The current NCIC president, Deokienanan Sharma, praised Hanoomansingh, who was honoured earlier this year with an honorary Doctor of Sciences (DSc) degree for excelling and contributing significantly in the field of culture.
Sharma noted that Hanoomansingh rose from very humble beginnings in central Trinidad to become a national icon, especially in the fields of broadcasting and culture.
“Hans came from a very depressed area in central Trinidad and from an equally depressed family, and who sold at the Chaguanas market to assist his family, to become a national icon loved by most, disliked by a few, but highly respected by all,” Sharma said.
Sharma noted that Divali Nagar was Hanoomansingh’s "crowning achievement" in the field of culture. Hanoomansingh conceptualised the project and launched Divali Nagar at Mid Center Mall in 1986, long before NCIC acquired the current permanent site for the Nagar.
NCIC members presented Hanoomansingh with several paintings and gifts.
Hanoomansingh told the gathering his stint as a Member of Parliament allowed him to better understand the needs East Indians. He illustrated the point with a story about an Indian singer who had recieved a scholarship to study in India but no provision was made for the cost of travel.
He said the NCIC head at the time approached MPs for a donation to send a singer to India.
“So I had to give from my pay which was $480 back then,” he said, adding that the then NCIC head Gopie received the amount but it signalled the start of many more ideas to promote culture through educating the public.
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