TSTT celebrates Indian Arrival

Organised for the 15th year by the TSTT Indian Cultural Association (TICA), there were constant reminders throughout the evening’s celebrations that the future is largely determined by what we do today. The function featured an exquisite Indian decor and offered various Indian delicacies. Attendees learned about the history of the Indian Diaspora in Trinidad at a rich display and virtual museum which included a model of the Fatel Razack ship which brought the first Indian Indentured labourers from India to Trinidad in May 1845, musical instruments, traditional and modern cooking utensils, religious items and clothing.

The evening’s proceedings had a strong showing by TSTT employees and their children as eight-year-old Kyle Ali did a pan rendition of the National Anthem, followed by inter-faith prayers done by 11-year old Tyriq Jackson (Christian prayer), the brother and sister team of 11-year old Nishtha and 8-year-old Vheer Samnarine (Hindu prayer) and ten-year-old Majid Khan (Muslim prayer).

Jeda Beharry, six, performed a solo dance item and then joined the rest of the Trinidad Multicultural Dance company, who ages ranged from six to nine years.

Ronald Dasrath, eight, sang with his uncle Jaggart Mohammed, an employee of 15 years from the Princes Town/Matilda Work Centre.

TICA is a group of TSTT employees which promotes the awareness of East Indian culture and whose president is Mahadaye Ramlagan who has 32 years of service with TSTT. During her opening remarks, Ramlagan discussed the evolution of Indian culture in Trinidad and Tobago and compared it with that of TSTT.

TSTT’s Executive Vice-President of Human Resources, Harigobin Jhinkoo commended TICA for organising the event, noting that the theme “Tomorrow Starts Today” has also been embraced as the theme of TSTT’s five-year strategic plan.

Also attending the celebrations were several members of the TSTT senior management team including TSTT Chairman Everald Snaggs, executive vice president BLINK Sales, Service and Tobago Operations (Ag) Vinood Radge Coomar, and executive vice-president Government and Enterprise Services Rakesh Goswami.