Port of Spain/New Delhi: While Trinidad and Tobago celebrates 60 years of Independence Day, India shares it’s joys for it’s 60 years old diplomatic relationship with dual Island Caribbean nation.
On this auspicious occasion, President Paula-Mae Weekes called on citizens to come together in her message commemorating the country’s 60th anniversary of independence.
President said the country is at a crossroads:
“We in Trinidad and Tobago are at a crossroads of our own on the occasion of our 60th anniversary of independence—the Diamond Jubilee—and I do not think that I would be engaging in hyperbole if I described us as a restless nation. Perhaps Jeremiah’s words can offer sound and timely advice.”
While quoting this day as the time for reflection, President Paula-Mae Weekes said, “At the end of a decade, it is usual to be deeply contemplative, to pore over what has been, take stock of what is and plan what is to be. The 60th anniversary of our independence is an apposite time for individuals, institutions and the nation as a whole to engage in that exercise.”
The country’s calendar of celebratory events, which began in early July, has been well patronised, and most social media users are happy about the diamond jubilee, using it as an opportunity to express a sense of national pride.
Various landmark buildings in the capital, Port of Spain, were lit up to celebrate the anniversary, as were landmarks in other countries, including the United Kingdom, India and Canada.
Social media and especially Google also got in on the action with its doodle, and even the scarlet ibis, one of Trinidad and Tobago’s national birds, made quite a showing both in real life and using artificial intelligence as if to wish the nation a happy Independence Day.
In India, the High Commision of Trinidad and Tobago in association with Indian Council of Cultural Relations and Global India Business Forum organised a grand musical celebration to showcase the Indo-Trinidad & Tobago’s 60 years of diplomatic relationship. The event was inaugurated by Minister of State for External Affairs & Culture, Meenakashi Lekhi apart from the diplomatic community in Delhi, dignitaries and delegates from both India and Trinidad & Tobago were present at the event.
Performers and artists from both nations presented respective traditional folk music & songs during the event. Celebrities like Neval Chatelal, Johann Chuckaree from Trinidad and Tobago and a 12-member folk group led by Sukhvinder Singh from India performed at the event. Fusion performances ornated the event blended with Tabla performance by Hafeez Ahmed Alvi, an Indian Tabla maestro.
The musical and folk show was live-streamed for global audience as well as live performance for Indian and Carribeans across the globe.
On this occasion, Meenakshi Lekhi, Minister of State for External Affairs & Culture (Govt. of India) said, “India is living festival for all mankind and our relationship with Trinidad and Tobago is more than 5000 years old.” She said that India has always assimilated the countries with their adoption and the Indian Diaspora is always a living link between countries.
“In Indian history, I can say that civilizationally we are five thousand plus years old civilization. Only 170 years ago, some of our brothers and sisters left for some island states but we are back again. The best part is that these people carried in their hearts the memories of the country that they left behind. So, wherever they are, they celebrate as we do. We are celebrating the 75th year of our independence day, and they are celebrating 60 years of their independence. India is a living festival for all kinds, that’s the message of India no matter what skin colour you have”, she further added while addressing the audience at ICCR auditorium .
High Commissioner for the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to India, Mr. Roger Gopaul also wished cariribeans and Indians on this auspicious ocassionan and congratulated India on it’s 75th Years of Independence anniversary.
Hailing to be a part of India’s 75th Independence anniversary, Dr Roger Gopaul said that he was extremely delighted to celebrate with India its 75th independence anniversary and was very happy to be a part of “Bharat”.
He said, “Trinidad and Tobago, like many formerly colonised places, is still a young nation, excelling at some things and struggling with others.The diversity of its people reflects the numerous nations which have shaped it. The majority of the population is of African or Indian descent.”
Trinidad and Tobago and India have a long history of cultural and economic ties. Over the last six decades, Trinidad and Tobago and India have worked steadily to strengthen economic ties, share cultural traditions and deepen relationships. Under the Vaccine Maitri initiative, India donated 40,000 doses of the AstraZeneca Covishield vaccines to the Government and people of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
The southernmost island in the Caribbean, The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is famous for its coastlines, natural resources, sanctuaries, Creole traditions and cuisines. The small island country is a high-income economy and is celebrating its 60th year of Independence.
Trinidad’s influence extends beyond its borders. After World War II, Britain experienced a labor shortage, and courted Caribbean people to come across the Atlantic. The first of the Windrush Generation arrived in 1948 with more to follow all the way through to the 1970s. Most of these immigrants hailed from Trinidad and Jamaica, and without their labor, Britain would have struggled to revive its post-war economy.
And finally, Trinidad and Tobago won independence from Britain on August 31, 1962. The British Union Jack was taken down and replaced with the flag as we know it today. It has a red background with a diagonal white and black stripe.
In 1976, Trinidad and Tobago became a republic. There is a separate celebration commemorating this on September 24, which was when the first parliament convened with a new constitution.
-Dr. Shahid Siddiqui (PhD);
Follow via Twitter @shahidsiddiqui
