GOPIO Trinidad & Tobago
a Chapter of GOPIO INTERNATIONAL
PO BOX 2286, Chaguanas, 687-7529 GopioTT@gmail.com
Deosaran Bisnath, President Rajnie Ramlakhan, Secretary Oscar Ramoutar, Treasurer Niranjan Bhaggan, Director
May 6th, 2008
INDIAN ARRIVAL DAY SEMINAR AND AWARDS CEREMONY
Between February 1845, when the FATH AL RAZACK departed the Port of Calcutta, India, and April 1917, when the SS GANGES made the final journey, there was continuous annual importation of Indentured Immigrants from India, totaling 145,000 to Trinidad; 239,000 to Guyana; 50,000 to Jamaica; 40,000 to Surinam; and smaller numbers to St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Grenada, and the French West Indies.
GOPIO Trinidad & Tobago, a Chapter of GOPIO International, will be commemorating the 163rd Anniversary of the arrival of Indentured Indian Immigrants to Trinidad & Tobago with the Indian Arrival Day Seminar and Awards Ceremony on Saturday May 10th, from 3 to 7pm, at Divali Nagar, Chaguanas. GOPIO Trinidad & Tobago extends a cordial invitation to you and your family and friends to attend the Seminar and Awards ceremony which are Free and open to all. Refreshments will be served.
His Excellency Shri Jagjit Singh Sapra, the High Commissioner of India, will deliver the opening address. GOPIO Trinidad & Tobago will honour four nationals who have made sterling contributions towards the development and progress of our nation:
~ PROFESSOR KENNETH RAMCHAND, for distinguished and meritorious service in Literature, Education, and Culture.
~ MR. KAMALUDDIN MOHAMMED, for distinguished and meritorious service in Politics, Culture, and Religion.
~ MR. AJEET PRAIMSINGH, for distinguished and meritorious service in Culture, Business, Religion, and Social and Community work.
~ SHANKARACHARYA PANDIT HARI PRASHAD JI (posthumous), founder of SWAHA, for distinguished and meritorious service in Religion, Education, Culture, and Social and Community work.
The two major themes at the Seminar are:
~ The ALCOHOLISM problem in Trinidad & Tobago
~ establishing and strengthening TRADE, INVESTMENT, and BUSINESS relationships between Trinidad & Tobago and the International Indian Diaspora.
Mr. Deosaran Bisnath, President of GOPIO Trinidad & Tobago described ALCOHOLISM as one of the most critical problems facing our nation, with increasing alcoholic consumption amongst youths, resulting in serious health, family, and social problems. Mr. Bisnath was critical of the glorification and celebration of a ‘rum culture’ in this country, with alcoholic beverages consumed at almost every event in Trinidad & Tobago.
Three Papers will be presented in the ALCOHOLISM forum:
1. ALCOHOLISM IN A MULTI-ETHNIC SETTING, by Professor Ronald Marshall, Department of Sociology, UWI, St. Augustine.
2. ALCOHOLISM- THE DISEASE OF ADDICTION, by Ms. Hulsie Bhaggan, lecturer at the Arthur Lok Graduate School of Business and Administrator/Clinical Coordinator of the New Life Ministries Drug Rehabilitation Center).
This presentation will place alcoholism in the context of addiction, an obsessive compulsive disorder. It will examine the root causes and attempt to recommend some strategies in prevention and treating the disease.
3. MEDIUM FOR THE MESSAGE, by Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh, lecturer in the History Department, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine.
Dr. Teelucksingh will discuss methods to spread the message of the dangers of alcoholism.
In Part II of the Seminar, Dr. Raymond Ramcharitar (author of The Armour of the Ridiculous; Breaking the News: Media & Culture in Trinidad; American Fall; and a collection of short fiction, The Island Quintet, expected in 2009) will deliver a paper on INDIANS & DEMOCRACY. This paper examines the way Indians have interpreted democracy using contemporary politics and history as illustrative texts. Dr. Ramcharitar examines the evolution of IndoTrinidadian politics, from Cola Rienzi to Panday, isolates its active principles, and evaluates them against the idea of Western democracy (which putatively obtain in Trinidad). The main question of the paper is: How have IndoTrinidadians interpreted democracy and how has it been informed by the ontology of caste and hierarchy and political knowledge they brought with them from India and reproduced in Trinidad.
In Part III of the Seminar, presenters will explore the second major theme of the Seminar: Establishing relationships in Trade and Business between Trinidad & Tobago and the International Indian Diaspora. Representative from the Governments of India, Guyana, Mauritius, and Suriname will deliver presentations, with particular emphasis on trade and investment opportunities, and incentives available for potential investors and business entities.
Mr. Deosaran Bisnath, President of GOPIO Trinidad & Tobago described this topic as most timely, in the context of higher prices and increased demand for food, and the plan by the Government of resource-rich Guyana to invite investors from the Caribbean to participate in Agricultural, Manufacturing, and Tourism projects. GOPIO Trinidad & Tobago invites members of the business community and individual investors to take advantage of this opportunity to be informed about trade and business opportunities in India, Suriname, Guyana, and Mauritius.
Presenters are:
Mr. YASH PAL MOTWANI, Second Secretary (Commerce) & HOC, High Commission of India.
Mr. GEOFFREY DA SILVA, Chief Executive Officer, of the GUYANA Office for Investment, will inform seminar participants on investment and business opportunities, focusing on the agricultural, manufacturing, tourism, and forestry sectors.
Mr. VINOD MOONERAM, Honorary Consul of Mauritius
REPRESENTATIVES from the Government of SURINAME
GOPIO Trinidad and Tobago, a chapter of GOPIO International, is a secular, non-partisan, civic and community service organization that seeks to build partnerships with, and foster an ongoing dialogue with fellow citizens of Trinidad & Tobago, with the objective of strengthening national unity and loyalty. Our mission is to promote the well-being of People of Indian Origin, as well as all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, and to enhance cooperation and communication amongst all communities.
Sincerely,
Deosaran Bisnath,
President, GOPIO Trinidad & Tobago,
A Chapter of GOPIO International
HONOUREES
Professor Kenneth Ramchand, Associate Provost, The Research Academy, the University of Trinidad & Tobago (UTT), is honoured for distinguished and meritorious service in the fields of Literature, Education, and Culture.
Professor Kenneth Ramchand, Professor Emeritus of West Indian Literature, University of the West Indies (UWI) and Emeritus Professor of English (Colgate University) is one of the Caribbean’s most influential literary critics and a foremost cultural commentator. Professor Ramchand completed his PhD at Edinburgh University, Scotland, where he began his teaching career as Lecturer in English, the first non-white to teach English at a British University. He has been responsible for initiating Caribbean studies and courses at the University of Kent, University of Warwick, UWI, St. Olaf’s University, and Colgate University.
In 1970, Professor Ramchand published The West Indian Novel and its Background, which is still widely regarded as the seminal text in West Indian literary studies; West Indian Narrative: An Introductory Anthology (1976), An Introduction to the Study of West Indian Literature (1976); In Celebration of 100 Years of the Indian Contribution to Trinidad and Tobago (with Brinsley Samaroo); and The Clipper Ship Sheila (account of an indenture journey) edited with Brinsley Samaroo.
Professor Ramchand edited with introduction Mr. Speaker, Sir: The Autobiography of Lionel F. Suekeran; Teaching Words: Essays and Addresses of President Noor Hassanali; Presidential Papers: Essays and Addresses of President A. N. R. Robinson; and The West Indies in India 1948-1949: Jeffrey Stollmeyer’s Diary (2004).
Professor Ramchand has written extensively on West Indian authors including Lakshmi Persaud, Claude McKay, V.S. Naipaul, Jean Rhys, Jamaica Kincaid, Sam Selvon, Derek Walcott, Edward Brathwaite, and on the West Indian short story. He is credited with persuading UWI to begin acquiring manuscripts of West Indian writers such as Wilson Harris, Michael Anthony, Roger Mais, Derek Walcott, Eric Roach, Sam Selvon, and Earl Lovelace.
A former Senior Fulbright Fellow, and the first Caribbean person to be awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, Professor Ramchand received the Chaconia Gold Medal for Literature, Education, and Culture in 1996. He served as an Independent Senator in the Parliament of Trinidad & Tobago and was honoured in 1987 with BWIA Excellence in Journalism award.
Mr. Ajeet Praimsingh is honoured for long and meritorious service in the fields of culture, religion, business, and social and community activism.
Mr. Ajeet Praimsingh, businessman, cultural and religious activist, music producer, book publisher, promoter, social and community worker, and President of the Mere Desh Committee, is an extremely popular and well-known servant of the people who has rendered long, meritorious, and distinguished service to Trinidad & Tobago.
Mr. Praimsingh’s grandfather, Babu Praimsingh, who migrated from Bihar, opened the first Hindu ‘pooja’ store, selling books, religious material and pictures, music, pooja materials, and any and everything necessary for Poojas and religious events. This was a forerunner to Mr. Praimsingh’s Pooja Bhavan stores in Chaguanas and Couva.
In addition to the popular Mere Desh activities, Mr. Ajeet Praimsingh, popularly know as the ‘Indian Connection’, has been involved in various facets of Indian culture- event promoter, National Chutney Foundation of Trinidad and Tobago, competitions for biraha, tassarama, mike-o-rama, and PRO of the television show, Tarana.
Mr. Praimsingh also documents cultural history, with an impressive photographic collection of Local and foreign Indian artistes. He has produced over 25 artistes – ranging from devotional songs to the chutney genre - under the Praimsingh recording label, including performers such as Rasika Dindial, Devanand Gatoo, and Kenneth Supersad.
Mr. Praimsingh, a strong advocate for Indian culture, believes there is not enough national recognition for some of our indigenous creations such as the dhantal - created out of the horseshoe and iron. He believes that we must look towards the proper education of our singers and musicians by setting up workshops for Hindi classes and vocal control; develop music and lyrics for nation-building songs with positive messages; and employ successful artistes as teachers.
Mr. Kamaluddin Mohammed is honoured for long and meritorious service in the fields of Politics, Culture, and Community work.
Mr. Kamaludin Mohammed is a former Government Minister and deputy leader of the People’s Naitonal Movement who was a pioneer in West Indian and Caribbean integration and the development of the Caribbean Common Market (CARICOM). Mr. Mohammed, a former Minister of Health, served as President of the World Health Organization.
In September 1947, Radio Trinidad was launched and Kamal was was invited to host the programme ’Indian Talent on Parade’ every Sunday from 1 to 2p.m. In the Trinidad of the 1940s there were not so many radios and so large crowds would gather at the few homes with radios to listen to this programme. Kamal’s ability to speak oriental languages (Hindi and Urdu) with such ease and fluency was a definite asset. This was interspersed with English which made for a really interesting and enervating broadcast in which the announcer would wend his way through a linguistic mosaic that conveyed an atmosphere of East meeting West.
His broadcasts featured the local musicians and artistes of that era. Among them were the renowned Naya Zamana Orchestra of Ostad Nazear Mohammed, Narsaloo Ramaya and Isaac Mohammed; Jit Seesahai and his Melody Makers and the S.M. Aziz Orchestra famous singers included Jhagroo Kawal, Tarran Persad, Noor Jehan, Jang Bahadoor, Sayeed Mohammed, Zora Seesahai, Champa Devi, Tooloom Dindial, Isaac Yankaran and Sonny Chandee to name a few.
Pandit Hari Prasad ji, the Shankaracharya of SWAHA, is honoured, posthumously, for long, distinguished, and meritorious service in the fields of Religion, Education, Leadership, Culture, and Social and Community work.
Pandit Hari Prasad, Shankaracharya of SWAHA, was respected and revered worldwide for his spirituality, devotion, and foresight. Shankaracharyaji was Guru and guide to thousands – an iconic pillar of Sanatan Dharma. He was 80 years of age at the time of passing (Maha-Samaadhi) on April 15th 2008.
Shankaracharyaji, born in Aranguez in 1927, was initiated at age 15 by his guru Tiwari Baba, and excelled at Hindi and Sanskrit. He trained and developed as Pandits his six sons, son-in-law, ten grandsons, and many other Pandits in Trinidad & Tobago.
Shankaracharyaji was involved in the Sanatan Maha Sabha, where he was a senior Pandit and a Dharma Ratna. In 1993, fulfilling the role of a true visionary, he founded SWAHA International, which in fifteen years has grown into an international non-profit organization involved in religious, cultural, educational, and social work.
Shankaracharyaji was bestowed the title Ramayana Bhushan by the world authority on Ramayana, Professor Laxshmi Narayan Sharma. In addition, he was honoured by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, founder of the International Meditation Society.
Pandit Prasad influenced countless lives; he lived and worked for others all through his blessed life, being the embodiment of self-sacrifice and the ideal husband, father, and Guru.
…………..
PRESENTERS
MR. GEOFFREY DA SILVA, Chief Executive Officer, of the GUYANA Office for Investment (GO-INVEST), will inform seminar participants on investment and business opportunities, focusing on the agricultural, manufacturing, tourism, and forestry sectors.
GO-INVEST serves as a primary contact for investors and liaising with government agencies throughout the investment process; provide investors with a comprehensive summary of steps necessary to commence business operations in Guyana and assisting throughout the process; provide information on incentives available to investors and regulations relevant to the sectors of interest; Develop profiles on investment opportunities in Guyana; Assist with obtaining factory space or land for investment purposes; Assist with coordination of joint venture efforts between local and overseas interests; Assist exporters in promoting their products through participation in national and international exhibitions and trade missions; and work closely with exporting organisations to ensure that problems affecting exporters are expeditiously addressed.
Mr. YASH PAL MOTWANI, Second Secretary (Commerce) & HOC, High Commission of India, Port of Spain
Mr. VINOD MOONERAM, Honorary Consul of Mauritius
SURINAME : Suriname delegation
MS. HULSIE BHAGGAN
ALCOHOLISM- THE DISEASE OF ADDICTION
SUMMARY
This presentation will place alcoholism in the context of addiction, an obsessive compulsive disorder. It will examine the root causes and attempt to recommend some strategies in prevention and treating the disease.
BIO-HULSIE BHAGGAN
Hulsie Bhaggan is a Management Consultant by profession but has also spent the past twenty-five years in social work. The last fifteen years were spent specifically in treatment and rehabilitation of persons suffering from all forms of addiction including, gambling.
She is a lecturer at the Arthur Lok Graduate School of Business, consultant to Living Water Community and Administrator/Clinical Co-ordinator of the New Life Ministries Drug Rehabilitation Center. She is Deputy Chairperson of the Congress of the People.
PROFESSOR RONALD MARSHALL
ALCOHOL IN A MULTI-ETHNIC SETTING
Professor Ronald Marshall - Department of Sociology, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine.
DR. JEROME TEELUCKSINGH
MEDIUM FOR THE MESSAGE
How to spread the message of the dangers of alcoholism.
BIO - Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh is a lecturer in the History Department, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, and also served as a part-time lecturer at the Cipriani College of Labour and Co-operative Studies, and the University of Trinidad and Tobago.
DR. RAYMOND RAMCHARITAR
Indianism and Democracy in Trinidad in 2007
This paper examines the way Indians have interpreted democracy using contemporary politics and history as illustrative texts. Dr. Ramcharitar examines the evolution of IndoTrinidadian politics, from Cola Rienzi to Panday, isolates its active principles, and evaluates them against the idea of Western democracy (which putatively obtain in Trinidad ). The main question of the paper is: How have IndoTrinidadians interpreted democracy and how has it been informed by the ontology of caste and hierarchy and political knowledge they brought with them from India and reproduced in Trinidad .
BIO-
Dr Raymond Ramcharitar has worked as a journalist at the Trinidad Guardian and Express, and presently lectures in journalism and literature at Costaatt. He has degrees in Economics, Literature and History from University of the West Indies (UWI), Trinidad . He has edited a collection of Trinidadian poets, The Armour of the Ridiculous, published by Lexicon Trinidad, 2006, and is the author of a controversial and provocative study of the deficiencies of the Trinidadian press, Breaking the News: Media & Culture in Trinidad . His new book, American Fall (Peepal Tree Press), was published in June, 2007. A collection of short fiction, The Island Quintet, is expected in 2009.
GOPIO Trinidad & Tobago
a Chapter of GOPIO INTERNATIONAL
PO BOX 2286, Chaguanas, 687-7529 GopioTT@gmail.com
Deosaran Bisnath, President Rajnie Ramlakhan, Secretary Oscar Ramoutar, Treasurer Niranjan Bhaggan, Director
May 6th, 2008
INDIAN ARRIVAL DAY SEMINAR & AWARDS CEREMONY, 2008
Divali Nagar, Chaguanas, Trinidad
Saturday May 10th, 2008, from 3 to 7pm
PROGRAMME
3:00 pm National Anthem
3:03 pm Prayer
3:08 pm Opening Address by High Commissioner of India
3:18 pm Welcome Remarks by President of GOPIO Trinidad & Tobago
3:20 pm ALCOHOLISM IN A MULTI-ETHNIC SETTING, by Professor Ronald Marshall
3:40 pm ALCOHOLISM, THE DISEASE OF ADDICTION, by Ms, Hulsie Bhaggan
4:00 pm ALCOHOLISM – MEDIUM FOR THE MESSAGE, by Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh
4:20 pm INDIANS & DEMOCRACY by Dr. Raymond Ramcharitar
4:50 pm GUYANA - Diaspora TRADE & BUSINESS, MR. GEOFFREY DA SILVA,
Chief Executive Officer, of the GUYANA Office for Investment (GO-INVEST)
5:10 pm INDIA - Diaspora TRADE & BUSINESS, by Mr. YASH PAL MOTWANI,
Second Secretary (Commerce), High Commission of India.
5:30 pm MAURITIUS – Diaspora TRADE & BUSINESS, by Mr. VINOD MOONERAM,
Honorary Consul of Mauritius
5:50 pm SURINAME – Diaspora TRADE & BUSINESS, by Representative from
SURINAME
6:10 pm AWARDS presented to
- Mr. Kamaluddin Mohammed
- Mr. Ajeet Praimsingh
- Professor Kenneth Ramchand
- Pandit Hari Prasad (posthumous)
6:35 pm Refreshment - Doubles, Sweets, non-alcoholic beverages, water
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