Tag: patriotism

columns2018

Pride in our Republic

Post author By Web administrator
Post date September 30, 2018

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI

On September 24 we celebrated the 42^nd anniversary of T&T’s gaining Republican status. On the evening of Wednesday, September 19, I attended a gala concert, titled ‘A Cultural Exchange Experience’, by the renowned Chinese traditional orchestra of the China National Opera & Dance Drama Theatre, and the National Steel Symphony Orchestra of Trinidad and Tobago, at NAPA.

Before the performances commenced, the National Anthems of China and of T&T were played. Standing in front of me was a Chinese couple who sang lustily when both anthems were played. I was reminded of the pride that many of us whose forebears came to T&T have in our diverse heritage.

Tags patriotism, Republicanism

columns2018

Celebrating the life of a statesman

Post author By Web administrator
Post date January 28, 2018

Professor George Maxwell Richards - served T&T with dignity, compassion, and dedication. — Professor George Maxwell Richards – served T&T with dignity, compassion, and dedication.

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI

On Wednesday, January 17, T&T said farewell to one of our country’s great statesmen, our fourth president, Professor George Maxwell Richards who passed away on January 8, at the age of 86 years. He served his country with dignity, compassion, and dedication, not only during his two terms as President (2003–2013) and as principal of UWI’s St Augustine campus from 1985 to 1996, but throughout his life.

As we mourn his passing, let us thank God for his life and his service to humanity. He lived a purposeful life; he was a true patriot whose life stands as an example of what servant-leadership is all about.

Tags patriotism

columns2017

Republic Day wake-up call

Post author By Web administrator
Post date September 24, 2017

Today Trinidad and Tobago celebrates our 41^st anniversary as a Republic. My father was an MP in the first Parliament of Independent Trinidad and Tobago. After we gained independence in 1962, we gained republican status on August 1, 1976.

Pa died in December 2016 and, in assisting him in writing his autobiography, I recall how much it pained him that although we have made some progress, we are not living up to the fundamental principles outlined in our Republican Constitution.

Tags patriotism, Republic Day, Republicanism

columns2016

Building a society for ALL

Post author By Web administrator
Post date August 28, 2016

On Wednesday, August 31, T&T will celebrate 54 years of independence. My 91-year-old father, Balgobin Ramdeen, who was a Member of Parliament then (1961-1966), loves retelling his experience on that fateful day when we gained our independence.

As he said in an interview: “I remember the day. I was in Parliament when we got our Independence and I stood in the front of the Parliament building there and saw the Union Jack come down and our flag the Red, White and Black, go up and flutter in the breeze.”

Tags Independence, patriotism

columns2016

Tribute to a true patriot, Mr Manning

Post author By Web administrator
Post date July 10, 2016

CCSJ members express our sincerest and heartfelt condolences to Mrs Hazel Manning and the Manning family on the passing of Mr Patrick Augustus Mervyn Manning (August 17, 1946–July 2, 2016). We owe a debt of gratitude to this patriot who lived a life of selfless service.

Tags patriotism, politics, prominent person