Trinidad and Tobago cannot usher itself into 65 years of Independence without a new psychological framework for serious nationhood status.
When the Union Jack was lowered on August 30, 1962 there were widespread applauses, political statements, euphoria that a new nation was born and it would make a decisive change in the overall development–human development, proper and efficient public utilities, strong infrastructure, public service, national security, housing, healthcare and the like.
Today, these programmes and plans are still in the making as the nation continues to crumble into despair for all the necessities that make up a blossom, peaceful life.
The question that remains awake in our daily lives and thoughts, is that are much better that August 1962.
Governments come and governments go, but the cause of nationhood eclipses the national citizenry. And for how are to await for our taps to flow with water, or our patients have to wait for urgent surgeries, medical attention.
This nation has been subjected to several missteps or mismanagement issues. The three issues that emanate are the abrupt closure of the Trinidad Government Railways in 1965 by the so-called messiah Dr Eric Williams who totally ignored the people in the rural communities and proposed a frail Public Transport Service Corporation(PTSC) which up to now cannot meet the needs of the national populace. Then Patrick Manning by the stroke of a pen shut down the sugar industry which today continues itch the heart of sugar workers. And then if that was not enough
Keith Rowley shutting the oil industry.
The question is whether we go from now,
Therefore, the Government of today would have to embark on a series of initiatives, whether in agriculture, energy or programmes of exclusive and transformational projects which are thinkers and students could develop, not only for the national populace for export.
That would be test on our national independence, our human creativity, our gift to the world.
We need to set a network of new paradigms, as we have to explore new thinking. The universe is overflowing with new ideas, new thoughts and limitless for another beginning, but we have to trap it and mould it for the greater good for all us.
So 64 years since Independence, we remain stymied in old thinking,. We cannot and must wait for our centenary of Independence to wash off the old thoughts and ideas. The Mighty Sparrow and Yul Brynner had great hopes and aspirations when they sang at the Independence Calypso Contest in August 1962.
Whist we boast of national unity at Carnival, Panorama, Divali Nagar, Indian Arrival Day and Emancipation Day, these celebrations are just plastic surgeries.
Our leadership buttressed by the national populace must avoid petty politics as is the case today which is forcefully rampant. If we are serious about future generations, the time is long overdue to stretch our collective leadership and move ahead with all the emergency at our command.
Trinidad and Tobago is not UNC land or PNM land, it the land were all the peoples regardless of their origins have been living yesterday, today and tomorrow.\
Happy Independence Day 2026.
Thanks,
Parasram (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