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On Thursday, June 18, 2026, Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, received a courtesy call from Sister Jayanti Kirpalani, Additional Administrative Head of the Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Centre Incorporated.![]()
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Sister Jayanti was accompanied by Dr. Hemlata Sanghi, Spiritual Head of the Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Centre Incorporated and Sub-Regional Coordinator for the Caribbean, and Sister Jasmath Bisnath, President of the Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Centre Incorporated of Trinidad and Tobago.![]()
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The courtesy call coincided with the 50th Anniversary of the Brahma Kumaris' spiritual service in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean, commemorating half a century of dedication to promoting peace and nurturing spiritual growth throughout the region. The Brahma Kumaris is recognised as the world's largest spiritual organisation led by women.![]()
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The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University is a non-governmental organisation in General Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), in Consultative Status with UNICEF, and is affiliated with the Department of Public Information of the United Nations.
Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, extends sincere condolences to the family, friends, colleagues, former students and all those whose lives were touched by Professor John Agard ORTT, on the occasion of his passing.![]()
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Professor Agard was a distinguished scholar, educator and global leader in environmental science whose outstanding contributions advanced climate research, environmental policy and sustainable development across the Caribbean and the wider world. ![]()
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As a Lead Author of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Professor Agard contributed to the body of work that earned the IPCC the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. Throughout his illustrious career, including as Executive Director of the Global Institute for Climate-Smart and Resilient Development at The University of the West Indies, he championed evidence-based solutions to some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.![]()
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In recognition of his exceptional service and achievements in the sphere of environment, climate change and biodiversity protection, Professor Agard was awarded the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the nation’s highest national award, in 2023.![]()
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Professor Agard’s legacy is one of excellence, vision and unwavering commitment to the sustainable future of our region and planet. His work will continue to inspire generations of researchers, policymakers, students and citizens to pursue solutions that safeguard our environment for those yet to come![]()
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On behalf of the people of Trinidad and Tobago, Her Excellency offers deepest sympathies to all who mourn his loss and gives thanks for his extraordinary life of service and achievement.![]()
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May he rest in eternal peace.
𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐚 𝐊𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐨 𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐓, 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐠𝐨 𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔![]()
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Fellow citizens,![]()
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On Labour Day 2026, we honour the struggles, sacrifices and achievements of the men and women whose courage helped to shape the labour movement in Trinidad and Tobago. We remember those who, in the face of exploitation, hardship and injustice, stood for the dignity of work and the worth of every worker, particularly during the watershed events of 1937 that transformed labour relations in our nation.![]()
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Among those whose names remain firmly written in our national story are Uriah “Buzz” Butler, Adrian Cola Rienzi, Andrew Arthur Cipriani and Albert Maria Gomes. Through leadership, advocacy and personal sacrifice, they helped to widen the circle of fairness. Their work secured more than improved conditions; it taught our society that no person’s value should depend on rank, race, religion, address, accent or office.![]()
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The gains won by labour, now belong to the entire Republic. They live in our laws, in our institutions and, most of all, in the respect we owe one another. But those gains do not preserve themselves. They are weakened whenever public language attempts to sort citizens by ancestry, whenever disagreement groups citizens into opposing camps, and whenever persons face suspicion or intimidation in the honest performance of their duty.![]()
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Labour Day therefore calls us not only to be grateful, but also to be vigilant. It asks us to remember that the dignity of work, and the dignity of citizenship, stand together. A nation cannot honour its workers on one day, and accept conduct on another that makes any workplace unsafe, any community feel diminished, or any servant of the public feel exposed and unprotected.![]()
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The choice before us is not to be either silent or belligerent. It is to choose to disagree, while remaining disciplined; to differ, without intentionally wounding; to answer the call to duty, rather than to surrender to indifference; and to choose service, rather than contempt.![]()
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On this Labour Day, I invite the labour movement, employers, public institutions and citizens alike to renew a simple national commitment: every citizen must be made to feel included; every workplace must be made and kept safe; and every worker must be treated with fairness. ![]()
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To honour labour is to protect the ground on which labour stands. We honour the pioneers of the movement not by recalling their names alone, but by defending the dignity they claimed for all. When any group or community is diminished, the entire Republic loses stature. When any worker is made unsafe, every worker’s protection becomes less secure. When any of us is pitted against the other, the entire country suffers. These are not the fruits of the struggles of our labour pioneers. These are their very undoing.![]()
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I extend best wishes to the entire national community for a safe, blessed and purposeful Labour Day. May God bless Trinidad and Tobago, and may the prayers, hopes and good works of all our people draw us closer to one another.
In a ceremony held at The President’s House on Thursday 18 June, 2026, Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo, ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago administered the Oath of Office and presented the Instrument of Appointment to Mrs. Joanne Deoraj as Member and Deputy Chairman of the Public Service Commission.![]()
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Mrs. Joanne Deoraj is a retired Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Planning and Development.![]()
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In 1985, Mrs. Deoraj gained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology with Second Class Honours from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine. She went on in 2006 to do a Diploma in International Relations at the Institute of International Relations at St. Augustine where she graduated with a Distinction.![]()
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From 1988 to 1992, Mrs. Deoraj was the Coordinator at the Rape Crisis Society of Trinidad and Tobago. She then became a Planning Officer at the Ministry of Labour and Small and Micro Enterprise Development where she rose to be the Senior Planning Officer in 2005. From 2007 to 2009, she worked as the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist in the Programme Management Office Vision 2020 in the Ministry of Planning, Housing and the Environment, and then until 2012 as the Programme Director of the National Transformation Unit.![]()
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After acting in a number of senior positions, Mrs. Deoraj eventually became the Deputy Permanent Secretary in 2014 and in October 2015, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Planning and Development.![]()
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Having retired in 2023, Mrs. Deoraj acted as a Development Consultant for the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries. She is a member of the Housing Development Corporation and Chairman of the Asset Management Company Limited. In the past, she has served in a number of positions including as a Director of the Caribbean Development Bank, a member of the Cabinet Appointed Committee of Scholarships, and a member of the Human Rights and Advocacy Sub-Committee of the National Aids Coordinating Committee.![]()
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Mrs. Deoraj is the Auditor for the Marriage Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Port of Spain and an active member of the St. Joseph Roman Catholic Parish.
History comes alive when young minds have the opportunity to experience it firsthand.![]()
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Recently, the Office of the President was delighted to welcome students and teachers from:![]()
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• McBean Presbyterian Primary School![]()
• La Seiva R.C. Primary School![]()
• Chaguanas North Secondary School![]()
• Bella Montessori Preschool![]()
• Siparia Road KPA School![]()
• Gasparillo Hindu Primary School![]()
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The young visitors explored the historic residence and grounds of The President's House, learning about its rich 150-year history, its place in our national story, and the role of the President in public life.![]()
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Making the Office of the President more accessible—especially to young people—has been one of Her Excellency’s priorities since assuming office. Each tour offers a meaningful opportunity for learning, discovery, and engagement with our national heritage.![]()
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For the full photo albums, visit: www.flickr.com/photos/160414226@N06/albums