Tears rolled down my eyes when I saw Indian soil: Trinidad & Tobago PM

[EastWest]

Tears rolled down my eyes when I saw Indian soil: Trinidad & Tobago PM

JAIPUR: They may have been away for generations and grown up thousands of miles away, but it appears that the emotions attached to the country of forefathers gets passed down through the genes and is kept alive through the culture. This was more than evident during Trinidad and Tobago PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar's visit to India this week. From a family which had migrated from Bihar, she rose to become the first woman head of the Caribbean nation. In an interview to TOI on Monday, she talks of her roots and deepening the bonds with India. After attending the Pravasi Diwas in Jaipur, she flies to Bihar to visit her ancestral village. She touched the feet of President Pratibha Patil when they met. "I was told that you in Rajasthan greet people by saying Ram Ram. We in Trinidad say Sitaram ," she said at the start of the interview.

How satisfying has been your trip to your 'grandmother' country?
I am touched by the love, warmth, and hospitality I received here. There are lot memories to take home but the most emotional moment has been when I was touching down in New Delhi. Tears rolled down when I saw the red soil in Delhi from the plane. When I was travelling in Rajasthan people were waving hands, and it felt like I was visiting my own constituency. My son is not that emotional. He thought my trip to India is just another conference, But when he hearing about my visit on TV, he too got moved.

Are you looking to build cultural ties with India?
There are lot of similarities in custom and culture between the two countries. We would like to enhance our cultural exchanges with the country, as people in Trinidad and Tobago love to dance to Bollywood music and Indian movies.

Which are the sectors Indian Industry can invest in Trinidad and Tobago?
We have seven pillars of development . India has a cuttingedge information technology industry. We are setting up a technology park. We would like to see technology penetration iin edication. Besides, we would like to see cooperation in industries like fashion, filmmaking , ship-building , education , health and energy. We have a hundred years of expertise in oil exploration and gas optimization. Trinidad and Tobago has lot potential for gas. We are going to talk to Reliance industries to develop downstream facilities.

 

[Chinese-Dragon]

Asians will remember their culture for generations and generations even after their families have left their native lands.

 

[Riaz Mohammed]

Caribbean....here we come......

Again.

 

[Harry Potter]

Asians will remember their culture for generations and generations even after their families have left their native lands.

I have seen that overseas Chinese talk a lot about their culture perhaps even more than those who live in mainland China.I think this the case with South Asians too.

 

[Chinese-Dragon]

I have seen that overseas Chinese talk a lot about their culture perhaps even more than those who live in mainland China.I think this the case with South Asians too.

"Nothing makes you miss home more than having to leave it."

I have found that Chinese who live overseas for a while, will come back with a greater appreciation for Chinese culture.

Whereas the Chinese who have lived in China for all their lives, often just take it for granted.

I think this applies equally to most other Asian countries.

 

[fly2012]

"Nothing makes you miss home more than having to leave it."

I have found that Chinese who live overseas for a while, will come back with a greater appreciation for Chinese culture.

Whereas the Chinese who have lived in China for all their lives, often just take it for granted.

I think this applies equally to most other Asian countries.

I think people of a minority culture tend to appreciate their inheritage and their "homeland". For instance, most Chinese in S'pore don't feel strong bound to China. But those Chinese in Malaysia, Indonisia, etc, show even more Chinese nationalism then those in China.

 

[Roybot]

That's because many Trinidadians are of Indian descent but Indians don't like associating themselves with Trinidadians because they are too dark.

Do you ever talk about anything other than skin color? You must be a girl? Are you?

 

[Adnan Faruqi]

Indian politicians and babus are the worst they ignores Indian citizens how can we expect them to respect and take benefits of people of Indian origin.

 

[Adnan Faruqi]

That's because many Trinidadians are of Indian descent but Indians don't like associating themselves with Trinidadians because they are too dark.

You are a racist person, in the the following thread about "some nice pictures from Iran" you have said :

She is probably a Baloch. Many Baloch live in Southern Iran. Iranians don't usually have dark skin color.
http://www.defence.pk/forums/general-images-multimedia/152225-some-nice-photos-iran.html

You always put up cheap and racist comments about color of skin in every thread unnecessary

You have problem with the skin color of a innocent Iranian girl from Iran and now you have problem with the skin color of people from Trinidad

We don't judge people by their skin color but by their deeds.

 

[WAR-rior]

Asians will remember their culture for generations and generations even after their families have left their native lands.

thats natural for every ancient culture. more old the customs are, more attachment is there towards it, no matter how far u are. in psychology we call it emotional longevity. more deep rooted something is, more sustainability it has.

 

[rajnikant]

@Adnan :well done you caught him with his pants down

 

[Black Widow]

That's because many Trinidadians are of Indian descent but Indians don't like associating themselves with Trinidadians because they are too dark.

Oh! Racial supremacy. I don't know who teach you guys these things, Is it in your curriculum??? We Indian accept any one (Jew,Persian,Hun,Sythian and Muslims), who can love India. And these trininadian's are Indian only. FYKI very soon these guys will get Voting rights....

Do you know what Voting rights means???

 

[WAR-rior]

That's because many Trinidadians are of Indian descent but Indians don't like associating themselves with Trinidadians because they are too dark.

get lost loser. don't spoil such a goodhearted thread. ontopic : i don't know how will i react when i get to touch tel-aviv.

well i am sure, i wud be hitting on a jewish hottie.

cmon guyz, accept it, israeli gurlz are ummmmmm.

 

[Mirza Jatt]

A friend of mine from trinidad doesnt know where she is actually from ?? i mean she knows that she's Indian but doesnt know which state or origin...she says she's in search of her origin..I wish I could help her.

 

[joekrish]

Grass on the other side is always green is an apt statement to make, you miss the most you don't have.