TT Carnival goes to India

THE TRINIDAD and Tobago High Commission in New Delhi has launched a TT-style Carnival in New Delhi with committee members sporting designer T-shirts sponsored by Preetanjali’s owner Ravi Janwani who is in India for the March 26 event. The announcements were made at a meet-the-press luncheon at Ashoka Hotel last Friday. Twenty representatives of the media attended. High Commissioner Pundit Manideo Persad said that there were plans to launch a TT India Business Association and publish a quarterly magazine. He invited all those “interested in relations with us to maintain frequent and sustained contact as we raise the profile of TT in India to greater heights.” Carnival is only one of the calendar of social functions earmarked for celebration here. The year started with an Ecumenical Service at the High Commission’s Shantinekitan offices on January 2. Carded for March 26, TT Carnival in Delhi will be hosted by the Commission and has as its chairman Jason Harding, who is the financial attache at the Embassy.

Guyanese-born Jeff  Lepps is vice chairman and Dave Chan graphic artist is engaged in designs. A taste of carnival provided in a 10-12 member pan orchestra and calypsonians whose names are yet to be announced will participate when the carnival is launched at a five-star city hotel on a Friday night and moves to the street the Sunday that follows. Among those organising the event are Trinidadians resident in India and Friends of Trinidad and Tobago. Documentary films on carnival and a TIDCO promotional was shown at the press conference. Articles have begun to appear in the local media. India celebrated its Republic Day on January 26 with a public holiday and a street parade at India Gate. Harding gave a run-down on carnival in calypso style at the meet and Tedwin Herbert Deputy High Commissioner chaired the presentation. Members of the media enquired as to the prevalance of AIDS on the island and were shocked to hear that there were over 49,000 reported cases. They also questioned the rate of unemployment on the island.