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reaching a nation:
Soogaree Jattan, as she receives the 2008 Republic Day Award from Minister Christine Kangaloo. Also in picture Elbert Blades the 2007 recipient.
National Republic Day Award
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This year's National Republic Day Award was presented to 104 year-old Soogaree Jattan of Califonia for her longstanding contribution to national development. The presentation function was held on Republic Day at the Califonia Hindu Temple located on Sandford Street, Califonia. The award ceremony was hosted by the non-governmental organisation Citizens for a Better Trinidad and Tobago which initiated the award in 1993. In
attendance was Minister of Science Technology and Tertiary Education Christine Kangaloo. She said that government was committed to building better individuals
because it was committed to building a better country. She added: "Vision
2020 progress is not an abstract concept but a dream of progress which involves
every single individual in this nation."
CBTT's chairman Harrack Balramsingh stated that his group had always tried to emphasise the importance of Republic Day.The truth is that we became even more independent when we became a Republic." He said: "CBTT realises that genuine patriots are more interested in what they can do for their country instead of what their country can do for them. This is why, he stated, patriotism should be emphasised on a regular basis in our schools." Balramsingh lamented that too many citizens were unable to recite the National Anthem and the Pledge and he called on schools to help instil in our youth a greater sense of pride in Trinidad and Tobago. "More dedicated patriots are urgently needed," he said.
Other speakers at the function included past Moderator of the Presbyterian Church Rev. Cyril Paul, Genealogist Shamsh Deen, Dr. Dave Ramoutar, Tara Rambaran, all of whom paid glowing tribute to Mrs. Jattan. Also present at this year's Republic Day function was 106 year-old labour hero Elbert Blades who received last year's award.
One of the highlights of the function was a Bhajan rendered by talented Karuna Arjoon, an MPhil student at the University of Trinidad and Tobago. Her brother Vigel Arjoon accompanied her on the drums.
Minister Kangaloo stated that it was to her credit that Mrs. Soogaree Jattan joined the list of outstanding citizens who had received the Republic Day Award. It was first presented to Archbishop Anthony Pantin in 1993.
Mrs. Jattan still looks at religious movies and loves listening to religious songs. She can still hear a little although her hearing is impaired. One family member gave her a hearing aid but she does not like wearing it. She had five children and 23 great-great grand children plus many grand and great-grand children. She is a vegetarian and credits her eating habits and hard work for her longevity. She worked the canefields at Brechin Castle and Toruba and was also an agriculturist of some repute. Mrs. Jattan believes that one of the reasons food prices have skyrocketed is that we does focus on agriculture as before. "We must plant our own food," she said. She revealed that in her younger days her parents hardly went to the market because they grew their own food.
People from her community believe she deserves the prestigious Republic Day Award with some insisting that she should have received a National Award this year. People from all over the country and some from abroad have called or emailed to congratulate the 2008 Republic Day awardee. See more in the Republic Day Award Page |
CBTT a vision! CBTT, which was formed on August 1, 1993, is a non-governmental organization specializing in attacking issues that hurt our communities. The very purpose for the existence of CBTT is to stop drug abuse, violence, rape, incest, child abuse, racism and victimization. It brings about positive changes to the lives of individuals by spotlighting attention on the issues threatening their safety and unity. Along with teaching problem techniques, CBTT also teaches self-love, community pride and respect for others. Over the years, CBTT has been there to quietly console the families of murdered victims, and has educated troubled communities about the ills of violence. It is the spirit of these victims, which drives us to continue fighting to stop the senseless killings in our society. For further details, read on!
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