President Christine Kangaloo delivered a virtual address as the Chief Guest at the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, on Thursday.
She highlighted the historical ties between Trinidad and Tobago and India, tracing their roots back to 1845 when Indian indentured workers first arrived in Trinidad. She said today, their descendants form nearly 42% of the nation’s population, contributing significantly to its cultural, social, and economic fabric.
“Trinidad and Tobago has learned and benefited immensely from the traditions and values of our citizens of Indian descent. We have learned and benefited from the courage, resilience, willingness to sacrifice, and steadfastness that they showed throughout all that they endured. As a developing nation, we face many of the same challenges that other developing nations do. But we have the signal advantage of being able to draw upon the rich legacy of the courage and the determination of our citizens of Indian descent.”
President Kangaloo lauded India’s focus on youth empowerment during the Convention, and expressed hope for a thriving partnership between the nations. She also extended her gratitude for receiving the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award.
“It is my hope and prayer that our nations will continue to thrive hand in hand, learning from each other, benefiting from each other, and growing together. I have to say that I am also tremendously moved by the emphasis placed on young people in the Convention. Yesterday’s programme was dedicated entirely to the youth. I believe that this can only augur well for the future.”