indentured migrants took India with them to the Caribbean. In Trinidad, for instance, festivals like Diwali, Eid-ul-Fitr, Holi and Muharram are national celebrations, with Divali Nagar, an annual cultural exposition, in Chaguanas drawing thousands. Indian cuisine — roti, kachori and pholourie (similar to pakoda) — has become a culinary cornerstone of Trinidad. Names of places like Patna, Fyzabad and Barrackpore in the island nation are also a reflection of Indian roots. The writer is Senior Assistant Editor, The Indian Express
USA Today
04-05-2025
- USA Today
48 hours and a golf bag in: St. George, Utah (where the colors are surreal)
48 hours and a golf bag in: St. George, Utah (where the colors are surreal) ST. GEORGE, Utah — For some reason, human geography — how people got where they are — has always been a fascinating topic for me, one that makes travel even more interesting. It's easy to visualize, for example, why Chicago became the dynamic city it did when you consider that every Midwestern farmer sent his yearly crop off to the city on Lake Michigan, and those goods were then taken by barge or ship through the Great Lakes for international consumption. But most of this movement, at least for the majority of American cities, came before I was born, when highways or waterways dictated where the masses settled in. Beauty, for the most part, took a back door to jobs and amenities. This is not the case in St. George, Utah, however, which has now hosted a PGA Tour event as well as an LPGA tournament. Once known primarily as a sleepy Mormon outpost, St. George has become a vibrant destination for golfers and those who love to sightsee. We spent 48 hours in the up-and-coming locale, and here are the major takeaways: Where we stayed: Black Desert Resort There's a reason the resort has pushed to house tournaments for both tours: The amenities are top-notch and the views are otherworldly. We met with Patrick Manning, the managing partner of the resort, and he insisted things will keep getting better and better at the resort, which is just now can wrapping up construction. High ceilings, a gorgeous pool area and views of the red rocks and black lava make this an experience like none other. "The old saying is if you build it, they'll come. But that's not what we're doing. They're here. There are twice as many visitors coming here than there are to Park City. And look how many resorts Park City has. And so we just did one large one that can take care of the people who are already coming here. So we want to provide the best experience. We're finding out, testing this, seeing how people respond to certain things," Manning said. "We're just keeping our ear to the ground, listening to people. We don't want to get in a room and say this is what Black Desert wants to be. We want to be out there listening to people who tell us what they're looking for." Manning knows that word-of-mouth from pro golfers can help propel Black Desert up the list of potential buddy trip destinations. More: Uncommon ground: New Black Desert in Utah soars into Golfweek's Best course rankings Where we played (and walked): Sand Hollow, Black Desert OK, full disclaimer, the week we were on site, the PGA Tour event was in town, so we walked Black Desert but didn't play it. Our Travel Editor Jason Lusk has and his review of the property was glowing: Despite the sea of lava, the course is very manageable, wide where it needs to be and tricky where it counts. Black Desert can accommodate a resort guest or a tour pro, which is good, because it was laid out with both in mind. Opened in 2023, Black Desert was the last course designed by Tom Weiskopf before his death caused by pancreatic cancer. Phil Smith, Weiskopf's partner in golf architecture, finished the job. The layout has quickly climbed the rankings and is No. 1 in Utah on Golfweek's Best list of public-access courses, No. 26 among all resort courses in the U.S. and No. 81 among all modern courses in the country. And it's all part of one the most ambitious endeavors golf has seen in decades. For more on Black Desert, click here. Meanwhile, we headed across town to play Sand Hollow, which sits overlooking a reservoir a few miles to the east of St. George in Hurricane. The course is No. 2 on Golfweek's Best list of courses you can play in Utah also boasts amazing views, even though it's more of a wide-open feel as opposed to Black Desert's rolling ride through mountain valleys. Because the area is largely devoid of trees, I'm assuming the winds can get pretty strong, and that could also make maintaining the course a bit tricky. Sand Hollow has a few holes on the back nine that will take your breath away and could conceivably do the same with your ball if you don't avoid the treacherous cliffs and canyons. The layout is dynamic. Where we ate: Cliffside Restaurant, Angelica's Mexican This is a two-part review, since we went for a CVB-like dinner at the famous Cliffside Restaurant, which was exquisite, and then also had a fulfilling meal at Angelica's, a small Mexican joint recommended by a local. Both did not disappoint. Cliffside is high-end, but not outrageously expensive, especially considering the amazing view of the entire region the property offers up to guests. We tried the butternut squash soup and the seared Idaho red trout, and both were just divine. Take note, the restaurant is closed on Sundays. We also stopped at Angelica's, looking for a little substance after some wine tasting. This little spot has surprisingly good street tacos, considering the location, and one of our faves was the Angelica's Special: Carne Asada with grilled bell peppers, onions and melted cheese on top of three soft, flat corn tortillas with a side of rice and beans. This did not feel like Utah. Thing you have to do: Mad Moose UTV/ATV tours Looking to take out a little frustration after too many three-putts? This thrill ride on the side of a mountain ridge will certainly clear your mind. Mad Moose has a number of Polaris 2- and 4-seaters that make cruising through the red rocks an unforgettable experience. We did the West Rim trail and after getting used to the machine, which glides through the sand and over rocks with ease, we followed a guide for a 2-hour trip that had so many highlights. Don't skimp on this trip. Every moment flies by. Insider tip: Zion's Kolob Canyons So, Zion National Park is an incredible experience, but to be frank, it's getting more and more difficult to get into the park, and the parking/shuttle system can make the main portion of the park a true time suck for those who are only in town for a day or two. But you can see something amazing at Kolob Canyons, a remote portion of Zion which sits on the backside of the main park, and has crowds a fraction of the size. The Timber Creek Overlook Trail is manageable and the vistas are spectacular. The day we did it, a rainstorm blew through, but then quickly subsided and the sun lit up the rock formations soon after. Stunning stuff. Overall takeaway St. George is still a small town that, well, feels like a small town. Don't come here and expect a plethora of high-end dinner options or nightlife. If, however, you're looking for an outdoor experience that is like no other, this spot in Southern Utah is for you. And hey, wanna see a fancy show? Fly into Vegas, live the high life and then make the 90-minute-or-so drive up to St. George for some eye candy you won't see anywhere else. So, to bring this full circle, why are people flocking to a remote part of Utah? Sure, the job market is inching upward. The town has diversified away from its strong Mormon past. And the amenities are accumulating, slowly be surely. But the views you get in St. George and the Greater Zion region are some of the best in the country. And since moving crops or having a seaport isn't as necessary as it once was for the growth of a city, expect this once-secretive place to become the next Sedona. When I was born in the 1970s, only 7,000 people lived in St. George. The 2022 census estimate for the city was over 102,000. This momentum isn't stopping any time soon.
