Double chaconia named national flower

A BILL recognising the double chaconia as this country's national flower was passed in the Senate yesterday.

The National Emblems of TT (Regulation) (Amendment) Bill was passed with the support of both the Opposition and Independent benches.

Rambharat, who piloted the bill, said when Cabinet approved the change last year from the single chaconia to the double chaconia a decision was made to plant the double chaconia at every school ground. He reported the Horticulture Society, 4H Club and his ministry were working on the project and it has already started. He said the double chaconia was a very difficult plant to propagate and takes a year.

Rambharat said, as a boy, he listened to Parliament on the radio.

"Since I was ten years-old I am waiting to utter the words: I beg to move."

Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi congratulated Rambharat on his maiden bill.

Opposition Senator Anita Haynes said that, as Government moved to address the reckless poaching of the scarlet ibis, there should also be protection for the double chaconia. She noted a previous announcement by Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat of a project to plant a double chaconia on every school grounds. She said while this was good Government should look at the introduction of a robust civics curriculum to create more well-informed and active citizens."

"As simple as the bill may be, as short as the bill may be, the wider conversation it opens, I believe, is about an important sense of national pride and what we can do as a nation to build and grow and go forward.