Moments after receiving this country’s highest national award, Professor Ramesh Deosaran last night urged citizens to show a greater love for country and each other. Deosaran and Cultural Ambassador Chief Servant Makandal Daaga received the Order of the Republic of T&T at the 54th annual National Awards ceremony, held for the first time in South Trinidad at the Sundarlal Popo Theatre, Southern Academy for Performing Arts (Sapa). They were among 43 citizens honoured for their contribution to nation-building and gallantry.
Deosaran, who spoke briefly with reporters following the ceremony, said, “If I were to reflect on the spirit of independence, the requirement of any citizen of any country is to have a great love of country and a need for a great amount of caring for one another and a caring for the environment. “For us independence is still a work in progress. We have to make sure we are not our own barriers to fulfilling those promises (made in 1962).”
Veteran marathom runner Lynette “Granny” Luces, 85, may have been the oldest recipient of a national award yesterday but her age certainly did not show as she jogged on stage to receive her Humming Bird Gold medal. Luces created a stir when she locked arms with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and jogged briefly on stage before shaking hands with Chief Justice Ivor Archie. The packed auditorium cheered for Luces as she jogged off stage.
Also adding colour to last night’s festivities was Chutney artiste Ramrajee Prabhoo who was dressed in a pink dress complete with a tiara. Kim Manwarring, widow of murdered policeman Sgt Hayden Manwarring, received a Humming Bird medal bronze on her husband’s behalf. Ironically, yesterday’s ceremony tookl place a short distance away from where Manwarring was gunned down while attempting to arrest three alleged car thieves.
Speaking with reporters briefly, Manwarring said, it was an emotional moment for her and admitted she was on the verge of tears as she walked on stage to collect the medal. Journalist and historian Louis B Homer, who died just a few days ago, and heroes Shiv and Ganesh Bansraj and John Julien were also among 43 citizens honoured at yesterday’s ceremony.