00:00The second edition of Diwali with the Diplomats celebrated the Festival of Lights as a symbol of cultural identity, inclusivity
00:08and shared values.
00:09Delivering the feature address, Prime Minister Kamala Pisan-Bissassa said the country's heritage is a source of pride that transcends
00:16borders.
00:17No organization or council can claim exclusive ownership of our national heritage.
00:24But some of us do live a life of great respect and love for all.
00:28We don't own the sun. We do not own the sun.
00:33But we can moderate the rays that reach us.
00:36In Sherry New Alley, we share the strength of our roots and the openness of our hearts.
00:43She also recognized the diplomatic corps for working alongside Trinidad and Tobago,
00:48highlighting cooperation between the United States and Venezuela to secure cross-border supplies
00:54as an example of what diplomatic engagements can achieve.
00:59Engaging with the United States and Venezuela has helped secure relevant OFAC license
01:05and advanced cross-border energy development.
01:09I see His Excellency is here tonight.
01:28The Prime Minister also reaffirmed her government's position on the international call
01:33for the lifting of the economic embargo on Cuba,
01:37while reiterating her concerns about the Cuban government's political system.
01:42I want to say I stand firmly by the standard Trinidad and Tobago took
01:47with respect to the vote at the UN regarding Cuba.
01:52We cannot, cannot stand up and talk here and say,
01:58leave Cuba alone, 29 plus years.
02:00It's all been the same. It has not changed.
02:02And therefore, I stand for freedom. I stand for democracy.
02:07And in Cuba, the people deserve a democratic government.
02:12They are suffering. We feel the human suffering of the Cuban people.
02:16But we cannot stand by and do nothing or say nothing to support a military dictatorship in Cuba.
02:23Fourteen of the diplomatic corps and Venezuelan ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago,
02:28Alvaro Enrique Sánchez Cordero, outside of TNT, he knew Diwali only by name.
02:35Trinidad and Tobago changed that.
02:39This Twin Island Republic taught us what Diwali truly means.
02:44We learned that it marks the triumph of light over darkness,
02:49of knowledge over ignorance, of good over evil.
02:54We learned that it is not merely a Hindu festival,
02:58it is a national one.
03:00Now, he says the festival holds a special meaning for him,
03:04reflecting values that extend beyond religion and culture.
03:08And there is something as powerful as the lights,
03:11my favorite, the sweets.
03:13Every diplomat here has now tasted barfi, korma, and gulab jamun,
03:20and discovered that a simple offering of sweetness can open doors that protocol alone cannot.
03:28In sharing these sweets, we have learned that Diwali's message travels
03:33not only through words, but through generosity.
03:36Arvishi Tomori, Rupnarain, TP6 News.
