Rikki Jai still waiting for $2m prize
Wednesday, March 2 2011

TRINIDAD EXPRESS - By Innis Francis South Bureau - Two weeks after the Chutney Soca Monarch finals was held at Skinner Park, San Fernando, winner Samraj "Rikki Jai" Jaimungal is uncertain when he will get his $2 million prize.

Jaimungal, a six-time Chutney Soca Monarch, won the competition with his song "White Oak and Water" which earned him the State- sponsored money.

The Chutney Soca Monarch competition was the first of the four national competitions that the Government have promised to reward with a $2 million first prize.

The other three competitions are the National Calypso Monarch, Power Soca Monarch and the Panorama finals.

Jaimungal told the Express in a telephone interview on Monday, "I haven't received the money yet. I did not get word when, but that (prize-giving function) is usually long after the Carnival."

Jaimungal received the most text votes—18,285— ahead of second place contender Ravi Bissambhar who caused outrage when, in apparent disappointment as a post-show performance, called on his supporters to throw missiles onto the stage. He has since apologised. Police have been called in to investigate the incident.