PM Kamla opens T&T first Baptist school, praises community's resilience

Friday’s Spiritual Baptists holiday was a day of jubilation for both the Baptist community and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who delivered the feature address at the official handover of Trinidad & Tobago’s first Baptist school.

Former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday declared the holiday in 1996 to commemorate the abolition of the Shouter Baptist Ordinance and donated the land for the school while Persad-Bissessar served as Education Minister.

In her remarks, she said, "Last year…I stood here on these grounds and told you that after more than a decade of pleading, a Spiritual Baptist Primary School would be coming and that when I returned to celebrate in 2012, we would have a school.

"Today sisters and brothers I and my Government have kept that promise. In my hand are the keys to Phase 1 of the new St Barbara Spiritual Shouter Baptist Primary School – the first such school in Trinidad and Tobago and the Region – where the children of your community, the very future of your community will benefit from a State School for your Faith."

She praised the community for its resilience and determination to claim its rightful place in a nation built on a pledge that “every creed and race” will find an equal place.

“We remain eternally grateful for the determination of now deceased Bishop Elton George Griffith; the perseverance of my former parliamentary colleague, former Senator Archbishop Barbara Burke and the resilience and courage of past and present members of the Spiritual Baptist faith in Trinidad and Tobago.

“I remain eternally grateful to my former Senate colleague Barbara Burke who worked tirelessly to make this day a National Holiday.

“Your tireless crusade for the repeal of the oppressive Shouters Prohibition Ordinance and later for national recognition of the Spiritual Baptist faith remains something that we as a nation can hold proudly for the world to see – that the blocks upon which our great nation stands today, were laid by the labour of those who came before us.

“And so I say with the achievement of both milestones in 1951 and 1996 respectively, I am proud to stand here with you today – a citizen of the multicultural nation of Trinidad and Tobago… a young Nation as we celebrate our golden jubilee of Independence, but with the maturity and intelligence to recognise the advantages which may be derived from embracing diversity.

“We are One Nation and Let me also remind you that there is one race only, the Human race and as that we are all children of God. Out of many...one

“In Trinidad and Tobago…we stand as a shining example of religious appreciation and tolerance, strong unity in our rich diversity and a unique blend of culture and heritage which spurs a creative fusion that has made Trinidad and Tobago, in many ways the envy of the global community…

“Our national anthem boldly declares that every creed and every race find an equal place. Side by side we stand Trinidad and Tobago, beautiful Islands of the Caribbean.

“At no time was that more evident than during the 1995-2000 UNC Administration, of which I was a member, when the Spiritual Baptist Faith was finally honoured with a national holiday, signaling its equal importance and relevance as the existing religious holidays already observed in Trinidad and Tobago...

“Today…I am delighted to right another injustice that has been perpetrated against you, our Spiritual Baptist sisters and brothers.

“I am extremely pleased to report to you that this phase of the school was completed in 3 months… after a wait of some 14 years!

“We have been able to right the wrongs of the last 14 years, in which you waited since I turned the Sod at this very site. However the Lord works in Mysterious ways, it is the Lord who said that I would be the one to build this school, and so it has come to pass.

“This new Spiritual Shouter Baptist Primary School…will therefore be more than an institution to teach the academic curriculum; but also a site for building self-esteem and nurturing our boys and girls to become men and women who are empowered to make positive contributions to our society.

“In this the year of our 50th anniversary of Independence, on behalf of the Government and citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, I extend to all practitioners of the Spiritual Shouter Baptist faith a blessed Liberation Day.”

Baptist school open September with 240 pupils

Minister of Education Dr Tim Gopeesingh said on Friday the first phase of Trinidad & Tobago first Baptist school was completed at a cost of between $13 and $14 million and will accommodate 240 students.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar formally handed over the school Friday. She was education minister in the Panday administration when the sod was turned for the school.

The event was marred by the stench from a nearby chicken processing facility. The building is located on the southern side of the Churchill-Roosevelt Highway in Maloney near the Arawak chicken facilities. Gopeesingh promised to correct the problem in time for the opening of the school in September.

The minister said the second phase is estimated to cost $28 million and is earmarked for completion by mid-2013. When fully commissioned the school would have accommodation for 420 pupils.

Phase 2 will comprise music room, pan theatre, auditorium and playing field.

In her address the Prime Minister said her government is seeking to transform the education system to make it more relevant to the needs of the nation's children, the country "and the changing social dynamics of our times, without sacrificing sound religion, morals and ethics."

Baptists celebrate at T&T's consulate in NY

Hundreds turned out Friday in New York at the Trinidad and Tobago Consulate in downtown Manhattan to mark Spiritual/Shouter Baptist Liberation Day. 

The faithful wore white, red and blue as they joined in a collection of familiar church renditions.

Consul General Rudrawatee Nan Ramgoolam praised the tenacity, dedication and will of “a people who have passed the test of fire and brimstone.” She trace the community's history and the discriminatory laws that brought on hate and physical abuse to Baptists.

“We salute you, our Baptist brethren,” she said, referring to the faith as the only indigenous religion of Trinidad and Tobago.

She praised former political leader of the United National Congress (UNC) Basdeo Panday for “restoring the dignity of Spiritual Baptists with the stroke of a pen.” It was Panday who declared the Spiritual Shouter Baptist Liberation Day holiday in 1996. 

“It was the government of the United National Congress, which is now part of our current government, that recognised the trials and challenges of this important group of nationals and granted them a national holiday,” said Ramgoolam.

She praised the current People’s Partnership for the continuity.

“I urge you to go brave, preach your gospel,” she said, “so that your message will help nurture productive citizens who respect the beliefs and rights of others and will contribute positively to the development of your respective homelands, the United States of America and Trinidad and Tobago.”

The Trinidad & Tobago consulate in Toronto also hosted an event to mark the holiday. It's celebration was on a much smaller scale.

TOP leader confident of victory in THA election

The leader of the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) is confident of victory in next year's Tobago House of Assembly (THA) elections. And he is looking forward to becoming Chief Secretary.

Ashworth Jack told the Guardian media he turned down an opportunity to serve in the People's Partnership cabinet to prepare for the opportunity to take charge of the THA.

"When I was asked by the Prime Minister after general elections what we wanted, I said I preferred not to be a minister, as there were things I wanted to do for Tobago first," Jack told the paper.

He is confident that the momentum built up since the last Tobago election would serve him well, pointing out that TOP lost that election by only 255 votes.

"We had an increase in numbers in subsequent years, so we must be doing something right and that will continue into THA elections. Trust me," Jack told the paper.

“We regard the undecideds as our target, the people who came off the political scene and stopped voting after ANR Robinson," he explained. He began his political career working with the former PM and President, who still offers advice to Jack.

Jack is hoping for a form of internal self-government, the provision of which is outlined in the the Green Paper on Tobago now out for public comment.

Jack spoke about how the process would work. "The Cabinet will remain as the Cabinet for Trinidad, as well as Tobago. There would be certain decisions that the Cabinet will have to handle and the executive council of Tobago wouldn’t be able to change, and there will be matters which the Council will have jurisdiction over.

“For instance, you wouldn’t ask the Cabinet to make a decision on matters concerning seine fishing in Tobago that would be done by the Council. The THA would also decide on laws concerning marine sports and such things. It would be very broad," he said.

Jack said the document is similar to a previous White Paper because Reginald Dumas was involved in producing both. He said it was the PNM that has always denied Tobago internal self-government.

PNM in Tobago says reject Green Paper

Reproduced unedited from the TOBAGO NEWS

The People's National Movement (PNM) is calling on Tobagonians and Trinidadians alike to reject outright the Green Paper on Self-Government for Tobago and to see it as a Bill imposed on Tobagonians by the Attorney General Anand Ramlogan.

Speaking at a media conference at PNM's Tobago Balisier House on Monday, PRO of the Tobago Council of the PNM Dr Denise Tsoi-a-Fatt-Angus explained that the Assembly Bills approved by the House of Assembly after consultation with thousands of Tobagonians were about the "Tobagonian's voice, their views and the future they see for themselves as Tobagonians and their right to internal self-government". 

She added: "The Green Paper is the creature of the Attorney General who is attempting to foist his views upon Tobagonians and must be rejected as it represents the continued disrespect shown by this Partnership Government for the people of Tobago."

Dr. Tsoi-a-Fatt-Angus asked Tobagonians to consider what right do Ramlogan and the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) have to publish this Green Paper and ask Tobagonians to go back out and consult again in a few weeks, on a topic that has extensively been discussed over the past four years.

She said the current scenario was repeating a process that was already completed, where a nonpartisan group of well-established Tobagonians were commissioned by the THA to collate the views of Tobagonians from across the whole island.

She pointed out that voices of average Tobagonians including those of special interest groups, prominent individuals like ANR Robinson and the late Sir Ellis Clarke and political entities were documented and then debated in the House of Assembly and sent to the Prime Minister and the Attorney General under the pen of the Chief Secretary.

Dr. Tsoi-a-Fatt-Angus emphasised that the Minority Leader Ashworth Jack was involved from the start and abandoned the process at the "baton change" when it was debated in the House.

She pointed out that the farce of the Green Paper was that in essence it cannot effect changes for the Tobago House of Assembly since it only addressed the Constitutional Amendment and not the Act that gave action to the Constitution.

The PRO admonished Tobagonians not to be trapped into taking a "piece" of legislation that cannot then be enacted until another series of consultations were held.

She reiterated that had the Assembly Bills been used as the basis for the Green Paper, it would have provided the amendments to both the Constitution and the Tobago House of Assembly Act for which extensive work had already been done.

She recalled that throughout the consultations, the majority of Tobagonians wanted to be defined by international standards and marine law that gave Tobago a border of 200 nautical miles that defined their marine resource contribution to the national purse and not 10 miles as the TOP leader and Ramlogan would like.

She further reminded that persons also understood the need to protect Tobago's heritage and recommended a four-year residency status before being granted voters rights or eligibility to be elected, unlike the three months suggested by the Ramlogan's Green Paper.

Deputy Chairman, Wendell Berkley said his message for Tobago is that no one should treat Tobagonians like children.

He said neither the Green Paper nor carnival ought to be imposed on Tobagonians because they can hold their own discussions and make decisions free and fair.

REDjet loses T&T licence

The Civil Aviation Authority in Trinidad and Tobago has revoked REDJet’s licence to operate a commercial air service out of Trinidad and Tobago, effective March 30.

CAA Director General Ramesh Lutchmedial informed Ian Burns, Chairman and CEO of REDjet Limited that the Authority has no option but to revoke the licence as a result of a decision of the Barbados Civil Aviation Department to suspend the airline's Air Operators Certificate (AOC).

Lutchmedial said the suspension of REDJet’s AOC would invalidate Section 6 (1) (a) of the local Authority’s regulations, which states that as one of the conditions to grant a provisional licence is that the carrier “…has a valid AOC issued by the foreign authority,” the release said. 

REDjet ceased operations recently, citing operational and administrative problems.

From FACEBOOK: Hail to the captain

You would think that bigotry would be a thing of the past in the 21st century and that even those who still hold firm to it would at least try to pretend or conceal it. Well, some people continue to show it in the most dramatic way ... and fortunately, some others know exactly how to deal with it.

This story taken off FACEBOOK is worth reading:

A 50-something year old white woman arrived at her seat on a crowded flight and immediately didn't want the seat. The seat was next to a black man. 

Disgusted, the woman immediately summoned the flight attendant and demanded a new seat. 

The woman said "I cannot sit here next to this black man." The fight attendant said "Let me see if I can find another seat." After checking, the flight attendant returned and stated "Ma'am, there are no more seats in economy, but I will check with the captain and see if there is something in first class." 

About 10 minutes went by and the flight attendant returned and stated "The captain has confirmed that there are no more seats in economy, but there is one in first class. It is our company policy to never move a person from economy to first class, but being that it would be some sort of scandal to force a person to sit next to an UNPLEASANT person, the captain agreed to make the switch to first class." 

Before the woman could say anything, the attendant gestured to the black man and said, "Therefore sir, if you would so kindly retrieve your personal items, we would like to move you to the comfort of first class as the captain doesn't want you to sit next to an unpleasant person." 

According to FACEBOOK passengers in the seats nearby applauded the move; others gave a standing ovation.

Yes, there is still hope!

New oil find in T&T; biggest discovery in 10 years

Petrotrin announced on Thursday that is has made a significant new oil find at Soldado acreage off the Point Fortin coast, that has the potential to produce about 48 million of barrels of new oil.

The company's President designate Khalid Hassanali made the announcement at the Post Cabinet News Conference. He said the discovery was made approximately four miles off the West Coast in 60 feet of water.

He explained that four of the five wells drilled and tested produced up to 700 barrels of oil per day. The wells have heavy and very light crude oil, with the lighter grade below the heavy oil.

Khalid Hassanal and Lindsay Gillette

Hassanali said the average well on land produces less than 10 barrels of oil per day, and the average marine well produces less than 75 barrels of oil per day. "By comparison, the wells we tested, tested an initial production rate at an impressive 700 barrels per day," he said.

Hassanali said it's the largest find for Petrotrin in 10 years. He noted that a development plan for the exploration will be made after the completion of an extensive testing and evaluation program, which is already underway.

"Although full development usually takes between three and five years, we intend to commence production of the wells that have already been drilled within the next 12 months because as I said they were actually tested, they were actually producing. They are being tested right now and they are actually flowing right now," he said.

He added that the production facilities for these reserves can be located on land in Point Fortin.

Petrotrin chairman Lindsay Gillette, who also attended the media briefing, said there are other prospective reservoirs within other parts of the Soldado and North Marine acreages. He added that Petrotrin will aggressively continue to explore and appraise these areas with a view to growing its oil reserves.

"The importance of the renewed commitment of our employees in this new initiative cannot be over-emphasized," Gillette said.

PM Kamla, energy minister hail 'Jubilee' oil find

PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar holds samples of crude oil from Petrotrin's offshore fields (Express photo)

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has christened Petrotrin's new discovery of 48 million barrels of oil the 'Jubilee Discovery' since it comes in the year that Trinidad & Tobago is celebrating its 50th anniversary of Independence.

Petrotrin's President Designate Khalid Hassanali broke the news to the media Thursday at the lost cabinet news briefing.

Commenting on the news, Persad-Bissessar said the oil find is of great significance, noting that it will bring increased revenue to bolster many of the planned government development projects.

The Prime Minister said the oil find re-affirms that indeed "God is a Trini".

She added, "As a result of the jubilee discovery by Petrotrin as a state owned company decisions can be made faster and easier and you can be assured there will be no squandering of these very precious resources but every penny derived will go towards genuine people-centred development in several areas.

"So what does it now mean for the man in the street, for the citizen of Trinidad and Tobago? In a phrase if I would sum it, I would say better times in the best of initiatives that will benefit you the citizen of Trinidad and Tobago."

Persad-Bissessar said the discovery did not happen by accident or good fortune.

"Let us first be sure to accept with humility the intervention of a purpose far greater than ourselves and to give praise where praise is first due—to Almighty God for what he has bestowed upon this nation at this time," she said.

And she suggested that Petrotrin convene a day of "prayerful gratitude" to recognise the contribution of the company's employees.

She also said the discovery comes at a time when oil prices are high on the global market, adding that there will be increased revenue to the State.

"This revenue will be used to boost many of the developmental projects by my Government. The location and depth of the reserves will allow for earlier than usual production to begin so the benefits to be derived will impact positively on our economy sooner than ever," she declared.

"The news will certainly create a buzz in the sector as the provision of new geological data could lead to even more discoveries."

Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine noted the Petrotrin oil find comes on the heels of a discovery by Bayfield off the East coast of Trinidad three weeks ago. That find, he said, amounts to about 32 million barrels of crude oil. Petrotrin owns 35 per cent equity of the block Bayfield operates.

Ramnarine also stated that the Canadian energy company Parex is drilling three wells in Moruga.

"There are many who believe the deeper horizons on land particularly below 6,000 feet could hold tremendous potential for this country of an entire new oil province which we never really tapped into," Ramnarine told reporters.

He also announced that Cabinet has approved the launch of the 2012 deep water bid round for deep water blocks off the East coast and the North coast of both Trinidad and Tobago.

"I am very proud to be the Minister of Energy at this point time when Petrotrin has turned the corner and the company is turning around," Ramnarine stated.

India to outpace China to be No.1 economy by 2050: Report

The article below has been reproduced unedited from THE TIMES OF INDIA

Marine Drive, Mumbai, India

MUMBAI: India will outpace China to become the world's largest economy by 2050, boasting a GDP of $86 trillion, forecasts a report by global property firm Knight Frank & Citi Private Bank. 

Leading the elephant's charge will be Mumbai and New Delhi, which will feature in the list of top 20 cities globally within the next 10 years.

Going only by GDP growth, the wealth report says Mumbai and New Delhi will rank among the top 20 global cities in the next decade. While Mumbai is ranked 16th, New Delhi is ranked 20th in the list of cities surveyed in terms of economic activity, political power, quality of life, and knowledge and influence.

The report also named Surat and Nagpur among the fast-growing cities to watch out for by 2050. "China will overtake the US to become the world's largest economy by 2020, which in turn will be overtaken by India in 2050," said the report.

Economic centre of gravity to shift eastward

The US - currently the world's largest economy - is expected to have a GDP of $39.07 trillion by 2050.

In terms of growth from 2010-2050, India would be the second fastest with its economy growing at the rate of 8% annually during the period.

"We believe the cities to watch in 2050 are the 400 emerging market middleweights - fast growing cities with populations between 200,000 and 10 million. 

"This dynamic group includes many cities that are not household names today: Linyi, Kelamayi and Guiyang in China; Surat and Nagpur in India; Concepcion and Belem in Latin America," it said.

Citing calculations by London School of Economics professor Danny Quah, the report predicts that the world's economic centre of gravity, a theoretical measure of focal point of global economic activity based on GDP, will shift eastwards to lie somewhere between China and India. Professor Quah calculated that in 1980, it was in the middle of the Atlantic.

The growing importance of Asia is also reflected in the rise of the super-wealthy population in the region. 

For the first time, the number of Asians with at least $100 million in disposable assets has overtaken those in North America. "There are now 18,000 centa-millionaires in the region covering South-East Asia, China and Japan. This is more than North America, which has 17,000, and Western Europe with 14,000," the report says.

South-East Asian deca-millionaires (those with $10 million or more in assets) outnumber those in Europe, and are also expected to overtake those in the US in the coming decade.

(Times of India)

President passes T&T defence torch to Brig. Maharaj

File: Brig. Maharaj with Defence Minister John Sandy

President Max Richards passed Trinidad & Tobago's defence torch to Brigadier Kenrick Maharaj, urging the new defence chief to do all in his power to protect the country's borders from illicit drug-traders.

Richards made the point at the handing over parade in honour of outgoing Brigadier General Roland Maundy at the Teteron Barracks, Chaguaramas.

The President said the country is in peril and told the Defence Force members now is the time to re-commit to the fight against enemies of this country.

"The role of Brigadier Maharaj and the men and women under his command, is clear in this regard and effort must be unrelenting in defending our sovereignty because it is in peril," Richards said.

Brigadier General Maundy passed the leadership of the Defence Force to incoming Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Kenrick Maharaj.

"I will continue to lead an institution that will deliver to this country the best of human and material resources. I will continue to deliver to the State a military organisation defined by its core value of courage, loyalty, integrity, mutual respect and discipline," the new defence chief pledged.

Brigadier Maundy served for 33 years. In his parting speech he told defence personnel to stay true to the tenets of duty, honour, and loyalty to country.

"I charge you all to use these as the building blocks upon which your service is planted. Use them as the bedrock upon which your mental, physical strengths are focused as you continue in your duty," he said.

Media workers under attack by TCL strikers

Strikers at Trinidad Cement Limited turned on journalists Thursday who were trying to cover events at the strike camp. JYOTI has reproduced below a report on the incident from the Guardian newspaper:

A TCL striker uses a plastic chair to block CNC3 cameraman Ivan Toolsie and Guardian Media Limited reporter Radhica Sookraj at Trinidad Cement Limited in Mayo on Thursday morning . Photo: RISHI RAGOONATH

Angry strikers at Trinidad Cement Limited (TCL) turned on journalists yesterday, chasing them off the strike camp. They also vandalised a van belonging to a cameraman. 

The incident occurred around 8.15 am when journalists went to the strike camp to probe a report that armed police had cleared barricades at the front entrance of the TCL facility at Mayo.

The barricades were placed across the entrance on February 26, days after the strike began. The officers, accompanied by quarry manager, Taradath Ramdhanie, went to the camp and removed a 25-foot pipe which was welded across a bridge. Only five strikers were at the camp at the time and they quickly called for reinforcement. A bus transporting more than a dozen police officers kept watch at the gate.

When the Guardian and CNC3 media crew arrived at the scene, the workers braced journalists saying they wanted no coverage of the incident.

“All you get buy out. We don’t want any media here. Get out! Get out!,” one striker shouted. Another added: “Media is dogs. They carrying only the company side. What you put about the union is wrong.” 

Questioned about what exactly he was talking about, the striker began using obscene language in front of the police. One striker, wearing a green T-shirt picked up a chair and moved towards CNC 3 cameraman Ivan Toolsie. The man then used the chair to block Toolsie and Guardian photographer Rishi Ragoonath from capturing footage. 

Police officers who stood nearby, did nothing to protect media workers even though an appeal for help was made. Realising that they had no protection, the media workers left. Toolsie subsequently found his right back tyre flat. It appeared that someone had used a sharp instrument to punch a hole in the tyre.

Ramdhanie said the attack on the media was “just a taste” of what strike breakers faced on a daily basis. He said vandalism of personal property occurred regularly. Ramdhanie also said he was happy that TCL had successfully managed to return power to the Mayo plant. 

He said the slurry basins would have been damaged if the power was not restored to allow constant churning. 

Meanwhile, president general of the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) Ancel Roget promised to launch an investigation into yesterday’s incident. He said: 

“OWTU and its president general stand by my word that we are against any attack on media. The media has a job to do and they should be allowed to do their job uninhibited and free from any sort of attack.” 

Roget added: “I am going to intervene to determine the exact cause of that response and to ensure that it does not occur again. Regardless of how we feel about the report the media carries, they must be allowed to do their job.” 

Meanwhile, hardware outlets in south Trinidad continued to experience shortages of sack cement. TCL’s General Manager, Satnarine Bachew said 2,000 tonnes of cement will be offloaded from Jamaica tomorrow (Saturday) to alleviate shortages.

(Guardian media)

Feature: Shouter Baptists and their fight for recognition - by Richard Wm Thomas

One can always tell when persons seriously intend to establish an idea or organization that will last - they never plant its seed in the air; up from the ground they always build, never down from the top. And they design it as a pyramid, the most enduring earthly edifice one may conceive or construct.

One such institution was the Shouter Baptist community, whose saga today is remembered, whose triumph over long suffering is joyously celebrated. 

It is fitting then to undertake a brief review of the role the Shouter Baptist played in shaping the Trinbago political landscape...and of how, in return, the politics has recognized the significance of that contribution.

The seed of the Spiritual Baptist faith came to Trinbago courtesy the Afro-American refugees of the American war of independence who were themselves members of the earliest Black Baptist Congregations in the Southern United States of America. 

They were ex-soldiers of the "Corps of Colonial Marines" who had fought on the side of the British during the conflict Britain lost, so it was thought they wouldn't be safe in America. That brought to Trinidad & Tobago its only indigenous religious tradition.

It was rooted deep within the 19th century struggle of the Afro-American adherents of the Baptist Faith who yearned to be free also to worship and practice their Christianity with a blend of Africanism.

In short, it represented a brand of African survival - reflecting the joys, trials, tribulations and frustrations of a people whose ancestors were utterly dehumanized by being forcibly uprooted from their Motherland and her rich traditions and who could only express their yearning for home through religious or artistic expressions.

Hence, in their rituals, Spiritual Baptists place great emphasis on clapping, groaning, singing, shouting and rejoicing.

The Spiritual Shouter Baptists believe that their religion derives from the biblical John the Baptist and their name comes from the practice of immersing believers in water as a means of baptising of initiating them into their faith.

Mourning, bell ringing, visits from the Holy Spirit and a distinctive form of shouting as a means of expression, baptism, proving and mourning, the phenomenon of the possession by the Holy Spirit, the physical manifestation of possession in the shaking, dancing, speaking in tongues, and bringing back of spiritual gifts are also practices of the religion.

The religion has a complex series of ranked positions. These can be as many as 22 named ranks, although the smaller churches recognise fewer of these.

The commonly found ranks are those of Leaders, Mother, Shepherd, Pointer, Nurse, Prover, Captain and Teacher. The duties that are privileges of these positions vary somewhat, but the first two indicate the highest-ranking male and female members. 

These positions of the faith are made known to an individual during the process of 'mourning', the most important of the Spiritual Shouter Baptist rituals.

During the mourning, the initiate's spirit disembodies and travels to different places, receives spiritual instruction through visions and dreams and is told what position in the hierarchy he or she is to occupy. When the Leader decides that the time is up, usually during a Sunday service, the persons are brought back into the church building to share their experiences with the congregation.

From the perspective of the belief system, mourning involves symbolic death and resurrection in that those mourners shed their impure beings. In psycho-biological terms, the rite of mourning actually involves a period of intense physical sensory deprivation as the initiate is deprived of light and movement and receives minimal sustenance.

Partly because of their unique style of worship and dress, Spiritual Baptists reaped the derision of the upper elite and mainstream population. Still they held religious meetings, often at the side of the road, or they preached by the wayside, in tents by candlelight with the ringing of bell and blowing of conch shells. Most were simply called "Shouter Baptists" or "Shouters" who would regularly shout while worshipping.

Despite the contrived scorn, they persisted in congregating and practising their faith as their conscience dictated, unobtrusively attracting more and more followers till, driven by fear of losing their grip on the proletariat, the mainstream Christian denominations were driven to prevail upon friendly authorities to ban all Spiritual Baptist activities.

Thus was proclaimed a sordid chapter in Trinidad and Tobago's legislative history - the Shouters Prohibition Ordinance of 1917 [SPO 1917].

Ironically, the SPO 1917 introduced an era of religious oppression and persecution just at the time another oppressive saga ended, the end of East Indian Indentureship.

As with the classical act of aggressive intent, SPO 1917 was blunt, brief, bitter. 

• It unfettered the police from the niceties of a search warrant and denied those apprehended the right to trial by jury; a local magistrate dealt with such cases 
• It promised penurious penalties swiftly to be visited upon every offender - the fine was TT$240.00 at a time when the average daily wage was only 24 cents TT
• It denied the convicted any right of appeal, unlike murderers and rapists, who could seek redress all the way to the Privy Council

To this day it bewilders that mainstream Christian religions [MCRs] then connived to bring about the SPO 1917, for, by so doing, they clearly ignored their own history, since it was in a crucible of most hostile persecution, Christianity took root, as evidenced by the Passion Story which, in 2012, is retold at about the same time the annual Shouter Baptist Holiday is celebrated.

The British declaration of war against Nazi Germany came during the midst of weekly congregational worship for Shouters - at 11.15 a.m., on Sunday September 3rd 1939. British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, spoke to the nation via radio. He spoke of how Britain had given Hitler an ultimatum to withdraw from Poland after the Germans invaded Poland on September 1st.

Chamberlain's words would not have been lost upon a famous Shouter Baptist by the name of Tubal Uriah "Buzz" Butler, who, via shortwave radio, was listening attentively in his humble abode at Fyzabad, Trinidad.

Butler was detained under the WWII Defence Regulations and kept at Caledonia Island till all hostilities ended. Upon his release, Butler at once refitted his British Empire Citizens' and Workers' Home Rule Party for general elections, which were due in 1946, the first election to be held under the universal adult suffrage rule.

With the overwhelming support of the Shouter Baptists, the Butler Party won three of the nine seats in the 1946 elections. No party won more, though the United Party also won three seats.

Butler himself didn't win because, perplexingly, he opted to challenge Albert Gomes instead of staying on home territory in south Trinidad. The favourite son of the Shouter Baptists thus had to wait four more years before being able to represent his religion in the Legislative Chamber.

And represent he did.

Prior to Butler assuming office in the 1950 Council on October 20, 1950 there were many futile pleas for the repeal of the nefarious ordinance. Notable among those was the unsuccessful petition filed by the Shouter Baptists in 1940 through a united body under Bishop Elton Griffith asking for the Legislative Council to revoke the ordinance.

On 30 March 1951, within a few months of the new Legislative Council dominated by Butler being sworn into office, the bill to repeal the Shouter Baptist Prohibition Ordinance was passed.

The repeal of the Shouters Prohibition Ordinance so resonated with the masses, there was open clamour for Butler to be the leader. Thus, the cognoscenti realised they wouldn't be able to conjure up a second lightning strike in the ensuing general elections due in 1955.

So the colonial powers concluded to identify and mould a suitable alternative. Time was of the essence, for the next elections were due in 1955. By 1953 they had already found one who perfectly fitted the bill in the person called Dr. Eric Eustace Williams.

Since 1948 Dr. Williams was employed by the Caribbean Commission under a contract due to expire in 1955. It gave him ample opportunity to cultivate an affinity to the masses if he wished. He didn't, even though major social issues demanded someone like him so to do.

Williams did something which Butler had steadfastly refused to do; he launched a national political party named the People's National Movement, the first of its kind in Trinidad and Tobago. The PNM was born on January 26th 1956. And, thenceforth, the Trinbago politics has never been the same.

From 1956 onwards, the Shouter Baptist community formed an integral part of the ground troops of the PNM. Yet, never was it given the recognition due.

Shouters weren't permitted to invoke blessings at major party or government-sponsored events and their pleas for a national holiday were politely but studiously scorned. Even though "town had it to say" that every single PNM Minister had some Spiritual Leader or Mother to shield or guide them.

It would take a leader not of their tribe to do the honourable thing.

On March 30th 1996, there was jubilation such as never before seen in every Spiritual Baptist home, Church and street corner in Trinidad and Tobago, for on that day, as delivered by Basdeo Panday (he was then the Prime Minister), the Shouters were accorded a Public Holiday in part compensation for the years of ignominy they suffered both pre and post Independence.

It is March 30th 2012, the 17th anniversary of the Baptist Liberation Public Holiday and 61st year since the SPO 1917 was repealed. Thanks to the contribution of the Spiritual Baptist community, each Trinbagonian now has a sword in hand.

It's good and fitting that The Lord be allowed to help all to use it well.

Richard Wm Thomas

COP's message to mark Shouter Baptists Day

RING THE BELL FOR JOY AND JUSTICE

The Congress of the People is extremely delighted to extend warm greetings to the Spiritual Shouter Baptist community and indeed the nation, on the occasion of Spiritual Shouter Baptist Liberation Day 2012. 

It's a celebration of decades of struggle for respect and just space by our brothers and sisters of the Spiritual Shouter Baptist faith, who have carved a distinctive niche in our national landscape.

The 1917 prohibition order which made it illegal for the faith to openly practice their rituals was repealed on 30th March 1951, satisfying our nation's present constitution of the right to practice the religion of one's choice. 

On March 30th 1996 the flock further rejoiced when the first public holiday was declared ending several decades in the wilderness. It is very important that our young citizens understand the sacrifices that were made by the Spiritual Shouter Baptists.

Their work, message, love and spirituality must be supported. The Government has already made good on the promise to construct a Primary School in Maloney. 

Recently President of the Council of Spiritual Baptists, Episkopus Archbishop Barbara Gray-Burkes stated that many young African males are being lured into a life of crime because they do not have a spiritual foundation. 

Request for Secondary and Tertiary institutions for young members of the faith should be seriously considered, so that the faith can do their part to arrest the threat of social and spiritual decay in our society.

In our celebration and as we approach our 50th Independence Anniversary, let us, "Ring the bell for joy and justice." Let us never forget the pioneering soldiers of the faith who have become role models of our country.

Happy Spiritual Shouter Baptist Liberation Day 2012 and may Almighty God bless us all.

Prakash Ramadhar | Political Leader

Feature: Rowley's India experience and the absence of Jhandis

Keith Rowley recently visited India as part of a Parliamentary delegation from Trinidad and Tobago and had tea with Indian President Pratiba Patil.

If media reports on his visit are accurate, the Opposition Leader also bowed to Indian dignitaries. Yes, Rowley bowed.

Why is this important?

Well it was Rowley who made a fuss about our Prime Minister showing respect for the Indian President and bowing to her in Janaury. 

Rowley of course didn't see it that way and stated that Kamla was not representing herself or her religion but the people of Trinidad & Tobago and it was demeaning for her to bow to another head of state.

She insisted that her action was a demonstration of her respect for her elders and that she did nothing for which she had to apologise. And JYOTI supported her.

So it is interesting that Rowley found it necessary to bow to Indian dignitaries yet found nothing offensive about it. It's amazing how time and circumstance changed the PNM leader's perspective.

What it demonstrates is that Rowley saw a political opportunity to score points and ended up with some political egg on his face.

Local media also reported that Rowley remarked that he was surprised to see an absence of jhandis outside of people’s homes, compared to what obtains in Trinidad.

I am no expert in antropology but perhaps through my personal research and experience as a person who was born in a Hindu family (my father was a respected Pandit and community leader) and lived in rural Trinidad in a predominately Hindu community, I could offer an explanation about the absence of jhandis.

The jhandi is a flag hung on a bamboo pole and buried outside the homes of Hindus to signify that the people at that home offered prayers to a particular Hindu deity. The flags also marked Hindu homes.

The jhandi formed an integral part of Hindu prayers and can be found at the alter whenever prayers are offered. In India, people generally visit temples for prayers and do not plant jhandis at their homes. 

However, when they came to Trinidad as the flotsam of society, living in abject poverty in the most dehumanising conditions, Indians only solace was in their religion.

Their meagre earnings were barely enough to afford food so they were unable to erect temples for prayers. Instead their humble homes became the temples and the Pandits like my father went from home to home and performed "pooja". 

The rites included the planting of jhandis to represent two things - the recognition of the deity and a proud marker to say this is the home of a Hindu where prayers have been offered.

Later on, Hindus built temples and planted jhandis there too, but the tradition of placing them outside of their homes remain today. Even here in Canada, you will find many Hindus keeping jhandis in small pots outside of their homes.

When Basdeo Panday was Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago he performed pooja at the official PM's residence and placed jhandis in the yard. When Patrick Manning replaced Panday, Manning promptly removed the jhandis.

There was a controversy as well during the Panday administration about the planting of jhandis on the compound of the state petroleum company, Petrotrin. The Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU) objected on the grounds that a Hindu symbol should not stand on state property. The union, however, did not have a problem with churches on Petrotrin's property.

The jhandi is a Hindu symbol but it is also a traditional part of Trinidad & Tobago's national landscape. When it is recognised as such by everyone in Trinidad & Tobago then we can say we have matured as a multi-cultural society where each of us is equal.

Jai Parasram | Toronto 30 March 2012

Canada budget brings changes to old age security; GG to pay taxes

REPRODUCED FROM THE CANADIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION cbc.ca

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty delivered a budget today that cut less than the government warned, but didn't spare Old Age Security from planned changes while also taking on civil service and MP pensions.

The budget cuts $5.2 billion in spending over the next three years, at the low end of the $4 to $8 billion range Flaherty had prepared Canadians for.

Among the departments hardest hit by the cuts are the Department of Finance, the Privy Council Office - the civil servants who provide administrative support to the Prime Minister’s Office – as well as Transport Canada and the Treasury Board. National Defence lost the most money overall, with cuts hitting $1.1 billion by 2014-15.

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty says his 2012 federal budget is about jobs, growth and long-term prosperity, despite billions in spending cuts. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)

Flaherty said the budget was created for the long-term and it offers few of the targeted tax credits his government usually includes.

Changes to the age of eligibility for OAS will start in April 2023, rising gradually to age 67 from 65 by Feb. 1, 2029, affecting those born after April 1, 1958. Those who choose to work longer will be able to defer their OAS for up to five years, giving them a higher pension later. And the government will start enrolling seniors automatically for OAS and GIS, rather than making them apply, a move the NDP suggested earlier this month.

CHARTCanada's deficits and surpluses from Pearson to Harper

There were also targeted moves to appease taxpayers, such as increasing the amount people can spend cross-border shopping before paying duties, which will bring the limits into line with those of the U.S. Under the measure, Canadian travellers will be able to bring back $200 in goods after 24 hours abroad and $800 after 48 or more hours outside the country as of June 1, 2012. The current limits are $50 after a day, $200 after two days, up to $700 for a week.

And Canadians will lose the iconic but costly penny, as the Mint stops production before next fall. It can still be used, but no more will be introduced into circulation.

Some other measures in the budget:

• The governor general will start paying income taxes, but the salary will be increased to cover the difference.
• Canadians will be allowed to take more temporary work before the government claws back Employment Insurance payments.
• Ottawa will align its income assistance program with the provinces for on-reserve First Nations workers and encourage job training.
• People who applied to come to Canada under the Foreign Skilled Worker program will get refunds for their $400 application fee.
• New categories will be added to a list of recognized foreign qualification jobs, including licensed practical nurses, doctors and teachers.
• Elections Canada funding will be cut by $7.5 million a year, starting in 2012-13.
• Foreign aid and international development assistance across several departments and agencies is being cut by $377 million by 2014-15, with the Canadian International Development Agency to bear the brunt of the cuts at $319.2 million.
• The Canadian Coast Guard will get $5.2 billion over 11 years.

The CBC also got hit, with its base funding cut 10 per cent over three years, meaning a reduction of $115 million by 2014-15. But an annual $60 million programming top-up has been folded into the base funding to which the 10 per cent cut applies.

Partnership leaders meet Thursday to discuss contentious issues

File: Prakash Ramadhar with Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Jack Warner campaigning for the People's Partnership
ahead of the recent opposition no confidence vote in Parliament 

The leaders of the People's Partnership are scheduled to meet Thursday amid a threat by the leader of the Congress of the People (COP) to walk away from the coalition if his demands are not met.

Prakash Ramadhar is angry because the Mayor of San Fernando, Marlene Coudray, left his party, joined the United National Congress (UNC) and was elected by more than 7,000 UNC members to be a deputy leader of their party.

He called that "poaching" and insisted that it was a breach of the Fyzabad Declaration, claiming that the declaration provided for the Mayor of San Fernando to be a member of COP. Ramadhar has said it was "a genetleman's agreement".

JYOTI has been unable to find that in the document that created the partnership and Ramadhar has so far not explained why it took two years to notice that alleged discrepancy. 

Coudray has said that her party never nominated her for the mayor's job. Both she and UNC Deputy Leader Roodal Moonilal have stated publicly that the UNC nominated her to be mayor.

Ramadhar and the party have also not explained why they dropped Coudray as a candidate for San Fernando West in the 2010 general election when she ran for the party in 2007 and came second in the seat that the PNM won. Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan won that seat for the partnership in 2010 as a COP candidate.

The partnership comprises five members who have agreed that Kamla Persad-Bissessar, political leader of the UNC, would lead the coalition.

Other members are:

• the Congress of the People, currently led by Prakash Ramadhar
• the National Joint Action Committee (NJAC) headed by Makandal Daaga
• the Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) led by David Abdulah
• the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) Ashworth Jack

COP is the latest member to have a disagreement with the partnership. 

The MSJ has said the government has not treated labour respectfully and fairly and has given the partnership a list of 10 items that it wants fulfilled before May 24, the anniversary of the coalition's victory over the PNM.

However, MSJ Leader David Abdullah has said he does not consider his party's demands as an ultimatum.

Read the story: MSJ gives partnership until May 24 to settle 10 major issues

With respect to COP's demands and Ramadhar's position, there appears to be a strong division within the party. Sports Minister Anil Roberts has come out strongly against the position adopted by Ramadhar and COP's executive, saying they do not speak for him.

And one columnist, who is a member of COP, called on his party "to retreat from the misdirection of the ultimatum handed to the UNC and to focus its/their energies instead on the internal shortcomings within our party and the lack of structure that precipitated this matter."

Ramadhar's argument that UNC has taken away the mayorship from COP is not valid since Coudray was nominated by the UNC and therefore for two years has functioned in that capacity with an agenda more in tune with the UNC than the COP. In that time COP never raised the matter as a contentious issue.

Vernon de Lima, the party's vice-chairman, told the Express newspaper Wednesday he does not place much value on the Coudray matter. However he said, "We are a partnership. This is a breach of trust."

However he does not believe there is any threat to the partnership. He told the paper, "I am hoping the Prime Minister brings the parties together."

Anil says COP leader's demand to remove Coudray is out of line with thinking of party

Sports Minister Anil Roberts said on Wednesday the party ranks of the Congress of the People (COP) strongly oppose the call by the executive for the immediate removal of Marlene Coudray as Mayor of San Fernando.

COP political leader Prakash Ramadhar told reporters on Tuesday the United National Congress (UNC) breached the Fyzabad Declaration when it accepted Coudray as a UNC member and allowed her to run for one of the deputy leader posts in Saturday's internal election of the UNC.

Ramadhar claimed that the declaration stated that the mayor of San Fernando will be a COP member. However, JYOTI has been unable to find that provision in the declaration. What the document says is that Kamla Persad-Bissessar would be the leader and in clause 6.b it states:

"The Partners agree to select candidates and only one candidate from the partnership shall contest the General Election in each constituency in Trinidad and in Tobago and such candidate shall be the
standard-bearer for the Partners in that constituency."

Read the document: The Fyzabad Declaration - April 21, 2010

Roberts told reporters Ramadhar should reconsider his position on the issue. He called the demand by the party leader wrong, adding that it makes "no sense".

Roberts said Coudray's decision to leave the COP and join the UNC was not significant enough "to cause the fracture of a Government" and added: "For my leader to say he is going to mash up the Government because one lady chose to go to another party...it baffles me."

Roberts, who ran against Ramadhar for the leadership of COP when Winston Dookeran stepped down, said Ramadhar "does not speak for me and I am a member of COP." 

Roberts insisted that Coudray cannot be more important than dealing with crime, labour issues and food production challenges facing the country today. 

"To say that the Fyzabad Declaration was signed with the COP having a mayoral position is ludicrous.

"The main tenets of it was not about seat allocation and who gets what, it was about policies and programmes...I don’t see that the Fyzabad Declaration says if we don’t get a seat come out...or if we lose a mayor or a position, come out.”

He described Ramadhar’s position as "simplistic". He added that "it is puerile, it is childish and I would not be in support of that whatsoever. So I will ask my leader to rethink his position." 

The Sports Minister suggested that the matter could hurt the leader. "He has not thought it out, it makes no sense and it is not that important when compared to problems in the society."