ST. GEORGE’S, AUGUST 17th, 2009_ Prime Minister Hon. Tillman Thomas on Monday welcomed the Indian Odisi Cultural group, led by Sangita Dash, to his Botanical Gardens office.
 
 The five member team of dancers and musicians, accompanied by Mr. MM Sharma, First Secretary at the Indian High Commission in Port of Spain and the Director of the Mahatma Gandhi Cultural Center, held two performances at the Trade Center on Saturday and Sunday.
 
 Prime Minister Thomas expressed his appreciation for the team’s participation in a Indian Dance Workshop during the visit.
 
 “We are pleased that you have included Grenada in your visit, because we see the revival of the Indian heritage in Grenada as a significant part of our development,” Prime Minister Thomas told the visiting delegation, which came to Grenada from Trinidad, where they are participating in the month long celebration of India’s 62nd year of Independence.
 
 The Grenadian government has taken the decision to officially recognize May 1st, as the date on which the first group of East Indians arrived in Grenada in 1857. The occasion was first celebrated in 2007 with the 150 anniversary of the arrival at Sauteurs in St. Patrick.
 
 Mr Sharma called for the deepening of the cultural relations between Grenada and India, suggesting that a cultural center could be established to support the exchange of cultural artistes between the two countries.
 
 Prime Minister Thomas welcomed the suggestion.
 
 The Prime Minister and the Indian High Commissioner in Port of Spain agreed, during a previous visit, to deepen relations and strengthen the Indian cultural heritage in Grenada.