bhojpuri-nights-temples-guyana-s-indian-roots

Guyana gives visitors from India a homey vibe, and Indianness is quite palpable in every corner.

 

You feel that immediately upon entering the Providence Cricket Stadium in Georgetown, the capital of Guyana, the only English-speaking country in South America.

 

The primary entrance of the stadium greets visitors with a noticeable "Bhojpuri Nights" banner, which is being promoted by a nearby nightclub.

 

A brief stroll from this location leads to one of the numerous and perhaps the most extensive temples in Georgetown, known as ISKCON.

 

A well-liked Indian restaurant, owned by the former West Indies cricket player Ramnaresh Sarwan, is a must-visit for individuals from the Indian subcontinent.

 

The Guyanese Indians, the largest ethnic group in the country, reside in a nation that borders Brazil, Suriname, and Venezuela.

 

The majority of Guyanese Indians practice Hinduism, including Sarwan, while the incumbent president, Irfaan Ali, is a Muslim of Indian descent.

 

“The Guyanese Indians are very powerful here. As far as places of Hindu worship are concerned, you would find a temple every four to five miles,” says Sarwan.

 

The prosperous community accounts for more than 40 per cent of the population and consists of the descendants of indentured labourers from India who were transported to European colonies during the British Raj in the early 19th century.

 

Contributing to the Indian atmosphere are the vibrant, often messy, bustling streets and the continuous honking of cars. Though they are far from reaching Indian noise levels.

 

The majority of the political power is also in the hands of Guyanese Indians, with President Ali and former head of state Bharrat Jagdeo leading the government.

 

So, it's natural that the local population is wholeheartedly supporting the Indian cricket team here after the West Indies' exit from the T20 World Cup.

 

Oil discovery fuels economy 

 

In 2015, an organisation found 11 billion barrels of oil in Guyana, leading the country toward significant economic growth and a promising future.

 

This discovery garnered global interest, prompting Chinese companies to initiate the construction of crucial infrastructure within the nation.

 

Similarly, India is contributing to the enhancement of Guyana's infrastructure by pledging to finance a USD 100 million road project in the capital.

 

“The huge Chinese presence is largely not welcomed by the local people as they are not employing the local population for their projects.

 

“They did initially, but now all of their employees are from China. How does it help us in the long run?” asks a travel agent seeking anonymity.