THE EDITOR: Many words are used in this country without the true understanding of their meanings. Among these are four commonly used in a derogatory way in Trinidad and Tobago; Coolie, Chamar, Madras and Rawan. The term “Coolie” comes to us from India via the English who learned the word from India’s caste systems. Arriving c 1700-1500 BCE, the European/Persian Aryans instituted a hierarchial socio-political and socio-economic system referred to as the caste system. At the bottom of this system lay India’s indigenous populations of African, Mongol and Australoid peoples who were termed Vaishas, Sudras/Shurdras and Candalas: the first two being lower caste whilst the last were outcasts. In East Bengal, from which almost 90 percent of the indentured labourers came, the caste system was termed “Kulinism” and the lower caste labourers and workers called Kulis from which we get the present Coolie. The English would popularise this term using it to refer to all Indians who served.

The African, with his colonial education, would adopt this term for Indians, which many understood as offensive. It was during the years of conflict in post emancipation Trinidad and Guyana that Africans would give this term a more odious meaning. Today the word Coolie carries with it a greater derogatory stench than it did when the British used it. The term Chamar, popular in Indo-Trinidadian English vernacular, comes to us from East Bengal where it was used to refer to the very dark skinned lower caste members. Perhaps stemming from the Egyptian “Km” or Hebrew “Ham” or “Cham,” the etymology of the term is unclear but it is based on blackness, a trait frowned upon by Northern Indians — Hindu and Muslims alike. As stated before, because most of the indentured Indians came through Calcutta, having originated in parts of the Bengal, the term survived as part of the cultural heritage of many Indians especially so because many indentured also came from south India, which is dominated by people with very dark complexions. Within the Indian community, Chamar, as does Coolie, carries with it a negative connotation and is reserved particularly for very dark and especially poor Indians. “Madras Indian” has become the appendage for the very dark Indians in Trinidad and Tobago. This stems from the fact that dark skinned Indians dominate south India and thus one may have supposed that all dark Indians came from the south through the port of Madras. The English thus used the name Madras to differentiate between Northern and Southern Indians because of this perceived colour affinity and Africans and Indians adopted this labelling. The Kol and Santoal of Bengal are as black as any south Indian and in fact look more African than most southern Indians and Caribbean “douglas.”

Indeed, Madras merely acted as a point of departure meaning that Indians come from many regions and carried many hues. Many blue and green eyed Indian Vaishas, Sudras and Untouchables came through Madras to become the Mahabirs and Maharajs of the Indo-Caribbean Diaspora. Finally we have the term Rawan, which many Indians have told me refers to negative qualities of people rather than any particular group. Though this is partly true, in Trinidad and Tobago Rawan is usually used in reference to Africans as I discovered first hand. The first time we encounter Rawan is in the Ramayana where in the Tulsidas and Valmiki versions he, a black monkey, kidnaps the virtuous Sita who is later rescued by the fair skinned Lord Rama. Historically the Rawan in Northern Indian interpretations referred to very dark Indians who by virtue of their bad karma had a filthy Dharma and consequently a low Varna in the caste system, thus religion provided the explanation for the social reality. Historically too many Northern Indian women would run away to the south to escape the sanctioned abuse of the Manu Smirti and concepts such as Sati (widow burning) and Bhitrini (religious sanctioned prostitution).

The African slave trade to India produced large communities of Maroons in the forest of Gir to which many fair Indian maidens fled. It was out of this historical circumstance that the southern versions of the Ramayana tells of Sita seeking out Rawan but more importantly the underlying suggesting that Rawan, the Black Monkey, was going to steal your fair skinned Indian woman. This was made even worse as most of our indentured Indians came from the north and many of the Indian women who came in the early period were prostitutes and many a wife did leave their Indian husband for a well-to-do free African. Thus the male Indian community could connect with the Lord Rama who himself was in exile from his home. Thus by virtue of historical circumstance the African man in particular was viewed as the Rawan and so he remains today in staunch Hindu communities. For further information consult The Blacks of Bengal: A Native’s Perspective by Horen Tudu,  Dalit: The Black Untouchables of India by V T Rajshekar, or Google Search: “Without Malice: The Truth About India.”

NSAKA NBEKE SESEPKEKIU
UWI St Augustine

THE EDITOR: A witness to a fatal shooting at Movie Towne remarked “No one expected something like this, especially in a place like that.” That just about encapsulates the mindset here. Unless that person has been vacationing on the moon, surely he or she must be aware that daily fatal shootings are the norm now, not the exception, and whilst I agree most take place in the battlegrounds of Morvant/Laventille, these things have no boundaries. We have watched for decades Jamaica sink into deeper and deeper drug and gun violence and instead of using it as a cautionary, avoidable bad example, we have, willy nilly followed suit just as we mimic the worst, not the best of North American behaviour. By the way, on Page 5 Newsday June 6, one article quotes the Prime Minsiter as saying “Gang warfare no threat to average citizen” while the other quotes Chin Lee as observing that the Movie Towne killings “had the potential of endangering the lives of innocent citizens.” Maybe the PM has seen too many movies!

GEOFF HUDSON
Port-of-Spain

THE EDITOR: It is most unfortunate for Commissioner Victor Hart to question Mr John Humphrey on the design of the airport, when the public had been informed years ago that John Humphrey is not an academically qualified architect and so any answer that may come from him cannot be taken seriously. John Humphrey is not listed as a Registered Architect in Trinidad and Tobago. This register I am made to understand is open to only academically qualified architects. Except Mr Humphrey can present to the public a diploma, degree or certificate from a recognised institute, this is a fact. It is also most unfortunate that Mr Guerra, attorney-at-law should be expected to ask questions only which Mr Humphrey is prepared to answer. The chairman seems to know more of Mr Humphrey than Mr Guerra. It is only in an effort to be so enlightened that the attorney had been persuaded to ask questions. The chairman’s constant reference to Mr Humphrey as an intelligent man and a good architect is unfortunate as it may be challenging Mr Guerra to prove it otherwise.

CLEMENT JACK
Santa Cruz

THE EDITOR: “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). That was the answer of Jesus’ disciples to his question, “Will ye also go away?” Where do you go? Millions have done the same. They have found belonging to Christ Jesus of greater value than any riches. The quality of Christian life now, and the firm assurance of everlasting joy after death, are without comparison. “To whom else shall we go?” Do you turn to the gods of science, the gods of wealth, the gods of sports, the gods of lust, the god of pleasure? They are not God, though they give satisfaction, but none fulfils the true desires of the human soul. None has “the words of eternal life.” Where do you go? The gods of fame, the gods of this world have the words of death, but Jesus Christ has the words of eternal life. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24). Where will you go? Why not go to the Lord.

Member of the Beth’Aleel
Fundamental Baptist Church
San Fernando

THE EDITOR: The Trinity Cross, TT’s perennial thorn of contention, is in the news once again. There are people in the country who will have us believe that a mundane matter as the national Award, Trinity Cross, if allowed to continue as is can increase the country’s ethnic polarisation, as if that is possible. We are all well aware that our ethnic polarisation has already reached  a crisis situation. The Prime Minister, Patrick Manning by his utterances is lending legitimacy to the demands of the IRO’s demand that the National Trinity Cross award name be changed to one more acceptable to the non-Christian population. Sat Maharaj, the Secretary General of the (SDMS), is back on his high horse calling on all members of the public to refuse to submit nominations for the national Awards for August 2003. The matter has now become a political football. I have no quarrel with Sat Maharaj’s latent awareness of the religious implications that are synonymous with the “Cross”, in the Nation’s National Award Trinity Cross. My only contention is that it took Sat Maharaj all this time to come out against the Trinity Cross. Why does he not extend the same gestation period to the Government in order for it to address the matter. He is demanding that the matter be dealt with right away — “like yesterday”. Suffice it to say, Basdeo Panday who acted in the position of Prime Minister for over six years and also happens to be of the Hindu faith (which by the way happens to be a faith not a religion) never addressed the issue.

TT may be multi ethnic and multi religious but like Don Quixote we are all fighting windmills; but unfortunately for Sat Maharaj he has the largest windmill of all. This matter could be handled amicably without this rancour. How about this as a solution: to satisfy the IRO and Sat Maharaj, allow Indians of the Muslim persuasion and Indians of the Hindu faith to choose a name for the Top National Award that is acceptable to both sides. All faiths or religions with problems regarding the “Cross”, should be afforded the privilege to receive any national honour with a name of their choice. But they should not be given the leeway to come back sometime later and say: we had been comfortable with this name in the past, but we no longer find it acceptable. The Government should not be placed on a thread-mill at the disposal of all and sundry in the society. How does a spurious demand by Sat Maharaj, become so embroiled in all this acrimonious cross talk with such far reaching, serious implications. We continue to abuse our God-given freedoms — the free press, religion, our high tolerance for each others’ foibles and whims and fancies and, above all, our unquestionable freedom of speech. At this rate, all this could steer the country into anarchy. We should be mindful of what we have and should do our utmost to make it work for us. The fallacy that God is a Trini should not be taken literally because He is not. He is also Haitian, Jamaican, Chinese, American and Indian. By now everyone has gotten the picture: God is infinite. So it would be foolhardy for us to push our luck. The Government should pay more attention to the people who are working towards getting all the people together and ignore those who are about driving a wedge between our already fragile unity by adding fire to our daily conflicts. We should all count our blessings and desist from airing our complaints with hidden agendas. We should fix our eyes on the doughnut, not on the hole in the doughnut.

ULRIC GUY
Point Fortin

THE EDITOR: Allow me space in your newspaper to voice this opinion. Throw this billboard thing into the garbage bin with the rest of the broken laws of this great country of ours. Here we have our goodly Development Minister Mr Rowley warning businesses to expect harsh penalties, two years after a proliferation of this unauthorised unsightly nuisance. Where were you from day one Sir? If you want to be put in charge of something like a ministry, you are responsible to do a tour regularly to ensure everything is running smoothly and according to law. This includes lowly billboards. Town and Country says that even though applications are refused, people still go ahead and install the billboards anyway. Poor souls. What a pity. Talk about accountability. If they cannot control the building of unauthorised billboards, imagine housing?

The Outdoor Advertising Association has admitted a number of billboards are unauthorised, but is appealing to the government not to take drastic measures without consultation. Boldly breaking the law by erecting and painting these advertisements and telling you, Mr Minister, it is a world phenomenon. (Testicular fortitude). Quite clearly they know we the government are too lazy to do anything, or better yet good at turning a blind eye. But then if the squatters can do it, who are they? What is really going on here? People breaking our laws. Government sees the law is broken and does nothing. Don’t look to the news media columnists for help, dey party in power now. Let me tell you why we elected you and what is expected of you, Mr Minister. We expect you to ensure the laws of the land are upheld. Whenever a law is being broken like this one, the perpetrators are to be advised to desist and to remove the billboards within two weeks time. Refusal will entail government removing the offending material with the cost charged to the offender. Repeat offenders are hauled off to court. If you, the twenty-six ministers were to each take care of one law that is being broken in this country today, this place will be the paradise we like to boast of. Dictatorial you say? So was First World, I say.

NAZIM  MOHAMMED
San Juan

THE EDITOR: The political meeting held at Princes Town on the night of May 26 by the UNC for the upcoming Local Government elections was somewhat disappointing. The speakers had nothing good to say about the Government. They should have been ashamed and the very last to accuse anyone of corruption. It was false and unfair to try to convince people that national unity was a possibility and there was need for an improved economy where there was hardship and real suffering ahead for many. These declarations were never well intended. In running away from their commitment, the ministers of the UNC were caught on the fast track with their government charged for misconduct while in office, including one for murder. This and other reasons were responsible for propelling Panday’s arch-rival (Manning) to power. But this gave cause for reprisal. The multi-ethnic society is now claimed to be sustained by forces of repression and the Opposition would like to have constitutional reforms as a corrective measure. Panday did not grasp the depth of ethnic feeling that existed in the country. He is now claiming “discrimination” and would like to have radical changes instituted. How can this be done when he is so rebellious?

For him and the rest of jokers, Laventille/Morvant people are the criminal elements, regarded as robbers and kidnappers. The UNC should not be allowed to get away with this plan that is well orchestrated and then look for scapegoats. The Prime Minister is holding firm against political change the UNC way. The call for proportional representation demanded by the Leader of the Opposition is not the way to go. He is mortally wounded and helpless. It is only a question of time before he fades away into the sunset. Since the dethronement of Panday from the exalted position of Prime Minister “civil disobedience” is now the mantra. Under the present Government the surge of violations increased at an alarming rate. For example: the doctors, mainly of one ethnic origin, held back their services to the extent of crippling the health system; an injunction by the Trade Union restraining Government from paying VSEP to Caroni workers; the disorderly behaviour of the Opposition in Parliament with full support for all sorts of demonstrations. A clear attempt to bring down the Government. Whenever Panday officially goes, he will be missed by a wide cross section of the people that supported him in the 2000 elections. His greatest accomplishment was the amount of things he attempted in the brief span of six years. He was in a hurry to prove himself trustworthy but failed, in the process.

W CRAIGWELL
Port-of-Spain

THE EDITOR: Please permit space in your widely read and widely circulated newspaper to comment and offer public congratulations to Sir Ganapati Sachidananda Swami of India, Spiritual Leader of Dattatreya Yoga Centre, Orange Field Road, Carapichaima, the management committee, the president Mr Ramesh Persad Maharaj Attorney-at-Law, the vice president Mr Ralph Seunarine, all donors, the architects and builders for the reconstruction of their magnificent temple and the erection of the 85ft Arcavigraha form of Hanuman, an eternal devotee of Lord Ramachandra. The murti is reported to be the tallest in the Americas and the western world. I am sure all our people acknowledge your work and are delighted. Well done. Before the advent of Ramachandra and his devotee Hanuman, planet earth was burdened with a tremendous amount of unrighteousness. The Rakshasas (demons) and Ogre population was very large. At that time holy places, places of pilgrimages such as forest Ashrams, holy mountains, divine valleys, sacred rivers, solitary spots, and transcendental caves were attacked by Rakshasas and ogres. The saints, sages and common people were unable to perform their daily religious rites such as havan (fire sacrifice), Sankirtana (congregational chanting of God’s holy name) and Arti etc. The Rakshasas and Ogres desecrated their altars, books, symbols, congregations and food offerings with filth and excreta. Their paramount aim was to harass and murder the devotees in the most barbarious fashion.

They wanted to stop Bhagavan’s work on this planet. Life for the devotees became harsh, oppressive and unbearable. It was difficult for devotees to commune with Almighty God. Valmiki says transcendental knowledge was vanishing from the planet. Danger was everywhere. Devotees prayed to God to descend on earth to stop the godless and he came. The demons were led by the ten-headed Dravana of Lanka. Ravana clothed his consciousness with pride, arrogance, conceit, anger, harshness and ignorance. He considered himself emperor of the world. He challenged ogres or humans for battle. His advisers were just like him, self-seekers, devoid of decency, inflated by vice and consumed by lust and greed. They were engrossed in their own stupidity which was pacific. In this setting, fear had pervaded the planet. Men became servants of their senses; degraded, abandoning family traditions. Life was hellish. God’s devotees were in grave danger. They proclaimed their desire by prayer and petition — loudly and silently — that God should come and stop the evil forces on earth. And he came. Lord Ramachandra and his servant Hanuman appeared in India in Treta Yuga. He still is on planet earth. He was on earth during Lord Krishna’s incarnation. He took part in the battle of Kuruksetra. According to his Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder Acarya of the International Society for Krishna, consciousness in his profound commentaries on the Upansads Treta Uyga has a duration of 1,200,000 years, Dvapara Yuga 80,000 years and that 5,000 years have elapsed in Kali Yuga. Hanuman is still on earth. He travels all over the three worlds. He is an eternal being. Indeed a mighty devotee of the Lord. He deserves our love and our association. Let us salute him by singing him praise. Hanuman is a child of Anjana, a celestial woman born at Mount Semuru India. His father is Vayuh, the demigod in charge of wind. As a pilgrim he had a mighty purpose — to help Lord Ramachandra destroy all evil forces on earth, to help in the establishment of righteousness by words, deeds and precepts and like his Lord, to dedicate himself to the sowing and cultivation of dharma until it engulfs World.

To perform his task he was to take the form of a monkey capable of assuming at will any form. His body is invulnerable as the thunder bolt and he travels as fast as the speed of the human mind. His is humble, fearless, self-controlled, steady in devotion, detached, even-minded and renounced. He is also immortal. The adventures of Hanuman Sadhu are numerous, wondrous, brilliant and phenomenal. A few will suffice in this letter: (a) In search of Sita Mata, Hanuman leapt across the sea covering a hundred Yoganas or 800 miles from India to Lanka. (b) He overpowered Ravana’s defence system presiding over the city of Lanka. He spoke and comforted Sita Mata (c) After sought by Ravana’s councillors, his son and servants. (d) After he spoke to Ravana he reduced Lanka to ashes. (e) He played a major role in liberating Sita Mata from Ravana’s custody. (f) He was empowered to expand himself as huge and high as any mountain. He also could reduce himself as small as an atom. Hanuman and the monkey warriors cleared the global forest of all dangerous snakes, lions, tigers, leopards and bad animals.
As we ponder in our hearts the noble awe inspiring deeds of Lord Ramachandra and his loyal, faithful servant and friend Hanuman Sadhu, let us remember that we are the authors of our own destiny. The time is ripe for us to stand up bravely and face the future with supreme confidence and total belief that Almighty God is merciful, hates and destroys the evil, will bountifully shower us with opulence — love, knowledge, moral fortitude, when we recognise his dominion over us and surrender unconditionally to his will. Let the chant be, “Death to the Demons, Victory to Swamiji, Victory to the Devotees; Victory to Hanuman Sadhu; Victory to Lord Rama.”

JAITRAM  BRIDGNATH
Vaisnava, Gasparillo

THE EDITOR: This is for people who may have to travel to Matelot to be forewarned. I went to Matelot two weeks ago and left there at 6.15 pm, though I know I should have left earlier since I had to travel back to Port-of-Spain. I wasn’t too familiar with the roads but on reaching Gran Riviere about 7.15 or so, I realised I was being trailed by a 280C car — and clearly written “Original Psycho” across its body. This car had blue headlights and kept revving behind me for at least half an hour. This was like a bumper to bumper all along. I was horrified and stopped out of fear to allow the car to pass but this was not to be because he stopped too. As I went on he kept on my bumper and those who know the area should remember there is no electricity but heavy forest on either side. I tried my best to manoeuvre my car in the darkness of the night as I had the feeling that I was the target to be raped or robbed, being a female driver. Luckily, I had a full car-load and at last I had come to notice lights at a parlour on reaching Monte Video Road where the road formed a “Y”.

I came to a sudden stop by this parlour which was off route and in a very gangster fashion-like manner the car also did the same — stopped, and with very loud tones being heard from men’s voices clearly saying “doh stop here, go from here all yuh not from here and go all yuh way.” The driver who was barebacked came out with plaits hanging all over his face walked to my car, took a good look into the car and said “all yuh lucky, all you get away.” Thank God my car had two men and three women, and we could have clearly seen three men in that 280C. I then left that area where the parlour was, proceeding to Port-of-Spain and I was still followed for a while until he suddenly disappeared. I did call Matelot and Toco Police Station the next day because I was not able to get any telephone contact that night. The police unhesitatingly said they know the grey 280C as there were previous reports about this man. I told them of my ordeal and they promised to go find him. I did call back later to be told he was warned not to harass people in that area again. He told the police he had a few drinks and he was using my car as a guide to come out of the bushy area. I learnt he is from Sans Souci, so clearly he was telling the police a lie and the police seemed to believe him. So everyone, beware.

JANET  BUSH
Port-of-Spain

THE EDITOR: I note, with interest but concern, information in your article National Heroes, of date June 2, 2003, page 20, paragraph 2, line 3, featuring Arthur Andrew Cipriani, to the effect “the first World War of 1914-1917”, I would like to correct the information since it is not factually accurate. I would also like to expand and elaborate on this great World War and this great Trinidadian and should appreciate if you could allow me space in your widely circulated and read newspaper to so do. World War 1. This war was fought between 1914-1918. It had its origin on July 21, 1914 when Germany declared war on Russia. On August 3, 1914, Germany also declared war on France and on August 4, 1911, Great Britain declared war on Germany immediately after Germany had declared war on Belgium. On April 6, 1917, the United States of America declared war on Germany. This was the year of the Russian Revolution and Russia and Germany signed a peace agreement ending hostilities between them.

On November 11 1918, German and Allied leaders met in the northern French forest town or village of Copiegne and signed an Armistice (unconditional surrender). However, a formal Peace Treaty was not signed until late June or early July, 1919. Arthur Andrew Cipriani was born on January 31 1875 in the quiet Santa Cruz valley, one of three sons of Albert Henry Cipriani. His secondary schooling was at St Mary’s College, Port-of-Spain. He lost both his parents at an early age and was cared for by his aunt, a Mrs Dick. In addition to his love for politics and championing the rights of the underprivileged, he had a great love for horses and horse racing, a love he may have acquired at his uncle’s estates. He was a licenced race horse trainer which he acquired at the age of 18, was president of the (horse) Owners and Trainers Association from 1931 to 1945 and, president of the Arima Racing Association from 1934 to 1944. He was organiser and president of the Trinidad Labour Party which had its dual purpose and functions. He was a Port-of-Spain City Councillor from 1921-1941 during which time he served several terms as Mayor of Port-of-Spain. He was a member of the Trinidad and Tobago Legislative Council to which he was elected in 1925 and also a member of the Executive Council, both to the time of his death in 1945. One of his greatest foresights and predictions for which he should be given some credit, as an individual and as a member of the Legislative Council as far back as 1937 after the internal disturbances of that year, was the necessity for and his willingness to cooperate with other sister West Indian islands for a University College of the West Indies which he then said would be a boon to every inhabitant of the West Indies. It is also more than interesting that your article above mentioned June 2 as importanct in history.

ANTHONY MORA
Arouca