标签： Trinidad and Tobago

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.

Sixty years ago, at the age of 12, Debbie Jacob found solace in the life of Jane Goodall, the English-born primatologist, whose journey mirrored her own isolated upbringing on a remote Ohio dairy farm. Surrounded by cows, dogs, and horses, Jacob’s father named each of his 56 dairy cows, fostering a deep connection with animals that paralleled Goodall’s groundbreaking work with chimpanzees in Africa. Goodall’s unconventional approach—naming the chimpanzees she studied and observing their tool-making abilities—challenged scientific norms and redefined humanity’s understanding of animals. This shared reverence for animals inspired Jacob to spend 14 years researching and writing about police dogs, a testament to the profound influence of role models. Role models, Jacob argues, provide purpose, build confidence, and validate life choices. They remind us to be resilient and relevant, qualities exemplified by Goodall, who reinvented herself in her later years as an animal activist and environmentalist. Goodall’s tireless efforts to protect the planet for both humans and animals left an indelible legacy of hope and ecological awareness. Her message remains clear: we share this planet with animals and must work together to preserve it. Goodall’s journey also highlights the importance of curiosity and ambition over formal qualifications. Discovered by archaeologist Louis Leakey, who saw potential in her despite her lack of expertise, Goodall became the first person to observe chimpanzees in the wild. This belief in untapped potential shaped Jacob’s career, allowing her to excel in diverse fields without formal training. However, Jacob laments the modern world’s reluctance to take chances on individuals driven by heart and ambition. In an era dominated by systems and curricula, the qualities once valued in role models—honesty, diligence, trust, and risk-taking—are increasingly overlooked. Yet, the need for role models remains urgent, as the world grapples with a lack of positive guidance. Jane Goodall’s legacy serves as a reminder of the transformative power of role models and the enduring importance of curiosity, resilience, and reinvention.

The phrase ‘This too shall pass’ often serves as a resigned yet hopeful reminder during overwhelming times. For many in Trinidad and Tobago (TT), the anticipation surrounding last week’s significant events has now crystallized into either unbridled joy or profound disappointment, depending on individual perspectives and circumstances. The recent budget reading, delivered last Monday, brought mixed reactions. While some sectors celebrated, the arts community was left puzzled by vague promises. The budget briefly mentioned plans to ‘expand cultural industries through a Creative Value-Chain Fund,’ supporting film, fashion, design, and music, alongside enhanced intellectual property (IP) protection and duty concessions. However, the lack of detail has left artists and creatives anxiously awaiting further clarification from the Ministry of Community Development and the Arts. The grouping of arts practice and people development within one ministry is a positive step, acknowledging their symbiotic relationship. Yet, concerns arise as tourism and trade increasingly overlap with culture. Proposals for a year-round Carnival city, driven by the Ministry of Trade and Tourism, risk prioritizing economic gains over cultural authenticity, potentially undermining the essence of TT’s vibrant traditions. The arts fraternity is currently in despair, facing what many describe as the most critical juncture in decades. Critics highlight a significant political knowledge gap regarding the sector’s true potential, both locally and internationally. Calls for a government summit aim to bridge this divide and foster a deeper understanding of the arts’ transformative power. Globally, the creative sector is a powerhouse, employing 50 million people—half of whom are women—and ranking as the world’s second-largest industry, surpassing even the automotive sector. In the UK, the ‘orange economy’ contributes £125 billion, while in the US, it adds over $1.1 trillion to the economy. Despite these staggering figures, TT’s budget failed to address key areas like literature and publishing, leaving the VAT on books unchanged—a move seen as a penalty on reading. The literary sector has been a success story over the past 15 years, with initiatives like the Bocas Lit Fest school projects enhancing cognitive skills, critical thinking, and communication among students. Advocates emphasize that the arts not only drive economic growth but also foster cultural evolution, social change, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Meanwhile, in the Middle East, Palestinians and Israelis cautiously celebrate a fragile ceasefire. The release of hostages and detainees has brought relief, but the question of ‘what next?’ looms large. The future hinges on the unpredictable actions of global leaders, leaving many to wonder if lasting peace and stability can be achieved.