标签： Trinidad and Tobago

Surujdeo Mangaroo has embarked on his presidency of the National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC) with a transformative vision that merges cultural preservation with global expansion. Elected in August 2025, Mangaroo brings over two decades of dedicated service to the organization, where he previously served as first vice president and chairman of the renowned Divali Nagar festival since 1999.

Mangaroo’s cultural journey began during his formative years at Palo Seco Secondary School, where inspiration struck during bhajan sessions led by Professor Anantanand Rambachan and teacher Raghuraj Bahadursingh. This early exposure ignited a lifelong passion that would shape his professional and personal endeavors. Beyond his cultural leadership, Mangaroo maintains dual responsibilities as CEO of Trinity Insurance Brokers Limited and as a family patriarch, having married Nadra Baksh in 1978 with whom he raised four children.

The cornerstone of Mangaroo’s presidential agenda centers on youth empowerment through innovative programs. He has been instrumental in developing platforms such as the NCIC Youth Champ Competition, the NCIC Dance Competition, and Sangeet Pradarshan—a television program designed to elevate performance standards. His philosophy emphasizes preparing artists for international recognition, noting ‘Our goal is to cultivate a new wave of artists in TT and across the diaspora who can excel domestically and internationally.’

Under Mangaroo’s previous leadership, Divali Nagar evolved from a local celebration into an internationally recognized cultural phenomenon reaching throughout the Caribbean, North America, and South America. This expansion continues as a priority, with strengthened international partnerships to facilitate cultural exchanges for young performers. ‘We have an abundance of talent in our country,’ Mangaroo observes, ‘and by giving them opportunities to travel abroad, they can take their culture and talents to excel.’

Mangaroo’s approach to cultural promotion emphasizes unity through diversity, asserting that celebrating Indian heritage contributes to Trinidad and Tobago’s national identity rather than promoting isolation. ‘Cherishing our culture is not merely about preserving the past,’ he explains, ‘it is about honoring the resilience and contributions of those who came before us.’

The impact of Mangaroo’s mentorship emerges through testimonials from cultural ambassadors like singer Nirmala Sesnarayan, who credits him with providing transformative international opportunities since 2004. Similarly, singer Ravi Jagroop acknowledges Mangaroo’s pivotal role in his artistic development, while Bobby Seenath of the Mahatma Gandhi Charitable Organization praises his unwavering support for youth initiatives. Through his additional role as executive director of Neeleeji Events, Mangaroo continues creating platforms for young talent despite challenges of stereotypes and limited resources, believing that ‘the rewards of positively impacting lives and preserving our cultural heritage make it all worthwhile.’

The Trinidad and Tobago government has formally ratified a revised compensation package for educators, concluding protracted negotiations between state officials and the nation’s primary teachers’ union. Cabinet approval was granted for the wage settlement covering the three-year period from October 2020 through September 2023, marking a significant resolution to longstanding salary disputes.

The agreement originated from discussions between former TT Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) president Martin Lum Kin and the Chief Personnel Officer, which resulted in a five percent increase arrangement finalized prior to the recent general election. Current TTUTA leader Crystal Ashe had previously voiced concerns regarding implementation delays, warning of potential mass demonstrations if the settlement failed to receive ministerial endorsement by January.

In an official January 26 communiqué, the Education Ministry confirmed completion of all necessary documentation, enabling the financial adjustments to proceed through standard governmental channels. “These documents make clear that the approved salary revisions, consolidation of allowances, and associated benefits are now to be given effect through the established administrative and financial processes of the State,” the statement detailed, noting coordination with the Finance Ministry where required.

Administrative processing is currently underway to ensure prompt implementation of the compensation improvements. The Ministry reaffirmed its dedication to sustaining collaborative relationships with educational stakeholders, emphasizing its commitment to “advancing policies and processes that support the welfare of educators and the continued strengthening of the education sector.”

In a renewed push for justice, prominent attorney Prakash Ramadhar has issued a firm demand for financial compensation from both Paria Fuel Trading Co Ltd and LMCS Ltd to the families of four divers who tragically perished in a 2022 underwater pipeline incident. During a press briefing in Curepe on January 24th, flanked by associates Saira Lakhan, Ved Trebouhansingh, and Shane Sinanan, Ramadhar emphasized that legal action would be imminent if the companies continued to deny liability.

This development follows closely after Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar distributed $1 million ex-gratia payments to Christopher Boodram, the sole survivor of the catastrophe, and to the families of two deceased divers, Rishi Nagessar and Fyzal Kurban. The tragic event occurred on February 25, 2022, when the five LMCS-employed divers were performing maintenance on a 30-inch pipeline at Berth 6 in Pointe-a-Pierre. They were catastrophically sucked into the line by a powerful differential pressure event, known as Delta P.

A recent Commission of Enquiry report, tabled in Parliament on January 19, 2024, recommended that the Director of Public Prosecutions consider corporate manslaughter charges against Paria. The report also cited evidence to prosecute Paria manager Colin Piper and LMCS head Kazim Ali Snr—father of one of the victims—for violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

While expressing gratitude for the government’s compensatory gesture, Ramadhar asserted it was insufficient and that the primary responsibility rests with the involved corporations. He revealed that pre-action letters had been repeatedly sent to both companies, whose legal representatives have consistently denied liability, even post-enquiry. To avoid a protracted legal battle that could span years through appeals, Ramadhar has proposed an out-of-court settlement of $5 million for each affected family. He contextualized this figure by comparing it to the multi-million dollar legal fees generated by the enquiry itself.

Highlighting the profound ongoing hardships faced by the families, Ramadhar detailed the case of the Kurban family. The victim’s daughter is accruing significant debt for her education in Canada, while her brothers in Trinidad struggle to find work due to community associations with the disaster. Similarly, distribution of the government’s payment to the family of Yusuf Henry is delayed due to unresolved beneficiary issues among his children from different relationships.

Concluding his appeal, Ramadhar stated his team would dispatch further correspondence to Paria and LMCS, urging a swift and fair settlement to alleviate the families’ burdens without relying solely on state resources, noting that Paria, as a state enterprise, possesses substantial assets exceeding US$1 billion.

In a powerful embodiment of Michelle Obama’s assertion that “women and girls can do whatever they want,” Trinidadian visionary Wendy Lewis has crafted a multidimensional career that defies conventional categorization. At 54, this San Fernando native has merged three decades of expertise across media, entertainment, and social advocacy into a transformative force for Caribbean women.

Lewis’s professional tapestry spans remarkable breadth: an internationally recognized keynote speaker, broadcast professional, and leadership strategist who simultaneously operates as CEO of Khalabash Productions, founder of TT Corporate Training Academy (the Caribbean’s first protocol school), certified counselor, ordained minister, and published author. Her broadcast legacy includes hosting acclaimed programs like “D Khalabash Corner,” “Straight Talk with Wendy,” and “A Woman’s Worth.”

Her groundbreaking achievements include a historic 2001 victory as the first woman to claim the UK Calypso Monarch title—a triumph she successfully defended the following year. This musical prowess complements her status as the region’s longest-serving female artist manager, currently guiding careers of soca artist Roger George and Bollywood vocalist Anuradha Hansraj.

Beyond entertainment, Lewis wields significant influence as Chair and Regional President of Caribbean Women Honors & Empowerment’s Trinidad chapter. Since 2019, she has spearheaded initiatives combating gender-based violence while creating safe spaces for men’s mental health through the “Men We Are Here For You” program. Her 2024 islandwide period poverty campaign addressed menstrual health and youth empowerment through strategic partnerships and community engagement.

Lewis attributes her multifaceted success to spiritual grounding, intentional relationship-building, and refined discernment. “My inner circle became more refined, my purpose grew clearer, bringing greater peace, alignment and fulfillment,” she reflects regarding her ability to balance numerous roles.

Future endeavors include executing “A Woman’s Worth – The Conference,” multiple book releases, and undisclosed projects. Her advice to women navigating multiple roles emphasizes self-prioritization: “Put God first, then yourself, and then anyone or anything else. Give yourself permission to pace your life in seasons and redefine success on your own terms.”