标签： Trinidad and Tobago

A heartbreaking incident unfolded in Sugar Hill, Point Fortin, on October 18, when a two-and-a-half-year-old toddler tragically passed away at her residence. According to the 23-year-old mother, she had breastfed the child around 12:30 AM and subsequently put her to sleep. Upon checking at 7:30 AM, the mother discovered her daughter unresponsive. Emergency medical services were immediately summoned, but no signs of life were detected. A district medical officer pronounced the child dead and ordered an autopsy to determine the cause of death. Upon arrival, police found the baby lying on her back in a yellow onesie on the bed, with no visible signs of violence. PC Roberts is leading the ongoing investigation into this tragic event.

The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service has issued its fourth yellow-level adverse weather alert, extending the warning until 10 pm on October 20. The alert, initially activated at noon on October 18, was prompted by an active tropical wave traversing the Caribbean Sea. Although the core of the tropical wave has moved on, residual moisture and atmospheric instability continue to trigger sporadic heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms across the region. Residents are advised to prepare for localized street and flash flooding, potential landslides in hilly and vulnerable areas, gusty winds accompanying severe weather, and agitated seas. Authorities have urged the public to secure loose outdoor objects and remain vigilant about rapidly changing weather conditions. Motorists and those living in flood or landslide-prone zones are particularly cautioned to exercise heightened awareness and caution during this period. The extended alert underscores the persistent risks posed by the lingering effects of the tropical wave, emphasizing the need for preparedness and safety measures.

A tragic accident on Indian Walk Road has resulted in the death of 37-year-old tradesman Arnel Young. The incident occurred on October 19, when Young’s white Nissan Navara collided with a brown Hyundai Elantra driven by a female T&TEC clerk. The clerk was accompanied by her husband and their three children, aged 13, six, and two. The woman reported to the police that she noticed Young’s vehicle swerving multiple times near Chanda Trace. Despite her efforts to stop her car, Young’s pickup truck crashed into the front of her vehicle, causing it to spin into a nearby drain. The woman and her family were promptly taken to the San Fernando General Hospital for medical attention. Unfortunately, Young was found unresponsive at the scene and was pronounced dead by a district medical officer. PC Bacchus is leading the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

As the world marks Divali on October 20, 2025, this vibrant Hindu festival continues to illuminate hearts and homes across Trinidad and Tobago (TT). Known as the Festival of Lights, Divali, or Deepavali, holds profound cultural and spiritual significance, celebrated with immense enthusiasm not only in India but globally. The festival derives its name from the Sanskrit words ‘deepa’ (light) and ‘avali’ (a row), symbolizing a row of lights that dispel darkness and ignorance. In TT, the festival is referred to as Divali, reflecting the local linguistic adaptation. The celebration is marked by the lighting of deyas—small clay oil lamps—adorning homes, streets, and public spaces, alongside the use of firecrackers and akashadiwas (large lamps). Divali is steeped in rich mythology, with legends such as Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana and the marriage of Goddess Lakshmi to Lord Vishnu. Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, is worshipped during the festival, with devotees chanting mantras and performing pooja to seek her blessings. In TT, the festival is a time for community bonding, with families cleaning their homes, sharing vegetarian meals and sweets like barfi and kurma, and creating elaborate light displays using bamboo frames. The nine-night Divali Nagar in Chaguanas is a cultural highlight, showcasing Indo-Trinidadian heritage through food, music, and dance performances. Recognized as a national public holiday, Divali fosters unity, peace, and love, encouraging people to come together and celebrate their shared humanity. As Nigel Seenathsingh, a San Fernando resident, eloquently expressed, ‘May the light and philosophy of Divali guide us to become the best that we can be, uniting us to make TT the best, safest, and most united country in the world.’ On behalf of his family, he extends warm wishes for a Shubh Divali 2025.

A series of robberies and thefts disrupted the Divali weekend in Trinidad, leaving multiple victims distressed and keeping law enforcement agencies on high alert between October 18 and October 19. The incidents spanned various locations, including St James, Barataria, Arima, Princes Town, and Caroni, highlighting a concerning surge in criminal activity during the festive period. In St James, thieves targeted vehicles, stealing car batteries and valuable items. One victim, a 26-year-old mechanical technician, discovered his car had been broken into, with tools and speakers worth $3,000 missing. Nearby, a 34-year-old woman reported her Nissan AD Wagon stolen from a secured parking spot. In Barataria, a 30-year-old woman found her Toyota Aqua’s hybrid battery stolen after the car’s glass was shattered. Similarly, a 52-year-old Longdenville woman lost her hybrid battery valued at $20,000 despite securing her vehicle in her garage. In Arima, an armed robber targeted a bar, threatening a 35-year-old employee and making off with over $40,000. The assailant, described as fair-complexioned and stocky, warned the victim, ‘Don’t look at my face, I don’t want to shoot you. Just give me everything.’ In Princes Town, a family of six fell victim to a violent home invasion, where four armed men stole cash, valuables, and two cars. The bandits, armed with cutlasses, a baton, and a hammer, bound the victims and assaulted them before fleeing. In Caroni, a supermarket was robbed by five men, three of whom were Latin nationals. Armed with guns, they assaulted staff and patrons, stealing the day’s sales, alcohol, cigarettes, and $600 from a customer. The suspects escaped in a Kia Sorento. These incidents have raised concerns about public safety and the effectiveness of law enforcement during peak holiday periods.

In a recent letter to the editor, Dr. Errol Narine Benjamin reflects on the contrasting approaches to cultural celebrations in Trinidadian schools, particularly focusing on the Divali festival. Dr. Benjamin begins by praising the Divali celebration at Presentation College in San Fernando, a traditionally conservative Catholic school. He highlights the event’s inclusivity, noting the presence of religious symbols like Goddess Lakshmi and Hanuman, as well as the spiritual ambiance created by lighted deyas. The principal and staff emphasized the festival’s inclusiveness, and students’ portrayal of the Ramayana added depth to the celebration, making it meaningful for the multicultural nation.

However, Dr. Benjamin contrasts this with a recent statement from the Presbyterian Board, which declared that only Christian celebrations would be allowed in their schools. While the board suggested that students would be ‘taught’ about other festivals like Divali in the classroom, they explicitly ruled out shared spiritual experiences. Dr. Benjamin finds this stance deeply ironic, given the historical context of Naparima College, which has roots in the East Indian community. Early Canadian missionaries in Trinidad actively assimilated elements of East Indian culture, even adapting hymns and choruses into local languages to further their missionary work.

Dr. Benjamin expresses disappointment at the board’s ‘exclusivity,’ arguing that Divali, with its rich spiritual heritage, should not be reduced to a mere classroom lesson. He urges the Presbyterian Board to take inspiration from Presentation College’s inclusive approach, which celebrates cultural diversity while fostering spiritual unity.

In the face of adversity, the spirit of Divali remained unshaken in Rousillac, Trinidad, as residents battled the aftermath of torrential rains that struck just a day before the Festival of Lights on October 20. Despite being inundated by floodwaters, the community rallied to clean up and prepare for the celebrations, showcasing remarkable resilience and determination.

The weekend’s tropical wave, which prompted a yellow-level adverse weather alert from the TT Meteorological Service, left over a dozen communities in Central Trinidad submerged. Rousillac, located in the southwest, was among the hardest hit. Streets turned into rivers, and homes were threatened by rising waters, yet the residents refused to let the disaster dampen their festive spirit.

Challiram Jodhan, a 64-year-old resident of Grant’s Road, spent hours preparing his home for Divali, only to see his efforts washed away as floodwaters surged around 5 pm on October 19. ‘I couldn’t do nothing,’ he lamented, recounting how water soaked his storage room and filled the foundation beneath his house. Despite the setback, Jodhan and his family remained steadfast, determined to light their deyas (traditional oil lamps) even if the rains returned.

Nearby, Nike Goomansingh and her husband Cecil faced similar challenges. While their home was spared from the floodwaters, their yard was submerged, forcing them to clean up once again after investing time and money in Divali preparations. Cecil attributed the flooding to poorly designed drainage systems, exacerbated by recent housing developments in the area.

In Dow Village, an elderly man, who chose to remain anonymous, showed damage to his outdoor prayer room, or mandir, where waters had risen to two feet. He blamed the narrow drainage channel running alongside his home for the flooding, which was further worsened by a barrel that blocked the outlet.

Despite the widespread damage, the community’s resolve remained unbroken. Nickolas, a resident of Mon Desir Road, worked with his family to prepare bamboo arches for deyas, grateful that their home was narrowly spared from the floodwaters. Sunny skies on Divali morning facilitated cleanup efforts, though the adverse weather alert remained in effect until 10 pm.

Otaheite/Rousillac councillor Javed Mohammed reported that about a dozen homes were affected, primarily by street flooding. The Disaster Management Unit (DMU) mobilized quickly, assisting with cleanup and distributing supplies to those in need. Similar reports of flooding in Palo Seco and Cedros were yet to be assessed.

As night fell on Divali, the deyas of Rousillac shone brightly, a testament to the community’s unwavering spirit in the face of nature’s challenges.