Independence Weekend Events

First let me start off by wishing everyone a Happy 52nd Independence. This year's Independence celebrations are grand and there are so many family oriented activities and events that everyone is invited to be a part of.

Independence weekend kicks off at the Divali Nagar site where The National Council for Indian Culture (NCIC) will be hosting their 3rd Annual Rainbow Dance Festival on Saturday 30th of August 2014. This event promises to be a beautiful night of dance as every cultural group in Trinidad will be represented. Their flyer is posted below for further reference.

 

 Independence Day starts off with a bang in San Fernando with their Dragon Boat Regatta at 9:00am on The Waterfront (King's Warf). This will be a sight to behold and the event I am most excited to attend.

 

 

It's an all day affair in San Fernando after the Dragon Boat Regatta. It will be a day of fun and entertainment for the whole family as the City of San Fernando hosts a Cultural Show, live Steel Bands Orchestra and Tassa. San Fernando's Independence Day will culminate with a Grand Fireworks Show on the San Fernando Hill at 8:30pm.

 



 

 If you live in Central and don't feel like traversing down to San Fernando to join in their all day festivities, Central has events planned for you too.

 

The perfect lunch solution is in store for you at the Chinmaya Ashram of Mc Bean as they invite you to part take in their International Food Fair with over 108 Dishes on sale from 12 to 6pm. This will indeed be a delicious event and one I will be sure not to miss!

 

 

After filling up your tummies, head on over to the 3rd Annual Fishing Tournament hosted by the Felicity Charlieville Fishing Association for some fishing fun! Be there to witness the teams as they bring in their catch for judging. See the youngest male and female fisher folk and cheer them on. Be sure to be a part of the fun and excitement.



 

 

There sure are many very exciting events this Independence weekend, a good opportunity for the kids to have some fun and experience some of Trinidad's culture before they head back out to school.

 

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE!!

 

 

New perspectives of RAKSHA BANDHAN

Raksha Bandhan is a celebration of brotherly love and protection. The Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Centre of Trinidad and Tobago, in collaboration with the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Co-operation (MGICC) hosted grand festivities celebrating the chaste bond of love between brothers and sisters. The audience was entertained with song and dance by students of the MGICC and serenaded by the nectarine voice of Mrs Meena Ramsaran. Sister Kuldeep of Hyderabad, India flew in to be a part of the celebrations and to share her positive energies and wisdom in the form of a story, teaching that God sends help to us in all forms; we just need to recognize it.

Raksha Bandhan sets aside a day where brothers and sisters can seek out each other and rekindle their love for one another forgiving any differences or misdeeds. As humans, we all make mistakes and as some may say, we are entitled to make mistakes, as that is how we learn. Raksha Bandhan gives siblings an opportunity to bury unresolved issues and find a way to rebuild their relationship and live peacefully together. It is an occasion that brings fractured families together to show our younger generations how they should live. It reminds brothers of their responsibility towards their sisters to protect them from harm and keep their honour intact.

 

Swamiji shared his wisdom and his unique connotation of Raksha Bandhan. He explained that the significance of tying a Rakhi for protection can be extended to all of nature and as we ask nature for its protection, we too must protect nature. If we can develop this way of thinking, then we can enjoy nature in its purest for a much longer period of time. Then we would not allow big money making companies to obliterate our environment and make it increasingly toxic for our future generations.

 

 

Raksha Bandhan has since evolved to also signify a promise in which the strong must protect the weak. India’s history has proven that the symbolism of the Rakhi has resulted in political ties between many kingdoms. Many Rajput and Maratha queens have sent Rakhis to Mughal kings who were primarily muslims. Despite their differences, they offered protection to their Rakhi sisters at critical moments and honoured their bond. This proves that Raksha Bandan is not only celebrated by Hindus, but all religions can participate in this celebration. This bond between brothers and sisters transcends religion and family and I believe that if youths of all walks of life were to honour this tradition then men today would respect women more. Young men would see young women as their sisters and treat them respectfully instead of being immoral with them. A society that condones such mentality and promotes the bonding of youths and children on this level will definitely witness more love and less violence, specifically, less sex crimes, and men will be more encouraged to protect their female counterparts rather than take advantage of them.

 

 

 

Pure love is the underlying lesson to be learned from this age old tradition of Raksha Bandhan. Love between brothers and sisters, love for nature, love and respect between kingdoms, love across religions and between youths everywhere. When every individual can live peacefully as brothers and sisters, then every member of the community can commit to protect each other and society as a whole.

Emancipation Celebrations

 

 

 

As our country celebrated Emancipation last weekend at the Queen's Park Savannah, I can truly say that I am proud to be a Trinidadian. Named the Lidj Yasu Omawale Village Emancipation, the exhibition celebrated many African figures with very artistic and creative displays. The first thing I saw upon walking through the entrance was a map of Africa made out of various pebbles and stones, it was quite genius. I must congratulate the Emancipation Support Committee of Trinidad and Tobago (ESCTT) for successfully hosting such a grand celebration. All the hard work, planning, designing and finally implementation were represented in every display, banner, booth and corner. It was also evident that all the booths were meticulously prepared and displayed, adding to the ambience. The village also showcased live performances, African art, crafts, jewellery and clothing. Their knowledge zone was particularly interesting and informative and I think quite an important part of the exhibition.

 

 

 

 

I must also applaud the various Ministries and government agencies for supporting this effort and the African community. The Emancipation village was generously attended by every colour of Trinidad’s beautiful rainbow. It was an amazing sight of colourfully dressed women, men and children in their patriotic native wear.

 

 

Patrons were also delighted that there was no shortage of food at the exhibition with the seemingly never ending line of vendors to choose from. This also showed much organization by the ESCTT for ensuring there was enough food for the crowds. Tents and chairs were also available for shading the heat and comfortable food consumption. Every aspect was well catered for; there was even a petting zoo for the kids provided by the El Socorro Centre for Wildlife Conservation.

 

 

The Lidj Yasu Omawale Village Emancipation celebration was enjoyed by all attendees and I am sure all would like to see such a rich outpouring of culture not only for Emancipation but for all culturally related events. We also hope to see continued support from the government of the day and Ministries as we hope to salvage and protect what is left of the various cultures of Trinidad and Tobago.