Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley (the PM) has evaded having his choice of Minister Stuart Young as successor to the leadership of the party and the country (or indeed any other person desiring such leadership) sent to a vote at a convention of the membership of the People’s National Movement …
Read More »Daly Bread: Gov’t policy incoherence continues to stymie steelpan industry
It can hardly be disputed that good governance invariably requires the making of policies and their effective implementation. As Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley proceeds toward the still unclear date of his departure from office and the People’s National Movement (PNM) Government completes two consecutive five year terms in office …
Read More »Noble: The Highlanders road—how Robert Hernandez builds community through pan
“They say mih country so stressful, so tense/ With race hate, young jail bait, too much violence. Girl, pack up and go, this sweet Trinbago/ I tell dem no way (no way)/ How de people small-minded, macocious and loud/ Of bobol and scandal they boastful and proud/ Yet somehow I …
Read More »Daly Bread: No more mamaguy with GI—looking at pan certification
I have taken time to evaluate my doubts about the announcement made on 9 August concerning Geographical Indication certification for pan. A number of fanciful and overstated claims were made about the Geographical Indication (GI) certificate which was flourished on stage in the hands of the Minister of Tourism and …
Read More »Daly Bread: Being the solution we seek—time for T&T to stand up
As I close off three weeks of analysis of pan manufacturing, I will refer to the inspiration to be taken from the riveting speech of former First Lady Michelle Obama at the recently concluded Democratic Convention in Chicago. First, however, I am happy to acknowledge and that the quotation with …
Read More »Daly Bread: Reclaiming pan manufacturing; and Pan Trinbago’s controversial headquarters
“All those initiatives are undermined by the fact that in 2024, the Steelpan Manufacturing sector does not have a dedicated and secured source and supply of high quality drums. “To ensure a consistent supply of raw materials the industry requires in place a drum-producing facility, which will produce drums based …
Read More »Dear Editor: Pan Trinbago will betray fraternity by abdicating Trincity land
“[…] Amazingly, Pan Trinbago has opted to forgo any possibility of sustainability by giving up this potential by exchanging 13 acres of land in Trincity/Orange Grove for a half-acre and an old building in Port of Spain. “In Trincity/ Orange Grove, the potential is as unlimited as the land space …
Read More »Daly Bread: The poisoned drum—pan industry’s issues go beyond chroming
“All of the things happening recently in the pan world, the national instrument status, the GI (Geographical Indication) certificate, pan month—all of these things hinge upon Trinidad being the birthplace of pan and it presupposes that we have the best quality instruments coming out of Trinidad.” This is one of …
Read More »Dear Editor: T&T Coat of Arms should not be business of any one political party
“[…] It is my view therefore that a decision to alter the Coat of Arms should not have been made by the political directorate at its party convention taking into account the implications for such a change, which is not the responsibility of any political party, but a responsibility of …
Read More »Daly Bread: The chrome elephant—examining the business of pan
Pan Trinbago has been basking in a new dawn of support for pan in its birthplace. But for some of us there are still clouds hovering over the financing and sustainability of the steelpan, our national instrument. Political grandstanding will not dissipate those clouds. Primarily, we left a significant part …
Read More »Daly Bread: Mettle and metal; an All Stars celebration
Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra (All Stars) unconditionally qualifies for recognition as an institution because it has consistently served broader societal functions beyond the performance of musical works on pan. These broader societal functions include cultural innovation and preservation, education and community development. Many other steel orchestras (commonly referred to …
Read More »Daly Bread: The whole door gone—T&T failing on crime and still ignoring pan potential
For obvious reasons, this is an appropriate time to point out that the vision for the panyard model did not just reach; and also to remind readers of how long I have been advocating for the panyard model, which I met already established on the ground. A little over 17 …
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