A symbol of national pride: Mere Desh (My country) Monday, May 30 2011
TRINIDAD EXPRESS - By Ariti Jankie - Taking pride in the culture brought to Trinidad by East Indian ancestors, "Mere Desh" (My Country)set up in 1991 to educate the Indo-Trinidadian community has been presenting awards to men and women who kept the old traditions alive. The non-profit organisation has also been organizing competitions to renew interest in the art and culture handed down in the rich oral traditions of India.
Founder and Coordinator of Mere Desh, Ajeet Praimsingh said that each year community groups and individuals nominate persons in their community who had failed to gain recognition for their role in nation building.
"We must recognise the contributions and achievement made by people of Indian origin and stop dwelling on the adverse conditions under which our forefathers worked. We must recognize their contributions and achievements in the development of Trinidad and Tobago. They have excelled in every aspect of life including religion, education, agriculture, commerce, politics, medicine, sports and culture," he said.
Mere Desh has honoured over 150 sons and daughters who apart from providing role models for the youths, assisted the poor and disadvantaged for the past 19 years.
In the music category, those receiving awards included Vidoor (Blind singer), musician/singer Chander Bali and Chanrautee Chunilal and the Yankaran,Sookraj and Sagram families. In the field of education and sports Dwarika Lalla, Kumar Mahabir and Sabrina Cassie were honoured while media personalities included Amjad Farzan Ali, Shamoon Mohammed, Kenneth Lalla, and Hansley Ajodha. For their role in nation building and community service Ramdharry Garibdass and Sookhai Ramesar were recognised.
Praimsingh said that apart from honouring the annual list of persons for their contributions, the Association staged festivities geared towards the promotion of Indian culture.
"Over the past 21 years, Mere Desh has organized competition such as Biraha(Folk songs) Singing, Mike O Rama, Tassa Rama, Dhantal Playing, Windball Cricket, Most Tasty Doubles, The DholakTaal (rhythm of the drums), The Tastiest Paratha Roti and a Cross Country Parade of Local Talent in a series of 25 shows," he said.
He said that in 2003, the Mere Desh staged a local Classical singing competition focusing on the teachings of Sant Kabirin which all the singers composed and sang songs based on the teachings of the great Saint/poet of India.
"Kabirwas a teacher of the universal truth. Mere Desh wanted to encourage artists to research the songs of Kabir and place them into their own unique styles. Fans of this type of classical singing were treated by the best performances when 17 of the nation's top local artists took up the challenge and sang thumri,teelaana, dhrupads and horee (folk styles) to win big cash prizes," he said.
BalliramRamroop from Penal walked away with the first prize of $10,000.00 sponsored by the National Lottery Board of Control, he recalled adding that hundreds of visitors and classical fans swarmed the site to witness the annual celebration at Mid Centre mall car park, Chaguanas.
In 2004, the committee's Paratha Roti competition attracted roti makers from all over the country. The winner, Sahid Ali of California walked away with $3,000.00, sponsored by Alston Marketing for the tastiest Paratha Roti. The event attracted over 2,000 visitors who tasted samples from the contestants.
In 2006, the Mere Desh hosted a one week Agri Expo where recognition was made to the children of indentured labourers and their involvement in agriculture. A workshop based on plant propagation saw professionals from the Ministry of Agriculture demonstrating the "know how" in grafting, budding, grow-box hydroponics, soil conservation and proper land use.
A year later in 2007, the committee's theme 'Your Health is in Your Hands,' attracted a cross section of the population to engage in free blood sugar, cholesterol and pressure testing .There were also vision screening and Pap smears free of cost. A local song contest was also held on the theme, with an aim to encourage artistes to compose a positive messages bringing awareness to the general public on the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
In 2008, three days music workshops were conducted in playing various instruments, including the harmonium, dholak, sitar, tabla, dhantal, steel pan and tassa. Students from various schools attended and showed a keen interest in learning to play the instruments. The following year (2009) 11 Junior Tassa groups participated in the competition which focused on youth talent. The Swarsati Shooting Stars walk away with $5,000 sponsored by the Ministry of Culture. Their 2009 project also incorporated workshop in the making of stuffed toys, kite-paper decorations, Mehindi application, and curtain drapery designs.
Praimsingh said that this year marks 20 years since Mere Desh has been in existence. This year its major project will be a pottery painting class by Anita Rampersad. The workshop if free and opened to anyone interested.
Other committee members of Mere Desh include its president Lutchman Simboo, and a membership including Surendranath Dookie,Barlo Samaroo,Parasram Ramoutar,Narendra Maharaj, Savitree Maharaj and Karan Nancoo.
"We have come a long way hosting a plethora of cultural competitions', President Simboo said.
The Mere Desh committee is also involved in the installation of a monument for the later Chutney king Sundar Popo.
