Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a visit to his five countries and after Ghana, he has now reached Tinidad and Tobago. PM Modi has visited the Caribbean country to strengthen common heritage and migrant relations. This is the first bilateral visit of any Indian Prime Minister after 1999. PM Modi’s visit to Trinidad and Tobago is taking place on the occasion of the 180th anniversary of Indian migrants.
President of Indian origin and PM
PM Modi’s visit is very important for the deep cultural and historical relations of Trinidad and Tobago with India. More than 40 percent of the population of Trinidad and Tobago is of Indian origin, including President Christine Carla Kangalu and Prime Minister Kamla Prasad Bisacer. During PM Modi’s visit, a big migrant contact program has been planned, so that relations with the Caribbean country can be strengthened.
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On his visit, Prime Minister Modi will hold high -level talks with Trinidad and Tobago President Kangalu and Prime Minister Kamla Prasad Bisacer. Also, there will be talks on pharmaceuticals, digital infra, renewable energy and agriculture sector. PM Modi will also address the joint session of Trinidad and Tobago Parliament. Through this visit, Caricom and Small Island is to strengthen India’s partnership with the important country in the developing states.
Connection to Bihar and UP
Trinidad and Tobago are such a Caribbean Island country, which is famous worldwide for its cultural diversity, natural beauty and historical importance. Most of the people here speak Bhojpuri with a large population of Indian origin, because their roots are associated with Bihar and surrounding states. Apart from this, festivals like Mahaparva Chhath to Holi, Diwali and Ganesh Chaturthi are celebrated here with pomp. Apart from this, celebrations like Ramlila are inspired by Bhojpuri traditions. Ramlila is organized in a grand manner in Trinidad, which includes Bhojpuri style plays, which tell the story of association with Indian culture.
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Trinidad’s chutney music or chutney Soka is a mixture of Bhojpuri folk music and Caribbean Music, which consists of Bhojpuri songs tunes and local Soca/Calipso style. Trinidad and Tobago are a major economic center in the Caribbean region as well as rich in terms of oil and natural gas. Apart from this, the beautiful beaches and coral reef here attract the attention of people in terms of tourism.
‘Girmitia’ laborers went from India
When slavery ended under British colonial rule in the 19th century, workers from India were brought to Trinidad to meet the lack of labor. Between 1845 and 1917, about 1.5 lakh Indian laborers came to Trinidad, who was called ‘Girmitia’ laborers. Most of them belonged to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and whose tongue was Bhojpuri. These laborers were mainly brought to work in Chinese and cocoa orchards. Over time, the country developed and this community also strengthened its economic and social status.
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The total population of Trinidad and Tobago is close to 14 lakhs, out of which three to four lakh people are those who speak Bhojpuri. Although the use of Bhojpuri language has reduced today after so many years of migration and people of Indian origin now speak English or local Craol language, yet the effect of Bhojpuri culture is seen in songs, folk tales and traditions there.
Indian community is powerful
Leaders of Indian origin have contributed very important in Trinidad and Tobago politics. Basdev Pandey was the first Prime Minister of Indian origin in the country, who held this position twice between 1995 and 2001. Basdevi Pandey was a lawyer, economist and union leader by profession, who played an important role in the establishment of three political parties including the United National Congress.
The current Prime Minister of Trinidad, Kamla Prasad Bisacer, is also of Indian origin and he has taken over PM Modi by winning elections on behalf of the United National Congress Party in April. Prior to this, she has been the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago from 2010 to 2015.
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