Open Letter to Madam PM of Trinidad and Tobago dated 19-11-2011
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Open Letter to Madam PM of Trinidad and Tobago dated 19-11-2011
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Saturday, March 3 2012
THE EDITOR: The Trinidad Carnival is big business, and the money spent could be considered an investment.
Pan Trinbago, TUCO and NCBA could be considered shareholders in this investment. The capital is provided by the taxpayers, via the government and the income generated by this “business” goes into the coffers of businessmen and government.
The “workers” ie the panists, calypsonians etc are also entitled to a share of the income generated by the Carnival, so the money given to them is not “welfare”.
The question should not be how much money is actually given to these entities. It should be how much money is generated by Carnival activity, and what share of these funds do the people that actually create the Carnival receive?
I have never seen an accounting of how much revenue is generated by Carnival activity, including tourist related revenue from air fares, lodging, taxes, etc.etc.etc.
GLENROY R JOSEPH
via e-mail
© newsday.co.tt - www.newsday.co.tt
'Gypsy': $96.5m for Carnival 2K12
Originally printed at http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/_Gypsy____96_5m_for_Carnival_2K...
By Anna Ramdass anna.ramdass@trinidadexpress.comFebruary 2, 2012
A total of $96.5 million will be spent on Carnival 2012, says Minister of the Arts and Multiculturalism Winston "Gypsy" Peters.
Speaking at yesterday's post-Cabinet press conference at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann's, Peters said some $43.5 million was expended on Carnival and Cabinet yesterday approved a supplemental $53 million more for the event.
Describing Carnival as "big business", Peters disclosed that Caribbean Airlines officials had reported that 220,000 persons have booked and paid to come to this country during the Carnival period.
While more money was given for Carnival expenditure, Peters reiterated that there will be no $2 million grand prize from the Government for the Soca Monarch or the Chutney Soca Monarch as was the case last year.
The People's Band–an initiative of the Government to allow people to parade for free–is also a thing of the past.
Peters said Government will contribute money to the various institutions such as Pan Trinbago, the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO) and the National Carnival Bands Association (NCBA).
He said it will be up to these bodies to raise additional funds and determine whether they want to maintain a $2 million grand prize.
"The Government contributes to everything that they do... The Government funds everything that goes on with these entities, the Government does not get any return from it whatsoever. None," said Peters.
Questioned on the supplemental funds for Carnival, Peters said: "Carnival incurs a lot of debt. As a matter of fact we had debt that ran over from last year, some of these contractors we owe them from last year and then we have to fund money to pay them this year...so we have a lot of money that we owe for different reasons."
In addition to the $96.5 million for Carnival, Minister of Tobago Development, Vernella Alleyne-Toppin, said Cabinet identified funds to bring 11 steelbands from Tobago to Trinidad for the Panorama semi-finals.
She said a total of $3.2 million will be spent over a four-day period to fund meals, accommodation, ground and air transport for the band members.
It is so sad to know that the Minister of "CULTURE" does not understand when a product is an intangible one. Why is it that 220,000 tourist have decided to visit our Islands for about two weeks? He has to be an idiot to say that Steelband, Calypso and Mas brings in nothing at Carnival. He apparently has never read any of the Central bank reports which an indication of the amount Carnival brings to thic country. In excess of $500,000,000.00, yes five hundred million dollars. I f Mr Peters does not see this as an great investment in our twin island state, then he should go back to his rum-shop in Mayaro.
If a toll is taken of visitors for the Panorama and multiply that figure by the of money that would be spent by each individual' he would see what the government and people of T&T don,t get back.Mr Peters one "lick Ass African" getting hit for Six, you are the next one, unless you are the chief ass licker. Mr. Peters should go and do his home work before showing his lack of intelligence.
Mr. Peters should be "fired", he cannot even provide a proper budget. And on to Ms. Vernella Alleyne-Toppin. who as a Tobagonian should be most proud that eleven bands from the sister isle are in the Semi final round.
She should ask the Chairman of NCC, Mr Patrick Arnold, if this figure is just and reasonable, and see what value these bands can provide in tourist dollars. Mr. Peters, T&T is the MECCA of Steelpan, Calypso, Soca and Carnival, not Brazil, right here. If you cannot understand that then you should resign your position with immediate effect.
Country first? The PM's recent moves show us all where her "nationality" LIES. (No pun intended.) As to ALL my East Indian "play-cousins" on this site, educate yourself about the ancient African's role in your country's religion and culture, and reject ALL efforts that continue to divide both groups. I do not think that is healthy for the twin-island country we (claim to) "love". We must educate the uninformed and illiterate, but to do so, we MUST first educate ourselves. I hope I can begin that process, by having you take a look at an "educated" person of East Indian descent. (Wish we could get this out to ALL "Indian" communities in Trinidad & Tobago. Time to end this division, which as someone who opposes racism, is very disturbing to me.) PASS THIS ON!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RJxyiWSwpw (This is 1 of 12 clips. You may also be able to download.)
In supporting you ,,the Ghost Who talks,,anyone can log on to Dr Ravi Zachariah Ministeries.com,,,,he is a born Indian converrted into a Christain,, a scholar whom has preached at numberless Univerties in theUSA and the world over ,a full explanation of the Hindu Religion is explained,,,???????God Bless.
we should realise by now that politicians and diapers need to be changed often and for the same reason
we time to make the ole trini excuse
dont we have a whole year to plan for the next year
well its same ole same ole
same b-s
different year
I am sorry for those who think that PM Kamla Bissesar came into office with the intent to "clean up corruption". Trust me, that is not where the cleaning up is taking place. Further, you all need to understand the narcissist mind, for it concerns itself not with world opinion, and seeks only to promote propaganda that will ensure it maintains power over its electorate. (Compare to George Bush's legacy.) Again, unless we truly understand Machiavellian principles, we are going to continue to do the same thing (have faith in politicians), and expect different results. Eric Williams knew that in the 70s, and this PM knows it today.
Again, unless we become independent of the government (PNM, UNC, or whomever), we will never be able to grow into the industry that we have the potential to become. Of course, that may mean using non-violent methods of protests, including boycotts. Why can't we, with the assistance of the ENTIRE global pan fraternity, hold our own Panorama? Why can't we begin to develop "sister" partnerships with steelbands in other affluent nations, that could "adopt" a local band, and provide financial assistance to these bands. We give them something of value (our culture and instrument), and they return the favor, by helping to see to it that that culture does not die in the country from whence it came. This thought just came to me, but the point I am trying to make, is that we need to really start thinking outside the proverbial box; a box, that has kept the best of our ideas and advancements trapped in political and social bondage for far too long. I truly believe that we on WST, probably have the greatest advantage to mobilize the global pan community into helping us move the local industry into the 21st century. Pan Trinbago needs to be clear on its role, vision, positions, and also provide proof, as to the validity of its assertion as being the "the worldwide governing body for pan". They cannot be both worker's union and shareholder-owned company at the same time. They cannot serve two masters.
I dont want to start anything but it looks like its already started. This IS a comment. This IS the place to discuss ANYTHING related to Pan and the culture surrounding PAN and PAN people.. ANYTHING and EVERYTHING RELATED to PAN. It is HEALTHY to argue/discuss and generally talk about ANY issue. PAN is close to MY (our) HEART and this forum is about PAN. Recently some bright sociologist is "claiming" right here on this forum that Neville Jules (All Stars) INVENTED PAN. He said PAN couldnt have been invented at 147 Tragarete Rd Woodbrook because Woodbrook was somehow middle class. Neville knows better and HE should speak up NOW instead of doing what Spree Simon did.(keep silent to a lie) Stalin made an error and he knows it now. Pan Trinbago apparently doesnt have the guts to hold a round table conference on the issue. They too are SILENT. Long live Ellie (he is about 89 or 90 now)
Your statement is so true paddy. Every one wants fame, despite knowing the truth, that is why the history of pan cannot still be written. Although Woodbrook was a middle class community, 147 Tragarete road was a "Barrack house yard" with various tenants, a bath and washing sing in the centre of the yard and a latrine in the south eastern corner of the yard.
There are certain people who made certain strides in pan, e.g (deceased) Arthur De Coteau of Casablanca, yes the same Arthur De coteau, the father of Ronnie Mc intosh. Do some research and we can all find out what was his contribution. it is alleged that he was the first person who who had a chromatic 5 bass tuned. He was also the first arranger who did a classical piece in a competition, "Bells Of St. Mary's". This was played by Casablanca at the Queen's Park savannah, He also tuned the iron to captivate the sounds of the bells as written in the musical score.
As far as i was informed by deceased Oscar Pile who had a wealth of knowledge on the Pan issues as did george Goddard There was a rapid and accidental transition from tamboo bamboo to dustbin. Pile said that while going over Gonzales hill a player by the name of "gutter rat" bamboo split and he ran looking for some thing to beat found an old dust bin, started to beat it in the heat of the excitement, obviously the sound was different and more pronounced, the rest is history. The "bright sociologist" is obviously a supporter of ALL Stars, nothing wrong with that , but he should do more research on the subject matter before putting misinformation in print.
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