Time to take a stand against crime

High on the agenda at the service was the country’s spiralling crime rate, particularly the recent spate of murders and kidnappings. Richards said the time had come for the society to focus on the actions of "some" who shed a negative light on the nation.

However, the President advised that citizens ought to be proud of the country’s many accomplishments — locally and internationally.

Richards told the audience which had gathered in the auditorium of St Joseph’s Convent, Harris Promen-ade, San Fernando, "Let us not be mesmerised by unsavoury events taking place in our country. Let us not be tempted to believe that we are an uncaring people, because of the senseless acts of the minority."

The President said that there are voluntary organisations working towards uplifting the conditions of the less fortunate and for this, the country must give thanks.

Richards asked citizens not to cower and be pushed into a "prison of fear." To do that, he added, citizens would have to settle for venturing out only by "permission" of those of evil intent.

"That will be another form of slavery to which our people must not be sacrificed," Richards said.

Richards called on citizens to exercise resilience and an indomitable spirit instead, as was demonstrated during the events of 1990.

Another example of such re-silience, he added, was the restoration of Tobago after last year’s destruction by Hurricane Ivan.

IRO president Reverend Cyril Paul said the organisation em-pathised with families whose loved ones had been kidnapped or killed and thus experienced "real grief and trauma." Paul has already been victimised by bandits twice this year.

In giving the vote of thanks, Pundit Mukram Sirjoo, IRO public relations officer, said that throughout the service, 18-year-old Avinash Rattan — the country’s latest kidnap victim — was on his mind. "It is a very sad situation," he lamented.

Nevertheless, Paul said that despite the pain and suffering, the country ought to count its blessings from God.

Among the distinguished guests in attendance at the thanksgiving service were Senate President Dr Linda Baboolal; US Ambassador Roy Austin; Dharmacharya Uttam Maharaj; IRO past president and current secretary Noble Khan; and St Augustine Member of Parliament Winston Dookeran and Senator Robin Montano.