President Kangaloo: Time to celebrate Trinidad and Tobago

President of the Republic of TT Christine Carla Kangaloo said on Independence Day that it was a day to celebrate the traits that made TT citizens unique.

“In 61 years we have built ourselves a nation of which we can be justifiably proud,” she said.

“No other nation on earth has in its 61 years of independence, invented a musical instrument to which the general assembly of the UN has seen it fit to pay it homage by declaring a world day in its honour.

"No other country in that time span has produced artistes or authors the calibre of Denyse Plumber or Michael Anthony, both of whom we remember with gratitude today.

"No other people show the spirit, vitality and hospitality that we show and that combine to make us the unique people that we are. This is the TT that we celebrate today, some 61 years on. ”

Kangaloo said that while in our history we had successes that caused us to smile as nationals of TT, there were moments in our history that made us cry.

“But, as that gifted son of the soil Helon Francis said in his song Mighty: ‘When we have cried it has made for a short time and when we smiled it stretched from mile to mile.'”

She was speaking at the Independence Day toast at the NAPA grounds at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain after her first viewing of the parade as President.

The nation celebrated its 61 st anniversary of independence on Thursday, starting with the Independence Day parade held at the Queen’s Park Savannah.

Officers from the TT Regiment, Coast Guard, Air Guard, Defence Force, TTPS, Cadet force, as well as officers from the unarmed services such as the Fire Service, Prison Service, Traffic Wardens, the Ambulance Brigade, the Red Cross society, Boy Scouts and Girl Guides all formed up at the Savannah for a march past and an examination by Kangaloo.

After Kangaloo inspected the officers, they marched out of the savannah and the parade proceeded down Frederick Street then across Park Street, where hundreds of TT citizens clad in red clothes and waving the TT flag cheered them on.

Dr Maryam Abdool-Richards, while outside the NAPA grounds after the march past said she enjoyed the camaraderie that she saw among TT citizens every year.

“The most impressive part of this parade for me every year, is seeing our fellow TT citizens coming out. We see children here from very early in the morning before the school year starts.”

“This year I am not only impressed with the skills shown by the armed and unarmed forces but with the unity of our people and the fact that so many people have come out of their home from near and far to be here very early and be part of our celebrations.

She added, “It speaks a lot to our spirit as a nation.”

Lisa Morgan and her five-year-old daughter, Keniah Welcome, were among the many people who came out on Thursday from early in the morning. She and her daughter sold flags to passers-by.

“We were out since 5 am,” Morgan said. “We came all the way from Point Fortin to be part of the celebrations.”

Aleda Campbell, who is originally from Cuba but has been a resident of TT for 18 years, said it is the first time she had gone to the Savannah for the march past. She said she would usually follow the parade outside the Savannah.

“The march past was really nice. I enjoyed it very much. My parents are here visiting and I decided to bring them to the Savannah. They enjoyed it very much as well.”

Re-elected councillor for Belmont East Nicole Young said she came to the Savannah every year.

“I love the pomp and circumstance of it all,” she said. “And it is a moment to be very proud of TT. I am proud to be a citizen of TT so of course the parade and Independence Day always gets me excited.”

However, despite the several events that are held during the course of the day including the President’s toast at NAPA, and several receptions from different areas of the armed and unarmed forces, Young said she was taking the time after celebrating at the Savannah to celebrate with family and the citizens in her municipality.

“Personally I go back home and have lunch with my dad, and then get ready to go to the fireworks later, but today, I am going into my area to thank the residents of Belmont East for their vote in the recently concluded local government elections. So I will be thanking them and saying happy Independence.”