Yatra 2019

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Cover
Diamond Motors

2 YATRA 2019

YATRA 2019 1

by Sri Vasudeva

Beloved God,

Today as we celebrate Indian Arrival Day 2019, we once again seek Your blessings
on this special day as we remember and honour those who first made the
historic journey from India to the shores of this beautiful twin island republic to
make it their new home.

This is indeed a beautiful country that You have chosen for us, giving us the
opportunity of turning it into a Paradise. We seek Your blessings as we meet
challenges that tend to divert us from doing so.

We pray to hold on to the values that made our ancestors strong and resilient in
the face of adversity, that we too become powerful examples to the generations
that follow. We face many new challenges today, and ask for that same enduring
power and patience they displayed that we may overcome the challenges
before us and make our nation one that stands as a beacon for peaceful and
harmonious co-existence in a diverse population.

As we embrace change in an evolving society, may we never lose sight of where
we have come from and those on whose shoulders we stand. May we fulfill the
noble aspirations our ancestors envisioned for us that wherever they are in Your
Heavenly realm they would be at peace.

May this day of celebrations throughout our country be filled with Your grace
and be one of peace and harmony befitting the memory of those who made the
journey here and left a rich legacy for all of us.

May our forefathers be blessed, may we be blessed and may our country be
blessed.

Yours in divine service,
Sri Vasudeva

2 YATRA 2019

YATRA 2019 3

Message by Dr. The Honourable Keith Rowley

6Prime Minister Of The Republic of Trinidad And Tobago

Message from the office 6 6
11
of the High Commissioner of India PrinPtEeRCAdOSU&MTLDTIOiUNstTRrDIibOAIuANLteNSd by:
8Raj Kamal 18 L.P. #69 Union Village,
19 Claxton Bay,
The Essence of Goddess Ganga 10 Trinidad, West Indies
25 Tel.: 1-868-659-0375
10By Annette Dhanasar (Canada) Email: [email protected]

Indo-Caribbean migrants in Britain Editor:
Narad Amarsingh
11by Jerome Teelucksingh
Co-Editor:
Britain stole $45 trillion in 173 years from India Marlene Heerasingh

13By Paras Ramoutar Layout and Design:

14The Changing Role Of The Mandir In T&T 13 IMAGE 2 REAL DESIGNS

By Dr. Radica Mahase and Rishi Ramcharan Tel.: 1-868-223-6268

16Power of Paan 14 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
14 May God Bless all those who
by Nirmala Maharaj have contributed towards the
Spiritual Powers of Indentured Caribbean Women Publication of this Magazine.

17By Yogi Khem Jokhoo Special thanks to those
who have submitted messages,
Three Tests of Rama
articles, greetings and
by Samaroo Avatar 2138 the many Advertisers.

Building the Bond After Indenture Cover photo:
Courtesy
19By Ramesh Ramcharan
Mr. Ramesh Ramcharan
National Trust must seek Indian assistance
in reformatting the Lion House’s original The Views and opinions
architectural design expressed in this magazine
are not necessarily those
By Paras Ramoutar 23
of the publisher.
A Coach Worth His Salt

25By Mr. Hamzad Mohammed

The Indo-Caribbean Factor In Test Cricket

By Samaroo Siewah 27

4 YATRA 2019

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Message To The Nation by

Dr. The Honourable Keith Rowley

Prime Minister Of
The Republic of Trinidad And Tobago
on the occasion of Indian Arrival Day 2019

MESSAGE

On behalf of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and my family, I wish
to extend sincere greetings to the national community on the occasion of
Indian Arrival Day.

The histories of all nations contain significant junctures which point to a
reshaping and a transformation of society. In Trinidad and Tobago, the arrival
of the Fatel Razack all those years ago can be considered as one such juncture.

For varying reasons, men and women left the familiarity of their homes in
India in the pursuit of the promise of a better future. Their arrival brought
new traditions, a new language and new ways of thinking. The preservation
of these customs enabled those pioneers to cope with the arduous journey
across the seas and the daily rigours associated with the harsh realities of life
on the estates.

These challenging conditions were met with great persistence and a
determination to succeed. The outcome of these efforts is evident today and
has been woven into the fabric of the identity of Trinidad and Tobago.

In this regard, as families and communities come together today to celebrate
in various ways, I encourage us all to value the bonds that unite us as a
nation. We share a history of having all been brought to this place one way
or another.

This country has always benefitted from the rich heritage and the diversity of
the experiences of its people.

Let us continue to be encouraged by the sacrifice and bravery of the people
who helped to shape this nation.

I join with all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago to extend best wishes for a safe
and happy Indian Arrival Day.

Dr the Honourable Keith Rowley
Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

6 YATRA 2019

Eastern Expands its
Presence in Chaguanas

Eastern Credit Union Co-operative Society was founded on April 16th. 1973
from humble beginnings with an asset base of $59.50. Since then, the Credit
Union has witnessed significant growth, with a current asset base of over
$2 Billion, Dividend payments of $35.5 Million in 2018 and interest rebates to
members valued at $6 Million.

During these challenging times, the One We are People Helping People here to serve
Hundred and Ninety Thousand (190,000) you during good times or difficult times. No
members of Eastern Credit Union continue to matter the circumstances, Eastern Credit
look towards to the organization as their Union will continue to serve the people of
preferred provider for meeting their financial Chaguanas with the quality and range of
needs. products and services that they have grown
accustomed to.
Our new Chaguanas location is testimony to
our commitment to the people of the burgeoning We are People Helping People.
borough of Chaguanas and environs. This Meaning we are people,
significant investment speaks to Eastern just as you are,
Credit Union’s continued emphasis on quality here to serve you.
service and our insistence on putting our
members first.

At Eastern Credit Union, we uphold the
co-operative principles of:
• Voluntary Membership
• Democratic Control
• Members Economic Participation
• Autonomy and Independence
• Education, Training and Transformation
• Co-operation Amongst Cooperatives
• Concern for Community





The Essence of
Goddess Ganga

Greetings from the Hindu Community and Devotees of the Shiva Ganesh Mandir
in Brampton, Ontario, Canada during the celebrations of 2019 Indian Arrival Day
in Trinidad.

By Annette Dhanasar (Canada) Ganga Gayatri Mantra
Aum Tri-patha-gaamini Vidmahe
10 YATRA 2019 Rudra-pathnyai Cha Dhimahee

Thanno Ganga Prachodayath

Let us explore the essence of Goddess Ganga the divine Mother of Salvation.

Mother Ganga is one of the seven divine powers granted to Lord Brahma (the
Creator) by Mother Durga at the time of creation. Mother Ganga is also known
as the sister of Mother Uma (Parvati), the wife of Bhagwan Shiv Shankar and is
considered the most powerful divine power of Mother Durga.

Mother Ganga resided at the feet of Bhagawan Vishnu and after severe penance
by King Bhagirath, Mother Ganga in her powerful form took her place upon the
head of Bhagwan Shiva to be able to descend on Earth for the benefit of mankind.
The annual celebration of Mother Ganga’s arrival on earth is called “Ganga
Dussehra” with usually falls in the month of May/June and during this time many
Hindus journey to the sea and rivers to perform rituals and devotion.

Not many of us are fortunate to reach the Ganges River in India. For those who
were privileged to make the journey they experience great peace and feelings of
divinity on the banks of the scared Ganges River, leaving us to only imagine this
great wonder. The Ganges River exists not only for Hindus but for everyone seeking
forgiveness and salvation. Goddess Ganga represents the source of purification
and redemption for our sins. By nature Goddess Ganga is compassionate, caring,
merciful, loving and grants healing of physical, mental and spiritual health. “One
who meditates on Mother Ganga from hundreds of miles he surely gets a place in
the abode of Bhagawan Vishnu. By enchanting her name, innumerable sins are
destroyed and the light of pious knowledge enlightens the wisdom.” extracted
from Shri Ganga Chalisa.

Let us take a moment to reflect on ourselves and the steps we take towards self-

purification. As we gain knowledge there are two choices one can make, you

can use the knowledge gained to change yourself for the better or ignore the

knowledge gained and do nothing to improve yourself. Consider the knowledge

provided in our scriptures during Yagnas, Kathas and Satsangs. The fundamental

principles shared by our Gurus and Pundits is to impart core values and engage us

in devotion as we seek to change our behaviors, attitudes and follow ethics and

principles which will enable us to stay on the path of righteousness. This practice

of self-purification is the essence of Goddess Ganga. By continuously reflecting

on your own actions to ensure that you conduct yourself in the best interest of

all involved, you are practicing self-purification. Many of us believe that only the

physical act of bathing in the Ganges River is the way to cleanse our sins or seek

purification, this is simply one of many ways. continued on page 12

Indo-Caribbean
migrants in Britain

The majority of British citizens might not be familiar with the term ‘Indo- by Jerome Teelucksingh
Caribbean’ which refers to a minority of the coloured population in England.
Indo-Caribbean persons are of Indian descent and born in the Caribbean and the As with other ethnic
majority emanated from Guyana and Trinidad. However, small numbers of Indo- groups, there is a culinary
Caribbean persons are from other West Indian countries as Jamaica, St. Lucia, appreciation of London’s
Martinique and Grenada. There is a strong disapproval from the Indo-Caribbean diversity. Tandoori, Chinese,
population being referred to as ‘Asians’ as this term denotes immigrants from the Japanese and Mediterranean
Asian continent. The Indo-Caribbean population has unintentionally remained a are some of the dishes
minority within a minority group. Furthermore, in surveys, questionnaires and frequently sampled by Indo-
official documents, seeking racial descent, the term “Indo-Caribbean” was not Caribbean families. Though,
used to identify a specific ethnic group. there are no specific Indo-
Caribbean restaurants in
In the post-World War Two era, the majority of the Indo-Caribbean immigrants London, the Indo-Caribbean
arrived in England during the Caribbean influx into Britain during the 1950s and is able to easily purchase roti,
1960s. Unfortunately, there is an absence of statistics on the early numbers of this curries and Indian delicacies
ethnic group. In 1981, there was an estimated 22,800 to 30,400 Indo-Caribbean from general West Indian
persons residing in Britain. This figure is relatively insignificant when compared to restaurants. Pepper, chutney
the 1982 estimate of 1.2 million Asians living in Britain. and kuchela, usually imported
directly from the Caribbean,
Education was one of the prime motivations which contributed to the gradual continue to be on the tables
increase of Indo-Caribbean population in London. During the early decades of the of many Indo-Caribbean
twentieth century, the labourers, employed on the sugar cane estates in the British homes. Furthermore, the
West Indies, made financial sacrifices to ensure their children received a tertiary Indo-Caribbean’s unique
education at a university in Britain. In the Caribbean, East Indian workers sold celebration and observances
land, mortgaged homes and borrowed money to allow their sons and daughters of religious festivals such as
to have a chance for a better life away from the deprivations and humiliation of Divali and Eid is usually low-
the plantation system. The next generation of Indians, were educated and thus keyed and confined mainly to
more socially mobile than the majority of their Afro-Caribbean counterparts. their homes or temples and
mosques. Their celebrations
Indo-Caribbean professionals who benefited from a sound British education do not involve the public
included doctors, lawyers, teachers, engineers and nurses. Upon completion of display as the larger Asian
their studies in London, some stayed and inevitably contributed to the ‘brain communities such as in
drain’ of the West Indies. Some immigrants are able to frequently visit their Southall.
former homelands, whilst others suffer from homesickness, particularly during
Christmas and the winter months. Not surprisingly, a few Indo-Caribbean men continued on page 12
and women, upon retirement, have returned to reside in the Caribbean.
11YATRA 2019
The Caribbean’s loss of these talented minds was Britain’s gain. Their
outstanding work ethic and contribution to a host of volunteer activities reinforced
the view that the Indo-Caribbean has successfully adapted to their host society.
In addition to local recognition in the various boroughs, some have also achieved
the distinction of receiving annual awards, including knighthoods, bestowed upon
by the Queen. One of the well-known Indo-Caribbean immigrants in England
was the late V.S. Naipaul, a Trinidadian and winner of the 2001 Nobel Prize for
Literature. He remains one of the best illustrations of successful twentieth century
Indo-Caribbean migration to Britain.

continued from page 10 generations, what are you going to One of the major customs of
do for your future generation? If we England, tea-drinking, has not been
Start by examining your relationship don’t instill the right values, virtues, adopted by the Indo-Caribbean. The
with God! How many of you can share teachings and knowledge frequency of drinking tea during
sincerely raise your hand and gained from past generations and the day is not common among the
say “I have a loving and devoted scriptures where will this leave our Indo-Caribbean population. Usually,
relationship with God”? When future generations. to keep warm during the winter
was the last time you asked for months, coffee rather than tea is
forgiveness, and really worked The cycle of self-purification is very preferred. This choice of coffee is
hard to ensure that you did not important as we have no guarantee another custom which many Indo-
make the same mistake again? of returning in this human form, so Caribbean persons have grown
Seeking forgiveness is a means to take advantage of the fact that we accustomed to the West Indies.
improving oneself, consistently are truly blessed with the ability to Likewise, the tendency to have a
taking steps towards improving your understand, learn and participate. light breakfast, lunch and heavy
relationship with God, your loved Make a conscious decision to remove dinner is continued among these
ones, the community and respect yourself from negative influences Caribbean migrants. Interestingly,
for the environment (mother earth), and take a step towards the light; those who have intermarried with
these are all actions towards self- this is the way to set yourself on the British Whites, other Europeans
purification and attaining salvation. path of salvation. or Asian migrants, have not
Ever wonder why our elders would completely lost their cultural and
discipline us if we stepped on food Mother Ganga is at seated on social characteristics.
or disrespected others? These the matted hair of Bhagwan Shiv
are against the core values which Shankar the supreme father of all In London, two relatively small
Mother Seeta and Bhagwan Shree Gods. Bhagwan Shiva is the present, Indo-Caribbean groups exist–
Raam came to earth to teach us past and future, he is compassionate the Caribbean Hindu Society
(as narrated in the Ramayan). The and an ocean of mercy. Bring and the Indo-Caribbean Cultural
next time you think of engaging your heart and mind to the feet of Association. In 1995, the observance
in something wrong, pause and Bhagwan Shiva Shankar and pray of the 150th anniversary of the
reflect on the consequence of your for the essence of Mother Ganga arrival of Indians from India to work
thoughts and those actions, there to awaken within you. I leave you in the Caribbean were celebrated
are real consequences. with this simple daily prayer: with speeches, cultural and social
functions by the Indo-Caribbean
You see my dear readers, it does Prayer ‘While Taking a Bath” groups in London.
not take much to hurt yourself and “Om Gange cha Yamune chaiva
create your own bad Karma, if you Godavari Saraswati, Narmade Sindhu Unfortunately, as with other
open your mind to do the right thing Kaveri Jalesmin Sannidhim Kuru” numerically small immigrant groups,
and open your heart to God then there are no statistics as to the
you are setting yourself on the path Meaning: O rivers Ganga, Yamuna, exact population of Indo-Caribbean
of righteousness. Godavari, Saraswati, Narmada, Sindhu migrants in areas as London or
and Kaveri, please enrich the water I England. There have been various
Mother Ganga is the essence of am bathing with, with your presence. academic works and case studies
our existence; she resides within focusing on West Indian settlements
us, within the air we breathe and in May we all take a moment to in certain areas in Britain. Recent
every aspect of nature. We need reflect on the next step we take as studies have examined the Afro-
to awaken that consciousness in us Caribbean or Black presence in
by making changes within our own we create our future Karma! England and tend to overlook the
control. Seek the blessing of Mother Om Jai Ganga Maata, Om Jai Shiv presence or contribution of their
Ganga, seek her forgiveness and Shankar, Om Jai Shree Hari Vishnu. Indo-Caribbean compatriots. In
guidance. Stay strong on the path 2019, it cannot be denied that the
which you have the power in this To learn more about Lord Kartikeya Indo-Caribbean population has
human form to map out and create (Lord Murugan/Lord Subramanya): made and will continue to make
for your future Karma. invaluable contributions in all
Shri Murugan Foundation aspects of life in England.
Our elders journeyed far and long of Trinidad
to seek a better future for their
www.ShriMuruganFoundation.com
12 YATRA 2019

Britain stole $45 trillion
in 173 years from India

Nearly two million Indians immigrated to several countries such as Trinidad, then
British Guiana, now Guyana, Suriname, Fiji, Mauritius, and the African continent
during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Trinidad and Tobago celebrates 174th Indian Arrival Day May 30, 2019.

According to a report by Columbia University Press in the book entitled,” By Paras Ramoutar
Dispossession, Deprivation and Development” essays by Utsa Patnaik, Britain
stole $45 trillion from India, producers were allowed to
export their good directly to
The report was compiled by world renowned economist, Utsa Patnaik, and other countries, but Britain
drawing on nearly two centuries of detailed data on tax and trade, she calculated ensured that all payments
that Britain drained a total of nearly $45 trillion from India during the period 1765 ended in London.
to 1938. For perspective, this sum is 17 times more than the total annual gross
domestic product of the United Kingdom today. Patnaik names four distinctive
economic periods in colonial
According to Patnaik’s research this illegal withdrawal took place through the India from 1765 to 1938, and
trade system, and prior to the colonial period, Britain bought goods like textiles calculated the extraction for
and rice from Indian merchants and paid for them in the normal way—mostly with each and then compounds it
silver—as they did with other countries. at a modest rate of interest,
about five per cent, which is
However, this system changed in 1765, shortly after the East India Company took lower than the market rate,
control of the subcontinent and established a monopoly over Indian trade. And from the middle period to the
this took the form of the East India Company began collecting taxes in India, and present. When she adds it all
cleverly used a portion of those revenues, approximately a third, to fund the up, she finds that the total
purchase of Indian goods for British use. drain nears $44.6 trillion,
saying that this figure is
And instead of paying for Indian goods out of their pocket, British traders acquired conservative and it does not
them for free, buying from peasants and weavers using money that they took include the debts that Britain
from them, and Patnaik called it a scam, theft on a grand scale, as the Indians were imposed on India during the
unaware of the business transactions and the agent who collected the taxes was Raj.
not the same one who showed up to buy their goods.
Take note that the
Some of the goods stolen from India were consumed in Britain, while the rest conservative historian, Niall
were re- exported to other nearby countries and this re-exported system allowed Ferguson has claimed that
Britain to finance a flow of imports from Europe, including strategic materials British rule helped developed
like iron, tar and timber, all of which were essential to British Industrialization India, while David Cameron,
Programme, and indeed, the Industrial Revolution depended in large part on the while in the Prime Minister’s
systematic theft from India. Chair, asserted that British
rule was a net help to India.
According to the report, the British were able to sell the stolen goods to other
countries for much more than they “bought” them in the first place, and thereby Patnaik noted that while
pocketing not only 100 per cent of the original value of the goods, but also the Indians died due to
markup. continued on page 15

When the British Raj took over 1858, colonisers added a special new twist to the
tax-and-buy system, and when the East India Company monopoly collapsed, Indian

13YATRA 2019

The Changing Role
Of The Mandir In T&T

Trinbagonian society is distinguished by the numerous mandirs found By Dr. Radica Mahase
throughout our country. For those growing up in contemporary society, it is hard
to imagine our country without the mandirs colouring the landscape. The most
recent Census of the pBoypDurl.aRtaiodnic,acMoamhpasleeted in 2011, noted that Hindus make up
roughly 18% of the population. The 2011 census stated that there are 240,100 Hin­
dus in Trinidad and Tobago. Hinduism is an integral part of this country’s history,
culture, society and heritage and the mandirs are at the basis of all these. This
article examines the changing role of the mandirs in our country.

Mandirs were important for maintaining family traditions and morals; for
rekindling and fostering family unity, marriage values and children bonds and of
course they were very valuable in bringing and keeping villages and communities
together in active unity, through team work and an extended family spirit. Today
they are still important in dance, music, Hindi and religious instructions.

However, as the 21st and Rishi Ramcharan
century progresses we need
to assess the importance 3. Various reasons were
of the mandirs beyond its given for those who did
religious functions. From not attend regularly –
the 2000 Census to the 30% said that they were
2011 Census, there is a 4% not religious; 30% said
decrease in the number they are more inclined
of Hindus in Trinidad and towards spirituality rather
Tobago – from 22% to 18% than religious practices;
over a 10 years period. 20% said they don’t see
Currently, there are 36,660 the need to go to a place
Hindus between the ages of to worship, they can do
15 to 24 years – that is 15% of that at home and 20%
the Hindu population. With said that it’s too difficult
this in mind we designed a to wake up early to go
survey to find out what’s happening amongst this section of our Hindu population on a Sunday morning and
and their relationship with the mandirs. This survey was developed with the online they’re busy otherwise.
software SurveyMonkey and it was distributed through social media, specifically
Whatsapp. Ramdom sampling of 100 individuals was done. 4. 50% of the respondents
said that they believe
The main findings of this survey are as follows: religious institutions are
appealing to those 13-25
1. 60% of all respondants go to a mandir becuase of spiritual reasons. 15% noted years while 50% said it is
that they attened for counselling and guidance while 5% attended because
of a youth group. The remaining 20% stated that they attened for various
reasons – these were because parents or relatives made them; for specific
functions or because of the food.

2. 40% of the respondents attend only once in a while; 30% attended weekly and

the others were either once a month or not very often.

14 YATRA 2019

not appealing to this age group. appeal to the younger generation; continued from page 13
if they do not put things in place to
5. When asked what can be done deal with modern day problems in malnutrition and diseases, the
to asked it more appealing the a rapidly changing society; then it British continued snatching hard-
following responses were given: is very possible that we might see a earned money of poor Indians.
further decrease in the % of Hindus in Indian expectancy was 22 years
• Have more youth programmes – the 2021 Census. in 1911, and Britain exported
food grains and imposed high
60% (literary club to write about We are living in a society where the taxes which spread famine in
your religion; art and craft, etc.) divorce rate is 1 in 7, what are we India and reduced its purchasing
doing to prevent this from increasing? power. She said that the annual
• Have more enjoyable activities Domestic violence is common, how per capita consumption of food
– 20% do we help the Hindu woman who is was 200 kg in 1900 and this went
being abused? 4% of the total Hindu down to 137 kg during World
• Have more modern day population suffers from a disability, War 11, pointing out that India
activities – 20% what have we put in place to help was a dismal failure on all social
these individuals? Do our mandirs factors.
The whole idea here was to have have wheelchair accessibility? Do we
more activities that are enjoyable to allow the child with ADHD or Autism She pointed out that Indians
a younger, modern generation. Based to come in the mandir or are parents were not given the due credit
on their responses, it was clear that forced to keep them outside because for their precious resources like
they were not against the traditions, they cannot sit still or they make too gold and forex exchanges. She
rituals, etc., the thing is, and they just much noise? said had not been for these
saw these as boring and irrelevant to series of thefts, India could
them. They felt that older persons did The intrinsic value of the mandir, have been a developed nation
not understand them. These points as one of the most important providing proper health care and
were again mentioned when they centres for the propagation and social welfare programmes. The
were asked how to make religious perpetuation of Hinduism, has prestigious Kohinoor Jewel still
institutions more relevant to present remained over the years. However, remains an issue with Britain,
society. The majority of respondents as society changes, mandirs need and former British Prime Minister
felt that religious institutions needed adapt to these changes and their David Cameron, insisted that
to change to adapt to modern society. policies, outlook and interaction with that piece of Jewel will always
They listed things such as offering the community has to evolve if they remain British property.
counselling to persons in need; want to remain relevant throughout
developing new ideas and changes; the 21st century. Adults are always Dr Jason Hickel, historian at
linking the teachings to everyday life; saying that the youths are the future, the University of London, and
dealing with everyday situations that then why aren’t the youths given a Fellow of the Royal Society of
are currently prevalent in society a voice, an opportunity to express Arts, summed up the British-
their opinions, a listening ear, a india issue this way. “We
Given the above, we have concluded need to recognize that Britain
chance retained control of India not
that if our mandirs do not adapt to to show out of benevolence, but for
changes in our society; if they do not the adults the sake of plunder and that
how the Britain’s industrial rise didn’t
mandirs emerge from the steam engine
can evolve and strong institutions, our
in the school books would haveit, but
future? depended on violent theft from
other lands and other peoples.”

There is a famous thought that
India developed Britain.

15YATRA 2019

Power of
Paan

by Nirmala Maharaj

I’m driving to work one day. The song 2. Religious: At state that love is forever and
began to play from the Bollywood pujas, the marriage is inseparable for both
movie Don. tambula is the bride and the groom’s side.
offered to According to the South Eastern
O Khaike Paan Banaraswala… the devtas Asian countries, it is a custom to
After eating the Banarasi Paan and devis. chew the paan leaf and the areca
This betel leaf is a symbol nut when the talks between
Khaike Paan Banaraswala of freshness and prosperity. the bride and groom parents
After eating the Banarasi Paan According to Skanda Purana, commence about the wedding
Khuli Jaaye Band Akal Ka Taala the paan leaf was obtained by and thus it is ceremonially used
the gods during the churning of in almost all weddings. The
The mind gets unlocked the ocean for the nectar. This is combination of the paan leaf
O Khaike Paan Banaraswala the main reason that betel leaf and the areca nut point that this
is used in pujas. Hindus believe couple is practically inseparable,
Of course, I kept humming it almost that different deities reside in like an idealized married couple.
day in and day out. The lyrics stuck the betel leaf.
in my mind. Nevertheless, I decided 5. Medicinal: According to
to look up the meaning of the song. 3. Different Deities Reside in Paan: Ayurveda, the paan leaves
And having satisfied my knowledge Hindus trust that the paan leaf contain certain elements which
there, I yearned to understand the to possess different deities can help to cure diseases
power of paan or batel leaf. specifically: caused by air and bile. A paan
leaf contains vitamin C, iron,
Since I was a little girl, I reflect on • Shukra and Indra reside in the carotene, fibre, potassium,
performing puja and using the paan leaf’s top portion iodine and thiamine and hence
leaf. In fact, all Hindu religious is used widely in Aryuvedic
ceremonies use the pann leaf. It • Goddess Saraswati is present in medicines to prevent bad teeth,
is as important as the sacred tilsi the middle part treat ulcers and acne, help in
plant. It is believed that Lord Shiva • Goddess Maha Lakshmi relieving coughing and even to
and Parvati themselves had sown occupies the lower tip. cure respiratory disorders like
the seeds of paan in the Himalayan • The part that bridges the paan bronchitis.
ranges. It is a MUST have! May leaf to the stem is home to Jyesta
be that was one of the compelling Lakshmi So I choose to write about the power
reasons I ensured a paan plant • Lord Vishnu lives inside the leaf of the paan for the submission of
grows in my yard. But really, what’s • Kamdev and Lord Shiva inhabit this year’s Indian Arrival Day article.
the power of the paan? outside the leaf I trust this article has opened your
• Mangalya Devi and Goddess mind on the paan leaf, a leaf whose
1. Methodological: From our Parvati live on the left side importance is due to us from the
Ramayana, when Sri Hanuman arrival of our ancestors to our
reached Lanka to convey the • Bhoomidevi or Dharti Mata shores.
message of Sri Ram to Sita Ma, lodge in on the right side
she gave him a garland of paan
leaves when she couldn’t find • Lord Suryanarayan is all around
anything else to offer him as a the leaf
token of appreciation. Hence,
one of the reasons pann leaves 4. Love and Marriage: Paan leaves
are offered while worshipping with areca nuts symoblise love
Sri Hanuman. and marriage. The origin behind
the display and use of the paan
16 YATRA 2019 laves and the areca nuts dates
back tot a very old folk tale whih

Spiritual Powers
of Indentured

Caribbean Women

The indentured immigrants skillfully used spirituality to preserve the integrity By Yogi Khem Jokhoo,
of their eastern civilization culture initially, but affluence and western cultural
renovation have weakened its very foundation in the last 50 years. However, a Teacher of Yoga
their spiritual principles were very resilient and prepared them to develop skills
to change difficulties into opportunities. and Meditation

Spirituality and Intuitive Wisdom centuries” subtly and silently
The immigrant women quietly reverted to their spiritual resources for comfort, watered down the might of
and brought out their powers of devotion, divinity and intuitive wisdom. They spirituality and the power of
inherited the special powers of love, stability, mercy and compassion because of culture. Some of these factors
their faith in God. Women have jealously guarded their “spirituality” and secretly are well documented and
used it for sustenance, humility and tolerance. The women harnessed their includes western education,
“devotion and divinity” through purity in thoughts, words and actions and were religious takeovers, divide
able to make the “right decisions” and do the “right things at the right time”. This and rule, conversion through
was the main source of strength and key to their success. People who have this economic and social reforms
divine intuitive skill often get the solutions to problems long before the problems and the creation of irreversible
arise. power structures by those who
exercised “selfish motivation”.
Spiritual Literacy and Thriftiness The spiritual “innate values”
The indentured immigrant women may not have been able to read and write of love, peace, cooperation
but that did not make them illiterate. In spirituality, if you do not have a formal and responsibility gradually
education, but have that discipline to think out “sensible solutions” consistently, receded and gave way to
then this skill made you very knowledgeable. Because of the trepidation of environmentally “acquired
environmental displacement and the physical might of the colonial masters, values” due to “country of
the indentured immigrant women incorporated these innate spiritual skills to birth” or “place of growth”.
turn the impending difficulties into opportunities. They used their humility and
tolerance and quietly fortified their social and economic foundations with their The Erosion of the Extended
“thriftiness”. Our great, great grandmothers were so clever, thrifty and possessed Family Custom
so much intuitive wisdom, that running an effective government treasury would The extended family units
have been but a “piece of cake”. They did not have an education, but they which was based on altruistic
possessed foresight, competence and proficiency. love, cooperation and unity
had its roots in spirituality,
Spirituality and the Might of Culture but these structures slowly
The first 100 years of indentureship (1845-1945) is one of the finest examples in crumbled with the weight of
world history, yes world history, to demonstrate how the indentured immigrants western cultural renovation,
used culture and spirituality as might. The faith of the indentured labourers was education without spirituality
nurtured by the “code of ethics ” of their religion. This practice and belief gave and the “pomp of affluence”.
them hope and courage, and it was through this perseverance, tolerance and The extended family concept
faith that they were able to remove the “darkness of oppression” and allow the has more or less disappeared
“light of divine justice” to make difficult jobs easy and the impossible become and the dismantling of family
possible. Spirituality is might when it is maintained and sustained and its elevated business conglomerates are
spiritual directions gives “light” or shows one the way. However, it is sad to believe
that descendants of that first diaspora now believe that they can purchase this 17YATRA 2019
“spiritual power and strength” and depend solely on their gurus to remove their
obstacles and difficulties. This is their major downfall.

Cultural and Social Renovation
The environmental and cultural changes that took place in the last “one and a half

Three Tests of Rama

There were three incidents that Vishwamitra used to gauge the viability of

Rama to enter the marriage life. There is the initial episode with the demoness,

Tarka. She is a nocturnal demoness that gains full strength during the night. By the

advice of Vishwamitra to curb this demoness during the twilight when she now

appears, Rama was able to subdue this demoness.

This initial episode shows Rama was not lonely but was in fact alone meaning

all one. Tarka is symbolic of loneliness and all the attendant perverse acts one by Samaroo Avatar
may engage in when one is by one self and lonely. She gains strength as the night

approaches meaning perversities increase as one get lonelier. Rama was able to
subdue this demoness as she first appears during the twilight interval. It means continued from page 17

he overcame her lustful entreaties as she begins her wiles. Perverse desires must also ending in bitter and
be curbed as soon as they dawn otherwise they gain strength and will be hardier unforgivable disputes. Conflict
to defeat. resolution or “panchchayat”
as was practiced in earlier
The second episode was with the demons Marich and Subaho. Marich has times on the basis of
two meanings. One is death by desire and the other is death of desire. Desires as spirituality using the theme
such are not lustful but by association with Subaho which means giving support, “give and forgive, get and
desire become evil, lustful. Rama was able to vanquish Subaho and thus transform forget” has given way to the
desires (Marich) into energy for spiritual growth. This meaning is further explored more formal “court-houses”
when Marich assumed the form of the golden dear and was finally killed and thus that often end in bitterness.
liberated by Rama. The energy having reached its pinnacle was then liberated Changing of the Guards
from its mortal coil. In summary, due to fear and
frustration brought about by
The third episode was the forgiveness of Ahilya and her transformation environmental displacement
back to celestial radiance. Rama was not interested in the cause of Ahilya being of the indentured immigrants,
cursed, he was only concerned that she be forgiven and thus paving the way for culture was preserved for
transformation. We all make mistakes. Mistakes are not the gauge of one’s true a longer period in Trinidad,
being. Mistakes are to be forgiven and used as stepping stones on the journey of because the immigrants
transcendence and transformation. used the belief systems and

After Rama had successfully and effortlessly passed these three tests it was
then Vishwamitra diverted his journey to the court of Janak.

It is also symbolic that Rama effortlessly broke the bow of Shiva. When all other spiritual principles for survival,
kings failed to even lift it. All the other kings wanted Sita with lustful intentions and support and comfort. Religion
they were not alone (all one). They were in fact very lonely and it can be inferred still stands as a “protective
that they engaged in all manner of perversities. They did not defeat Subaho. They fort”, but the guards have
encourage him and succumb to his entreaties. They are comrades of Tarka. And been changed. Religion is now
it was persons like them who would curse Ahilya and demonize her rather than being propagated and fueled
grant her forgiveness. by rituals, festival worship,
cultural activities, song,
Thus it was difficult for them to lift the bow of Shiva. Only one such as Rama theatre, films and dance. The
can lift this bow and thereby become worthy of the love of Sita. spirituality is less dominant,
practised or taught.
Both love and lust are the same energy source. While ones seeks to elevate the
consciousness the other seeks to drag it in the morass of sensual delights.

Rama was able to conquer the lustful tendencies and thus gain the trust and Prepared by Yogi Khem Jokhoo, a
support of Sita with whom he could scale the heights and depths of love and Teacher of Yoga and Meditation
thereby attain the fullness of human life and so become divine. of the Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga
Centre. Om Shanti. May 2019
Love transforms the human into the divine.

18 YATRA 2019

Building the Bond By Ramesh Ramcharan
after indenture

It was my son Ravi wedding ancestral village,
in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh walking distance from
in India. I wanted to invite my Aaja house the
my friend and relatives from bus came to a halt.
my Paternal Grandfather As I looked outside,
(Aaja) village in Faizabad, there were about
but being so far away from 50 persons waiting
the wedding ceremony, I to welcome us. We
knew the logistics would disembark from the
have been difficult. I then bus, I met many
came up with the novel friends and relatives,
idea of hosting the very first but to the Dulha and
Wedding Reception in my Dulhan and most of
Aaja village. I contacted Mr. the Trinidad contingent it was their first visit to our ancestrial village. We had the
Nishant Pandey, a resident second, third and fourth generation making this trip.
and friend to make the
arrangements. The Trinidad We were greeted with excitement and a grand welcome with Mala (Garland) being
partly included newlywed placed around our neck, and everyone wanting to touch and greet us, as the village
couple, Ravi & Swati, along was about to explode with a first-time event. We were all dressed in traditional
with Ravi’s relatives, Ramesh Indian clothes and made our way through the narrow road unto my Aaja house to
& Girely Ramcharan, (Ravi’s be greeted in the traditional way by relatives washing and massaging our feet. It
parents), his sister Neela, was fun for members of our party who was experiencing this for the first time. We
brother Rishi, sister-in-law were given drink of water, milk, dehai, fruit juice and snacks for our comfort. The
Ranjana, nephews Vivek and members of our party were so excited they toured our ancestral home, examined
Varun, Ravi’s grandfather the cows, utensils and other apparatus including the place where my wife and
Mr. Ramdeen Gosine, his myself slept on previous visits. Next to the house was a huge tent with chairs placed
Aunties Radha and Cintra. for the Parchhan (welcome home) ceremony.

We set out from Krishna A small area on the ground was leepay with cow goobhar, then the sacred drawings
hotel in Faizabad, to my Aaja
village called Karaundi Goan. done using ground wheat flour. The bridal couple was made to sit at the front
Despite having been there
several times before, I did row and Prema, (the daughter-in-law of the house), then began the ceremonial
not know what to expect.
This was the first wedding welcome. She filled a straw tray with white rice and then added a Lohar, Belana,
reception being held for
Ravi and Swati, in a small water filled Lota and
remove village in rural India.
Oh, what an adventure! We some rupee currency
passed through the town of
Sultanpur, unto Haidarganj, notes. The tray was
then unto the Karpadhi
region, which is where many rotated in a clockwise
of our ancestors emigrated
from. Upon arriving at our direction around

the bridal couple for

seven times, then

a tika was placed

on their foreheads,

followed by the

sprinkling of blessed

water and the dulha

and dulhan feeding

continued on page 21 19YATRA 2019



each other with sweet rice, being their first home-cooked meal. reception hall and journeyed to
the home of Mr. Kalika Persad
While this was going on, villagers sang very traditional wedding songs Pandey, where a private gathering
welcoming the Dulha and Dulhin home. They described the new Bahu took place, with family members,
(daughter-in-law) as a queen and equated her to Sita, the consort of Lord Mr. Chhabilal Pal and the visiting
Rama. A tali was prepared with milk and sindur. A silver chain was dropped party. There were many well-
into the milk for the Dulha and Dulhin to grab same. This was repeated five wishers, wishing the visiting party
times as part of a fun game. This tradition is also practiced in Trinidad. After all the best and in their humble
socializing ‘home’, it was time for us to say farewell and proceed to the site of way paid tribute to us.
the public wedding reception, which was on the premises of the Government
Primary school. It was a ‘first-time’ and only one of its kind held in this village. We then started the return
journey through a grass road
As we entered the school compound we were led into a huge tent, leading toward the bus. Some
approximately 100 feet long by 50 feet wide, which was covered with of the villagers had motor bikes
tarpaulin like those in Trinidad. As we walked in, the ground felt hard as the and offered to shuttle us across.
grass was cut very low, making it very comfortable to walk. There were about Varun, my six-year old grandson
two hundred padded red-chairs. We walked through the crowd towards the and myself went on a bike rode
front stage, which was about two feet high and across the front of the tent. by Mr. Hanuman Persad. As we
On the left side was the set-up for the DJ system which was powered by a were going through dark areas,
Generator. At the front of the stage, was a group who had been singing various we met a rickshaw carrying pipes
types of village songs. There was a pause and an announcement made in Hindi and other agricultural machinery.
that the guests have arrived, and everyone stood up to welcome us. I was Mr. Persad’s bike went to the side
astonished by the amount of people, many of whom I had met before. As we of the grass road and made a slide
walked towards the front, there were the ‘love-seats’ placed on the top of the at the back wheel, throwing both
stage, where the Dulha and Dulhan were seated. The stage was transformed Varun and myself off unto the
into a ‘wedding’ environment. On the right side was an area occupied by the ground. I quickly hurdled myself
singing group led by Mr. Chhabilal Pal and four other musicians and chorus over Varun to protect him. As
singers. The instruments used was harmonium, dholak (drum) and majira we regained our balance, I lifted
(hand instruments). Mr. Pal stood by the microphone singing his melodious him off the ground into my ‘safe’
songs welcoming the bridal couple and the Trinidad ‘family.’ hands. He looked at me with a
smile and said ‘Aaja this is fun.’
Locally prepared food and drinks were served to attending guests. The food We then continue our ride to the
included chapati, rice, dhal, cooked aloo (potatoes), samosa, sweets including waiting bus. We made our journey
ladoo, jelebi, goojia and other Indian meethai. Refreshments including water, inside, making sure everyone was
soft drinks and tea were served among the guests. accounted for. The immediate
relatives and friends boarded the
It was just a matter of time that the dancing started, which was led by Radha bus, with tears in their eyes clasp
from Trinidad and other ladies from the village end. They all danced together their hands to us one by one,
and there was no segregation. This was followed by individuals going on stage, thanking us for having this first
behind the bridal couple, resting their hands on their head and symbolically reception of Ravi and Swati in this
remote village in Fiazabad, UP
blessing and India. I closed my eyes, imagining
extending my Aajie (paternal grandmother)
their best looking at me, how please she
wishes for a might have been seeing what we
happy married as a family had done one hundred
life. This and twelve (112) years after
entertainment they departed this very village,
went on for in the hope of returning to their
over four beloved Muluck (India), which
hours until never materialized.
the curtains
came down at 21YATRA 2019
8.00pm. We
then left the



National Trust must seek Indian By Paras Ramoutar
assistance in reformatting the Lion
House’s original architectural design

Port-of-Spain: As Trinidad and Tobago celebrates the 174th anniversary of the It is ironic that the Capildeo

arrival of East Indians, May 30, 2019, there must be more meaningful recognition family has had a well-

and respect to the Indian diaspora, whether it is by the Government, Government established legal practice, yet

of India or civic-minded philanthropic organizations. the question of its ownership,

This recognition is long overdue. And the entity charged with such assignment, to date, has not been sorted
the National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago remains in deep sleep while a major out to quote Mrs. Naipaul-
piece of our national heritage and history remains a haven for vagrants in Main Akal. And this issue must
be revisited, and should be
Road, Chaguanas.
undertaken very swiftly as the
I am referring to the Lion House which was fully highlighted in V.S.Naipaul’s Nobel- younger Capildeos seemed
prize winning book, “A House for Mr. Biswas”. That edifice which has a colourful estranged from the entire
history of the Indian diaspora, and which produced notable leaders like Dr. project. And then, the edifice
Rudranath Capildeo, eminent international scientist, and who was a formidable would become a home for
figure in our Independence Conference in Marlborough House, London in 1962, vagrants fully.
and the first Leader of the Opposition in our Parliament. It was the birthplace of
the late Nobel Laureate, Sir Vidya Naipaul, who had fond memories of this classical The Lion House was
structure. Another famous member of the Capildeo clan, was the late Simboonath specifically carved by the
late Pundit Capildeo, one of
Capildeo, Rudranath’s elder brother.
our early East Indian settlers
The Lion House is symbiotic of the Indian diaspora here, and probably the among the 147,000 Indian
Caribbean or other parts of the globe where East Indians are assembled. Over immigrants who came here
the years, scores of tourists and students and academia visited the edifice. Now to assist in the rekindling the
it is in total shambles, and quick attention must be paid to restore it to its original agricultural economy between
moorings. 1845 and 1917,in this country,

It seems to the public that the National Trust is suffering from bouts of inertia, and remains a pivotal figure
having publicly acknowledged the Lion House as a major piece of our national in the Indian diaspora in its
heritage, yet nothing has been done over many years to publicly restore the 174 year history. Why not
building for all to know and consider. It remains an integral factor of the new treat the Lion House with
history of Trinidad and Tobago. Our students, particularly primary, secondary and the same aggressiveness
post secondary, would be deprived of visiting and knowing the whole gamut of and enthusiasm like the
our history.
Stollmeyer’s Castle. As a matter

On March 24, members of the Capildeo clan, along with former Minister of Works of fact, the National Trust and
and Transport, Dr Surujattan Rambachan, Chaguanas Mayor Gopaul Boodan its attendant agencies have
visited the house and lamented at its depreciation and called for restoration not fully met its legislative
work to be undertaken urgently to salve what is left of this great piece of history mandate. There are several
and architecture. Dr Rambachan announced that he has held discussions with a other projects needed to be
recognized in Central Trinidad.
Chaguanas businessman who was willing to effect repairs.
Our Minister of Culture,
However, Mrs Savitri Naipaul-Akal, sister of Sir Vidya Naipaul, called on the Community Development
Capildeo family to settle their differences in a bid to save the Lion House from and the Arts should pull up
collapse, extinction. The question of ownership of the property is not fully known. the socks or stockings of its
Naipaul-Akal who was born there, said. ”The last time I was here it was really so leadership, and spur them
vandalized. I was shocked because sums of money had been spent in the past to to get serious. The National
little or no avail, and the problem of the house is ownership and that has to be
continued on page 25
settled”.

23YATRA 2019

24 YATRA 2019

A Coach Worth His Salt

The village of Gasparillo in South Victoria Education District (Primary)
Trinidad has produced great coaches.
One such person is Mr. Glen Dwarika, a and National Primary Schools Cricket
63 year-old sporting icon in cricket who
helped in moulding young boys and girls Team.
to become great cricketers. This job he
still continues to do. • External Examiner- C.X.C. Physical

Mr. Dwarika as a cricket coach never Education
focuses on sports alone. He instills in the
young cricketing minds that academics • Former Atlantic National Primary
and moral development must also be
the other ingredients for a successful Schools Cricket League Secretary
life.
• Former National Co-ordinator
Below you’ll find some pertinent
data relating to Mr. Glen Dwarika: Scotia Bank Kiddy Cricket Under 11 By Mr. Hamzad Mohammed,
• Past school positions - Retired Teacher, Development Programme.Presently – T.T.U.T.A’S Teacher of the Year
Secretary
Ag. Principal - Primary • Cricket Development Committee 2013, Trinidad, W.I.
• Schools Worked at – Penal Pres., Navet
Member of T.T.C.B (Trinidad and Tobago Title (2013) - captain of
Pres., Elswick Pres.,Esperanza Pres. and Cricket Board) the victorious National
Bonne Aventure Pres. • National Under 15 & Under 17 Selector Girls Under 19 team 2019.
• Level 3 Cricket West Indies(C.W.I) Coach • Analyst - Cricket Commentary and
• Coached - Petrotrin Cricket Club, South
Zone Under 15 & Under 19, National • Chairman of the Bonne Aventure Looking at those
Under 15 winning 3 Regional Titles,
Bonne Aventure Pres. School copping 2 Presbyterian Church. achievements and inputs
National Titles, Naparima Boys College,
Presentation College San Fernando, made by Mr. Dwarkia viz.

Some players from the National education, church and sports

Under 15 of which I was happy to be (cricket), undoubtedly would

a part of and who have gone on to the make him a role model in any

next level are: community in this country.

 Mr. Nicholas Pooran (W.I., I.P.L, LONG LIVE MR. GLEN
CP.L.) and DWARIKA, THE CRICKET

 Ms. Reana Farrow of Bonne COACH!
Aventure Pres. School - National

continued from page 23 a religious sanctuary in the

Alliance for Reconstruction(NAR) Government did intervene to refurbished it, but propagation of Hinduism,

this got no where. Hindu Thought and

Major restoration works on the Lion House needsto be undertaken with the urgency Philosophy.

it deserves. It remains the standing symbol and memory of the Indian diaspora. The National Trust should
Pundit Capildeo was born in 1873 in his family’s village of Mahadevadubey, Simra seek a partnership with
County of Gorakphur,
the Government of India to
East Central, Uttar
assist in the design and total
Pradesh, India. Pundit
architecture of the Lion House
Capildeo had moved
to make it a reality which has
from indentureship and
been in abeyance for decades
became a successful
now. It is imperative that
businessman, land
we kick start the Lion House
owner, cane farmer and
rebuilding once and for all.
religious leader within
We cannot wait any longer
the Hindu community
as time is not on our side.
as the structure mirrors
India will certainly assist in
the Gupta style of the
continued on page 28
5th century. It served as

25YATRA 2019

26 YATRA 2019

The Indo-Caribbean

Factor In Test Cricket

By Samaroo Siewah

May 2012 is considered a game-changing moment in the sporting history of Rohan Kanhai
Indians in the Caribbean as they commemorate their 181st anniversary of arrival
in Guyana (1838-2019) and their 174th in Trinidad and Tobago. May 2012 was The worst period, however,
the year the West Indies Selection Panel chose a majority of six Indian Caribbean when no Indian Caribbean
players in an eleven member cricket team for the Third Test against England in player was included, was
Edgbaston. They were Narsingh Deonarine and Assad Fudadin of Guayana; Denesh between February 1982 (when
Ramdin, Ravi Rampaul, Sunil Narine and Adrian Barath of Trinidad and Tobago. Faoud Bacchus represented
West Indies in the Third Test
In ninety one years of Test cricket in the West Indies (1928-2019), May 2012 is against Australia in Adelaide)
historic when one considers that Sonny Ramadhin was the first Indian Caribbean to March 1994 (when
player to join the team in the 1950 tour of England. The West Indies team Shivnarine Chanderpaul made
consisted then of (White) Europeans, (Black) Africans and (Brown) Mulattoes. In his Test debut against England
1957, Ramadhin was joined by Rohan Kanhai in the First Test at Edgbaston and on his home ground of
Nyron Asgarali in the Second Test at Lord’s. Bourda, Guyana). Clive Lloyd
and Vivian Richards were the
During his Test cricket career (1957-1974), Rohan Kanhai was appointed respective captains during the
captain of the West Indies team in 1973 against Australia in the Caribbean. He period (1982 - 1991) when the
played in 79 Test matches, scored 6227 runs for an average of 47.53 per innings West Indies selectors leap-
with 15 centuries and 26 half centuries. This would only be rivaled by Shivnarine frogged the Indian Caribbean
Chanderpaul, who was appointed West Indies Captain in 2005. During his presence in Test cricket.
illustrious career spanning 21 years (1994-2015), Chanderpaul emerged as the
West Indies second highest Test run scorer with 11,867 runs (Brian Lara was the
highest with 11,953 runs) at an average of 51.37 with 30 centuries (compared to
Lara’s 34) and 66 half centuries. He is the most capped West Indian player with
164 matches and was ranked ICC No.1 batsman in 2008 when he was named
Player of the year by the International Cricket Council.

Also first in cricket history was when Alvin Kallicharan was named captain of It was unfortunate for
the West Indies on a six-Test tour of India between December 1978 and February Richards in 1990 to have
1979 with another Indian Caribbean cricketer, Joe Solomon, as manager. In May described the West Indies
2007 Ramnaresh Sarwan was appointed captain for the West Indies tour of team as, “a sporting team of
England and Darren Ganga as vice captain. With a shoulder injury sustained in the African descent”, a narrative
Second Test, Sarwan was succeeded as captain by Ganga for the rest of the four which generated a heated
Test series. The last of Indian Caribbean Test captains was Denesh Ramdin who debate. Cricket commentator
was appointed in 2014. Tony Cozier argued, “Richard’s
identification of his team
In May 2019, Devendra Bishoo is the only Indian Caribbean cricketer in the along narrow racial lines was
offensive, not to the West
West Indies Test squad while Nicholas Indian of all races, but to the
West Indies itself, which has
Pooran is accompanying the West Indies as been founded on the vision,
toil and reputation of people
a specialist batsman in the ODI World Cup in of all classes, colours and
creeds for over 100 years.”
England starting on May 30th 2019 - the 174th
27YATRA 2019
anniversary of Indian Arrival in Trinidad.

It seems as if history has come full circle

to 1950, some 69 years ago, when Sonny

Ramadhin was the only Indian Caribbean

Sonny Ramadhin player in the West Indies squad.

(Trinidad Express 12/3/1990). The Faoud Bacchus and Ivor Mendonca.” Vivian Richards would
Guardian editorial of March 9, 1990 subsequently apologize in which he
entitled, Vulnerable Viv, noted “To The Trinidad Express editorial “saluted the contribution of all races
begin with Richards observation is (14/03/90) was entitled, The Indian here to West Indian cricket.”
painfully untrue… In fact, Trinidad Factor In Cricket. It read, - “The
alone has produced a long list of contribution made by West Indians Interestingly it was on Brian Lara’s
outstanding non-Afro West Indies of East Indian descent cannot ever resumption as West Indies captain
Test cricketers including Jackie and be in question. The special quality of on June 2006 on India’s tour of the
Rolph Grant. Ellis “Puss” Achong, West Indian batsmanship owes a lot Caribbean (replacing Chanderpaul
Jeffrey and Victor Stollmeyer, Gerry to the genius of the incomparable who was appointed captain in
Gomez, Sonny Ramadhin, Deryk Rohan Kanhai, the brilliance of Alvin 2005) that saw a semblance of
Murray, Nyron Asgarali, Imtiaz Ali, Kallicharan… and, as for bowlers, balance after the Lloyd-Richards
Charran Singh, Bryan and Charlie well our own Sonny Ramadhin hiatus of 1982 - 1991. The First
Davis, Joey Carew, Willie Rodriguez, led the line of top quality bowlers Test in Antigua against India, saw
Larry Gomes and Ranjie Nanan. who have graced the game at both five Indian Caribbean players on
To expand this list fully to the rest international and regional levels. the West Indies team. They were
of the West Indies… in the interest That is why West Indies cricket Daren Ganga, Ramnaresh Sarwan,
of Richards’ education, we would captain, Vivian Richards, was less Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Denesh
mention such cricketing stars as than gracious, to say nothing of Ramdin and Dave Mohammed.
“Rohan Kanhai, Alvin Kallicharan, being plain wrong, when he defined
George Challenor, John Goddard, the all conquering West Indian team This move effectively laid the
Stephen Camacho, Jackie Hendriks, only in terms of its members who foundation for what eventually
Joe Solomon, Simpson Guillen, happen to be of African descent. transpired in May 2012 when an
Robert Christiani, Cyril Merry, Bruce It is true that there have been no unprecedented six Indian Caribbean
Pairandeau, Allan Rae, Dennis and Indians in the team since he has players were selected in the West
Eric Atkinson, Fraz Alexander, Ian been captain but they have helped Indies team for the Third Test against
Madray, Leonard Baichan, David to put down the foundation and England in Edgbaston, England the
Allan, A.W. White, Sew Shivnarine, cultivate the class that is West venue for World Cup Cricket in May
Indian cricket today.” 2019.

continued from page 25 Vidiadhar Surujprasad Naipaul, in the project which was awarded to
his book, A House for Mr.Biswas, in EWAC & Co. However, work was
this noble project, especially since which he transforms the lions into halted, but was later completed in
it has a splendid engagement in representations of the monkey-god 2001 with the total costs borne by
this project, and which also has its Hanuman, Capildeo becoming Tulsi Capildeo.
origins in India. The Gupta style and Chaguanas Arwacas.”
remains an unique architectural So where , and why do we have
background Over the years, this structure has the National Trust which remains a
been many things to many people paper entity. And equally as well,
Construction of the Lion House in its early history as it was a not undertaking urgent work to
began in 1924 and was completed in meeting place for travellers from restore and maintain our nation’s
1926, and named it Anand Bhavan all over Trinidad and those passing physical history.
or the Mansion of Bliss. Around the through Chaguanas and it became a
same time, Pundit Capildeo left for communal meeting point. I REPEAT:I call upon the National
India and died there. Trust to act swiftly and intervene
Except for the intervention of and save the Lion House before
Fr. Anthony de Verteuil, in his Pundit Capildeo’s grandson, the it dissipates into the oblivion and
publication,” East India Immigrants”, Suren Capildeo in 1995 or so, become a permanent haven for
identifies the Lion House this way. nothing formidable was done…no vagrants.
“Outstanding in its own right, the not even the National Trust. Suren
house has become internationally Capildeo had retained the architect
famous because of its description Colin Laird to advise and supervise
in cynical style by his grandson, Sir

28 YATRA 2019



‘Excellence In Medical Care’

Breast Clinic  NEW Cath Lab
Full Diabetic Foot Clinic  Coronary
Obstetrics & Gynaecology Angiograph
Executive/Company  Cardiac
Medicals Stenting
Physiotherapy  Peripheral
Bone Density Vascular
Blood Laboratory Disease
HSG Stenting
Echocardiogram  Interventional
Radiological Services Radiological
Procedures
CT,MRI, X-Ray,
Mammography  NEW Laparoscopic
Tower &
24 Hour Ambulance & Emergency Equipment
Service
800.4MED (4633)

Cor. Albert & Abercromby Streets
St. Joseph, Trinidad
Tel: 662.2766/3256/3259
Website: www.medicalassociatestt.info