India Honors President of Trinidad and Tobago with Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award

Port of Spain, Jan 28 (NationPress) India has awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award to Christine Carla Kangaloo, the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, acknowledging her remarkable achievements in public affairs and her role in promoting India’s global stature, as announced by the High Commission of India in Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday.

In a statement on X, the High Commission mentioned, "During the Republic Day reception held by the High Commission last evening, Christine Carla Kangaloo, ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award on behalf of the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, presented by High Commissioner of India Dr. Pradeep Rajpurohit, for her extraordinary achievements in Public Affairs and for elevating the name and prestige of India."

Kangaloo, an Indo-Trinidadian leader, was the chief guest at the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, from January 8-10, 2025. She delivered a virtual address that garnered widespread acclaim across India and beyond.

The High Commission congratulated the President and the First Gentleman on this esteemed honour, appreciating their presence at the Republic Day reception.

During her address at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, Kangaloo stressed the profound connections between India and Trinidad and Tobago, tracing back to 1845 when Indian indentured workers first set foot on Trinidadian soil.

She pointed out that India was one of the pioneer nations to establish diplomatic relations with Trinidad and Tobago following its independence in 1962.

The President commended India for its contributions to the global community, listing achievements in education, medicine, mathematics, and navigation.

She referenced India’s significant historical milestones, including the founding of the world’s first university in Takshashila, the advancement of Ayurveda as an early medical system, and the discovery of algebra, trigonometry, calculus, and the concept of zero.

Kangaloo also highlighted contributions in culture, including chess and the decimal system, and recognized Sushruta as the father of surgery.

Discussing the impact of the Indian diaspora, Kangaloo acknowledged their substantial contributions to cultural, social, and economic development worldwide.

She characterized the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas conventions as platforms for collaboration between India and its diaspora, honoring the resilience and determination of people of Indian descent.

Kangaloo reflected on the arrival of over 143,000 Indian indentured laborers to Trinidad over 72 years, which significantly transformed the country’s demographic, cultural, and economic landscape. Today, descendants of these workers make up approximately 42 percent of Trinidad and Tobago’s population, enriching the nation with their traditions and heritage.

Expressing her appreciation for being selected as the chief guest and for receiving the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, Kangaloo stated, "I feel deeply humbled and honored by this recognition."

The President also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for India’s support during the Covid pandemic, including the provision of vaccines at the request of Trinidad and Tobago’s leadership.

The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award is the highest accolade awarded to overseas Indians for their exceptional contributions across various sectors, reinforcing ties between India and the global diaspora.