|
|
|
|
|
reaching a nation:
Kamaluddin Mohammed, recipient of the 2009 Republic Day Award
National Republic Day Award
send us your comments
click on button 
Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela and Billy Graham named as CBTT'S top four personalities of the 20th century
The late Archbishop Anthony Pantin chosen as T&T's Religious Personality of the Century... (Go to The Archive Page For More)
|
The recipients of the Republic Day Award must have demonstrated a high level of multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-religious tolerance. Mr. Mohammed was born on April 19, 1927 at El Socorro. He was the fifth of 13 children born to Fazal Mohammed and Khajiman Kartoun. On September 26, 1947, Kamal played the first Indian song ever to be heard on a local radio station. The song was “Kush Raho Tum Allah Wale" (Be happy, O you creatures of God) from the film Noor-E-Yeman and sung by Imam Farook. He was chiefly responsible for bringing in the forefront such artists as Tarran Persad, Isaac Yankaran, Champa Devi, Jagroo Quawal, Jang Bahadoor, Zora Seesahai, Bhola Persad, Jameer Hosein, Henry 'Tooloom' Dindial and James Ramsewak. His salary as a broadcaster was $10 for each programme. Few people are aware that Kamaluddin Mohammed composed the winning song for Tarran Persad at the 1962 Independence singing contest. He also wrote songs for other singers including Jameer Hosein and Lachand 'Rafi' Singh. His programme “Indian Talent on Parade” on Radio Trinidad lasted until 1962 when he gave up broadcasting. By then, he was constantly referred to as the “Father of East Indian Culture” in Trinidad and Tobago. His brothers Moean and Sham continued where “Kamal” had left off and they also went on to become very popular and successful with the television programmes Indian Variety in 1962 and Mastana Bahar in 1970. At the age of 26, Kamaluddin Mohammed was the youngest Imam in the Commonwealth. – a testimony to his religious upbringing. He speaks five languages fluently – English, Hindu, Urdu, Persian and Arabic. He entered politics in 1953. and won his seat as a county Councilor. He was subsequently elected Chairman of the St George East County Council. In 1956, he entered Parliament and became the youngest Government Minister ever in the British Commonwealth when he was appointed Minister of Agriculture, Lands and Fisheries. He went on to excel in every Ministry in which he held office and still holds the record as the only man to be a Government Minister for over 30 unbroken years. Kamaluddin Mohammed was the first East Indian to reach the office of Acting Prime Minister and was also the first black man to be appointed President of the World Health Organisation (WHO). Kamal, as he is fondly known, is a man who has mixed with kings, Presidents and Prime Ministers, yet he has never lost the common touch. He was known as “Mr. Carifta” during his stint as Foreign Affairs Minister and the late Prime Minister Dr. Eric Williams had to congratulate him on more than one occasion for his excellent work in External Affairs. As a matter of fact, during his term as Foreign Affairs Minister, Mohammed was awarded Brazil and Venezuela’s highest awards. Then during his Safari with Dr. Williams in 1978, both Senegal and Liberia also give him their highest awards for excellence in Foreign Affairs. 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!
|
This site managed, maintained and designed by
KB Web Designs
for
[Citizens for a Better Trinidad and Tobago]
Revised:
All rights reserved
View the CBTT Guestbook
