President blanks Gopio national awards

PRESIDENT George Maxwell Richards yesterday declined an invitation to attend a national awards ceremony — the Order of Trinidad and Tobago — which will be hosted by the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (Gopio) on the eve of Independence Day.

In a letter addressed to Gopio president Parsuram Maharaj, the president’s executive secretary Jacqueline Serrette informed him that “because of a previously scheduled commitment (award ceremony and dinner for the Foundation for the Academic Advancement of Spiritual Baptist Youth) which was arranged several months ago, His Excellency President Richards deeply regrets that he is unable to attend.” She added that the President “extends congratulations and best wishes to the awardees.”