Letter: Keshorn deserved his Olympic Holiday

You just can't please some people in this country.

I commend the Prime Minister and the Government for having the courage to do the right thing regardless of “kuchoor-makers" and obstructionists.
It is a normal tradition for major achievements to be marked with a national holiday and it is a high tribute to the honoree.

Keshorn’s victory befits such a gesture. In fact, it could be the most special medal of the entire 2012 Olympic Games.

The Olympic men's javelin event has been dominated by Europeans for the last 60 years. And now that record is broken by a rookie, 19-year-old from a tiny little village in a tiny little country. He is the youngest person in history to take gold in the javelin event and the first in the Western Hemisphere. The world is still stunned by his achievement.

Further, T&T could have only smelled Olympic Gold for the last 36 years after our first taste from Hasley Crawford.

On the eve of our Golden Independence Anniversary, Keshorn brings us hope and joy.

The critics against the national holiday are misguided and some seem to be unpatriotic, short-sighted and selfish.

They place no value on national pride and building harmony and togetherness. They see value only in the lining of their pockets.

The complaint of loss in productivity is flawed. The nation would have been distracted in any way by the return of our Golden Boy. Many people would have taken a day off to go to the airport to welcome him, while others would have been glued to their tv sets to be part of this historic occasion.

Keishan Davis | Valencia