There is an urgent need for a new spirit of nationalism as Trinidad and Tobago celebrates its 181st Indian Arrival Day, May 30, 2026. It is therefore, incumbent of all ethnic groups to immerse themselves in this noble task to ignite, to celebrate and to preserve this new spirit of nationalism.
All peoples, whether your stock emanates from Europe, North America, the Indian sub-continent, Asia, the Middle East or the Caribbean, must embark on such initiative to spread the spirit or to undertake this very serious task. We do it all as one people, one nation, or face the perils of the future. We do not celebrate nationalism at Carnival, Panorama, Phagwa, Chutney, Divali Nagar or the several other festivals that surface on our calendar. The spirit of the notion of nationalism must be founded in a deep spiritual, philosophical or political grounding. Sorry to say, but after 64 years of political independence, and within that sphere 50 years of Republicanism, thus freeing ourselves from the British Throne, no serious attempt is being made to address this political notion of nationalism.
At Indian Arrival Day and equally as well Emancipation Day celebrations we anguish ourselves to deliver a new nationalism. We are angry, we are frustrated, we feel we are moving nowhere. We suddenly refer to the agony of the slave master and indentureship. We continuously feel hurt about these two European missteps in history. Yet, there is no forward initiative to write our own philosophy of nationalism.
Drawing from our own historical perspectives, we must no longer remain starved for want a recipe for our own nationalism. It is against this background the Indian diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago must move ahead of similar countries, as far as I am aware there is no distinct country which adds up to engage in this noble task of what is nationalism in their own backyard. We in Trinidad and Tobago must move ahead in this sphere to engage in this vexing and complex issue of nationalism.
The visit by Indian Prime Minister last year July and subsequent announcement of a packed manifesto must not be construed to further advance this country’s socio-economic development followed by India’s Minister of External Affairs Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar with an overflowing bag of programmes that would further knit our relationship.
Additionally, the formation of the Trinidad and Tobago-India Business Federation has been long in the coming, as this entity would give a new lease of life in the long -established India/ Trinidad and Tobago relationships. Over the several decades, we have had prime ministerial visits, starting from Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1968. From both countries we have had similar amount of MoUs inked, but they remain closeted in governments’ cupboards. No action. No leadership as of now. Former Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, after a visit to Ghana announced that a new genre of yam would be coming to us. Similarly, on a visit to India, he boldly announced that a Cricket Centre would be established in Trincity by the State of Haryana. Both of these projects are stymied. Not a word, not a drum heard. Indian Arrival Day 2026 must bring about new dimensions of support and mutual benefits, and no one can view India’s largesse to Trinidad and Tobago as a form of colonialism. Rather, it can be accepted as a tangible benefit in the South- South Global paradigm.
Additionally, the new paradigms which now surface are not signs of a possible unitary statehood between India and Trinidad and Tobago, notwithstanding the geographical location and aviation distance.
All in all, Indian Arrival Day must give us a new interpretation of kinships between our countries, and in preparation the Indian diaspora must motivate itself towards a political and psychological framework.
Paras Ramoutar HBM. JP. BA.APR.ABC
International Journalist/Consultant
61 Main Road, Caparo. Trinidad.
H:(868)672.8702/C;(868)374.5586
Justice of the Peace -TT
Email: paras_ramoutar@yahoo.com