“I don’t know who Jit Samaroo was, but listening to others speak, he must have been a great man…my condolences to his family.” The Princes Town caller had phoned in to the TV6 Morning Edition show on Friday, which was devoted to pan arranger Jit Samaroo, who died the day …
Read More »Fireworks, Flow and other fouls: Martin Daly SC weighs in
Last Sunday my fellow columnist, Sunity Maharaj, wrote forcefully about the removal of the cuisine vendors from the Savannah. She pointed out that many things which emerge from the peoples’ sector get hammered by the authorities rather than receiving a helping hand with facilities, guidance or strategic co-operation. As a …
Read More »Ageing in this cussed country: Raffique Shah on how T&T treats senior citizens
In a few months, I shall cross another threshold of ageing, scoring seventy years of life and officially transitioning into the status of “old geezer.” The dawning of a new year set me thinking about the past and the future, although I know I have fewer years ahead of me …
Read More »Standing in last chance saloon: Daly demands sensible approach to 2016
Once again I am unable, on the opening Sunday of a new year, to write in a positive mood, even though last year, 2015, was a fulfilling year for me, as I waded deeper into the very positive, but under resourced, world of arts and entertainment: assisting in getting St …
Read More »Yes, small is beautiful; Sunity takes sides in PoS Mayor vs Vendors
The escalating confrontation between the Mayor of Port of Spain and food entrepreneurs at the Queen’s Park Savannah is only the latest example of the historic refusal to recognise, validate and support enterprise and initiative emerging from within the people’s sector. It is undeniable that the mushrooming food court en …
Read More »Letters page: Looking at Afra Raymond’s controversial JCC exit
Afra Raymond resigning from JCC is no trivial matter, yet it is surprising how social media comments, and corner talk are missing the heart of the issue. The implications for the future of governance and transparency in Trinidad and Tobago is at serious risk when a reasonable request for transparency …
Read More »‘Do so ent like so’: Raffique Shah looks at UNC’s reaction to Jwala’s sacking
I am surprised that so many people are surprised by the termination of services—firing, suspension, the euphemistically-couched “sent on administrative leave”—of several senior government officials, the most prominent being Governor of the Central Bank, Jwala Rambarran. Clearing the politically-constructed State-stables of partisan appointees is a ritual that occurs every time …
Read More »An inspired passion: Tribute to virtual museum curator Angelo Bissessarsingh
Trinidad and Tobago author and historian, Angelo Bissessarsingh, passed away this morning—according to a Trinidad Guardian report—after battling for two years with pancreatic cancer. The following column on Bissessarsingh and his value to the two island republic was written by columnist Sunity Maharaj on 27 December 2015: That he is still …
Read More »Image of a woman: Why the Shannon Gomes matter is no triviality
For the record, yes we can. We can chew chewing gum and walk. We can calculate the implications of dipping into the Heritage and Stabilisation Fund and compute our chances of surviving three hours on high heels. Yes, we can. The idea that there are more serious things to address …
Read More »Whey the money really gone: Shah identifies our other big users of forex
Central Bank governor Jwala Rambarran was the unlikeliest man to kick the hornets’ nest. But that he did when he named the firms that used the most foreign exchange—or forex—over the past three years. Amidst a cacophony of complaints from businesses and individuals about being denied adequate sums of forex …
Read More »Injustice to a soldier: Shah’s tribute to Brigadier that PP Gov’t overlooked
Last Wednesday, amidst much ceremony but little pomp, Major-General Kenrick Maharaj took his last parade as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and proceeded into retirement, one month short of his 56th birthday. Brigadier Rodney Smart was named as the new CDS. Presumably, some other adjustments were made, or will soon be …
Read More »Rambarran v PNM Gov’t exposes lie of Central Bank’s ‘independence’
Just when we most need our leaders to stand together and assume their joint responsibility for guiding T&T through the rough waters of an economic downturn, we get instead a fireworks display of cheap shots. Hostile relations between a Dr Keith Rowley-led Government and the Governor of the Central Bank …
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