Pan Trinbago president Keith Diaz expressed hope the event would promote appreciation for the national instrument and knowledge about its past. When asked about the choice of location, he said, “We realise every person passing by stops to watch…women, children, those on their way to work.” The exhibition showcased the craftsmanship of pans made here from the early 1950s to present. Previously, the country imported drums but the exhibition highlighted a new variety of patented pans specially made here which Diaz described as “our inventions, made from scratch”. He also explained there is a great difference between regular drums and the new pans which are louder, more powerful and more durable because of the difference in steel used. He gave the example that that the 27-inch drum has the volume of three pans.

He hinted of other differences but said, “We can’t reveal all the secrets. Experimentation is going on in T&T right now but there is more to come in the pan world”.

The exhibition was a journey through pan history with special established boards displaying designs by pioneers such as Anthony Williams, Ellie Mannette and Bertie Marshall straight up to present innovators like inventor of the G-Pan, Dr Brian Copeland.

Diaz said, “The history should be taught in a great and more effective way in this country.

People outside want this (steel pan) more than us.” The exhibition is hosted annually during Pan Month in August and two more events are scheduled for Friday at Harris Promenade, San Fernando and August 25 in Arima.

We well know that in Trinidad and Tobago it is far easier to gripe without having effective medication for the verbal diarrhoea.

While on staycation, the UNC-led Partnership government has griped and groused only about the needs of their own particular constituents.

It is as if the rest of TT does not exist.

What I need to know, urgently, is where the money is going to come from to continue to fool the public that a UNC administration can keep all their pet projects at the expense of the rest of the country.

Lay out how the UNC will be able to quickly counteract the upsurge in criminal activity brought on by the disbandment of SAUTT and the porous borders for drugs and human trafficking.

Tell us how we can continue to build schools and provide thousands of free laptops. Which other small third World country can do this? Why should applicants over age 50 and wealthy students sit in the university for free? They refuse to acknowledge the destruction of ForEx because of unworkable interference.

The constant fake news is being put out that TT is becoming a failed state.

If we are a failing state why is everybody running to reside in TT ? Ms Haynes needs to tell a discerning public where the money is going to come from to stroke the disappointed egos of an Opposition that was voted out because of allegations of rampant nepotism.

What has changed?

Lynette Joseph Diego Martin

They give up their youth and earning capacity at the peak of their earning potential to represent the “Red, White and Black”, but it’s like giving them a pen knife to go to war. I have long suggested that we either have a “Sport Lottery”, or use part of the NLCB lottery to fund our athletes, as in done in other countries.

The funny thing is, sports is always there as a rally to raise us up and give us a reason to cheer, (remember 2006 with the “Soca Warriors), but are we fair to them or just “bandwaggonists? So please, let’s treat them right.

R Patino via email

Merritt raised the issue at a hearing before High Court Judge Justice Joan Charles two days after granting a writ of habeas corpus instructing the Defence Force to release the soldiers. Merrit said while he understood the need for military investigators to establish a board of inquiry and interview witnesses, it did not negate the fact that his clients were also entitled rights under the Constitution.

“Keeping someone 18 days without any actual charge was unreasonable,” he said.

“They are saying their investigation process, because they have 26 witnesses to take statements from, is what kept them from doing anything further.

“They said they were awaiting the chance to convene a board of inquiry but our position is that the board of inquiry does not negate the process of letting the men have their liberty.” Merritt said the men were not allowed to communicate with their attorneys during the period of their detainment and this amounted to a violation of his clients’ Constitutional rights.

“They also said they had warrants to execute at banks but I don’t understand how keeping my clients inside would affect that.” Ravi Rajkumar, attorney for the Defence Force, said the matter was one for internal investigations and felt the court should not interfere in the proceedings.

However Charles told Rajkumar while the soldiers may be subject to military law, they were still citizens of this country and are granted certain rights under the Constitution.

Hearing of the matter continues today.

Antar, the current General Manager for Corporate Operations and Process Improvement at Republic Bank Limited, will assume the role from Anthony Subero, who will retire from the bank after more than 35 years of sterling service.

In announcing the appointment, RFHL yesterday said Antar has “contributed immensely to myriad functions at the bank”, including Marketing, Branch Operations, Information Technology, Operational Risk and Corporate Security as well as Administration, Premises, Business Continuity Planning, Business Systems and Process Improvement, and Portfolio Management.

Antar is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ACIS) and holds Chartered Institute of Bankers UK (ACIB) certification.

Republic Group yesterday congratulated Antar on his new appointment and wished him success in his career.

Randy Ramkissoon died on the spot after he was stabbed in the chest, back and abdominal area by his attacker.

According to a police report, at about 11.30 pm, Ramkissoon was in the living room of the family home watching television when he heard a knocking at the front door and someone calling his name.

When Ramkissoon opened the door a man with a knife ambushed him and began stabbing him investigators said. Speaking to Newsday at the family’s home yesterday, Ramkissoon’s fatherin- law Anthony Alleyne, who lives a short distance away, said he was awakened by the screams of Ramkissoon’s wife Crystal who called out to him saying her husband was killed.

“I did not hear anything until Crystal called out to us,” an emotional Alleyne said.

“I rushed to the house to see Randy covered in blood. He was already dead.” He said Crystal was crying hysterically.

“She was also asleep with the children and awoke after hearing noises from the living room. But by that time the killer was gone.

He killed a father knowing that his children were sleeping in another room. That hurts the most.” He said they did not want the children to see the image of their father covered in blood so they only allowed them to leave the bedroom after the body was removed. “We did not want them to remember their father in that way, it would be too much for them.” Ramkissoon was a self employed mechanic. Alleyne said he was not aware of any threats made on his son-in-law’s life. “This is very strange. But, from what I gather, he may have known his killer. But I am thankful that the children and their mother’s lives were spared.

But what is really sad is that these children will now grow up without a father. We have lost it as a people. There is no more value on human life.” Ramkissoon was described as a family man who was hardworking. “His dream was to purchase land for his children. He loved his children so much. They are still very young to understand what happened, but we explained to them that their daddy is gone,” Alleyne said.

Funeral arrangements are still being made. Members of the Homicide Region Three are investigating.

Sixteen queens from across Trinidad and Tobago are competing for the top position of Miss La Reine Rive 2017. Last Saturday they were judged on self-expression and talent, with the former giving each contestant two minutes to introduce themselves and the county they were representing in a descriptive, humorous and creative manner.

The talent segment saw contestants showcasing their abilities in dance, dramatic expression, song and captivating monologues.

One of the judges told Newsday, “What we (the judges) are looking for in this year’s queen is a high level of variety, we expect our queen to properly execute and portray herself because we want to produce a queen of a high quality, who can take on international pageants confidently.” The cultural competition continues on August 19 at NAPA, from 6pm and will culminate in the crowning of Miss La Reine Rive 2017.

Police said he was demanding that the woman reconcile the relationship.

He however ended up being shot and wounded in the leg by one of the policemen who came to her rescue. Only last month, police said, the woman obtained a protection order against the man as she was in fear for her life. Police said she is a victim of domestic violence.

The suspect of Savannah Road, Guapo is now in satisfactory condition at the San Fernando General Hospital. Investigators said once discharged, he can be charged with breaching a protection order, possession of a weapon/and or common assault.

“The union never presented a list to anybody,” Elder told Newsday yesterday.

“As a matter of fact, we don’t even have a list yet.

I don’t know where they got that from. Nothing I said to the reporter on Sunday was in the papers today (yesterday).” The story also stated that the TDC was scheduled to close yesterday.

Elder said the article was printed without any input from him.

“The only thing in the papers is that we had a meeting with Minister (Stuart) Young and the company on Friday.

That is true. But the result of that meeting was not contained in the paper whatsoever.” Elder said what was supposed to happen yesterday was the employees were supposed to be given their retrenchment notices, but it has not happened as yet.

“That means the workers would be given 45 days notice starting today which is in accordance with the orders of the Court of Appeal.

It is up to the company to decide whether they are doing it today, tomorrow, Wednesday or next week. After the discussions with Minister Young they did indicate they wanted to do that today(yesterday).” Later, at 3 pm yesterday, the TDC called in workers and issued them with retrenchment notices.

Couva North MP Ramona Ramdial said as the TDC closed its doors to make way for a new entity, Tourism Trinidad Destination Management Company Limited, about 120 workers would be left without jobs.

“This new company will now employ 50 workers with no assurances from Tourism Minister Shamfa Cudjoe or Minister Stuart Young that these 50 workers are to be hired from within the cadre of 120 former TDC employees. Even though the CWU, representing the TDC employees, did all necessary to save the jobs of these workers, Government still decided to move ahead and retrench,” Ramdial said.

She said the impact of retrenchment would not just affect the individual workers, but also families.

“In this time of economic hardship where keeping jobs is of utmost importance, we have a weak, incompetent Government, hell-bent on retrenching workers from every sector. We have noteworthy, alternative suggestions being proffered by economists and financial experts where Government can focus on other strategies to cut expenditure and still grow the economy, but instead, thousands of jobs have been lost since this Government assumed office in September 2015,” Ramdial said.

She said the first duty of any government should be to take care of its human resource capital.

Newsday secured a copy of the suspension which was served on the SRP last week Tuesday by Acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams.

The letter stated: “In the circumstances, you are hereby notified that with immediate effect you are to cease performing duty as a Special Reserve Police officer pending the determination of the investigation.

You are required to return all items of kit and accoutrements issued to you in the execution of your duties including of your Special Reserve Police Identification Card to the officer delivering this notice to you.” On Friday, president of the Police Social Welfare Association Inspector Michael Seales wrote to Williams asking him to reconsider his decision to suspend the SRP, who has two years service.

In his letter, Inspector Seales noted that: “Our member, in her dire situation which has caused her irreputable damage, has approached the Association with a letter she received from your office, stopping her from being called out to duty.

This letter in our opinion when read in its entirety, falls short of alluding to possible dismissal for the already embarrassed and regretful officer.” The letter also stated that the suspension without pay has left the SRP in financial constraints. The Association is viewing the suspension letter as a roundabout way of informing the SRP that she has been constructively dismissed from the TTPS. “For any decision to have this officer dismissed from the service at this time is a fate that could prove to be detrimental to her financially and quite possibly, mentally.” The letter continued “The Association is humbly beseeching your good office to kindly reconsider the position in regard to the harsh punishment meted out to the officer, and consider the impact this decision would have on the said officer.” The Association is also calling for a speedy determination of the investigation.