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Message on Indian Arrival Day 2025

May 30, 2025

Message on Indian Arrival Day 2025

The story of the arrival of the Fatel Razack at the Port of Spain harbour on May 30th, 1845, and of what happened thereafter, is one of the most powerful and inspirational stories in our nation’s history. It is a story, not just of survival, but of triumph over every imaginable adversity. It teaches us what can be achieved when we persevere and do not give up.

The 225 passengers who disembarked from the Fatel Razack that day could hardly have known the transformative impact their arrival would have on the country. They came as immigrants, with the understanding that they would have the opportunity to return to India after five years of indentureship. Happily for Trinidad and Tobago, very few returned. The vast majority of them elected to remain in the country. And their courageous decision changed the course of our history, forever.

Today, 180 years later, we reflect, with respect and gratitude, on the experiences, sacrifices and enduring legacy of those fearless men and women. Their journey across the Kala-Pani was perilous, and we can imagine that loneliness and uncertainty must have threatened to overwhelm them, even before they arrived. We can also imagine that many of them might well have stepped off of that ship with downcast hearts. Yet, once on land, their indomitable spirit revived. Even though they had no temples, mosques or churches where they could seek solace, and even though their landlords, the colonial British Raj, discouraged social gatherings and subtly frustrated any effort at worship, they refused to languish and die. Instead, they held firm to their principles and beliefs, and devoted themselves to changing difficulties into opportunities. The result has been one of the greatest lessons in resilience that our country has ever witnessed.

Rising above discrimination, injustices, and harsh working and living conditions, they worked hard and silently, slowly building themselves into a powerful and productive force the likes of which, even to the most optimistic observer at the time, must not have seemed remotely possible when first they dragged their tired bodies off of the ship by which they were transported here. Shored up by their rich traditions, deeply held values and aspirations for a better life, they ushered in a period which would leave an indelible mark on the cultural, social, demographic and economic landscape of our nation.

On Indian Arrival Day we celebrate their rich and lasting legacy. We celebrate their courage and their resilience, and the values and traditions that sustained them throughout their years of hardship and uncertainty. And we thank them for safeguarding and passing down the rich cultural heritage which has enriched and strengthened the fabric of Trinbagonian society beyond measure.

This year, let us use the occasion of Indian Arrival Day to pay tribute to their legacy, not just by expressions of gratitude and congratulations, but also by the way in which we choose to live, daily. Let us commit to leading lives that exemplify the values they worked so hard to preserve. Let us undertake to do our part to contribute to the growth and development of the country that they worked so hard to build. Let us dedicate ourselves to completing the work that they began of creating a more respectful and unified society.

The story of Indian indentureship teaches us what can be achieved when individuals choose to commit to a vision greater than themselves. This Indian Arrival Day, let us choose to commit ourselves to the vision of a greater Trinidad and Tobago.

I extend best wishes to all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago for a joyous and a reflective Indian Arrival Day.

Photos Courtesy Jeff Mayers.

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#ICYMI On Tuesday, September 30, 2025, Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo, ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, delivered the Keynote Address at the International Women’s Forum Trinidad and Tobago’s (IWFTT) 4th Inspirational Women Awards Gala. ♀️🌟In her address, Her Excellency congratulated the honourees on their remarkable achievements, commending their courage and determination in the face of challenges. She also applauded the IWFTT, the local affiliate of the globally recognized International Women’s Forum (IWF), for creating a platform that highlights and celebrates women’s accomplishments.The Office of the President extends warmest congratulations to the awardees:✨ Dr. Catherine Minto-Bain – Inspirational Champion of Women Award✨ Ms. Suzan Lakhan-Baptiste – Inspirational Advocate Award✨ Ms. Maya Kirti Nanan – Inspirational Emerging Leader Award#OfficeofthePresidentTT #trinidadandtobago #InspirationalWomen ... See MoreSee Less

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On Friday, September 26, 2025, Their Excellencies Christine Carla Kangaloo ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, and Kerwyn Garcia S.C., First Gentleman, hosted a Republic Day Cocktail Reception at The President's House in appreciation of the various stakeholders who support the work of the Office of the President.In her toast, Her Excellency expressed heartfelt gratitude to the members of the various Commissions, Public Offices, NGOs, Patronages, Agencies and Private Sector Organisations in attendance for their service and partnership.A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the commemorative scroll to members of the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR), who were awarded the Chaconia Medal (Gold) at the National Awards Ceremony on Republic Day.✨ Did you know? Every recipient of a National Award is presented with a medal and an accompanying scroll.📸 🔗See link to full album: flic.kr/s/aHBqjCv#OFFICEOFTHEPRESIDENTi#NationalAwardsw#chaconiamedalM#trinidadandtobagoobago ... See MoreSee Less

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Mr. Guillaume Pierre, Ambassador-designate of the French Republic to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago presented his credentials to Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday September 30, 2025 at The President’s House.The Ambassador was accompanied by his spouse, Mrs. Emek Pierre and Mr. Franck Josselin, Deputy Head of Mission at the French Embassy.Her Excellency welcomed the Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago and wished him every success in his new post. ... See MoreSee Less

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The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T updated their cover photo.

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This year, 2025, marked the third consecutive year that Their Excellencies Christine Carla Kangaloo ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Kerwyn Garcia SC, First Gentleman have ensured the inclusion of Sixth Form students from schools across Trinidad and Tobago, in the National Awards Ceremony. By reading the biographies of each awardee, the students not only became part of the historic occasion, but also served as a bridge between generations... the future of Trinidad and Tobago saluting the achievements of today. This initiative stems directly from the vision expressed by Her Excellency in her 2023 Inaugural Address, where she spoke of her determination to make The President’s House and the protocols of State more welcoming and accessible—not only to all citizens, but especially to the young people of our nation.🇹🇹🏅💫 We say a special thank you and congratulations to the following students: • Salma Ali of ASJA Girls’ College, San Fernando• Tyreek Alleyne of Scarborough Secondary School• Ciana-Marie Baptiste of Holy Faith Convent, Penal• Nickolas Carrington of Diego Martin Central Secondary School• Dacia Cooper of Rio Claro East Secondary School• Ronaldo Farrell, of Fyzabad Anglican Secondary School• Tariq James of Arima North Secondary School• Danielle Karim of St. Augustine Girls’ High School• Nyvanne Kirk of Speyside High School• Danika Linton of Sixth Form Government School (Polytechnic), St. James• Christiano Mejias of Barrackpore West Secondary School• Serena Patterson of Northeastern College, Sangre Grande• Vaidev Persad of Vishnu Boys’ Hindu College, Caroni• Kelsey-Marie Peters of Carapichaima East Secondary School• Joshua Teesdale of San Fernando Central Secondary School• Nevaeh Walcott of Barataria South Secondary School#NationalAwards2025 #trinidadandtobago #OfficeOfThePresidentTT ... See MoreSee Less

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