Speaker of the House of Representatives Delroy Chuck (right) greets Seragh Lakasingh. Looking on is Vishu Tolan, chairman of the The National Council for Indian Culture in Jamaica. The gentlemen were at the council's awards banquet and cultural presentation, at Mona Visitor's Lodge, UWI, Mona campus, last Friday.

It's no doubt that the arrival of the Indians in Jamaica has certainly enriched our culture.

The National Council for Indian Culture in Jamaica celebrated this fact at its annual awards and cultural presentation last Friday.

This year, the landmarks were twofold as not only was it the 163rd anniversary of the arrival of the Indians, but also the 10th anniversary of the council's formation. For the latter milestone, members of the Indian community who reside abroad were invited to celebrate with their local kinsfolk.

This year, five individuals (three in absentia) were rewarded for their contributions to the council and the Indian culture. Jeewan Chowtie and Moses Gallow were present to accept their awards, while Thaddeus Bessi, Janet Maragh and Adolphus Bacchus sent representatives.

Entertainment package

The entertainment package was a demonstration of energy and technique. Indian music and dance are never dull and there was an abundance of both at the banquet; a little reggae beat was even infused into a song or two. The Bhojpuri song and dance group (who perform in the regional language of Bhojpuri) came from the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and rocked the house with their performances.

Guests out celebrating this cultural occasion included Acting High Commissioner to India Justice Mahadev Dukharan and wife Ann-Marie, Ken and Beryl Williams-Singh, Dr Winston Tolan, Sipragie Maragh, Lyle Nathan Sharma, Answerd Ramcharan, Alister Cooke, Horace Bogues, Nalini Banhan, Paul Maragh, Ruth and William Potopsingh, Trudy Dixon, Christine Wood, Alicia Maragh, Shakira Banhan, Henry Jaghai and Dr Reinaldo Pino.

Left: What's got Renee Harris so intrigued in this phone call? We don't know but companion, Etus Collman, brand manager for Volkswagon is equally engrossed in his phone. Right: Savitri Tolan (right) and Kishore Ramsay were one of the performing pairs at the council's banquet. - photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Chairman of the National Council for Indian Culture in Jamaica Vishu Tolan (left) presents the chairman's award to Sunetra Ramsingh, secretary of the council. Looking on are Seragh Lakasingh (deputy chairman) and Dale Maragh.

Dale Maragh lights the deeya, one of the time-honoured rituals at the National Council for Indian Culture's banquet.

Their faces might not say it, but Ainsley Beecher (left) and Chris Chaitwo are having fun during the cocktail session.

The special guest Bhojpuri performers in one of their many well-received numbers at the banquet.