Indian journalist surprised by TT’s cultural mix

Manikant Thakur, a radio journalist with All India Radio News Services Division in New Delhi, said it was his first visit to Trinidad but he was astonished by the rich cultural mix of the people.

He spoke to Newsday during a media tour of Murtis and Mosques, organised by the Ministry of Tourism.

Although the tour was open to local and foreign journalists, Thakur was the only visitor.

“This is my first time and experience here in Trinidad and I found the country to be great with all this different races.” Thakur said, adding that both countries were different.

“Everyone here of all different races, lives in such harmony and peace which is really great.”

He was also surprised that the Indian heritage was preserved in this country, adding, “I am actually surprised to see that the culture from India is preserved richly and when I return to India I will relate my experience on the radio,”he said.

He is part of a contingent of over 100 journalists from India in Trinidad for the CHOGM.

The tour took participants to the Trinidad Muslim League in St Joseph, then continued onto the Caribbean Indo Museum, in Central Trinidad and the Shiv Siewdass Sadhu Temple (Temple In the Sea), in Carapichaima, where bhajans and prayers were performed.

Supplying the music was the ‘T&TEC Nada Sangama Steel Orchestra, who epitomised the mix of culture in this country with renditions on both the steelpan and tassa drums.

The tour ended at the Caroni Bird Sanctuary and was led by Suzanne Gail Mohammed, managing director of Gail Exclusive Tour Guide.

Similar tours were conducted during the week to different parts of the country and Tobago.