Politics is always divisive because it is a vicious struggle for political power. Having political power provides one with the resources and legal power to get things done. But unfortunately, politics does not hold a people together. More than politics is culture, traditions, customs and history. It is these shared experiences that bind a people together into a nation state.
The sugar industry is part of our heritage. It is the main reason why the different ethnic groups are found living in this tiny island. Despite this long history of slavery and indentureship nothing is being done to remind us of that aspect of our heritage. Where is the sugar museum that was proposed by the PP Government? Why is this project still in the pipeline or literally abandoned?
I want to commend the Maha Sabha for establishing the Indo-Caribbean Museum at Waterloo. However, this museum has been closed for the past ten years and there is no conversation on its present status. Has the Maha Sabha abandoned this project and why? I am certain that the leadership of the Maha Sabha may be contemplating some better project or avenue to highlight the rich heritage brought by our Indian ancestors!
Is knowledge of our history of importance to us as a community? For a community with a mentality that lauds STEM subjects as worthy of study and derides the arts and humanities, is it possible that one may be expecting too much? In fact, with medicine lauded as the Everest of academic excellence it may best explain why our community is plagued with diabetes and so many life-style diseases. Maybe we need to get sick so that our bright doctors can be employed and earn handsomely!
What are the cultural identities to bind us together as a community or nation? The Afro-Trinidadians are happily projecting steelpan, moko jumbie, Carnival, calypso, stick-fighting and naming roads and buildings after black people. What are the leaders in the Indian community projecting? Definitely not tassa, chutney, or filmi music! Thanks to Dil-e-na- dan and other artistes who on their initiative and drive that this aspect of our heritage are kept alive. One must commend the Maha Sabha, teachers and musicians for the wonderful work they are doing through the Baal Vikaas to promote our Hindu heritage! The recent held Hanuman Chalisa Epic Chanting at Divali Nagar demonstrated that the organizers led by Raviji and Gyan Ramlogan understood the value of claiming ones’ cultural space.
Rudranath Indarsingh, the MP for Couva South, has been the patron of Baitak Gana-local songs- for several years at his constituency’s headquarters in Couva. This is quite a commendable program and it demonstrates that this MP understands the value of cultural heritage and identity politics. I was also happy that the MP for Oropouche East took the initiative to sponsor an evening of Baitak Gana on the night preceding Basdeo Panday’s funeral.
Sadguru has rightly remarked that the Brits have left our shores but still reside in our minds. Heritage is integral to mobilizing political support but unfortunately, many of our politicians are trapped in a classical Marxist paradigm that views the distribution of goods and services as paramount. Nevertheless, they have failed to look at the substratum or prevailing culture that dictates and informs citizens.
Culture, media and history are part of the grand narrative to mobilize a community. It is about time that our leaders put some evidence of that on their platform and stop bellowing One Love as their Savior and neglecting Nany and Nana. Engaging in such dubious acts is like slowly poisoning oneself. No wonder there is this funerary atmosphere prevailing in the air!
The Indian National Congress has replaced the British Raj and over the years has marginalized the culture of the majority Hindu population and today they are paying a huge political price. Had they understood the role of culture and heritage, the Indian National Congress would have been more open to Hindu sentiments as much as they are to the Muslim minority. The opportunity of returning to power will continue to elude the Congress so long as they deny the culture of the Hindus.
It is time for our leaders to stop being so naïve by thinking that playing ‘One Love’ would be the panacea for their political woes. They need to boldly identify with the diversity of our cultural heritage and address the distribution of cultural space for all groups in our society- Indians, Africans, Syrians, Chinese, French Creoles and the First People. One love is a placebo, not a real cure!