Ron Sookram
Articles by this Author
Immigrants to Citizens: the Indian Community in Grenada, 1857 to the Present
- By Ron Sookram
- Published 03/6/2009
- Grenada
- Unrated
The indentured labour scheme
was directly responsible for the establishment of a permanent Indian
community in Grenada during the late nineteenth century. From that period
to the present, Indians have become completely incorporated into Grenada’s
society. In every aspect of Grenadian life, Indians have identified
with it, participated in it and contributed to it. This degree of identification
and participation results from the cultural integration of Indians,
which in turn, has led to their acceptance by the wider society. Also,
the nature of race relations between Indians and the dominant Afro-Grenadian
population was and continues to be peaceful. The Indian community did
not pose an economic threat to the African population and therefore
created a situation of very limited racial tension. In addition, the
process of cultural integration between both groups facilitated a new
interactive platform for communication on terms which did not previously
exist. This common cultural platform, which intensified during the twentieth
century, brought both races closer. The above discussion clearly demonstrates
that the Indian community have progressed from the status of immigrants
or transient migrants to permanent citizens of Grenada.
