Category Archives: International

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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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, International, Labour, USA

Joe Young: last man standing

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By Raffique Shah
October 07, 2012

Raffique ShahLAST Tuesday, one of this country’s great labour leaders and patriots, Joe Young, made his exit from life. Not a drum was heard, not a funeral note, as this gentle giant was hurried to some morgue, unmarked and indistinguishable from others. Not that he would have wanted otherwise. It was his final interaction with the ordinary man with whom he lived and mingled freely, for whom he fought many a battle. At age 80, Joe must have endured more than he could in this cussed country that he so loved. He was ready to join his ancestors, to re-link with old comrades.
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Business, corruption, Court, Crime in T&T, Finance, General T&T, International, Law, Media, Money Laundering, Opposition Party, Parliament, People's Partnership, PNM, Politics, UNC, USA

ISH, STEVE ‘CUT DOWN’

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By Andre Bagoo
September 13, 2012 – newsday.co.tt

Ishwar Galbaransingh and Steve FergusonPRIME Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar issued directions to Attorney General Anand Ramlogan to table last-minute amendments to bolster legislation designed to shield the State from the legal fallout of its decision to abruptly repeal Section 34 of the Administration of Justice Act, it was revealed yesterday.
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Africa, China, Culture, General T&T, India, Labour, Race and Identity, Racism Watch

Question of origins and Indian Indentureship: Updated

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By Dr. Kwame Nantambu
September 12, 2012

lettersIn the aftermath of the celebration of Indian Arrival Day on 30 May 2011 in T&T, this article focuses on certain origins and the historical dynamics of Indian Arrival. These origins include the Asian-Chinese Dynasty, “Ganges” river, Indian originality and the label “Indentured Servants.”
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Business, corruption, Court, Crime in T&T, Editorial, Finance, General T&T, International, Law, Media, Opposition Party, People's Partnership, PNM, Politics, USA

SCANDALOUS

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By Andre Bagoo
September 12, 2012 – newsday.co.tt

Ishwar Galbaransingh and Steve FergusonTHE PARLIAMENT sits today to urgently pass legislation to repeal a section of a new law, after the Government’s decision to proclaim the law opened the door to a wave of applications to the Supreme Court which could see businessmen Ishwar Galbaransingh and Steve Ferguson, as well as several others accused in the Piarco corruption inquiries, walk free without trial.
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Africa, Business, Education, General T&T, India, Labour, Race and Identity, Racism Watch

No compensation for slaves

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By George Alleyne
August 29, 2012 – newsday.co.tt

EmancipationThe argument has often been put forward by politicians and would be politicians that persons of Indian descent own a far greater degree of property in Trinidad than people of African descent, because they had saved and used their money wisely.

It is an attempt to create misunderstanding between the two major ethnic groups. What led to today’s disparity in land ownership is well documented and rooted in Trinidad’s colonial past. The end of slavery in 1838 and the movement by freed slaves to urban and suburban areas and away from the sugar estates, with which they had for so long identified with their suffering, meant that the sugar planters had to source new labour.
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Africa, General T&T, India, Politics, Race and Identity, Racism Watch, Sports

Keshorn Walcott

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By Dr. Selwyn R. Cudjoe
August 22, 2012

Dr. Selwyn R. CudjoeI do not envy any of the honors or pecuniary rewards Keshorn Walcott received. He deserves them all. It is an extraordinary achievement to bring home a gold medal to a country of 1.3 million persons when countries as large as Nigeria and India with a combined population of approximately 1.6 billion persons did not win a gold medal. Keshorn should be showered with our congratulations and our prayers for a long life and continued success. The government should be congratulated for recognizing his contribution to our national pride.
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