Anand's Commentaries

Can you imagine how different this country could have been today, if Basdeo Panday had managed his temper, swallowed his pride, and not defected from the NAR to form Club ’88? 

I am tempted to say the Government lost a lot of credibility, given the embarrassing volte-face on the effects of the international economic crisis on our local economy, but would concede that it actually enjoyed credibility that could have been lo

The avalanche of mud, slush and debris and the consequent clean-up operation are timely physical reminders and reflections of the state of our tiny nation.

The killings of Curtis Lawrence and Keith Graham brought the murder toll to 468 as of November 13.

There is so much that I wish to comment—the murder of innocent teenagers, spiralling gang-related violence, the death of babies at hospitals, the downturn in the economy, the success of Divali Nagar and the inequitable funding for Ramleela.

The murder of Allan Seepersad in Penal last week struck a raw nerve in my body. Maybe it was the grief-stricken pictures of his niece Mohanie and his daughter Sally.

The Integrity Commission (IC) is back in the news again for all the wrong reasons: PM Manning’s allegations that he had special branch officers monitoring the movements of Kamla Persad-B

In every budget speech, the mantra of the urgent need to diversify the economy has been a popular chant.

In the midst of all the doom and gloom, crashing financial markets and slap in the face of the law by the Prime Minister (who transformed a cultural show into a PNM rally), a ray of hope broke through the dark clouds last week.

How did Debbie Ramsingh die? Was she murdered, or did she drown? What blame should the officers at Debe and Barrackpore police stations take for her death?

The Dharmacharya (spiritual head) pundit cut a lonely picture at the National Awards celebration. For the brief moment that I looked at the awards ceremony, he sat by himself in a row of empty chairs.

The success of the Democratic National Convention, during which Barack Obama was confirmed as the presidential candidate for the Democrats, depended on Hilary and Bill Clinton.

Starting from the high office of the Honourable Keith Rowley to Trinidad and Tobago Transparency Institute to most citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, everyone is calling for the Forensic Audit of Udecott. Rightfully so!
 
Then what?
 

The Guardian editorial on Friday made an important point regarding the need for accountability in the next budget.

We are so racially sensitive that once “outsiders” or “others” criticise our race, tribal leaders immediately train their snipers at the messenger, in an effort to obfuscate the message.

Recent statements made by prominent PNM officials show pangs of political guilt over the sad state of its “natural constituency” (to borrow Danny Montano’s expression).

The Trinity Cross is about to be replaced with an award that would eliminate the friction and grumbling protests from non-Christians in our plural society. Today, I wish to remind readers of a piece I had written during the controversy.

The Government has lost its grip on the reins of governance. No one is listening to ministers, except themselves and the audience in front of them that must.

There is probably more corruption under the PNM than any other government. The machinery is well-oiled and runs smoothly, and unlike the UNC, it isn’t concentrated in the hands of a few but spread a little more evenly, across the board.

The public service is supposed to be the engine for the implementation of government’s policy.

 “In a small country which possesses enormous wealth, and in which allegations of corruption are rife, the government has proclaimed its commitment to accountability, transparency and integrity in public affairs.  The courts have a special role to play in protecting this ethos, particularly in State Companies, incor

 The bacchanal over Rowley’s sudden firing is not likely to weaken the PNM.

Last week, I received a call from a distressed parent who had taken her son to the casualty department of San Fernando General Hospital.