Apr-Jun 2010 - High Commission for the Republic of Trinidad ...
Apr-Jun 2010 - High Commission for the Republic of Trinidad ...
Apr-Jun 2010 - High Commission for the Republic of Trinidad ...
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News<br />
Message from H.E President George<br />
Maxwell Richards on <strong>the</strong> Occasion<br />
<strong>of</strong> Indian Arrival Day <strong>2010</strong><br />
This year, we celebrate, in<br />
<strong>Trinidad</strong> and Tobago, <strong>the</strong><br />
165th Anniversary <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
arrival <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> first indentured<br />
labourers from India. While we all<br />
celebrate as a nation, special greetings<br />
go to our citizens <strong>of</strong> East Indian origin.<br />
For us, this is a most telling year<br />
and time in our history. In our<br />
celebration <strong>of</strong> Indian Arrival Day<br />
<strong>2010</strong>, <strong>the</strong>re is <strong>the</strong> added dimension<br />
<strong>of</strong> great significance that, <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> first<br />
time in our history, a woman has<br />
been chosen as Prime Minister <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Trinidad</strong> and Tobago and that woman,<br />
a daughter <strong>of</strong> this soil, is <strong>of</strong> East<br />
Indian heritage. We must recognize<br />
this milestone, in all its dimensions<br />
has been no blueprint, particularly<br />
given <strong>the</strong> nature <strong>of</strong> our diversity.<br />
While diversity is not peculiar to<br />
<strong>Trinidad</strong> and Tobago, in some ways,<br />
we do not fit <strong>the</strong> mold <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
countries that boast <strong>of</strong> diversity.<br />
Within <strong>the</strong> structures <strong>of</strong> our diversity,<br />
<strong>the</strong>re are certain elements that attest<br />
to <strong>the</strong> conclusion that some things<br />
can only happen here and whe<strong>the</strong>r we<br />
consciously acknowledge it or not,<br />
<strong>the</strong>y redound to our credit.<br />
Not departing from a serious<br />
note, but ra<strong>the</strong>r recognizing <strong>the</strong><br />
insightfulness <strong>of</strong> our artistes, I recall<br />
that one <strong>of</strong> our bards put it well<br />
when he sang “How we vote is not<br />
Within <strong>the</strong> structures <strong>of</strong> our diversity, <strong>the</strong>re are certain<br />
elements that attest to <strong>the</strong> conclusion that some<br />
things can only happen here and whe<strong>the</strong>r we consciously<br />
acknowledge it or not, <strong>the</strong>y redound to our credit.<br />
and congratulate ourselves.<br />
Much has happened, during <strong>the</strong> last<br />
several months, which has impacted<br />
our course as a young nation. By and<br />
large, in <strong>the</strong> process <strong>of</strong> maturing,<br />
we continue to acknowledge our<br />
strengths, confront our weaknesses and<br />
cope with uncertainties where <strong>the</strong>re<br />
how we party”. But this is only one<br />
aspect, Ladies and Gentlemen, which<br />
s<strong>of</strong>tens <strong>the</strong> rigidity that manifests<br />
so negatively in o<strong>the</strong>r countries.<br />
Sadly, <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong>se countries, ethnic<br />
diversity has resulted in what has<br />
become known as ethnic cleansing, a<br />
shameful stain in human history.<br />
Today, our nation is recognizing<br />
<strong>for</strong>mally, on this public holiday,<br />
<strong>the</strong> considerable contribution <strong>of</strong> a<br />
significant sector <strong>of</strong> our population.<br />
This contribution is not newly<br />
emergent, but goes back to <strong>the</strong><br />
onset <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir migration from<br />
India. Today, while customs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>for</strong>efa<strong>the</strong>rs’ country <strong>of</strong> origin have,<br />
to a great extent, been preserved,<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>Trinidad</strong> and Tobago brand, if<br />
you will, is clearly recognizable in<br />
<strong>the</strong> persons <strong>of</strong> East Indian origin<br />
who belong to this country.<br />
The current generation’s links with<br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>Republic</strong> <strong>of</strong> India are sustained,<br />
understandably, with room <strong>for</strong><br />
nostalgia, but more so with <strong>the</strong><br />
knowledge <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> rights <strong>of</strong> people<br />
whose home is <strong>Trinidad</strong> and Tobago<br />
and who share its patrimony. Their<br />
stake in this country is undeniable<br />
and, while <strong>the</strong> circumstances <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong>ir progenitors’ arrival were less<br />
than noble, history has not stood in<br />
<strong>the</strong> way <strong>of</strong> progress.<br />
So today, let us all join in celebration<br />
<strong>of</strong> Indian Arrival Day <strong>2010</strong>, as we<br />
contemplate and appreciate <strong>the</strong><br />
significance <strong>of</strong> 1845 in <strong>the</strong> history <strong>of</strong><br />
our beloved <strong>Trinidad</strong> and Tobago.<br />
Message from Prime Minister <strong>the</strong> Hon.<br />
Kamla Persad-Bissessar on <strong>the</strong> Occasion<br />
<strong>of</strong> Indian Arrival Day <strong>2010</strong><br />
Fellow citizens <strong>of</strong> <strong>Trinidad</strong> and<br />
Tobago, it gives me great<br />
pleasure to extend greetings<br />
to <strong>the</strong> entire Nation on <strong>the</strong> 165th<br />
Anniversary <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Arrival <strong>of</strong><br />
our East Indian <strong>for</strong>efa<strong>the</strong>rs to<br />
<strong>the</strong>se shores. More than just a<br />
day <strong>of</strong> remembrance, it is a day<br />
when we must give thanks to<br />
Volume 52<br />
God, and celebrate <strong>the</strong> human<br />
spirit’s triumph over seemingly<br />
insurmountable odds, to build a<br />
legacy <strong>of</strong> strength, discipline and<br />
tolerance that has helped make us<br />
what we all are today as a nation.<br />
Indeed my bro<strong>the</strong>rs and sisters,<br />
<strong>the</strong> journey <strong>of</strong> our East Indian<br />
<strong>for</strong>ebears was long and arduous,<br />
and didn’t come cheaply. It took<br />
patience, vision, belief and a spirit<br />
<strong>of</strong> sacrifice to begin a new life in<br />
a strange land, with <strong>the</strong> hope that<br />
one day, <strong>the</strong>ir <strong>of</strong>fspring would reap<br />
<strong>the</strong> rewards <strong>of</strong> that sojourn.<br />
And while <strong>the</strong> East Indian<br />
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