Catholic Commission for Social Justice
By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI
On September 24 we celebrate the 43rd anniversary of Trinidad & Tobago becoming a Republic. We gained independence on August 31, 1962 and Republican status on August 1, 1976. The event was celebrated as a public holiday September 24 because this is the date when the first Parliament met under the new Republican Constitution.
On September 24 we celebrated the 42nd 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.
Today Trinidad and Tobago celebrates our 41st 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.
by Leela Ramdeen
On Sir Ellis’ 92 birthday in 2009, I joined others at his home to mark the occasion. The following are some of the words I wrote in his birthday card: “We are all so blessed to have you as a son of our soil in Trinidad and Tobago. Can you imagine what we would have lost if God had placed you in another part of the world? We thank God for the miracle that is YOU. You are just where God wants you to be.”
One year on, we now say farewell to this great Statesman.
Theme: Our people, our land: Journey to becoming a Republic
CCSJ’s Chair, Leela Ramdeen, introduces Sir Ellis Clarke – feature speaker at the Seminar on Friday 24 Sept. 2010 (Republic Day)
Good afternoon brothers and sisters. Welcome to the start of CCSJ’s Respect For Life Week – an initiative that was born during Synod in 2009 when there was a groundswell of opinion that each year the Archdiocese should observe such a week. RFLW, therefore, is one of the Synod Resolutions that CCSJ is implementing since it falls within our remit.