Dr. Pradeep Rajpurohit, the Indian High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago, expressed his profound appreciation for the enduring preservation of Indian traditions and culture during the Divali Nagar celebrations in Chaguanas. Speaking at the Diplomats’ Night on October 14, Rajpurohit highlighted the significance of the event, which marks 180 years since the arrival of Indentured Indians to the Caribbean nation. He credited the ancestors for their resilience in maintaining Indian philosophy and values, known as Sanskars, despite the challenges of their journey. Rajpurohit shared his personal connection to the festival, recalling his departure from India during Divali two years ago and his joy in being able to celebrate it in Trinidad and Tobago, home to one of the largest Divali celebrations outside of India. He praised the National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC) for its 38 years of dedication to showcasing Indian traditions, arts, and cuisine. Rajpurohit also extended condolences for the passing of former NCIC presidents and emphasized the festival’s theme of Loka Sangraha, which promotes global welfare and unity. Additionally, he encouraged the diaspora to apply for the Overseas Citizenship of India card and highlighted the strengthening of bilateral ties through initiatives like the provision of prosthetic limbs to Trinidad and Tobago nationals. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced plans to establish an artificial foot center in the country, benefiting both locals and the wider Caricom region.
标签： Trinidad and Tobago
特立尼达和多巴哥
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Fatima, ‘Pres’ land contrasting wins in RBC Royal Slam basketball
Fatima College continued their impressive run in the RBC Royal Slam College Basketball tournament with a commanding 92-36 victory over St Francis Boys’ College on October 12 at the Eastern Regional Indoor Sporting Arena in Tacarigua. This win marked their second consecutive triumph, solidifying their position at the top of Group A with six points from two games. The standout performer of the match was twelve-year-old guard Jakeem King, who delivered a remarkable double-double with 17 points and ten steals, complemented by six assists. His exceptional play was pivotal in Fatima’s dominant performance. Meanwhile, in Group B, Presentation College (San Fernando) secured a hard-fought 94-80 win over St Anthony’s College on October 11, thanks to a stellar showing by Michael McCarthy. McCarthy, who had previously scored 42 points in a loss to St Mary’s College, proved his mettle once again with an astonishing 46 points and 29 rebounds, along with three blocks, four assists, and four steals. St Anthony’s College, led by Amir Balgobin and Jahiem McLeod, who scored 28 and 17 points respectively, couldn’t contain McCarthy’s brilliance. In another match on October 11, Queen’s Royal College handed St Francis their first loss in two days with an 82-56 victory. Talib Daniel’s 24 points and six rebounds, combined with Kevani Boatswain’s double-double (16 points, 11 rebounds), were instrumental in QRC’s success. The tournament will resume on October 25, with Holy Cross College facing QRC at 4 pm and St Anthony’s taking on St Mary’s at 6 pm. On October 26, St Francis will clash with Holy Cross, while QRC will challenge the northern powerhouse, Fatima College.
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Aquaholics, Bluebloods make splash at Dragon Boat Festival
The Chinese Arrival Dragon Boat Festival, held at the Chaguaramas Boardwalk on October 11 and 12, witnessed thrilling performances from teams Aquaholics and Bluebloods. Over the two-day event, numerous races were conducted across various distances, including 200m, 500m, and 1,000m, alongside traditional dragon dances. Aquaholics showcased their prowess by securing victories in the premier open 200m, premier mixed 200m, and premier women’s 200m events. In the premier open race, they narrowly edged out Bluebloods with a time of 53.35 seconds, while Bluebloods clocked 55.57 seconds. Bluebloods, however, excelled in the Under-16 open standard race and the Under-16 200m small event. Both teams also triumphed in the 1,000m events. Aquaholics led the premium mixed race with a time of 7:01.04, while Bluebloods dominated the Under-21 open category, finishing in 6:00.48. Other notable winners included St Joseph’s Convent’s Blue Dragons in the Under-21 women’s race and Sea Serpents in the 500m Under-21 women’s event. The festival also featured an exhibition race for beginners and non-competitive athletes, where Chinese Exhibition emerged victorious.
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Strong currents stop John Procope from completing 100K swim around Tobago
John Procope’s ambitious attempt to swim 100 kilometers around Tobago was halted due to relentless ocean currents, forcing him to abandon the challenge after 33 grueling hours. The swimmer began his journey on the morning of October 13 at Crown Point, supported by a team that included a small boat stocked with supplies and a kayak for companionship. Swimmers Jacob Cox and William Carr also joined him for part of the route. Despite completing approximately 68% of the distance, Procope and his team were compelled to cease their efforts near Speyside due to the overwhelming strength of the currents. Upon returning to shore on the evening of October 14, Procope’s Facebook page confirmed the decision, emphasizing that safety was the top priority. ‘Couldn’t beat very strong current just past Speyside…took over an hour and still in pretty much the same place. Fatigued. Had to abort,’ the post read. In a follow-up video, Procope expressed gratitude to his supporters. The first half of the swim, in the calmer Caribbean Sea, went smoothly, but the Atlantic Ocean’s unpredictable currents proved insurmountable. This marks another chapter in Procope’s history of endurance swimming, following his successful 25-hour swim from Tobago to Trinidad in October 2024.
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Eastern Connect out Maloney’s perfect run in EFA
In a dramatic showdown on October 12, Eastern Connect FC (16 points) ended FC Maloney’s (18 points) six-game winning streak in the 2025 Eastern Football Association (EFA) season with a 4-3 victory at Clayton Ince recreation grounds. The match, brimming with intensity, saw Eastern Connect take an early lead with first-half goals from Cadeem Jackie and Corie Dhanoolal, who scored twice. Despite Maloney’s valiant efforts to level the score, Sean Labadie delivered the decisive blow in stoppage time, securing the win for Eastern Connect. Meanwhile, Wallerfield United (13 points) solidified their third-place position in Group B with a commanding 4-0 victory over USC Hummers, fueled by Revaldo Patrick’s double and contributions from Emmanuel Phillip and Kevin Thornhill. FC Porto Arima (12 points) climbed to fourth place after defeating Trincity Nationals 3-1, with Wesley Lewis, Rivaldo Patron, and Mikheil Peters on the scoresheet. Maracas United (11 points) fell out of the top four following a goalless draw with CG Poseidon. In Group A, Heatwave FC (11 points) clinched fourth place with a 2-1 win over Malabar FC, overtaking La Horquetta XF. The stage is now set for the ‘Big 8’ knockout phase, commencing October 26, with the EFA champions set to earn $15,000.
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Dominican Republic closes Nalis’ Latin Night series
The National Library of Trinidad and Tobago (Nalis) in Port of Spain brought its annual Latin Night 2025 series to a vibrant close on October 13, with the Dominican Republic as the featured nation. The event, held at the Pamella Benson Audio Visual Room, celebrated cultural exchange through film, music, and cuisine, drawing diplomats, artists, students, and cultural enthusiasts. The evening’s highlight was the screening of the Dominican documentary *Hay un país en el mundo*, directed by José Enrique Pintor (Pinky Pintor), which explores the nation’s identity through landscapes, poetry, and music. The film’s title is inspired by a renowned poem by Pedro Mir, a literary icon of the Dominican Republic. Debbie Goodman, Nalis’ corporate communications manager, emphasized the program’s mission to foster regional unity and appreciation for shared cultural heritage. Dominican Republic Ambassador Raquel Jacobo Jaar praised the initiative, noting the symbolic value of the documentary in highlighting the deep historical and cultural ties between the two Caribbean nations. The event concluded with a reception featuring traditional Dominican food and drinks, prepared by the local Dominican community. The Latin Night 2025 series, running from October 1 to 13, showcased the cultures of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Spain, and the Dominican Republic through diverse performances, workshops, and exhibitions.
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Police probe alleged Trinidadian deaths in US boat bombing
Authorities in Trinidad and Tobago (TT) are set to engage with the families of two men believed to have been aboard a boat targeted by a US missile strike off Venezuela’s coast on October 14. The incident, which marks the fourth such operation by US forces in the region, has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the attack. The family of Chad Joseph, a resident of Las Cuevas, TT, has come forward, claiming that Joseph and another individual identified only as “Samaroo” were on the vessel returning from Venezuela when it was destroyed. US officials have consistently asserted that the targeted boats were involved in drug trafficking, though no concrete evidence has been publicly presented to substantiate these claims. President Donald Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth have defended the actions, citing what they describe as undeniable intelligence. However, neither US, Venezuelan, nor TT authorities have confirmed the identities of those aboard the vessel in the latest incident. Acting Commissioner of Police Junior Benjamin revealed that TT police were unaware of the potential local connection until Joseph’s family spoke to the media. He confirmed that officers from the North Eastern Division will visit the family to gather further information and investigate the matter.
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Trinidad and Tobago golfers putt three gold, two bronze Four Ball Champs
Trinidad and Tobago’s golf team delivered an impressive performance at the 2025 Caribbean Golf Association Four Ball Championships in Jamaica, securing three gold and two bronze medals. Despite narrowly missing the overall title by a single point to Jamaica, the team showcased exceptional skill across various categories. In the women’s 25 and over division, Victoria Seenath and Tori De Freitas-Baptiste defended their title with a dominant display. Gabriel Vanososte and Ryan Gomez clinched gold in the mid-amateur men’s 35 and over category, while Wayne Baptiste and Richard “Pecos” Camacho triumphed in the super senior men’s division. The women’s 45 and over team of Ingrid Seeberan and Emilie Ramsahai earned bronze, as did Clint Alfred and John Rampersad in the senior men’s category. Despite facing stiff competition in the men’s 70 and over division, the team’s overall performance was celebrated by the TT Golf Association, which praised their resilience and reaffirmed Trinidad and Tobago’s standing as a powerhouse in Caribbean golf. The association also extended gratitude to sponsors and government bodies for their support.
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Tobago love
In the heart of Tobago’s lush landscapes lies Adventure Eco-Villas, a sanctuary for birds and wildlife, where Agnes and Anthan Solomon have woven a life of love, dedication, and harmony with nature. Their story is one of resilience, cultural fusion, and a shared passion for preserving the environment. Agnes, born in Mabaruma, Guyana, and raised in Georgetown, found her calling in Tobago after a serendipitous meeting with Anthan, a Tobagonian with a deep-rooted connection to the land. Together, they have transformed Adventure Eco-Villas into a haven for both wildlife and visitors, blending their unique backgrounds into a life of service and stewardship. Agnes’ journey from Guyana to Tobago, her reunion with her indigenous roots, and her eventual marriage to Anthan are testaments to the power of love and perseverance. Anthan, a jack-of-all-trades with a background in construction, landscaping, and hospitality, has dedicated his life to maintaining the beauty and functionality of the eco-retreat. Their shared commitment to the environment and each other has created a legacy that continues to inspire. As they guide visitors through the trails, Agnes and Anthan not only share the wonders of nature but also their remarkable story, a testament to the enduring power of love and the importance of caring for the land.
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Catholics mourn passing of ex-American archbishop Gilbert
Archbishop Emeritus Edward Gilbert, a prominent figure in the Catholic Church and former Archbishop of Port of Spain, passed away on October 16 at the age of 88. His death was confirmed by the Archdiocese of Port of Spain in an official statement, which expressed deep sorrow over his loss. Gilbert, an American-born cleric, died in a Redemptorist retirement home in Florida, marking the end of a distinguished ecclesiastical career spanning over five decades. Ordained in 1964, Gilbert’s journey in the church was marked by significant milestones. In 1994, Pope John Paul II appointed him Bishop of Roseau in Dominica, where he spearheaded pastoral and structural reforms. Later, in 2001, he was installed as Archbishop of Port of Spain, a position he held until his resignation in 2011, which was accepted by Pope Benedict XVI. During his tenure, Gilbert strengthened diocesan structures, promoted vocations, and fostered collaboration among clergy, religious orders, and laity. His appointment in Trinidad and Tobago, however, was not without controversy. Following the death of Trinidadian Archbishop Clive Pantin, who had served for 32 years, Gilbert’s appointment as an American cleric sparked dissent within the local priesthood. Rev Clyde Harvey, now Bishop of Grenada, resigned in protest, calling the move a “slap in the face” and a form of “re-colonisation American-style.” Despite the initial backlash, Gilbert’s integrity and contributions to the church were widely acknowledged. The Archdiocese extended prayers for his soul and condolences to his family, the Redemptorist community, and all those he served. May he rest in peace.