HERITAGE WORLDWIDE e newsletter

'Excited to visit a country where my roots lie'

TNN | Jan 11, 2012, 02.07AM IST


KOLKATA: What's the link between the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the city? It was between 1845 and 1917 that many from the city had sailed to the Republic. And one such family was that of Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.

She visited her motherland on Tuesday for the first time and was overwhelmed by the warmth of the people. On Wednesday, she will visit the memorial built at the Kidderpore depot in memory of those who had left for the country.

"This place has passed on a rich heritage to us. It is from here that our forefathers left for Trinidad and Tobago. I don't know much about the history but I am very excited to visit my roots," said Kamla Persad-Bissessar. She will visit her ancestral village in Bihar on Wednesday. The Prime Minister, however, has no idea about its location. "My grandmother knew better. Since I have never been to India before, I am not acquainted with the geography of this country," she said. Brian Lara, brand ambassador of Trinidad and Tobago who is visiting India with the delegation, was also present.

In city to attend a seminar organized by the FILadies Organization (FLO), Persad spoke extensively on business and trade opportunities between the two countries. She also advocated women's reservation in the legislature. "Whenever you have more women, corruption is less," she said. Though India and Trinidad and Tobago have strong historical connections, the economic associations between the two countries was not significant, Persad-Bissessar felt. "You should look at Trinidad and Tobago as a bridge to the Americas and the Carribeans," she said. The conference ended on a high note with a beautiful rendition of 'Hare Rama Hare Krishna'. which saw the prime minister, high commissioner and foreign affairs minister joining in.

Commenting on the event program chairperson and past national president, Renuka Shah said "We at FLO aim to promote entrepreneurship and professional excellence among women of advancement and innovation. It is a great opportunity to be able to felicitate the prime minster. FLO aims to open new doors for the mutual and long lasting betterment of both India and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago."