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Thursday, July 29, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Groups question success of Trinidad summit -
Groups question success of Trinidad summit
Published: Wednesday | April 22, 2009
Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister Patrick Manning signs the final declaration of the fifth Summit of the Americas in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Sunday, April 19. Manning was the sole signatory. The confab of 34 heads of government from within the hemisphere was overshadowed by Cuba, and Hugo Chávez, who grabbed centre stage with the unexpected presentation of a book to United States President Barack Obama that detailed Latin America's beef with the superpower over many decades.
News reports highlighted the erection of a new wall that did not entirely block the urban blight of Port-of-Spain, others wondered where was the beach amid organisational glitches at the fifth Summit of the Americas.
Now civil society groups in the Americas said Tuesday they were still awaiting the promised action and implementation plan that was supposed to have emerged from the Fifth Summit of the Americas and the Port-of-Spain Declaration.
Sole signatory
Trinidad's Patrick Manning was the sole signatory to the declaration.
The Active Democracy Network (ADN), whose membership spans 24 countries said it had expected more of a commitment on a number of issues including poverty alleviation from the western hemispheric leaders.
"In the areas where we expected assigned deadlines and responsibilities, the Summit merely adopts UN deadline of 2015 for the alleviation of poverty and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals at a time when the UN is itself reviewing that deadline - just five years away," said ADN spokesperson Dr Kris Rampersad.
Strategic actions
"The only clauses that assert accountability from governments are Clause 66, which merely 'instructs' governments to meet again in 2010 on the Inter-American Program for Sustainable Development (PIDS); Clause 90, which calls on 'the technical secretariats of all Inter-American Ministerial Meetings to inform their ministers and high level authorities of the mandates arising from this summit and to initiate strategic actions, by the end of 2009, to facilitate the implementation of our commitments."
Clause 99 instructs ministers of finance or pertinent authorities to convene a meeting in 2010 to address regional financial and economic issues.
But: "Will the financial and economic crisis wait until we reach to Clause 99 and 2010?," said Rampersad, reeling off a series of questions on the action plan post summit, Caribbean priorities, and solutions and projects identified for food, energy and environmental crises.
97 new commitments
"These are questions that remain unanswered in the Declaration. In essence, it implies that we seem to have held a Summit to instruct all attending to commit to meet again," said Rampersad.
The Port-of-Spain Declaration, she said, was no different than the some 634 mandates and commitments that governments of the region have signed on to over the last four summits, on which some 60 per cent of the governments have taken no action.
"This Summit, in fact, adds 97 more commitments to the 634 others, while leaving open the questions of who is going to implement them, given the token signing of the declaration by the Chair, Prime Minister Patrick Manning, seemingly on behalf of the meeting," said Rampersad.
- CMC
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Protocol training for local govt women
Protocol training for local govt women
Mon Jul 19 2010
Female candidates in the upcoming local government elections will participate in a protocol training programme for women. It takes place today at the International Relations boardroom at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine.
A release from co-ordinator (sic - read Director) of the Network of NGOs for the Advancement of Women, Dr Kris Rampersad, said: "One of the major issues that surfaced in the recent national election and that is likely to surface in the current local campaign has been how women impact upon the political environment and sphere." Rampersad said the workshop would help sensitise women candidates to issues, prepare them for potential challenges and provide strategies on how to avoid and positively impact on the political sphere in which they function.
The programme will be facilitated by protocol consultant Lenore Dorset, network co-ordinator Hazel Brown and Rampersad. The programme is part of the network's campaign to "engender" local government and increase, not just the numbers, but also the quality of women candidates in the elections. For more on training visit www.krisrampersad.com
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Sati and Shiva: Attachment to the Unattached
An old saying asks one never to go where one gets too much respect. This is because getting too much attention is a sure recipe for developing a temperament accustomed to throwing tantrums at the slightest perceived disrespect. Therefore, one should never cultivate the habit of receiving too much respect or honor. Not following this precept once led to a very unfortunate sequence of events, and finally it took the might of Lord Vishnu and Shiva to set things on their right course.
It so transpired that in a gathering of distinguished personalities, including Lord Shiva, Daksha, Shiva's father in law, made a splendorous entry shining brilliantly like a second sun. The assembly immediately rose to its feet, all except his son in law.
Now, Daksha was a great king of kings, much used to getting honor and respect wherever he went. To him, Shiva's not getting up to welcome him was an extreme insult, and he was unable to digest it. He looked at Shiva sideways with wrath and addressed the gathering:
"Listen to me, O' distinguished people. I wish to speak to you of the behavior of civilized persons and whatever I speak is not out of jealousy or ignorance. This Shiva is shameless, and is ruining the reputation of this distinguished gathering. By marrying my virtuous daughter, he is in a sense equivalent to my son; therefore, it would have been but basic courtesy on his part to get up and welcome me. However, he lacks even that, and did not bother to utter at least some words of respect when I entered. It was with reluctance and only on the advice of Lord Brahma that I gave away my delicate young daughter to him in marriage. He lives surrounded with ghosts and spirits. He bathes his body with ashes from funeral grounds and wanders around naked with his hair scattered like one possessed, sometimes laughs and sometimes cries. He wears a necklace of human heads and ornaments his body with bones. He is but Shiva (pure) in name only, actually he is Ashiva (impure)."
Thus did Daksha sputter venom. However, throughout this diatribe, Lord Shiva sat unperturbed, without retaliating. This enraged Daksha even more and he got up to curse Shiva: "From now on, in sacrifices (yajna), this Shiva will not receive a share of the sacrificial offerings." Then in a great rage he left the place and retired to his home.
Hearing of the curse, Nandi, the vehicle of Shiva, too uttered a curse on Daksha in return saying: "Only those obsessed with the physical body would dare to find fault with Lord Shiva, the embodiment of detachment (Vairagya). May that Daksha, who cherishes such a viewpoint, be always occupied with his physical existence only and be far removed from the path of spiritual upliftment. He is continually engaged in gratifying sensual pleasures and is therefore much attached to the householder's life which is full of pseudo-religious practices. He thinks of the body as his soul, and is therefore as good as a beast. He will therefore become intensely addicted to women and have the head of a goat. Enemies of Lord Shiva like Daksha shall always be infatuated with karma and remain entangled in the cycle of death and rebirth. The Brahmins who endorsed his cursing of Lord Shiva shall leave aside the scriptural injunctions regarding what is eatable and what is not and will devote themselves to learning (vidya), penances (tapas), vows (vratas) only for the sake of earning their livelihood. They will delight only in the pleasures of the body, and wander about begging in the world."
On hearing this curse, a bearded sage from the side of Daksha named Bhrigu too cursed the followers of Shiva in return: "Those who are the followers of Shiva will act contrary to the scriptures. They shall be devoid of purity and good conduct, and anointing themselves with ashes will be initiated into the tradition of Shiva, where wine will be granted a divine status."
This cursing and counter-cursing made Lord Shiva disconsolate and he left the gathering.
A long time after this episode, Sati Devi, the wife of Shiva, observed numerous airplanes carrying heavily ornamented beautiful women along with their spouses. Evidently they were all going to attend some festivities. On enquiry it was revealed that her father Daksha had organized a huge Yajna (Vedic sacrifice), and all were invitees going there. Much excited on hearing of the festivities going on at her father's house, she turned to address Shiva:
"My Lord, I have heard that your father in law King Daksha has organized a big round of sacrificial festivities at his house. See, all the gods are going there. If you wish, we too can go there. My other sisters will definitely be going there along with their husbands. I too wish to receive the gifts offered by my parents. I am eager to see my mother and aunts gathered there. In addition, we will also able to witness the great Vedic sacrifice conducted by great sages. My dear Lord, you are beyond the vagaries of Nature and hence have no desire to go or meet anyone. However, I am but a poor woman, unaware of these spiritual niceties. I therefore long to see my birthplace. Look at these other women richly adorned and going with their husbands in droves, with their white swan-like airplanes beautifying the skyline."
"Dear Lord, which daughter can remain unmoved on hearing of a festival in her father's house? Remember, the scriptures say that one can go uninvited to the houses of their friends, husbands, gurus and parents. Therefore, O' Great Compassionate One, you, who have given me space in half portion of your body, do grant me this desire."
Thus earnestly entreated by his beloved wife, Shiva was painfully reminded of the bitter words of his father in law; however, he replied to her with a smile: "O' charming lady, you are right when you say that one can go to one's loved one's even uninvited. However, this is the case only when their viewpoint is not clouded by their powerful ego. Learning, wealth, beauty, high birth etc are exalted qualities in the case of the good, but for the wicked, they are the means of degradation, since they get puffed up with pride and are therefore unable to appreciate the glory of the great. Thinking them to be their 'relatives,' one should never go the houses of those who look upon the visitor with a frown and angry looks."
"O'Devi, the arrows of an enemy do not wound one as much as the harsh words of one's crooked relatives because in the former case at least one can find rest in sleep, but the latter suffers day and night with a tormented heart. I know that you are the favorite of your father, even then dear one, you will not get proper attention at your father's house because he is envious and harbors a grudge against me."
"O' lady with a slender waist, you may wonder why I did not honor Daksha in that ill-fated assembly? The answer is that those established in the Absolute Truth pay obeisance only to the Supreme Person Vaasudeva enshrined in the heart of all. A pure heart is called Vasudev (father of Krishna), in it is made manifest Vaasudeva (Krishna). Hence, it is to that Absolute Person, who unveils himself in pure hearts do I perform my Namaste. Therefore my beloved, he who abused me even though I was not at fault, even though he is the one who has given birth to your body, you should not consider seeing him because he breeds enmity towards me. If you go there ignoring my advice, it won't bide good for you because when a reputable individual suffers insult from his or her relatives, that indignity becomes the immediate cause of their death."
Having said this much Lord Shiva became silent. He realized that whether Devi Sati goes or not, in both cases there was a chance of her giving up her life. Meanwhile Sati, intensely eager to meet her relatives, sometimes went outside the door, and sometimes returned fearing Shiva would get upset. Thus oscillating like a pendulum and undecided she burst out into copious tears and with her body trembling looked askance at Shiva as if to burn him down. Then she lost her judgment and becoming captive of her essentially feminine nature, did the unthinkable. She defied him, who out of affection had given half of his body to her, and taking long breaths set out towards her parents house.
Seeing her go alone, several of Shiva's followers set out to accompany her. It was not long before the entourage reached her father's residence, which at that time was reverberating with sacred Vedic Chants. Contrary to her expectations, she was treated with indifference by Daksha. Only her mother and sisters welcomed her openly and embraced her. The rest of the assembly, afraid of upsetting Daksha, made no signs of welcoming her.
Devi Sati, not at all welcomed by her father, did not accept the seat of honor respectfully offered to her by her mother and maternal aunts. Nor did she pay attention to her sister's affectionate enquiries about her health etc. Not only that, she observed that in that sacrifice, even though seats had been reserved for the gods, there was none reserved for her husband, the Great Lord Shiva. This greatly agitated Sati and it seemed that she would destroy the world with the fire of her anger. Shiva's followers forming her entourage too observed the dishonor meted out to their master and were about to kill Daksha when they were restrained by Sati. With all the assembled gathering hearing her words, she censured Daksha, her voice faltering with the intensity of her anger:
"Father, who else but you would behave inimically towards Lord Shiva, who is above enmity? There is nobody superior to Lord Shiva in the world. He is the beloved soul of all beings, he neither favors nor disfavors anyone. Hence, he has no differences with anyone. Jealous people like you discover faults in the virtues of others. Great people not only do not see any defect, they view the minutest merit in others with a large magnifying glass. You are indeed inauspicious because you hate the supremely auspicious Shiva, whose very name, uttered incidentally by the tongue even once, destroys all sins. The bee-like hearts of eminent sages hover around his lotus feet ever eager to taste the bliss of Brahmananda (bliss of being absorbed in divinity)."
"You say that Shiva is Ashiva. Perhaps the other gods do not know this because they feel honored in adorning their heads with flowers fallen from the same Shiva who dwells in the cremation grounds and beautifies himself with ashes and skulls lying there. When unrestrained people criticize the Supreme Lord Shiva, protector of Dharma, one should shut one's ears and leave the place. Or if one has the power he should cut off the tongue of the person, and if the need arise one should even lay down one's life if necessary to prevent such slander."
"Therefore, I will not retain this body which is born of you, because wise people say that the remedy for eating impure food is to vomit it out. Vedic injunctions do not apply to those who revel in the Supreme Self enshrined in all. The Vedas prescribe two paths -
1). Pravritti Dharma: The path of karma,
2). Nivritti Dharma: The path of renunciation.
These two cannot be simultaneously followed by the same person. However, Shiva, being the Supreme God, does not need to follow any of these two paths. Father, our affluence is unmanifest, to be enjoyed only by Avadhutas (those who have renounced everything). People like you, following the path of smoke (generated by the sacrificial fires) can never appreciate this absolute wealth. I feel ashamed of my unworthy father. It is a disgrace to be born from a parent who commits an offence against the great. When in a light mood Lord Shiva will call out to me "O' daughter of Daksha", then, forgetting the light-heartedness behind it, I will become extremely pained. Therefore, I shall give up this corpse-like body begotten from you."
Having vented her feelings thus, Devi Sati, wearing a yellow garment, sat down on the ground with her face to the north. She closed her eyes and entered the yogic path for casting off her material body. Concentrating on the lotus feet of her beloved Lord Shiva, she became completely absorbed and lost track of everything else. The intense heat of her yogic powers then set ablaze her body, the same body, which at many times, Shiva had lovingly placed in his lap.
Immediately there arose in the gathering an enormous uproar of grief: "Alas, provoked by her father, Sati the beloved wife of Shiva has given away her life. Look at the enormous wickedness of Daksha, his pure-hearted daughter who ever deserved honor, had to give up her life due to the insults inflicted by him. This intolerant Daksha will reap great infamy in this world. He did not even care to prevent his daughter while she was preparing to end her life."
While the people were thus lamenting, Shiva's attendants who had accompanied Sati, on seeing her miraculous self-immolation, rose with weapons in their hands to kill Daksha. Seeing their aggressive vehemence, Bhrigu, from Daksha's side, created out of the sacrificial fire numerous divine beings who rushed out and drove back the followers of Shiva.
 Virabhadra, Shiva's Most Trusted Guard |
Soon Shiva learnt of his wife's humiliation and subsequent death. Enraged, he plucked a hair from his matted locks and with a loud laughter dashed it on the ground. Immediately there arose a being of colossal size, touching the skies by his stature. He had sharp fangs and his locks of hair were red like dazzling flames. He was holding aloft various weapons. Shiva then ordered this manifestation of his wrath named Virbhadra, to go and destroy both Daksha and his sacrifice.
When the thundering approach of Virbahdra was heard in Daksha's sacrificial ground, the women there murmured amongst themselves: "Surely this is the consequence of the sin committed by Daksha, when he slighted his innocent daughter Sati and also offended Lord Shiva. What good can ensue for someone who enrages Lord Shiva?"
Much perturbed and fearful, the assembly in Daksha's sacrifice sat speculating and looking at each other. In the meanwhile Virbhadra, along with other followers of Shiva, reached the venue and immediately set about destroying the Yajna. Some broke the pillars supporting the whole structure, some the sacrificial utensils, and some destroyed the kitchen and storeroom. Many sacrificial fires were put out and supporters of Daksha were threatened. Virabhadra himself caught hold of Daksha and seating himself on his chest tried to cut off his head with a sharp sword. However, even after a lot of effort he was unable to behead him. Much surprised, Virbhadra then proceeded to cut the head of Daksha in the same manner that the latter used to sacrifice animals in his yajnas. As soon as he succeeded, there arose a cry of "well done" "bravo" from amongst the followers of Shiva. Virabhadra then threw Daksha's head into fire and proceeded to burn down the whole structure. Having accomplished what he had been ordered to do, he then returned to Lord Shiva's abode, Mount Kailash.
The assembled gods, sages and priests were overwhelmed with fear on thus being defeated by the accomplices of Shiva. They collected together and hurried over to Lord Brahma, requesting his help. Brahma and Lord Vishnu both knew that the Yajna was doomed from the beginning because it had not reserved a place of honor for Lord Shiva. Hence, they had prudently taken the precaution of not attending it. Now hearing all what had happened, Brahma replied to them:
"All of you have committed an offence against Lord Shiva by excluding him from the sacrificial offerings. Now with pure hearts go and take refuge in his lotus feet, because he is one who gets propitiated very easily. You should immediately beg his pardon, much bereaved as he is with the loss of his wife's life. Otherwise, his rage is bound to destroy the world."
However the gods and sages were still fearful of facing Shiva by themselves. Therefore, Brahma took the initiative and went along with them to Shiva's abode. There they saw Shiva seated with his left foot on his right lap, and his left hand on the left knee. A rosary of Rudraksh was on wrapped around wrist. He was discoursing on the Supreme Absolute Truth, and many saints were listening to him in rapt attention.
Seeing Brahma Ji, Lord Shiva immediately sprung to his feet and bowed to him with respect. The host of saints around Shiva also did the same. Brahma then smilingly addressed Lord Shiva:
"I know you are the Lord of the Universe (even then you pay homage to me). You yourself have created the institution of Yajna for the protection of Vedic Dharma. Anger cannot overwhelm those who surrender to your lotus feet (then how can it affect you?). Exalted ones like you do not kill even those wicked one who constantly burn with jealousy at the prosperity of others and are naturally disposed to hurt others feelings, knowing very well that they doomed by providence itself. If someone, deluded by Lord Vishnu's powerful Maya, offends the great, righteous ones like you consider the offence an act of providence and do not try to stop whatever is trying to happen."
"You are untouched by Maya, you should therefore show grace on those who, affected by maya, are attached to karma. O' Lord, please revive the sacrifice of Daksha, which remained incomplete due to the petty mindedness of those performing it. May Daksha come to live again and may also all those dismembered by your followers be restored to health. O' Shiva, whatever shall remain after the completion of a Yajna from now on will be your share. O' destroyer of sacrifice, let this Yajna now be completed."
Lord Shiva heard out Brahma patiently and then replied smiling: "I do not pay attention nor think about the offences committed by people like Daksha, who are under the spell of Lord's Maya. I only chastise them slightly (much less than what their conduct deserves) as a punishment. The head of Daksha has been burnt; he may now live with the face of a goat. All the rest of the priests, sages etc, too may be restored to health."
Hearing Shiva's soothing words, all present there were satisfied and shouted out in unison: "Glory to Lord Shiva." Then they cordially invited Shiva to accompany them to the venue of the sacrifice, to which he complied. They followed Shiva's instruction to the letter and joined the head of the sacrificial goat to Daksha's trunk. While the head was being joined, Shiva cast a gracious look at it, and lo! Daksha got up though from sleep and saw Shiva in front of him. He was however not the same Daksha of before. Shiva's compassionate glance on him had purified him, and the same heart which once harbored intense hatred against Shiva, was now restored to its pristine purity like a pool in autumn. He tried to address Shiva but, remembering his deceased daughter, he was overwhelmed with emotion and affection. However, he controlled himself and with a choked throat said:
 Dakhsa pays homage to Shiva |
"O' Venerable Lord, Even though I disrespected you, you showed a great favor by meting out a corrective punishment to me. I did not know your essence and hence pierced you with my sharp words in the assembly. However, you compassionate one did not pay heed to my mistake. Due to my offence, I was destined to fall down into dark hells, but you saved me with your compassionate glance."
Having thus apologized to Lord Shiva, Daksha then set out to restore the sacrifice, with the help of the priests and sages. No sooner had Daksha taken up the oblation in his hand than there appeared before him the Supreme Lord Vishnu himself. All present there bowed to him with folded hands.
 Hari-Hara (A Composite Image Vishnu and Shiva) |
Lord Vishnu said: "I, Brahma and Shiva are one and the same. It is only the ignorant who view Brahma and Shiva as different from me. We three are essentially one, and only that individual, who sees no difference between us, can get real peace."
Conclusion:
The word 'daksha' in Sanskrit means 'efficient in performing karma'. It points to the materialistic, logical mode of thinking, which is the way most of us lead our lives. Shiva represents faith, and Sati denotes our intellect (buddhi). When the buddhi leaves faith and joins logic, it is but self-immolation. The scriptures clearly state that in case of a dispute between husband and father, a woman's duty is to side with her husband. Thus in a dispute between logic and faith, it is to the latter that we must cling to. It is but the natural state of our intellect. In the case of Sati too, we observe that while she was at her husband's place, it was affection for her father that was dominating; and at her father's house, affection for her husband came to the fore. Actually, attachment to Shiva (faith) was all the while lying dormant inside her and it only needed a spark to manifest forth. However much the buddhi tries to cling to its logical moorings, it will find rest only on the shore of absolute faith.
Well-dressed gentlemen addicted to the material life of the householder do not have any attachment for semi-clad saints. Winston Churchill never met Gandhi, calling him a 'half-naked fakir.' However, the company of these very saints is said to unshackle the bonds of worldly life:
'While attachment to worldly objects is the mighty chain fettering down the soul to samsara, this same very attachment, when transferred to saints, is the open door to liberation.' (Shrimad Bhagavatam 3.25.20)
 Kailashpati on Kailash (Meditating Shiva) with Shivalinga of Ice |
The way of the saints is beyond the comprehension of the worldly. They do bhakti wherever they are seated, not requiring specially marked places (temples etc) like we do. Shiva, who is always in a state of constant samadhi, was doing so in that gathering too. When Daksha entered the assembly hall, at that moment too Shiva was seated with his eyes closed in inward trance. What is there to see in this world for exalted ones like Lord Shiva?
Daksha chastises Shiva for living in the cremation grounds. The whole world is a cremation ground. Kashi itself is a big cremation ground for all to see. Even the house is a cremation ground. This suggests that Shiva, the Supreme God, lives everywhere. He reviles Shiva for being the god of spirits and ghosts. If Shiva were not there to accept such fallen souls, who could they look upto for spiritual upliftment? Lord Vishnu accepts only the highest quality Vaishnavas, much purified by penances, conduct etc. What about impure creatures, who is going to look after them? It is the magnanimous Shiva who does this job. Shiva does not seem to follow the established code of conduct. Why should he? He is beyond the shackles of Maya, and therefore beyond the injunctions of the Vedas.
The Bhagavatam clearly says:
'Shiva has no relative or non-relative in this world. Nobody is specially respectable or condemnable to him. There is none equal or superior to him. He is the ultimate goal of saintly people, yet chooses for himself a ghastly way of life. This is because he wishes to remind us that this body is but destined to be food for dogs. Those unfortunate people who delight in decorating it with fine garments, ornaments, garlands etc, don't understand Shiva, who is ever absorbed in self-bliss.' (3.14.25-27)
One thing definitely is for sure; no progress is possible for those who criticize Lord Shiva or those, who like Daksha, give no part of their worship to him.
References and Further Reading
- Dogre, Shri Ramachandra Keshav. Shrimad Bhagavat Rahasya (Collection of Discourses): Delhi.
- Saraswati, Swami Akhandananda Bhagawatamrit (The Elixir of the Bhagwat) Mumbai, 2005.
- Saraswati, Swami Akhandananda. Bhagavata Darshan (Collection of Discourses in Two Volumes): Mumbai, 2003.
- Saraswati, Swami Akhandananda (tr). Shrimad Bhagavata Purana (2 Volumes): Gorakhpur, 2004.
- Swami, Shridhar. Commentary on the Shrimad Bhagavatam: Delhi, 2003.
- Tagare, G.V. (tr). The Bhagavata Purana (5 Volumes (Annotated)) Delhi, 2002.
- Tejomayananda, Swami. Shrimad Bhagavata Pravachan (Discourses on The Shrimad Bhagavata Purana): Mumbai, 2006.
From
Legacy of Black Power is more than just dashikis
Legacy of Black Power is more than just dashikis
by
20100511
Ravi Ji
The Hon Prime Minister challenged Chief Servant Makandal Daga to account for an episode at a Catholic church during the Black Power days of the 1970s.
He has also signaled an alarm to Catholics. Mr Manning, in my mind, reduces the entire seventies–Black Power, African identity, opportunities for all beyond colour of skin, relevant education, freedom from prejudice lingering in post-independence institutions–solely to the event at the church in which Black Power protestors draped black cloth across white statues. Mr Manning also derided Daaga for still wearing his African dashiki. I will not condone desecration to a sacred place. But was this an act of desecration?
This is why we, including the Hon Prime Minister, have to be educated about the seventies. Given that 2010 marks the 40th anniversary of the Black Power Revolution and 125th Anniversary of Jahajee Massacre, this is the kind of discussion, the TT Commission to Unesco could have engaged in this year of Rapproachement of Cultures. So, was it a desecration or a ritual of reclamation? Was it a dramatic ritualising by black children of Africa, staking claim to the God they had come to accept in lieu of their own demonised God, Oludumare, and re-making Him in their own black image and likeness?��This is important, since identity, self-esteem and loss of culture were critical to the Black Power movement. For Africans, black is not skin deep, but a deep prejudice and a heavy burden; listen to composer's calypso, Black.
This anthropophagic phenomenon is universal and expressed in diverse ways and intensities. The Chinese look of the Indian-born Bhagwan Buddha evolved through gradual artistic ritualisation and so too has Carnival music. African slaves employed the reverse of this art of survival in masking their divinities under the guise of Catholic saints. It is also instructive that the Cathedral was not vandalised, as were, say, mandirs in T&T, on August 4, 2007 and 2008, back to back.
The Prime Minister's reductionism of the seventies to the lone episode at the church is a disservice to the many leaders of Black Power and calypsonians like Stalin and others who have immortalised the seventies, like Bro Valentino who sang,"Doh matter how they try to tarnish those sacred memories, I will never forget the Roaring Seventies," and Chalkie who advocates, "Say thanks to Daaga!" The disservice extends not only to Daga, Khafra and Eintou but to all–including Indians and Catholics who sympathised and participated in the Black Power movement.
With rapidly changing technologies in media, many of our knowledge resources are fast disappearing or becoming inaccessible. We are in the process of digitising our archives representing more than 30 years of contemporary Caribbean development linked to more than 10,000 years of regional pre and post colonial history and heritage. Make contact.
To support, sponsor, collaborate and partners with our digitisation efforts. Or to develop your own legacy initiatives, and safeguard, preserve, multimedia museum, galleries, archives, make contact.
Political parties should discuss women issues during campaign
Legacy of Black Power is more than just dashikis | The Trinidad Guardian
Press Releases - Women’s roles revisited…..Dr. Kris Rampersad
Press Releases - Women’s roles revisited…..Dr. Kris Rampersad
With rapidly changing technologies in media, many of our knowledge resources are fast disappearing or becoming inaccessible. We are in the process of digitising our archives representing more than 30 years of contemporary Caribbean development linked to more than 10,000 years of regional pre and post colonial history and heritage. Make contact.
To support, sponsor, collaborate and partners with our digitisation efforts. Or to develop your own legacy initiatives, and safeguard, preserve, multimedia museum, galleries, archives, make contact.
Political parties should discuss women issues during campaign
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Jamaica praised for role in making of first woman PM
JAMAICA MAKE ME PM'
The only woman among 15 regional leaders, Persad-Bissessar on Sunday celebrated her ties with the host country of the 31st Caricom Heads of Government Meeting, saying Jamaica, where she lived for 14 years, influenced her career in politics. She also found love in this country, but did not say who had won her heart.
“Jamaica was once my home for some 14 years. I studied here, fell in love here, taught here and attended my first political meeting right here in Jamaica. So in a sense one can say that Jamaica helped prepare me in becoming Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. I guess if my political opponents knew this would occur they would have done everything in their power to ensure I stayed right here,” Persad-Bissessar said in her debut address to Caricom leaders at the Half Moon Hotel at Montego Bay.
“May I add that I also spent a few years in Barbados as well, in fact, my son is Barbadian born. And I believe such experiences help to sharpen an understanding of that unique Caribbean identity and perspective,” Persad-Bissessar said, who is married to Dr Gregory Bissessar.
She learnt many life lessons from her years in Jamaica and Barbados which contributed to her ascendancy as a leader in Trinidad and Tobago.
“During those early periods of my life I never dreamt I would be one day addressing such an esteemed group of Caribbean leaders at all, much less as Prime Minister of my nation.
But I guess one can never underestimate the education of a Caribbean experience, especially that of a woman who encounters it,” she said.
Although she leads a new government in Trinidad and Tobago, Persad-Bissessar assured this country remains committed to supporting its Caricom neighbours, pausing to extend her sympathy to President of Haiti Rene Preval over the devastating earthquake which killed thousands in the impoverished nation on January 12.
“The fortitude, dignity and resilience demonstrated by the people of our sister isle state of Haiti in the wake of this terrible event have won profound respect,” she said, renewing a pledge to continue to provide aid to Haiti.
Persad-Bissessar said Caricom remains a symbol “for an improved quality of life for all in the region”, and made an appeal for leaders to “reduce poverty throughout the community so that all our people can enjoy a higher standard of living”.
She held up several early initiatives of her government as examples, such as the $100 million Life Fund, proposing a similar Caricom Life Fund to help provide better care for sick children. President of Guyana Bharrat Jagdeo welcomed this proposal yesterday saying his country is now pursuing similar initiatives. Jagdeo also said greater effort must be made to protect women who are single heads of households in the region.
Jagdeo himself came in for praise from Persad-Bissessar, who commended him for receiving the Champion of the Earth award from the United Nations for Guyana’s low carbon emission programme.
As Guyana has done, Trinidad and Tobago too is adopting measures to protect the environment, such as the Clean Up and Beautify initiative which the Government launched on June 27, Persad-Bissessar told the leaders.
Stating it was the “largest collaborative effort between government and the private sector ever introduced”, Persad-Bissessar also disclosed plans to introduce tough anti-littering legislation, and again held such programmes up as examples that could be implemented across the Caribbean.
“I long for the day when I can learn of a pan-Caribbean approach within a specific initiative in dealing with environmental issues,” she said, further stating that the resources of the Petroleum Fund should be allocated to promote sustainable development of the region, as well as education. It can also be used to support a Caricom Life Fund, she suggested.
Noting her role as lead Caricom Prime Minister with responsibility for matters relating to Crime and Security, Persad-Bissessar again called for cooperation among states to “strengthen the peace and security of the region”.
“In the Caribbean, guaranteeing public safety cannot be confined to military and police action. The dimensions of criminal activity are increasingly associated with human trafficking, repatriation of deportees, money laundering, the trade of illicit drugs and firearms and other forms of organised crime and terrorism.
“Trinidad and Tobago remains committed to bolstering the security of the region as it is one of the cornerstones which must be strengthened to ensure that the foundation for the collective prosperity of our region remains solid,” she said.
Commending Persad-Bissessar, Prime Minister of Jamaica Bruce Golding said Caricom is fortunate to have her as one of its leaders as the regional body faces a defining moment in its history.
“I want to congratulate her on her historic achievement. My colleague Heads and I look forward to the wisdom which she will bring to our deliberations. Trinidad and Tobago has always played a significant role in Caricom and we have every confidence that it will continue to do so under her leadership.”
Golding thanked Persad-Bissessar for accepting his invitation to remain in Jamaica after the Caricom meeting ends tomorrow for a two-day working visit.
“We have so many things to discuss,” he stated. Persad-Bissessar is expected to discuss the Caribbean Airlines-Air Jamaica arrangement when she meets Golding.
for more go to: https://krisrampersad.com/
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Trinidad's PM breaks the cultural mould
Following her election victory, continuing to break the glass ceiling
Trinidad's PM breaks the cultural mould
By Nazma Muller
Trinidad
Ms Persad-Bissessar is a devout Hindu
Barely 24 hours after she was sworn in as the first woman prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Kamla Persad-Bissessar donned a life jacket and waded into the flood waters to tour areas affected by torrential rains sweeping across the Caribbean.
A devout Hindu, she swore on the Bhagavad Gita - the Hindu holy book - to do her duty to her people.
Even as congratulations poured in from around the world, she remained focused on "dealing with the people's business".
It was the most important task at hand, she told her 1.3m citizens during the live televised address of her historic swearing-in ceremony.
A descendant of Indian indentured labourers who came to Trinidad to work the sugar plantations from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar between 1845 and 1917, Ms Persad-Bissessar grew up with traditional Indian values and strong religious ties.
'No novice'
The landslide victory of the coalition led by her United National Congress (UNC) party in last month's election has brought a sense of euphoria and feeling of hope to this incredibly wealthy republic.
Trinidad and Tobago has sailed smoothly through the global recession, cushioned by a sea of oil and natural gas.
Ms Persad-Bissessar ran a high-profile election campaign
The squandering of billions of dollars by the former government and alleged corruption helped bring this 58-year-old grandmother-of-two into power.
She unseated former PM Patrick Manning whose People's National Movement (PNM) party had governed the country for 42 of the 48 years since its independence from the UK.
An attorney by profession, Ms Persad-Bissessar is no novice to politics having been the MP for her area Siparia, a rural town in the south of the island, since 1995.
In the last 15 years she has weathered many political storms, even as she broke gender barriers.
Former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday (1995-2001) appointed her attorney general and education minister during the UNC's first stint in office, and she even acted as PM.
But in 2007, in the lead-up to a general election, when it was clear that she was the best person to lead the party, Mr Panday refused to resign.
Ms Persad-Bissessar, who is married to a doctor and has a son, swallowed the humiliation, even giving a famous speech to the theme of Bob Marley's No Woman No Cry, in which she declared her undying support for her political guru.
But all that changed last December.
As then Prime Minister Manning became increasingly unpopular, Ms Persad-Bissessar saw a golden opportunity for the opposition forces to unite to topple the ruling People's National Movement.
'Smear campaign'
But as she launched her bid to take over the UNC, Mr Panday unleashed an attack on her reputation, suggesting that she was an alcoholic.
Ms Persad-Bissessar called the accusation "total falsehood".
Ms Persad-Bissessar is of Indian origin
"It is a smear campaign of lies, half-truths and innuendoes. Smear campaigns do not win elections. Sticks and stones may break my bones but words cannot hurt me."
Indeed, they did not.
On 24 January, Ms Persad-Bissessar became leader of the UNC with a landslide victory.
When Mr Panday refused to step down as leader of the opposition, she dealt with that too - persuading his loyal MPs to cross over to her side.
After she was appointed leader of the opposition, she hired the strategist who worked on Barack Obama's presidential campaign to assist her.
After a blistering, hugely expensive campaign that used high-tech, slick advertisement in all the media, including the internet, Ms Persad-Bissessar and her coalition emerged victorious.
And on 24 May she became prime minister.
Ms Persad-Bissessar has shown admirable political savvy in the last few weeks, openly courting the media and reacting swiftly to public opinion.
In her 30 May Indian Arrival Day speech she touched on "soft" issues such as race, gender and class inequality.
"As a child in the rural district of Penal I remember sharing meals from the same pot with neighbours of different racial, ethnic, social and economic backgrounds," she said.
"We all managed. If one had, then all had. Because then we were intuitively and instinctively our brother's keepers.
On her terms
"Time and circumstances have allowed many factors, including the divisiveness of some politicians, to keep us apart. But to go forward, we must go back.
"We need to rekindle those values, those strengths as a nation and as a people… And we must do so as one people with one goal."
Ms Persad-Bissessar unseated former PM Patrick Manning
She is intensely aware of the chance she has to make and change history on these islands.
She has already shown that she will be a prime minister on her own terms.
She declined the opportunity to meet US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton because parliament had not yet been convened.
She graced the catwalk at Trinidad and Tobago's annual fashion week at the end of May.
And she also made an appearance with local chutney musicians at a show.
Ms Persad-Bissessar, who graduated top of her class from law school, also confronted the delicate issue of gender tensions.
"Looking towards the future, one of the most important issues the national community must face is the widening gap between the liberated, modern, independent women and our traditional men who are being left behind," she said.
"Women are outperforming men in almost every sphere of life in our society and the women of east Indian ancestry are no exception to this rule. They have broken the cultural mould," she said.
No-one as much as her.
From
BBC News - Trinidad's PM breaks the cultural mould
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