NCIC
Issue 2
November 2012
(The Late) Mr. Ian Ali
- Artist
Nishkama Karma Yoga - the deed of
selfless action without desire of the fruits
thereof - is a principle of the Bhagavad
Gita, and of life by extension, that
plays an extensive role in the mind of
man born of Indian soil. Be him one born
directly or indirectly of the soil, such
principles remain deep rooted in those
whose roots lie planted firmly in Indian
culture. It goes without saying that such a
principle has reached world status, by
whatever name it may be called.
There is no better principle than that of
Nishkama Karma Yoga that can be used
to describe those men and women of the
Indo-Trinidadian soil who have selflessly
and desirelessly done their part to preserve and propagate our rich and intricate Indian heritage. In an address
made by the President of the National
Council of Indian Culture during the Hall
of Pioneers ceremony of 2008, Mr.
Deokinanan Sharma stated that,
“against tremendous odds, particularly
during the Indentureship period and the
period immediately following, the East
Indians and their descendants managed
to retain the culture of the regions of
India from whence they came. Cut off
from their motherland, the culture with
necessary modifications due to local
conditions, retained its original flavour
and authenticity, many aspects of which
can still be witnessed today more than
one hundred and sixty years after they
first set foot on Trinidad and Tobago.”
were successful.
It is for this reason that the NCIC finds it
most fitting to award these hard working
men and women the recognition they
most deserve. Annually, the National
Council of Indian Culture hosts the Hall
of Pioneers Induction ceremony where
those pioneers and preservers of Indian
culture are rightfully awarded and recognised for their hard work.
It is not only after the NCIC was formed,
but in its formation itself that pioneers in
their own rights had tossed in their coins
of dedication. With these helping and
willing hands, the NCIC was able to set
its foot firmly on ground and begin its
work. With a long list including those like
Mr. Narsaloo Ramaya, Mr. Bisram
Gopie, and Dr. Hans Hanoomansingh,
just to name a few, persons have been
awarded the recognition well deserved
by the NCIC during the Hall of Pioneers
ceremony over the years for their contribution to the NCIC and to Indian Culture
on the whole and in the development of
Trinidad and Tobago.
Since the inception of the Hall of Pioneers induction ceremony, the NCIC has
managed to award recognition from an
all-round aspect, applauding the work
of people and organisations from an
array of fields with roles that rooted to
Indian culture and its preservation. People in arenas such as Arts, Education,
Agriculture, Entrepreneurship, Business,
Religion, Politics, Philosophy, Law and
simply a passion to safeguard precious
Knowing the importance and sentiments
heritage, have also been endorsed.
behind the culture and values that our
forefathers have brought with them and
The Hall of Pioneers ceremony for the
toiled for hours upon hours per day to
year 2012 was held on September 8th
embed within their generations to come,
2012.
battling all odds, men and women of the
Indian diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago It is with much hope for the future of our
have no doubt done their part to ensure Indian heritage and the cultures and
that these values remain alive and were values that have been brought by our
passed down to many more generations. forefathers, that these men and women
Amongst these men and women are continue to work effortlessly, and conthose who have worked closely along- tinue to teach those of the coming genside the National Council of Indian Cul- erations the importance of preservation.
ture for many years. Through all en- With this continued mindset of selfless
deavours to showcase, document, ar- action and deeds towards its conservachive and propagate our rich heritage, tion, the vibrant heritage with which we
there were those men and women who have been so fortunately endowed, will
have, without second thought, lent a forever remain alive.
hand or two in seeing that all efforts
By Samantha Reshma Sankar
5
- Television Pioneer
- Cultural Activist
(The Late) Mr. Chander Bali
- Musician
- Recording Artiste
Mr. Shamshu Deen
- Educator
- Researcher
- Author
(The Late) Reverend Cyril Paul
- Reverend
- Social Activist
Mr. Rajkumar Krishna
Persad
- Dancer
- Scholarship Winner
- National Award Winner
(The Late) Mr. Sundar Popo
- Singer
- Recipient of Numerous Cultural
Awards
Mr. Balgobin Ramdeen
- Author
- Former Member of Parliament
- Attorney-at-law (retired)
Ms. Rajkumari Mamit Ramsubhag
- Educator
- Cultural/Community Activist
(The Late) Mr. Naipaul Sookdeo
- Businessman
Mr. Bobby Sookram
- 1st National Footballer of East
Indian orig in