President tells families to share meals

President George Max-well Richards would like to see families making more time to share their meals together, instead of eating separately. He said so at the Inauguration Luncheon of the Indian Food Festival at the Hilton Trinidad yesterday. He began by praising the offerings of the cooks brought in from Mumbai (Bombay), India, for the event, saying: “This is a celebration of culture in a medium which is no less effective in projecting the image of a country than are the performing arts. The traditions in presenting and partaking of foods should be preserved in all generations. “It is to be regretted that in this age of instant everything, fellowship in a meal in a home is denied to many.” He said that sharing a meal could play a role in unifying a family.

President Richards hailed the Indian Food Festival, saying: “East Indians brought to this country many unique tastes and flavours, but we in Trinidad and Tobago describe as ‘Indian’ our own interpretation of that which was brought to our shores. It is good for us to be able to distinguish the authentic provisions of India from our own which are no less delicious. The master chefs from Mumbai now give us another opportunity to understand a country (India).” The launch was also addressed by Indian High Commissioner Virendra Gupta,  who gave an account of  “The History of Indian Arrival Day” and Hilton Trinidad General Manager, Ali Khan, who spoke on “The Lifestyles and Romance of India.”