In a formal ceremony held yesterday at Queen’s Hall in St Ann’s, Trinidad and Tobago celebrated decades of dedicated public service by bestowing the country’s highest civilian honor, the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (ORTT), on three of its most distinguished citizens: Chief Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh, Senate President Wade Mark, and former government minister Dr Surujrattan Rambachan. Dozens of other community leaders, artists, and public servants also received national awards in recognition of their unique contributions to national life, including veteran journalist Jai Parasram, community leader Bishop Marjorie Anderson, and celebrated soca performer Destra Garcia, who was honored with the Medal for the Development of Women.
For Chief Justice Boodoosingh, the honor carried far more meaning than personal recognition. In an official statement released ahead of the ceremony, he emphasized that the award reflects the longstanding constitutional importance of the judicial branch and the core mission of the office he holds. “As a citizen and as the present custodian of the Office of Chief Justice, I accept the award of the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago with immense gratitude and a deep appreciation of the responsibility that comes with it,” he said. Boodoosingh framed the conferral as a reminder that all judicial work is fundamentally rooted in service to the public, extending his gratitude to his family, judicial colleagues, and administrative staff whose collective support has enabled him to advance efforts to make justice delivery more accessible and efficient for all Trinidad and Tobago citizens.
Senate President Wade Mark echoed Boodoosingh’s focus on service over personal acclaim, drawing inspiration from civil rights icon Dr Martin Luther King Jr. to frame his acceptance of the award. Speaking to local reporters on the ceremony grounds, Mark argued that meaningful contribution to community does not require advanced academic credentials, but only a genuine desire to lift others up. “To serve, one does not need a PhD or a first degree. They just want to have the will and a soul generated by love and a heart full of grace,” he explained. While he stopped short of discouraging pursuit of higher education, he noted that academic certificates should never act as a barrier for working people who wish to contribute to national progress.
Mark emphasized that collective action among all citizens is required to build a more equitable, happy country, choosing to dedicate his award to the ordinary working-class people of Trinidad and Tobago who navigate daily economic struggle. “All of us have to work together to make life better, to be each other’s keeper,” he said. “At the end, we have to make life more comfortable and bring happiness to the greatest majority.” Mark called the honor a humbling recognition of his decades in public office, reinforcing his commitment to continuing advocacy for marginalized communities.
For former minister Dr Surujrattan Rambachan, the ORTT marks not a capstone to his public service, but the start of a new chapter of contribution. “When your country gives you an award like this you’re elated, but it does not mean the journey has come to an end. It’s a new journey and what I can contribute more to my country,” he told reporters. Rambachan shared his core philosophy that public leaders must continually reinvent their purpose to maximize their impact on society, arguing that living purposefully not only strengthens communities but enriches one’s own life.
A stage four cancer survivor, Rambachan announced that he will launch a new public health advocacy campaign focused on encouraging men across Trinidad and Tobago and the broader world to prioritize routine health testing. He explained that he intends to turn his personal health struggle into a force for public good, rejecting sympathy in favor of motivating others to take proactive control of their wellbeing. “I’m saying this not looking for sympathy but using a bad situation to try to make it better,” he said. Rambachan described the ORTT as both a profound honor and a source of renewed energy as he explores new ways to serve his nation.