Sat wants nation’s highest award changed

THE battle to change the name of the nation’s highest award, the Trinity Cross, will begin in earnest at the sub-registry of the San Fernando Magistrate’s Court on Friday morning. And if necessary, will continue to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. This according to secretary-general of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS) Sat Maharaj, who once again called for the “equitable distribution” of political power and social and economic programmes throughout Trinidad and Tobago. He was addressing Indian Arrival Day celebrations at the Parvati Girls’ Hindu College, SS Erin Road, Debe yesterday. Maharaj, who had earlier led a colourful street procession complete with banners and placards through the streets of Debe, said Dr Fenton Ramsahoi, Anand Ramlogan and English legal expert John Horan, would represent the Maha Sabha’s case.

“The only time we are going to get a change in the name of the Trinity Cross to something representative of the diverse people and culture of Trinidad and Tobago is through the courts,” he said. Maharaj added, “and if necessary, we are going international to intervene in these matters if that is what it takes.” He also echoed St Augustine MP, Winston Doo-keran’s assertion that the political system had failed to adequately serve the people of Trinidad and Tobago, saying “too much power” was placed in the hands of the Prime Minister. “Too much power is concentrated in one area and after 40 years, the time has come to revisit the Trinidad and Tobago constitution,” he said, adding the ‘‘mantra’’ worldwide was one of power sharing.” Maharaj added, “Power must be equitably distributed across the land.

The time has come to revisit all of our institutions because they are not serving us anymore.” Meanwhile, Maharaj said this year’s Arrival Day celebrations were a “time for stocktaking” where the East Indian community was under a “daily threat of violence and the probability of kidnapping.” He also criticised the State’s  $1million allocation to the Arrival Day celebrations saying similar disbursements to other organisations were not published. Also addressing the celebrations was Opposition leader Basdeo Panday, who urged unity among the various community groups and organisations saying unity was “no longer a luxury but an imperative” for the survival of the East Indian Diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago.