General T&T, Politics

Wine, Trini, wine

7 Comments

By Raffique Shah
November 24, 2012

Raffique ShahLAST weekend, the City of San Fernando marked its whatever anniversary in a most unique, creative and celebratory way: it held a Carnival, complete with music trucks, Jouvert, thousands of gyrating bodies, barrels of alcohol, parade of bands—the works, if you get my drift.

The (pretend you have a lisp) city Mayor, young Navi Muradali, was so excited over the success of the two-day mas, he promised a bigger and brighter “Sando Carnival” next year.
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People's Partnership, Politics, Protest

Trivialising suicide

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Newsday Editorial
November 23, 2012 – newsday.co.tt

TAKE CHARGE OF WAYNE on the front page of NewsdayA letter writer to Newsday yesterday reminded us all of how precious life is. Sometimes we forget, such as when criminals strike down the innocent and the guilty. The writer, who gave her name as Merle Solomon of Santa Rosa, was critical of Dr Wayne Kublalsingh whose so-called martyrdom has now become a public circus. She reminded us just how precious life is and referred to the many terminally ill men, women and children who would willingly grasp the life which Dr Kublalsingh is apparently trying to throw away in the full glare of media attention.
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General T&T, Law, People's Partnership, Politics

I have a nation to run

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By Newsday Staff
November 21, 2012 – newsday.co.tt

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-BissessarPRIME MINISTER Kamla Persad-Bissessar has offered “prayerful support” to the mother of environmentalist Dr Wayne Kublalsingsh — currently on a hunger strike — for his health and well being, but has also noted that she, as Prime Minister, has a country to run.

“As Prime Minister, I also have a duty and an obligation to the nation in ensuring that all matters are dealt with fairly and in the interest of everyone,” Persad-Bissessar said in her letter of response to Kublalsingh’s mother Vilma Kublalsingh, who wrote the PM on Monday asking that she meet with Kublalsingh.
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General T&T, Hindu, India, Politics, Race and Identity, Racism Watch, Religion

Let Charity Guide Our Utterances

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By Dr. Selwyn R. Cudjoe
November 14, 2012

Dr. Selwyn R. CudjoeSometimes in our enthusiasm, we say extraordinarily silly things; such as the mutterings of Dr. Neil Parsan, our Ambassador in Washington, D.C. What is one to do with the following statement: “The Indian diaspora is a formidable force in Trinidad and Tobago, the largest numerical representation in the entire Caribbean; the most well-to-do and culturally strong and progressive ethnic group in the uniquely plural society of T&T.”
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General T&T, Politics

Duprey says he’s flat broke

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By Shaliza Hassanali
November 11, 2012 – guardian.co.tt

Lawrence DupreyAfter building a billion-dollar insurance empire with tentacles throughout the region, former CL Financial chairman Lawrence Duprey claims he is now flat broke. “I am no billionaire. That is a lie. I don’t have a damn cent,” said Duprey during a telephone interview on Wednesday at his Florida, USA, home.
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General T&T, Media, Opposition Party, People's Partnership, PNM, Politics

Changing the face of power

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By Raffique Shah
November 03, 2012

Raffique ShahSOMETIMES the eternal optimist in me is severely challenged by a nagging pessimism in my mind, and I ask myself, is there any hope that this country would become the paradise so many think it could be, or are we condemned to the purgatory of mediocrity or worse? The thought that we might remain trapped in the netherworld of the latter depresses me.
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Caribbean, General T&T, Opposition Party, People's Partnership, PNM, Politics, USA

Celebrating Fifty Years of Trinidad and Tobago’s Independence

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By Dr. Selwyn R. Cudjoe
Published: October 23, 2012

Dr. Selwyn R. CudjoeFirst of all I would like to thank Professor Linda Heywood for inviting me to participate in this wonderful program. I am particularly delighted to be on the same panel with Professor Orlando Patterson, Professor Emmauel Akyeampong, and to have the opportunity to view the screening of “Akwantu: The Journey” since strictly speaking the journey for independence in the Caribbean began when these gallant brothers, incidentally led by Captain Cudjoe, began to fight for our liberation from bondage. Ever since then, the citizens of the British Caribbean have struggled to control their internal and external affairs, culminating in national independence for most of these territories in the 1960s. In Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica, we gained our national independence in August, 1962.
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Food, General T&T, International, People's Partnership, Politics

Food for Thought

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By Raffique Shah
October 20, 2012

Raffique ShahMOST times I stay silent when I listen to people in authority or those who think they know it all say the wildest things. But there are times when I feel compelled to intervene, mostly when I think too much is at stake. This is one such intervention. For many years, but more so since the global food crisis of 2007-08, politicians and governments would vow to put this country’s food production on a growth path that would take us to full food security.
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General T&T, Media, Schools

In support of History and Dr Samaroo

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By Bukka Rennie
October 07, 2012 – guardian.co.tt

Bukka RennieWhy History? In recent times history as an academic subject has been given a bad name by students at elementary, secondary and tertiary levels. Students tell you that it is boring and from their perspective it seems utterly purposeless and have little bearing on their careers. What I have discovered is that the problem lies in how history is presented to students.
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