标签： Trinidad and Tobago

In a world grappling with conflict, inequality, and moral decline, President Christine Carla Kangaloo emphasized the profound relevance of the 2025 Divali Nagar theme, ‘Loka Sangraha: The Welfare of the World,’ during her address at the 38th annual celebrations on October 15. Speaking at the event, she urged citizens to embrace selflessness and act for the greater good of humanity, drawing inspiration from the ancient Hindu principle of Loka Sangraha. ‘If each of us were to understand, embrace, and live by these principles, we would contribute to a more harmonious and resilient society,’ she asserted. Kangaloo, accompanied by her husband Kerwyn Garcia, attended the fifth night of festivities, which included a viewing of the Nagar’s exhibition on Loka Sangraha. She praised the National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC) for its dedication to preserving the nation’s cultural and spiritual heritage and congratulated Surujdeo Mangaroo on his recent appointment as NCIC president following the passing of his predecessor, Deoroop Teemal. Reflecting on Lord Krishna’s teachings in the Bhagavad Gita, Kangaloo reminded attendees that duty must be performed not for personal gain but for the welfare of all. She highlighted the importance of kindness, even toward strangers and adversaries, as a cornerstone of global welfare. Kangaloo also commended teachers, community volunteers, and cultural leaders for their quiet, selfless contributions to the nation’s moral and social fabric. Drawing parallels between Divali’s symbolism of light overcoming darkness and the practice of Loka Sangraha, she encouraged citizens to act responsibly and compassionately in all aspects of life. ‘When we act selflessly for the welfare of others, we become bearers of that light ourselves,’ she said. Concluding her address, Kangaloo wished the nation a happy and holy Divali, expressing hope that the festival would inspire a renewed commitment to service, compassion, and unity. ‘May this year’s celebration ignite in each of us a desire to embody the teachings of Loka Sangraha, and in so doing, become a stronger and more resilient society,’ she said. Divali will be observed on October 20.

A 25-year-old homeless man was hospitalized after consuming contaminated food and medication found in a cell at the Tunapuna Police Station. The incident occurred on October 15 at approximately 2:30 PM, while the man was being detained. According to a police report, he ingested two paracetamol tablets and stale food remnants left behind by previous inmates. Shortly after consumption, the man experienced severe discomfort and began vomiting. Emergency Health Services (EHS) were immediately contacted, and he was transported to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex for treatment. Medical professionals confirmed that the man was in stable condition but required close monitoring. He was administered medication to detoxify his system and remains hospitalized under police supervision. This incident has raised concerns about hygiene and safety protocols within detention facilities.

In a recent column titled ‘Opposition to Garvey’s Visit’ published in Newsday on October 16, 2025, UWI historian Jerome Teelucksingh sheds light on the resistance Marcus Garvey faced during his planned visit to Trinidad in 1928. Teelucksingh highlights the critical stance taken by the Trinidad Guardian and the legislative council, predominantly composed of the elite class, who actively blocked Garvey’s visit. This move was met with strong objections from trade union leaders such as Arthur Cipriani and Timothy Roodal, who saw Garvey as a champion of black activism and workers’ rights. While Teelucksingh briefly mentions Garvey’s eventual visit to Trinidad in 1937, he omits details about the reception he received. The People, an Afrocentric newspaper, noted that Garvey ‘appears to have little sympathy for the poor,’ a sentiment that may have influenced his reception. Further insights from Kevin Baldeosingh’s historical work, ‘From Colony to Curse,’ reveal that Garvey’s Trinidadian supporters were largely unaware of his broader ideological stance. Garvey’s opposition to American trade unions, as evidenced by his statement that ‘the only convenient friend the Negro worker or labourer has at the present time is the white capitalist,’ likely extended to his interactions with Trinidadian trade unionists, fostering a complex and contentious dynamic.

The Tobago Blue Food Festival, an annual celebration of the island’s culinary heritage, is poised to commence on October 19 at the Bloody Bay Recreation Ground. Kern Cown, CEO of the Tobago Festivals Commission Ltd (TFCL), unveiled the preparations during a press conference at the Office of the Chief Secretary in Scarborough on October 16. Addressing past logistical challenges, particularly concerning shuttle services and parking, Cown emphasized the commission’s commitment to enhancing the patron experience. Six designated parking zones have been established to accommodate festival-goers, with Parking Zone A located within the venue on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional parking facilities include the Bloody Bay Beach Facility, Carrington Lot, Parlatuvier Community Centre, Parlatuvier Primary School, and the Cyd Gray Complex in Roxborough. Parking will open at 8 am, complemented by shuttle services starting at 9 am. A premium shuttle service from Market Square in Scarborough will depart at 10 am and 10:30 am, while the Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) will offer a paid shuttle at noon. The festival promises a vibrant lineup of activities, including a petting zoo, children’s corner, arts and crafts section, food court, and live entertainment. Renowned artists Farmer Nappy and Shurwayne Winchester are set to headline the event, alongside local performers. The festival, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2024, was established in 1998 to honor the versatility of dasheen, a staple root crop in Tobago’s cuisine.

The Court of Appeal in Trinidad and Tobago has partially upheld a High Court decision that nullified demolition orders issued by the San Juan/Laventille Regional Corporation (SLRC) against two property owners in El Socorro. The case, involving brothers Primnath Geelal and Rupnarine Geelal, centered on allegations of unauthorized building additions dating back to 2017 and 2018. The SLRC had issued ‘show cause’ and ‘demolition’ notices, claiming the structures violated the Public Health Ordinance and Municipal Corporations Act. The Geelals argued that the buildings were over 40 years old, with only minor cosmetic changes made since 2014. In October, Justices Prakash Moosai, Gillian Lucky, and Eleanor Donaldson-Honeywell ruled that the SLRC acted unfairly by failing to conduct a proper inquiry or ensure procedural fairness. While the court upheld the nullification of a December 2017 demolition notice due to procedural unfairness, it reinstated a subsequent show cause notice. Justice Donaldson-Honeywell emphasized that enforcement actions must comply with natural justice and constitutional safeguards. The court ordered an oral hearing by January 30, 2026, for Primnath Geelal to present evidence on whether the disputed works were structural or cosmetic. Costs were awarded to the Geelals, with the SLRC directed to pay two-thirds of assessed costs to Primnath and full costs to Rupnarine, who was never served any notice. The ruling highlighted that planning regulation enforcement must be tailored to the specific facts of each case.