Insensitivity of bpTT

Dr Suruj Rambachan daily talk-show ‘Panchayat’ recently highlighted the in-built bias against Indo-Trinidadian culture with bpTT’s ‘Spirit of Community Awards” (SOCA). Recently also the British Gas decision to disburse $750,000 to charitable organisations employing FEEL was brought into focus.

These two highlighted examples brought sharply into focus the role of the multi-national in a plural society and essentially their inability to understand that society. These two examples demand further examination. Writ large, nationals should closely examine how multi nationals foster a relationship with the country in which they operate. Both bpTT and Bristish Gas should be publicly commended for attempting to re-invest within the community on whose natural resources their business is based. BpTT must be applauded for embarking upon an intense advertising campaign to promote its SOCA programme so as to ensure that the programme is known nationally. Persons across the nation are exposed to the fact that this programme exists and in turn can apply equally for the funding as a result of a massive advertising campaign.

Appearing in the daily newspaper for the past months was an eye-catching advertisement, which declared “Get up to $45,000 in grants.” Opening with the headline “SOCA funding for your community project” it went on to promise ‘if your NGO or community group has a non-profit project to benefit your community, bpTT could help you fund it.”  The advertisement lists categories to be considered: the environment, youth in education, arts and culture, and social services. Since the bpTT programme was advertised, a number of mandirs, kirtan and bhajan groups have applied or sought to apply for funding for their sundry projects. These groups have all applied for funding assistance in the arts and culture categories. Having applied to be considered, all of these groups have been told that it is bpTT’s policy not support “political, ethnic, or religious” requests. 

This rejection has prompted many Indian cultural-based groups to appeal to the Maha Sabha. The Maha Sabha as a result made discreet enquiries to bpTT to ascertain the veracity of the claims made by the various groups. The first set of enquiries were fielded by Ms. Averill Williams, Administrative Assistant of bpTT’s Government and Public Affairs Department. Ms Williams echoed the statements which were told to the various groups. A subsequent call was then made to the manager of the department Ms Joanne Carrington. Ms Carrington’s simple response was, to pick up an application and apply, and she did not expand on the comment made by Ms Williams.  It felt like bpTT did not want to openly discuss its bias but instead will allow its “process” to ‘weed out’ undesired applications.

An application booklet was obtained and reviewed. The ‘Arts & Culture’ section explained that these include the areas of music, dance, art, folklore, and other creative arts..Sponsorship of cultural groups/organisations fall outside of this programme’s purview. Who then is to apply for this aspect of the grant? bpTT’s Ms Joanne Carrington and Ms Averill Williams and indeed Robert Riley bpTT ‘s Chairman and CEO fail to appreciate that most of Indian cultural expressions originate and are fostered within a religious institution. Indeed it is difficult to say exactly where Hindu culture ends and Indian culture begins. Nearly all forms of Indian culture (art, dance, song, music) can be traced to some aspect of Hinduism. Given bp TT’s policy all forms of Indian culture will be denied any funding. bp TT however fails to see this blatant bias yet ironically sponsor the Marionettes Chorale. The bpTT’s website revealed that the bpTT Marionettes Chorale 1999 schedule included a July fund raiser for the Church of the Assumption. There were also other fund-raisers for Christian churches by bpTT’s Marionettes Chorale.

The site also stated “In Trinidad and Tobago the Marionettes present full-length annual concerts at Christmas time, which usher in the Christmas season for capacity audiences and cover a wide range of music.” The website further explains “They specialise in choral arrangements of Trinidad and Tobago music -calypso, folksong, parang -as well as spirituals of the American South and folksong from around the world.” It is clear that the bp Marionettes have a pro-Christan bias. Yet bpTT will have Hindus believe that they do not support ‘religious’ projects. With these examples it is clear that bpTT is exhibiting a significant degree of cultural insensitivity. Perhaps it is time for bp TT to consider sponsoring an Indian Orchestra and Kirtan group as it does with the Marionettes and the Renegade steel orchestra. The very acronym ‘SOCA’ designed by bpTT connotes something. The term ‘soca’ evokes images of a party and carnival. Actually in the radio advertisements there is an explanation of that the funding program is different from a party. These areas are those in which the Indian cultural presence is marginal. The acronym as a result suggests the type of applications that it will be receptive towards.

British Gas’s President Peter Dranfield and Gail Decle Public Affairs Coordinator must also explain why is it that the money raised for charity via a fund-raising activity involving many energy-based companies must be disbursed by F.E.E.L. This organisation is a Catholic based organisation so can other non-Christian denominations expect to receive a share of this funding? If some funding is given to other denominations will this amount be on par with the funding given to Christian groups?  Why is it the colonial model of Hindus and Muslims begging a Christian group being perpetuated by British Gas? It is hoped that bpTT and British Gas re-visit their funding policy in a serious manner so as to include all the cultural expressions and not show the current level of favoritism. This favoritism by foreign multi-nationals however should come as no surprise as local companies also show a similar disregard for the Indo-Trinidadian cultural expression. To obtain recognition and indeed respect from multi-national companies we must begin with our very own indigenous businesses.