Latest news with #Persad-Bissessar
NDTV
05-07-2025
- Business
- NDTV
PM Modi Congratulates Trinidad And Tobago On Adopting UPI Platform
Port of Spain: Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid an official visit to Trinidad and Tobago from July 3-4 at the invitation of Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. During his visit, the two countries expressed strong interest in expanding cooperation in the digital domain. PM Modi congratulated Trinidad and Tobago on being the first country in the Caribbean to adopt the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). "The two countries expressed strong interest in expanding cooperation in the digital domain. Prime Minister Modi congratulated Trinidad and Tobago on becoming the first Caribbean country to adopt Unified Payments Interface (UPI), India's flagship digital payment platform. They agreed to explore further collaboration in the implementation of India Stack solutions, including DigiLocker, e-Sign, and the Government e-Marketplace (GeM). Trinidad and Tobago requested support from India in digitization and upgradation of the system for state land registration. The leaders also underlined that digital governance and public service delivery can act as enablers of inclusive development, innovation and national competitiveness," the statement by the Ministry of External Affairs said. Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar commended India's leading role in saving precious human lives during the difficult times of COVID-19 pandemic. She appreciated India's quick response and valued supply of Covid vaccines and medical equipment to Trinidad and Tobago. She especially appreciated India's support under the USD 1 million 'HALT (High and Low Technology) in the COVID-19 project', with supply of mobile healthcare robots, telemedicine kits, and hand hygiene stations. PM Modi announced a gift of 2000 laptops to support Trinidad and Tobago's flagship educational programme. "Prime Minister Modi lauded Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar's ambitious vision of digitizing education and announced a gift of 2000 laptops to support Trinidad and Tobago's flagship educational programme. Prime Minister Modi also encouraged the students of Trinidad and Tobago to explore higher educational opportunities in India under various scholarship programmes offered by the Government of India," the statement said. The leaders identified agriculture and food security as another priority area. India's gift of agro-machinery worth USD 1 million for food processing and storage, to Trinidad and Tobago's National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO) was appreciated. Prime Minister Modi, during a symbolic ceremony, handed over the first batch of machinery for NAMDEVCO. Prime Minister Modi also offered India's assistance in areas of natural farming, seaweed-based fertilizers, and millet cultivation, as per the statement. On healthcare, Prime Minister Modi commended the Government of Trinidad and Tobago for recognizing Indian Pharmacopoeia which will ensure closer collaboration in pharmaceutical sector and improved access for the people of Trinidad and Tobago to quality and affordable generic medicines from India as well as provision of medical treatment in India. "He also announced that in the coming months, a prosthetic limb fitment camp for 800 individuals will be organized in Trinidad and Tobago. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar thanked Prime Minister Modi for healthcare assistance which will take healthcare cooperation beyond medicines and equipments. She expressed Trinidad and Tobago's gratitude for the donation of twenty (20) Haemodialysis Units and two (2) Sea ambulances from the Government of India to assist in the provision of better-quality healthcare," the statement said. Trinidad and Tobago underscored the value of development cooperation while welcoming the signing of a MoU on Quick Impact Projects, which will enable implementation of community development projects in Trinidad and Tobago in a timely and effective manner with India's assistance, the MEA statement said.
United News of India
05-07-2025
- Health
- United News of India
T&T PM Persad-Bissessar lauds PM Modi's compassion and solidarity during pandemic by sending vaccines
Port of Spain, July 4 (UNI) Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamala Persad-Bissessar has commended Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's compassion and solidarity during the Covid-19 pandemic, praising India's Vaccine Maitri initiative under which the tiny Caribbean nation received much-needed vaccines. 'When the Covid-19 pandemic brought the world to its knees, while some other countries were hoarding medical supplies, you ensured that vaccines and supplies reached even the smallest nations, including Trinidad and Tobago,' she said in an address at the Community Diaspora Event in honour of the Indian Prime Minister, held at the National Cycling Centre in Couva. This elicited sustained applause from the hundreds gathered in the audience. Reflecting on this, Persad-Bissessar continued, 'Through your benevolence, you brought hope and calm where there was fear. I say again, this was more than diplomacy; this was an act of kinship. 'This was an act of sheer humanity; this was an act of love, and this is one of the many reasons we are deeply proud to bestow upon you, Excellency, the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, our nation's highest honour.' That ceremony is scheduled to take place this morning at President's House, Port of Spain. On April 13, 2021, T&T received 40,000 doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines after Prime Minister Modi responded to a request for assistance from Port of Spain during a period when acquiring vaccines was particularly challenging. She told the audience that it was a 'profound honour to be graced' by one of the world's most esteemed and admired visionary leaders.'Your presence is a great inspiration to all of us, particularly to the Trinbago Indo community,' she said. Persad-Bissessar said the relationships between both nations go beyond time and distance, as she lauded Modi for positioning his country as 'a prominent and dominant global power through visionary and futuristic initiatives.' 'We bow to you, sir,' she said. She acknowledged his efforts in supporting the Indian diaspora and the common history shared by the two nations. 'The ties that bind India and T&T are ties of ancestors, kinship, sacrifice and love,' Persad-Bissessar said. 'We here are the grandchildren of Mother India, separated by oceans but united by love and respect. The ties that bind our two nations are truly unbreakable.' She asked that the two countries continue this journey together, as partners, as brothers, and as sisters. During her initial term as Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar travelled to India in January 2012, in recognition of the historical and cultural connections between the two countries, which date back to the arrival of Indian indentured labourers to T&T in 1845. A significant aspect of her visit was her role as the Chief Guest at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) in Jaipur where she was honoured with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, acknowledging her contributions and the strong relationship she embodied between the Indian diaspora and their homeland. UNI RN
India Gazette
05-07-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
PM Modi congratulates Trinidad and Tobago on adopting UPI
Port of Spain [Trinidad and Tobago], July 5 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid an official visit to Trinidad and Tobago from July 3-4 at the invitation of Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. During his visit, the two countries expressed strong interest in expanding cooperation in the digital domain. PM Modi congratulated Trinidad and Tobago on being the first country in the Caribbean to adopt the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). 'The two countries expressed strong interest in expanding cooperation in the digital domain. Prime Minister Modi congratulated Trinidad and Tobago on becoming the first Caribbean country to adopt Unified Payments Interface (UPI), India's flagship digital payment platform. They agreed to explore further collaboration in the implementation of India Stack solutions, including DigiLocker, e-Sign, and the Government e-Marketplace (GeM). Trinidad and Tobago requested support from India in digitization and upgradation of the system for state land registration. The leaders also underlined that digital governance and public service delivery can act as enablers of inclusive development, innovation and national competitiveness,' the statement by the Ministry of External Affairs said. Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar commended India's leading role in saving precious human lives during the difficult times of COVID-19 pandemic. She appreciated India's quick response and valued supply of Covid vaccines and medical equipment to Trinidad and Tobago. She especially appreciated India's support under the USD 1 million 'HALT (High and Low Technology) in the COVID-19 project', with supply of mobile healthcare robots, telemedicine kits, and hand hygiene stations. PM Modi announced a gift of 2000 laptops to support Trinidad and Tobago's flagship educational programme. 'Prime Minister Modi lauded Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar's ambitious vision of digitizing education and announced a gift of 2000 laptops to support Trinidad and Tobago's flagship educational programme. Prime Minister Modi also encouraged the students of Trinidad and Tobago to explore higher educational opportunities in India under various scholarship programmes offered by the Government of India,' the statement said. The leaders identified agriculture and food security as another priority area. India's gift of agro-machinery worth USD 1 million for food processing and storage, to Trinidad and Tobago's National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO) was appreciated. Prime Minister Modi, during a symbolic ceremony, handed over the first batch of machinery for NAMDEVCO. Prime Minister Modi also offered India's assistance in areas of natural farming, seaweed-based fertilizers, and millet cultivation, as per the statement. On healthcare, Prime Minister Modi commended the Government of Trinidad and Tobago for recognizing Indian Pharmacopoeia which will ensure closer collaboration in pharmaceutical sector and improved access for the people of Trinidad and Tobago to quality and affordable generic medicines from India as well as provision of medical treatment in India. 'He also announced that in the coming months, a prosthetic limb fitment camp for 800 individuals will be organized in Trinidad and Tobago. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar thanked Prime Minister Modi for healthcare assistance which will take healthcare cooperation beyond medicines and equipments. She expressed Trinidad and Tobago's gratitude for the donation of twenty (20) Haemodialysis Units and two (2) Sea ambulances from the Government of India to assist in the provision of better-quality healthcare,' the statement said. Trinidad and Tobago underscored the value of development cooperation while welcoming the signing of a MoU on Quick Impact Projects, which will enable implementation of community development projects in Trinidad and Tobago in a timely and effective manner with India's assistance, the MEA statement said. (ANI)
United News of India
04-07-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Trinidad and Tobago gripped by Modi mania, thousands attired in Indian wear celebrate his visit
Port of Spain, July 4 (UNI) Trinidad and Tobago was gripped by Modi-mania on Thursday which included Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar delivering a heartfelt speech celebrating the ancestral and cultural ties between Trinidad and Tobago and India. From the moment Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's feet touched the ground at the old Piarco airport just after 4 p.m., he received a warm Trinbago welcome. And as he was arriving at the airport, thousands of people were making their way to the National Cycling Centre in Couva for a Community Diaspora Event in honour of the Indian Prime Minister, the Trinidad Express reported. In an address that resonated with emotion, Persad-Bissessar welcomed Modi, to the cheers of 4,000 specially invited guests who filled the centre. The Prime Minister emphasised both the importance and sentiment behind Modi's visit, saying: 'We are graced by the presence of someone near and dear to us. We are graced by a leader whose visit is not just a matter of protocol, but a profound honour. 'Prime Minister Modi, your presence is a source of great inspiration to all of us, particularly to the Indo-Trinidadian community, whose roots are planted in the same blessed Indian soil from which you emerged.' The evening formed part of Prime Minister Modi's official two-day visit, which includes a formal address to a joint sitting of Parliament and the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding between the two countries today. At the centre, Modi received more of Trinidad and Tobago's hospitality as thousands, dressed in Indian wear, celebrated his visit to T&T. Persad-Bissessar spoke of the familial bonds between both nations.'Tonight, we honour the revered cultural and familial bonds between our people. These bonds transcend time and distance, uniting us in a shared history and a shared future,' she told the audience. The Prime Minister paid tribute to Modi's leadership, hailing him as 'a transformational force who has redefined governance in India and positioned your country as a prominent and dominant global power'. She emphasised that it was not just his governance that brought the people of Trinidad and Tobago together with India—it was his enduring reverence for culture and heritage. She reminded the crowd that Modi's first visit to Trinidad and Tobago was not as a prime minister, but in 2002 as a cultural ambassador attending the World Hindu Conference. 'Today, you return as the head of government of more than 1.4 billion people, a distinguished and celebrated leader whose influence transcends borders,' Persad-Bissessar stated. The Prime Minister recalled the journey of Indian indentured labourers, who arrived in Trinidad in 1845 aboard the Fatel Razack, carrying only their language, culture and faith. 'They crossed the Kala Pani, the 'dark waters' once believed to sever the soul from the sacred. But today, we have re-imagined that journey,' Prime Minister Bissessar said. She introduced the poetic phrase Pani Bandhan (Waters of Unity) and Samudra Bandhan (Ocean of Unity), reframing the sea not as a divider, but as a sacred link that binds two nations.'We here are the grandchildren of Mother India, separated by oceans but reunited by enduring love and respect,' she said. In a poignant moment, Persad-Bissessar read from one of Modi's own poems, 'Journey', which speaks of memory, struggle, and shared suffering: 'In the recesses of my mind, I travel far into the past And each face I see, unfolds a memory. My recall comes with ease. Each visage easily recognised, Nothing stays hidden. For this is the truth, plain to see That our companions, with whom we suffered Never forgotten Together endured Those sufferings They become the journey in the end.' As she spoke, Modi smiled and listened. Turning to the sacrifices of Indian migrants to Trinidad, Persad-Bissessar said: 'Yes, Shri Modi. Our people have suffered. But they endured.' She continued: 'And their endurance became the foundation of our nations.' Prime Minister Bissessar suggested that the ancestors themselves were rejoicing. 'Somewhere, in the distant echoes of time, somewhere, in the annals of history, our ancestors are rejoicing at your visit—whispering through the winds of memory, their spirits stirred by this sacred reunion of their scattered children.' Persad-Bissessar called for continued partnership between T&T and India. 'We are all threads in the same human fabric, bound not by circumstance, but by compassion, resilience, and the timeless truths of our shared heritage.' 'So, Prime Minister, let us continue this journey together as partners, as brother and sister, and as proud children of a most enduring heritage in history,' she said. UNI RN
Mint
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Who is Trinidad and Tobago PM Kamla Persad, hailed as ‘Bihar ki Beti' by PM Modi: All you need to know
Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, traces her roots to Bhelupur village in Bihar's Buxar district. Her great-grandfather, Ram Lakhan Mishra, migrated as an indentured laborer in 1889, a journey confirmed through ship tickets and land records preserved by the family. During a poignant 2012 visit to her ancestral village, she declared: "Bihar is in my DNA" while embracing relatives. Prime Minister Modi highlighted this connection during his July 2025 visit, calling her "Bihar ki Beti" (Daughter of Bihar) before the Indian diaspora. Born in rural Siparia in 1952, Persad-Bissessar earned multiple degrees, including law honors where she topped her class, before teaching at the University of West Indies. Her political journey began in 1987 as a local councilor. She shattered glass ceilings as Trinidad's first female Attorney General (1995), and first woman Opposition Leader (2006), and made history in 2010 as the nation's first female Prime Minister. After electoral victories in 2025, she reclaimed the premiership, taking her oath on the Bhagavad Gita. Persad-Bissessar actively nurtures Indo-Caribbean ties, hosting PM Modi with Bhojpuri Chautaal folk performances and ministers in traditional Indian attire. During his visit, PM Modi gifted her Sarayu river water and a Ram Mandir replica, reciprocating the diaspora's earlier contributions of sacred water and stones for Ayodhya's temple. In 2012, India honored her with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, the highest award for overseas Indians, acknowledging her bridge-building efforts. Married to obstetrician Dr. Gregory Bissessar since 1971, she balances political life with family in Penal, Trinidad. Her leadership extends beyond politics; she champions education and women's empowerment, crediting her grandmothers, who supported their families as widows, for her resilience. With 45% of Trinidad's population having Indian roots, her story embodies the enduring legacy of Girmitiya laborers who preserved Bihar's culture abroad.
