The Honourable the Acting Chief Justice of Trinidad and Tobago Mr. Justice Allan Mendonca
Distinguished Ministers of Government and Members of the House of Representatives and of the Senate;
Your Excellencies Heads of Mission and other Members of the Diplomatic Corps;
Staff Members of the Indian High Commission and members of the Indian community resident in Trinidad and Tobago;
Other Distinguished Guests;
Members of the Media;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Your Excellency
It gives me great pleasure on behalf of Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Keith Christopher Rowley and the Government and People of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, to extend congratulations to the Government and People of the Republic of India, on the occasion of the Republic Day of India.
Republic Day, which commemorates the date on which the Constitution of India came into force on January 26, 1950, affords to all of India the opportunity to reflect on the great sacrifices made in making India a sovereign nation. India today is the largest democracy in the world, which can boast of a rich historical past and a burgeoning future predicated on a strong sense of patriotism and outstanding accomplishments at the national and international levels.
Essential contributions to the world at large have been made in areas such as Information and Communication Technology, Bio Technology, pharmaceuticals, petro-chemicals, agriculture and food security and through India’s Space Research Programme. In addition, many of India’s sons and daughters have earned international acclaim in literature, their work in the creative industries and their sporting prowess including author R.K. Narayan, actor Amitabh Bachchan, and world renowned cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, to name but a few.
Trinidad and Tobago and India are historically connected. In May 1845, the first Indentured Labourers from India arrived on the Fatel Razack to assist in this country’s economic development. Those who made the journey brought with them the music, cuisine and religious customs from their homeland which contributed significantly to making Trinidad and Tobago the multicultural melting pot it is today and laid the foundation for the fruitful, close diplomatic relations formally established in 1962.
Trinidad and Tobago’s bilateral engagement with India spans a variety of sectors including but not limited to technical cooperation, trade, culture, agriculture, and traditional medicine. In addition, our countries have also collaborated at the regional level within CARICOM and the broader international sphere.
Your Excellency, this Republic Day also sadly coincides with your impending departure as your distinguished tour of duty in Trinidad and Tobago comes to an end. Under your leadership, our robust bilateral partnership has flourished, as evidenced by several wide-ranging programmes and activities facilitated, for example, by India’s Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme, the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Cooperation and through the numerous scholarships made available to nationals of Trinidad and Tobago.
Your Excellency, through your steadfast commitment in further consolidating our relationship, you have set an indelible example for your successor to follow. On returning to India, I trust that you will carry with you many fond memories of your experiences since beginning your tour of duty. If you would allow me to quote you, “Life is like clouds in the sky, always under formation. Like each shape of the clouds, each moment of life has its own beauty”. Excellency, like these clouds you have left an enduring legacy on the landscape of Trinidad and Tobago’s society. I hope that you will continue to hold your “moments” in Trinidad and Tobago forever near and dear to your heart.
In closing, may I now invite all of you to join me, on behalf of Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Keith Rowley and the Government and People of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, in a congratulatory toast to the Government and People of the Republic of India, as we celebrate together the Republic Day of India, and to the continued strengthening of the long-standing relationship between our two nations.
I thank you.
