No delay for Delhi Carnival

Delhi Carnival 2004 almost got called off when the news that Prime Minister Patrick Manning and a power packed delegation of over sixty people would be coming to India around June 1. “Maybe we should postpone the carnival,” said Jason Harding, Chairman of the Carnival Committee. He said that the organising committee would greatly benefit from the artistes and the steelband that would be accompanying the PM. The uproar was no less than that captured by the late Kitchener when he sang about “Mas in May.”

It was clearly: “Man we want we mas” as Harding argued that there would be more time to accommodate the hundreds of people  from the Caribbean, USA and Europe who have called the High  Commission to inquire about its Delhi Carnival. High Commissioner Pundit Manideo Persad who introduced the whole idea of the TT Carnival put his foot down and declared that there would be no postponement. He suggested that the Committee “go along with their plans for the 26th March and hold the street parade when the PM’s entourage arrives.” It is believed that the PM’s tour will take him to Japan and China and then India for a five-day visit. It is expected that a day or two will be spent in Delhi with Mumbai, Bangalore and Gujurat being cities the PM would be most likely to visit. The Festivals Committee plans to request a longer stay for the performing artistes as they showcase the talent of Trinidad and Tobago in the series of festivities initiated by His Excellency, Pundit Persad.

As fabrics, beads and sequins get into creative hands, the days ahead promise to go well into the summer nights and will witness nationals and friends of Trinidad and Tobago sitting in groups on the rooftops building costumes. Along with the jokes harvested from living in the city will be the news from back home and the added flavour of Delhites’ reactions to Carnival language as they  requests lessons in “wining” and “jamin”.
Visitors continue to be tickled by the plead for “horn”. Heavy vehicles carry colourful signs at the rear end of their vehicles that say “Horn Please.” Mike Arnold promoting Angostura Products here in India was at the last meeting of the Carnival Committee. He suggested that a booth be erected at the Park Royal Hotel where the Carnival is being held for a demonstration of the products being promoted. He will be one of the main sponsors of Delhi Carnival. Cocktails, mocktails, rumpunch and other food and drink from TT will be served free with t-shirts and body-painting by Enami products beauticians arranged for the Carnival by Ravi Janwani, Preetanjali’s owner who had postponed his return to Trinidad to attend the carnival.

Meanwhile, the Trinis saw another first with cricket at the Nehru Stadium last Saturday when the TT High Commission’s team played the British High Commission’s team. Pundit Persad won the toss in the Commonwealth Cricket Championship sending the team to bat. They secured 106 runs with a surprise from 19-year-old Dhruv Bhatia scoring 54. The Brits won the match easily. It was the first in the series and the TT team is gearing up to win with regular practise sessions. The Brits have much experience in cricket championship matches here in New Delhi. “They are professional,” Harish Mehta, Co-ordinator of the sort said. Pundit Persad who was responsible for TT’s participation said that the sport promised greater social interaction with the diplomatic community. He announced that the High Commission will be setting up a Sports Club as well. The TT Cricket team comprised staff members and included Ravi Janwani and sports writer for the Asian Age daily Rahul Singh.