I looked at the event on television and felt that I was once again witnessing the funeral of Princess Diana in London.
There was dignity, respect, ceremony that befitted the occasion and speeches at NAPA which were appropriate for the State event.
When I saw the number of arms of the state who were involved in the event, I recognized the magnitude of the challenge and realized that we can rise to the occasion as is required of us, that we can cooperate as be a team. Having myself worked in the Public Service, this teamwork was exceptional.
As I understand it the State Funeral was coordinated by the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of National Security, the Ministry of Health and involved in particular the Defence Force, the Police Service and the Fire Services.
It would appear also that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in particular the protocol division had a crucial role to play. The Minister and his Staff deserve a special word of congratulations.
Incidentally I must also congratulate the Government for keeping the country totally informed of the arrangements leaving no scope for speculation. The Media were also very good at dispersing the information.
Having paid tribute to the organization, there were a few hiccups at NAPA, particularly the statement by the Archbishop of Port of Spain that he did not know that he was delivering the homily.
I find this strange since he went on to deliver a beautiful homily on love and charity. Moreover, the newspaper had carried a story in which the Minister of Foreign Affairs indicated that he was the Chief Celebrant and was delivering the homily.
Maybe it was a way of relieving some of the stress of the moment. If that was so, then it was well executed. Apart from this the Prime Minister and the Cabinet as well as the other Ministries gave a good account of themselves.
They gave to Sir Ellis the “sending off” which he deserved. They showed that as a people we know how to express appreciation in death despite our differences in life. They rose to a different level in terms of governance, one that speaks volumes for the PM as a leader of a complex society and country.
They could have looked back to the close relationship between Sir Ellis and the PNM. They could have thought of the many biases which they suffered in Opposition when he was the President under the PNM.
They rose above all such memories and feelings and distinguished themselves as a government for all the peoples of Trinidad and Tobago.
They re-established nationalism through this state funeral. The event was free from any kind of politics which is a statement by itself of the fact that the government is moving in a new direction, that of uniting the country across all the “artificial” barriers of race, religion, ethnicity, colour and creed disappeared around a common mission of paying the best tribute to an icon.
We must remember this event if only for this reason. When we can unite around a common vision, we can excel as a country. We rise to the status of nation!
As I looked at the funeral at NAPA I felt very proud that the major religious faiths (Hindu, Christianity and Islam) were represented.
It is a tribute to Mr Peter Clarke and the family of the late Sir Ellis that they allowed what was also a form of an Ecumenical Service, perhaps a recognition by them that he was larger than any one faith or one race, or one community.
They sent a powerful message to the country of the need to be expansive in our thought and in the vision of who we are, that at the core of it all we are one soul clothed in different bodies.
Leadership is measured not by what you say but by what you do. The doing by the Prime Minister in endowing a Chair in Commonwealth Parliamentary and Constitutional Studies at UWI is a most fitting tribute to his memory and places him where he truly belongs as an international giant in constitutional affairs.
Finally the behaviour of the public was exceptional! The respect they showed at the Red House and on the streets during the funeral tells us that all is not yet lost. Further, the number of children participating was an extremely good sign for our country at a time when they define their heroes and icons very differently.
Well done Trinidad and Tobago! Well done Prime Minister!
Chandra Harnanan | San Fernando
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