Republic Day more fitting for awards

Both Independence Day and Republic Day are special days for the nation’s celebrations but for my arguments I will deal more specifically with the genesis of our national awards.

Simply put, Independence Day celebrates the day a country wins or attains its freedom from rule of another country, while Republic Day or republicanism celebrates the idea of being a citizen in a country under which the people hold popular sovereignty.

Therefore, a country recognising and awarding its citizens for outstanding and meritorious service on Republic Day is more appropriate and meaningful than Independence Day.

What I found most disappointing, though, is that some of the people who postulate themselves as our erudite are playing smart with foolishness in their attempt to negate this shift.

National awards were introduced following our 1962 independence.

However, the first national awards were given out seven years later in1969. Prior to independence, TT , being part of the British Empire, received Commonwealth awards which were conferred by the Queen of England.

Attaining independence status, the people and government (of TT ) of the day felt these awards were no longer appropriate and moved on to design medals that were more reflective of TT .

And being a newly independent nation it was also acceptable to hand out these national awards on Independence Day.

Similarly, handing out these awards on Independence Day is no longer appropriate now that we are a republic — the day we became master of our own destiny.

Handing out national awards on Republic Day is truly symbolic and more meaningful in building and strengthening nationhood.

I recalled debates some years ago concerning our highest national award when it was called the Trinity Cross. One argument then, in the eyes of some, was that the cross represented the symbol of early world colonization, a status we had just discarded.

I don’t think it was for this reason but rather a collection of other reasons, TT ’s highest national award, the Trinity Cross, was replaced with the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Not the “order of the independence of Trinidad and Tobago.” A special committee appointed by Cabinet recommended the change which was accepted by Government following loud echoes against the name and symbol of the cross being on our highest national award.

Something more reflective of the varied culture and religion of this rainbow country was being demanded.

I congratulate President Anthony Carmona for his wisdom in this matter and Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and all the others who were consulted and were prudent in agreement.

Let us now celebrate Republic Day with pride, dignity and the handing out of national awards.

DR ROBERT WILLIAMS via email