Nehru suit reflects our cultural diversity

THE EDITOR: Permit me space in your widely read newspaper to voice my opinion on the controversy surrounding the decision of the Chief Magistrate, Mr Sherman Mc Nicolls to disallow Mr Israel Khan SC from wearing a Nehru-suit when he appeared before him in the Galene Bonadie’s inquest. I am the tailor who made that Nehru suit. I have been Mr Khan’s tailor for more than 30 years and upon Mr Khan taking silk some four years ago he requested me to make a Nehru suit. He had planned a big celebration at the Hilton Hotel and he wanted to reflect his Indian heritage because his parents and other close relatives were coming from abroad to celebrate with him. He had informed me that he was the first professional to emerge from his lineage that came from India and that his parents were very elated when he was admitted to the Bar and now that he was awarded silk he wanted to wear apparel at his celebration that would reflect his cultural heritage.

I must confess that at that point in time, I had never made a Nehru suit and I had great hesitation in putting my tailoring skill on public display, especially among the lawyers. I had great difficulty in getting the Nehru collar right, so I went to the Indian High Commission for assistance. I was given several magazines and photos of former President of India, Mr Jawahalal Nehru wearing the suit. After many trial fits, and fussing and fuming by Mr Khan, I finally got it right. I am very proud of being the tailor who made that suit. As a matter of fact many persons complimented me at the function in decking Mr Khan off with such an elegant outfit. I guess that the judges, magistrates, senior attorneys and other dignitaries who attended the function felt it was an elegant and dignified suit for a formal celebration. But Chief Magistrate Mc Nicolls is of the view it is not dignified enough for his court. The jacket and tie are foreign apparels. It is an ethnic outfit belonging to the Europeans. We boast of the great cultural streams in TT. We boast about a rainbow nation where every creed and race find an equal place, but yet the only lawyer who had the courage and conviction to wear a little something ethnic to his heritage was told to change his wear. I am proud of the fact that I am the tailor who made that suit and I am specially proud of Mr Khan who had the courage and conviction to wear it to court.

RAGOONATH CHABOO
Tunapuna