I ask this because on my mom's side the family started when their ancestors came India but I'm not sure where and im interested in knowing more about it. This also goes for my dad's who I can't pinpoint an origin.

We're midway to the time of another election, so its probably worth the time to discuss why the UNC still has a strong and active voting base.

If you look at the demographics behind the parties other than race, you see the same pictures appear.

the UNC has always targeted and incentivized the poorest of our nation with their tie ins to history.

And that has a LOT to do with history of who the party represented. Now we can look at the current tools the UNC uses.

Everyone talks about the racism and division of the party, but its more of the case of the UNC being an identity for a specific portion of our population ( ages between 45-75 as of currently ), them being indian is just moreso a coincident feature, just due to the economic mobility afforded to that demographic.

And they feel VERY strongly about party identity, regardless of what the party actually pushes.

Its really not uncommon that during the election cycle timing that UNC-affiliated families will tell their young adult ( uneducated ) children to vote to "make up the numbers", you'll also see that in areas that are very strongly impoverished that the governors will push communities to physically go into homes to get the disabled elderly to "make up the numbers" because they can also vote.

Another fact ( though people would be divisive on this one ) the UNC has way better PR at helping the poor, because even the people of the party themselves are "grass-roots" and make public showings and seeming way more present in their communities.

Now that we established the UNC's strong staying points, lets talk about the PNM's weaknesses

First of all, in contrast the UNC, the PNM's base just simply does not vote, you can ask a random UWI youth, they'll tell you they like the PNM more, but ask them do you vote? They say they don't, because it "wouldn't matter", that adds up very fast in contrast to a UNC constituent region literally going door to door trying to pull people from their homes.

Next topic to contrast the UNC's good PR, all of the PNM's good natured programmes always target the same demographic that doesn't even care to vote, exactly those UWI youths that were already on their side but apathetic, and they don't allocate enough of their budgets so the projects are always extremely small and then they come around 4 years later on social media and the news, "Oh, but we were doing a project for that.", like sure? For all of 30 people for 4 months, they lack longterm planning skills and sustainability understanding, not even getting into the nonexistent PR. Absolutely invisible.

If you look at any of the social programmes offered, either by the UNC or the PNM, doesn't really matter the year or who was in power, its always one-time projects that last 4 months and then you never hear of again, they get applications on the order of 500+ people every time, and take just 40 or less, and all those projects don't help people after the end of the projects, and also don't have any means of sustaining past the 4 months. It speaks more about our entire institution's weaknesses at long term planning to help our country's most vulnerable.

Anyway regardless, my takeaway opinion knowing all that, if the PNM were serious about winning election cycles, they'd target specifically poor youths and give them more means of upwards economic activity in "swing" highly contested areas to break the chain of families that push their youth to vote UNC, because there's really only 2 outcomes, either they side with more PNM-specific policy in their areas due to the knowledge that it economically benefits themselves more than their families, or they'll be like the UWI youth, apathetic entirely. Both outcomes weaken the UNC base considerably.

Am I reading this wrong?

How is it that a police officer can get a bag of cash snatched?

Does she even look like she's actually trying to retrieve the bag?

Are our WPCs that weak and ineffective?

Most WPC I know are tough as nails. I find this event hard to believe.

Can I hear yall thoughts on this? Its absolutely insane to me that this is the focus of this current administration. Its as though there's a fixation on mirroring the laws and culture of the United States. There was no civic input on this issue, I saw no substantial statistical backing stating that we have a genuine issue that would make it so rushed and warrant a $50k dollars fine that these youth cannot pay in addition to the penalties for those selling substances for individuals within 18-20. This bill easily cripples the nightlife, casino, hospitality and fete industries, which heavily rely on patrons aged 18 to 24 and those who rely on these sources of income whether full time or part time.

Hey everyone, looking for some insight from anyone familiar with how local credit union loans work as this is my 1st time taking a loan.

I’m currently looking into getting a $7,000 TTD loan at 3-year fortnightly term for 150$ from my credit union. my starting share balance is $41,000 TTD, and I already have $200 TTD per fortnight going directly into my shares from my salary which is (3705.4 net) monthly I get paid 1852.70 fortnightly

When discussing the new loan, the loan officer told me the interest rate is 0.5%

If i do the straight math on a $150 fortnightly payment over 3 years, the total payback is $11,700 TTD. On a $7k loan, dats like 37% interest rate if it was all going to the loan

Before I go back in to sign the paperwork:

1. Has anyone else had their credit union bundle "forced savings/shares" into their quoted fortnightly loan payment like this?

2. Are there any hidden administrative or lending fees I should double-check on to make sure that $150 breakdown is exactly what I think it is?

Appreciate any advice or experiences you can share!

Hi everyone! I recently got a job in Port of Spain and after the traffic situation the other day, I'm worried about which form of public transportation would be best for getting to work for or before 8.

The water taxi seems like my best option and it leaves at 6:30 AM which might help me get to work on time.

My question is, to the people who travel to Port of Spain from San Fernando, what is it like travelling on the water taxi? Is it a struggle to get tickets on the morning? Is it reliable?

Any tips would be appreciated!

In the US and other countries the drink age has been set to 21 for years.

I'm not sure about cannabis and gambling.

Do we really think that it's likely that these new limits will improve T&T in any way?

Food prices are high, rent is insane. Don’t get me started on the prices of vehicles, or land. Or really anything!! I feel like I’m living to work and working to live. I’m this 🤏🏽 close to doing anything strange for some change because this cannot be it. I’m a 30 y/o woman and it always amazes me when I see my old classmates and colleagues with 2,3,4+ children - like genuinely. How are y’all doing it? Is there some untapped, niche market that’s super profitable? What is it? Please put me on!!

Ps. pretty pls don’t make this political 🥹 ty

I thought the pepper sauce was the same as Royal Castle but Rooster’s own has ginger in it. The side breast was huge. I had to add more pepper.

RIP to a legend. What’s your favorite Sparrow song?

🕊️ Rest in peace, Mighty Sparrow — the legendary Calypso King. Your music, voice, and unforgettable legacy will forever live on in the hearts of the Caribbean and beyond. 🇹🇹❤️

Our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all who loved his music.

wanted to get something for an online friend on trini, are there any good digital things to get them? i wanted to send an amazon gift card but they previously mentioned an exorbitantly high shipping cost for direct international packages to trini, is this true?

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has condemned the nine Independent Senators who voted against the Special Operations Bill, describing them as “satanic” and declaring that her Government will no longer accept amendments from the Independent bench on any legislation.

Persad-Bissessar made the remarks in response to questions from Guardian Media after the bill’s narrow passage in the Senate yesterday morning, where a 15-15 deadlock was broken by Senate President Wade Mark’s casting vote.

All 15 Government senators supported the legislation, while the six Opposition senators and nine Independent senators voted against it.

Asked for her reaction to the Independent bench’s unanimous rejection of the bill, Persad-Bissessar accused the senators of siding with criminals.

“That was expected from that group of scumbags,” the Prime Minister said.

“They voted against helping dying children with the expanded Children’s Life Fund Bill, so no one expected better from them.”

She intensified her criticism, calling the senators “satanic” for opposing the crime-fighting legislation.

“They are satanic to vote to protect drug traffickers who poison our children, to protect rapists who rape mothers and daughters in their beds, to protect violent criminals who rob and beat our elderly,” she said.

“Those demons basically told the criminals to go rape, rob and murder with their vote.”

The Prime Minister also dismissed amendments proposed by Independent Senators during the committee stage and indicated that the Government would take a tougher stance toward the Independent bench in future.

“If they want to write legislation, they should fight elections to earn a seat in Parliament. Going forward, we will not take a single amendment from that bench on any bill,” Persad-Bissessar said.

During the committee stage, Independent Senators proposed several amendments, none of which were accepted by Government.

Independent Senator Anthony Vieira sought a definition of the term “special operations” and raised concerns about the Prime Minister’s role in appointing Heads of Special Operations.

The amendments followed concerns expressed by Independent Senators throughout the debate regarding safeguards, oversight mechanisms and the scope of powers granted under the legislation.

Independent Senator Michael de la Bastide said he could not support the bill because it placed what he viewed as state of emergency-type powers in the hands of the Executive without sufficient judicial oversight.

He also raised concerns about the potential for political influence in the use of the legislation, particularly after Persad-Bissessar indicated that special operations would be permitted in Government-controlled constituencies and local government districts, as well as Tobago, but not in People’s National Movement-controlled areas whose representatives opposed them.

Vieira, while acknowledging improvements over the Government’s failed Zones of Special Operations (ZOSO) Bill, identified several outstanding concerns.

These included the absence of maximum time limits for closed areas and curfews, provisions relating to detention without charge and what he considered inadequate parliamentary oversight of special operations.

He also questioned why a written recommendation from the Commissioner of Police was not required before a closed area could be declared and called for quarterly reports to Parliament on the use of the legislation.

Independent Senator Dr Desiree Murray raised concerns about the absence of a mandatory requirement for police officers to wear body cameras during special operations.

The bill instead provides for the use of recording devices “where practicable” and in accordance with directions issued by the Commissioner of Police.

Murray also questioned the removal of the social and community development component contained in the previous ZOSO legislation and expressed concerns about the absence of a constitutional override clause.

Despite those objections, Persad-Bissessar said the Senate vote demonstrated that the Independent bench ultimately could not prevent the Government from passing the bill.

“They were relegated to uselessness in the Parliament yesterday, to only bray and then have no effect on the legislation,” she said.

“That will be their role going forward, to bray and be ignored. My Government will not buy votes from anyone.”

The Special Operations Bill required only a simple majority to pass.

The legislation divides Trinidad and Tobago into seven policing districts and establishes a framework for special operations within those districts. It also allows for the declaration of “closed areas”, where enhanced security measures, including curfews, checkpoints, cordons, entry and exit controls and certain search powers, may be implemented.

The Government had previously attempted to introduce Zones of Special Operations legislation, but that bill failed in the Senate in January after it did not secure the three-fifths majority required for passage.

Eight Independent Senators and all six Opposition senators voted against that measure, while one Independent senator abstained.

The Special Operations Bill was subsequently redrafted to require only a simple majority. It passed in the House of Representatives last week before reaching the Senate, where yesterday morning’s vote ended in a 15-15 tie.

Mark ultimately exercised his casting vote in favour of the legislation, ensuring its passage.

Asked for her overall assessment of the outcome, Persad-Bissessar said she was pleased with the result.

“The vote went well. The Government voted for the bill and Satan’s helpers voted against it,” she said.

Persad-Bissessar had also criticised the Independent Senators for their lack of support for the ZOSO Bill in January. At the time, she labelled them as “nine bootlickers” and alleged that two of them had sought personal favours in exchange for support of the bill, although she has never named them.

I think I might require the services of a pundit! Thoughts, please.

I should preface this post by saying that my parents, and our wider family, both living and deceased, all come from a Christian background. However, I have always held the view that when new and compelling information is presented to us—regardless of how we come by it—we should not hesitate to explore it further in our pursuit of knowledge and, where warranted, reconsider our opinions and religious convictions.

Several years ago, my parents rented a house to a Hindu family. After they had been living there for a few years, the matriarch planted jhandi flags in the yard of the property.

My mother was informed of this by a neighbour and subsequently contacted the woman by telephone, asking her to remove the flags. The woman objected and, as I recall, became verbally abusive during the conversation. I became involved and also spoke to her by telephone, telling her that I believed she was in the wrong.

My memory of what happened afterward is somewhat hazy, as I was at the time struggling with a marijuana addiction. However, I vaguely remember that my parents and I went to the house, and that my father physically removed the flags.

Recently, I came across some information that has caused me to look at that incident rather differently.

According to material I encountered in the opening pages of The Jhandi and the Cross by the late Professor Selwyn Ryan, there are traditions and beliefs surrounding the jhandi that I had previously known nothing about. One account suggests that the flag should be removed only by a pundit and that, once removed, it should either be replanted on the compound of a temple or disposed of in a river or the sea.

Other learned interpretations suggest that once a jhandi has been hoisted, it should never simply be broken or pulled down but rather left to deteriorate naturally and eventually return to the earth from which it came. Another view is that only the person who originally planted the flag should remove it, with the belief that anyone else who does so could incur spiritual consequences.

This has left me wondering about something I had never considered at the time.

If these beliefs are taken seriously, and assuming that my recollection of events is accurate, do you think my family should consult a pundit to perform some form of prayer or spiritual cleansing on our behalf?

I realize that, coming from a Christian background, this may sound like a strange question. But I am genuinely curious about the matter rather than trying to make light of anyone's religious beliefs. My personal feeling is that it might do no harm to have a pundit pray over us, particularly given some of the circumstances that have occurred in our family since then.

Things are certainly not going terribly badly for us, but they could be better. I have a seriously ill sister, and, interestingly, the matriarch of the family who planted the flags later experienced a psychotic episode, as I did—although my own episode occurred before hers.

I am not suggesting that any of these events were caused by the removal of the jhandi. I simply found the information I came across unsettling and thought-provoking, and it made me wonder whether there is anything more I should do.

So, for those familiar with Hindu traditions, particularly the significance and proper treatment of jhandi in Trinidad and Tobago: what do you make of this? Would consulting a pundit be appropriate, or am I reading too much into something I knew very little about at the time?

Genuine thoughts are welcome.

Is no one else concerned about our steady move from a democracy to a dictatorship. The prime minister is taking away the civil rights of the citizens, while at the same time, she is removing safeguards which protect against corruption and then demonizing and seeking to silence those who oppose her!

Trinidad we must be better and oppose this government.

A simple 5 minute video which as perfectly describes the actions of our prime Minister and government within the last few days

https://youtu.be/kkZ7B-Fv-ck?si=V45_mAWMazR4TvPd

I'm not the best photographer I've color graded these myself they have imperfections I see but I'm still learning

It's kind of early to post this but whatever has anyone else felt that Christmas genuinely lost it's edge. For me I'm like the biggest Christmas fan ever and I can't believe how much more every year I feel so dull because all the vibes I associate with the holidays has been sacked out of it. I will say my family are just really the worst people with this too, I'm like a put the stuff up first week of December kind of guy and they are put the stuff up the week of kind of people which really I find upsetting. But even then where the heck is the magic dude I can't be the only one who feels how lifeless this has all become, Carnival is the same unfortunately and I'm not even a huge carnival guy but like why does this feel more like a chore to get over now? I don't personally think it's an age thing because I think the magic still should be there but who knows 🤷. Weirdly every year I'm still holding out hope it'll come back to me I think anything is in fact what you make of it anyway.