Sharma asks: Is the PNM against East Indians?

Anna Ramdass aramdass@trinidadexpress.com
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161532862

Thursday, September 17th 2009

People of East Indian origin are being discriminated against by the People's National Movement (PNM) at every level of society, an upset Opposition MP Chandresh Sharma has said.

In his contribution to the budget debate on Monday, Sharma raised the issue of racial discrimination against Indians and pointed out a number of areas where he claimed Government had been unfair in its distribution and hiring practices.

He noted that some $5m was given to the Emancipation Committee when $150,000 was given to the Indian Arrival Day committee.

"Shame!" fired Information Minister Neil Parsanlal as Sharma hit back, "That's not shame that's racism and that's discrimination and that's what the PNM survives on, they play the race card morning, noon and night".

Sharma proceeded to point out that of the 178 students awarded Government scholarships to study in Grenada only 16 were of East Indian origin.

He further added that 16 Ambassadors placed in different countries, only two are of East Indian origin.

Parsanlal shot back at Sharma saying, "I am ashamed that on every occasion this has to descend into race...that on every occasion this Parliament has to be treated with this kind of nonsense".

Sharma persisted, noting that of the 28 permanent secretaries, three were of East Indian origin and of 33 deputy permanent secretaries, five were of East Indian origin.

He added that in the state enterprises of the 250 board directors of 30 corporations only 35 were on East Indian origin.

"What is happening to the East Indians in this country?...Is the PNM against them?" he asked.

PNM is a racist Goverment! TALK DONE!

15 murdered in four days

Joel Julien jjulien@trinidadexpress.com Wednesday, September 16th 2009

SINCE Saturday some 15 people have been murdered in this country, according to statistics. The murder toll for this year now stands at 380 with more than 100 days left until the end of the year. The murder rate for this same period last year was 379. The year 2008 was the bloodiest year in this country's history with some 550 murders being recorded, according to statistics. And adding to this bloody trend yesterday was the fatal shooting of four men in separate incidents. In the first incident Clint John, 28, from Claxton Bay was fatally shot sometime around 8.30 p.m on Monday at 19th Street Beetham Gardens, police reports said. And then some two hours later, Errol La Borde Junior, 23, was fatally shot in Petit Valley, according to police reports. La Borde Junior, lived at Bakr Trace, Pioneer Drive, Petit Valley, his father Errol La Borde Senior said at the Forensic Science Centre, in Federation Park yesterday. The senior La Borde could not say why anyone would want his son dead but revealed that his son was involved in an altercation on Sunday. And just after midnight Lewis Phillip, 19, was found shot dead at Eden Trace in Laventille, police reports said. Phillip, from Pashley Street, had a single gunshot wound to the back of his head, police said. The bullet exited under his left eye. "Too much bloodshed in this country," Phillip's aunt, who requested anonymity, said at the Forensic Science Centre yesterday. "It is high-class nonsense. The gangs taking over Laventille. If one group see you talking to another group they don't like they will kill you. It is frustrating, it is a whole nastiness, crime is not under control," she said. And in the last of these four killings, Levi Mendoza, 17, was shot dead around 2.30 a.m. while sleeping in a camp at Bagatelle, police reports said. It was the first time Mendoza slept away from his family's home, his sister La Toya said yesterday. Mendoza decided to sleep out after a dispute over dirty dishes, relatives said. So he opted to sleep at a camp in the area, relatives said. Mendoza died on the spot. An unidentified man who was also at the camp at the time of the shooting was listed in critical condition at the hospital up to presstime, police said. A third occupant of the camp escaped on foot, police said. Investigations are continuing. Yup...we really reach...this is PNM country...Patrick....we steppin up with you! Stepping up to the highest murder rate in the country's existence that is.

Kamal Mohammed denied National Award

Trinidad Guardian Newspaper dated 31/08/09 :

NCIC questions Kamal’s ‘rejection’
Richard Lord
Published: 31 Aug 2009
Richard Lord

President of the National Council for Indian Culture (NCIC) Deokinanan Sharma is questioning the method of selection of recipients for national awards. This, as the NCIC’s nominees for awards—former government minister Kamaluddin Mohammed and Justice of the Peace Ackbar Khan—were rejected by the National Awards Committee. Mohammed was one of two nominees for this country’s highest national award—the Order of T&T. When contacted for comment yesterday, Sharma said he was “very disappointed that a man who has done so much for this country has been rejected.”

He said Mohammed served as a councillor, a minister in several PNM governments, “and was called as Mr Caricom for his tremendous work with the regional body.” He said Mohammed was also a president of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and served those country exceedingly well. Sharma said while no one explained the reasons for rejecting a nominee, “something is very wrong about the national awards.” He said the process did not appear to be transparent and questioned whether there was “racial discrimination in the selection of awardees.” He said he did not know what a citizen had to do in this country to be rewarded with its highest award.

In response to another question, Sharma said over the years he noted the racial imbalance in the list of awardees. Secretary general of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha, Sat Maharaj said yesterday that the awards could no longer be considered to be national, but instead it was the Patrick Manning’s awards. He said the SDMS had decided last year against any further participation in the awards. Maharaj said Mohammed deserved the country’s highest award but should not feel too disappointed by the rejection of his nomination. Mohammed, when contacted, said he had no comment to make on the matter. But a source said family members were very upset over the rejection.

Trinidad Guardian Newspaper dated 01/09/09 :

Kamal’s nephew in shock

Published: 1 Sep 2009

Jamal Mohammed, nephew of former government minister Kamaluddin Mohammed, says he is shocked and dismayed over the omission of his uncle’s name from this year’s Independence Day awards ceremony. Jamal said his uncle was formally nominated to receive the nation’s highest award—the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. As far as Jamal was concerned, the nomination was properly prepared and submitted on time to the relevant committee.

Jamal added, “These national awards have been designed to recognise those citizens of our country who have dedicated their lives in the service of Trinidad and Tobago. “If ever there was someone who deserves a national award—and the highest award, too—it must be Kamaluddin Mohammed. “For over 56 years, more than half of his life, he has dedicated his time to the service of the people of Trinidad and Tobago. “By rejecting his nomination, a number of questions come to mind:

• Was his nomination received and considered by the awards committee?
• If not, why not?
• If his nomination was considered and approved, was it forwarded to the Prime Minister and Cabinet for final approval?
• If not, why not?
• If his nomination was forwarded to the Prime Minister and his Cabinet, was it considered?
• If the Prime Minister and his Cabinet received the nomination, what possible rationale could there be to refuse the nomination?
• Is it true that only friends of the Prime Minister and the PNM receive awards?
• Remember 1981? When Dr Williams died, Uncle Kamal was supposed to be appointed Prime Minister, since he was the most-qualified and experienced Member of Parliament at the time.
• Uncle Kamal was not appointed for reasons unknown to all, but understood by all. Was the same rationale that was used in 1981 re-used in 2009 to deny Uncle Kamal his national award?
• What message are we sending to our younger generation? Uncle Kamal has given his life for Trinidad and Tobago, yet his country—Trinidad and Tobago—represented by the Government, the State, Patrick Manning administration refuses to recognise his contribution.
• What else must one do to deserve a national award?

First off let me wish you Trinis out there a Happy Belated Independence. Right...now that the pleasantries are over...time to get down to some business.

Everybody wants to know why Kamal didn't get a National Award and Jamal, his nephew, is in shock. Hear what...lemme break it down for allyuh in real simple terms - RACIAL DISCRIMINATION!

Yes, you heard me, it's outright discrimination against a man of East Indian descent by the current PNM regime. Who vex loss and if yuh don't like it then take it in yuh pipe and smoke it!

I'm a Barbie girl in a Barbie Borough

Navas: Call me Barbie

Richard Lord

Published: 1 Aug 2009

Chaguanas West MP, Jack Warner, has his hands full as he poses for a picture with Local Government Minister Hazel Manning, left, and Chaguanas Mayor, Natasha Navas, at the ministry’s Kent House office, Maraval, yesterday. PHOTO: SHIRLEY BAHADUR

Richard Lord
http://guardian.co.tt/news/general/2009/08/01/navas-call-me-barbie

New Chaguanas Mayor, Natasha Navas, says she wants to be the Barbie of Chaguanas. She said this in an impromptu interview with reporters following a courtesy call on Local Government Minister, Hazel Manning, at her Kent House, Maraval, office yesterday.

Navas was accompanied by Chaguanas West MP, Jack Warner. Asked how she felt about being called a Barbie doll by some people because of her physical beauty, Mayor Navas said, “I have to be popular because Barbies are popular all over the world. And that’s why I have decided to serve the people. I’ll be the Barbie of Chaguanas,” she said with a chuckle in her voice.

She later denied being just a pretty face. Navas said her life experiences have qualified her for the office. She admitted that some people may be concerned about her background but she insists that she comes from among the people to serve the people.

She said she has always been in leadership being the first-born in her family. “You don’t have to be born into politics or grow up in politics to understand it. I want to serve the people of Chaguanas and that alone should qualify me for the job,” Navas insisted. Navas said she had concerns about the impending retrenchment of hundreds of Local Government workers when the new system is implemented next year.

What d f*ck is dis I relly seeing here? She cyah be f*cking serious....na...I doh believe this. She expects anyone to take her seriously after this?

49 held in pre-dawn Beetham raids

Early-morning raids in Beetham Gardens yesterday resulted in the arrest of 49 residents, several of whom are wanted for questioning in connection with various murders in Port of Spain and environs.

The raids, which began at 3 a.m., were headed by Acting Commissioner of Police, James Philbert, and field operations were coordinated by acting DCP Gilbert Reyes, ACP John Travajo and Insp Sahadeo Singh.

Over 300 police officers from various units, including the Inter Agency Task Force, Guard and Emergency Branch, Special Anti Crime Unit and Divisional Task Force, were involved in the exercise, which ended around 10 a.m. Three women, aged 17, 26 and 42, of Hell Yard, Beetham, were among those held and are expected to appear before a Port of Spain magistrate later this week, charged with possession of four kilogrammes of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking. Over 500 grammes of cocaine was also found.

Raids were also conducted on 23rd, 24th and 25th Streets in Beetham, and six firearms, including four pistols, one shotgun, one revolver, along with five loaded magazines and 136 rounds of assorted ammunition, were seized.

In a media release, Philbert thanked persons who shared information with the police and pleaded with citizens to continue assisting the police.

Source: Trinidad Express

Saw some Beethamites on the TV today, complaining about how there is no justice for Beetham residents.
What about Vindra Naipaul? Where is the justice for her? What about Naail Ali? Where is the justice for him? Where is the justice for all the citizens who are robbed in traffic on the Beetham Highway? Why the residents don't complain then?

The residents were also complaining that the police used unnecessary force in their search and that their cellular phones stopped working. What else do you expect? The kind of attitude and behaviour that comes out the the Beetham is a far cry from civilised. Robbing people who are stuck in traffic. Is sorry I sorry for the ones who don't have A/C in their car, because once yuh in traffic in the Beetham, yuh have no choice but to roll up your windows, otherwise the chances of you getting robbed is very high. Then we have the issue of all the illegal firearms and ammunition that was found during the raid. You think the police should knock on the door an wait for them to hide everything?

And I must say kudos to the officers involved in this raid. You all did a fine job and handled the situation well. You did what you had to do to get the job done. Bravo!

Homicide rate predictions for 2009-10 - not looking good.

Click image to enlarge

According to this graph, the murder rate went down during the time the UNC was in power and skyrocketed upon the return of the PNM.
Here's an idea, maybe it had something to do with Manning meeting up with the crime lords and hailing them as community leaders. Maybe it had something to do with Manning's criminal infested election campaign. As I recall one Imam Yasin Abu Bakr, leader of the 1990 coup on T&T, said that Manning and the PNM took his help to win the 2002 general elections. I recall Bakr even saying Manning owes him. You all know who you have to blame when someone you know is brutally murdered.

Manning: No regrets over Tecia statements

There would be no apology by Prime Minister Patrick Manning on statements he recently made on the murder of ten-year-old Tecia Henry.

Speaking to reporters during a visit to the San Fernando Girls' Government School at Rushworth Street, San Fernando, yesterday, Manning said he had no regrets.

"I was just responding to commentators' impressions on the incident; whoever said anything else was just trying to be mischievous. And like anyone else, I condemn the death of any ten-year-old child.

"But I have no regrets for anything I do," he said.

Little Tecia, a pupil of St Rose's RC School in Port of Spain, was found strangled under a house at Block Eight, in Laventille, four days after she was reported missing.

At a PNM convention on June 21 at the Chaguaramas Convention Centre, Manning, in his address, referred to the murder of Tecia and told the audience that he wished he could reveal the facts relating to the murder of the child but could not.

He said they too knew the facts surrounding the case and urged them not to take it at face value.

His comments drew wide criticism from members of the public, and residents of John John-where the little girl lived-demanded an apology.

Source: Trinidad Express

Why should Manning apologise if it is the truth? Collateral damage is collateral damage and if there is more to the murder of 10 year old Tecia Henry than meets the eye doh vex!
Maybe Mr. Big had a hand in it...and up to now Manning can't say who Mr. Big is.