As Trinidad and Tobago observes the one hundred and eighty-first anniversary of Indian Arrival Day, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar recognised the sacrifice, faith, discipline and perseverance of indentured East Indian immigrants who came to Trinidad and Tobago from 1845 to 1917.

In her message to the nation to commemorate the occasion, she said that in spite of the many hardships faced during indentureship, the indentured immigrants maintained their religious traditions, cuisine, festivals and values.

They also made significant contributions to many sectors, including agriculture, law, politics and national development, all of which continue to shape who we are today as a people.