On Saturday, January 24, I attended a meeting called by the Human and Social Development Sub Committee of Chaguanas, chaired by a well-known pastor. In his address he invited the attendees to decide on the kind of city they wanted, however in his next sentence, he proposed that Chaguanas be branded "The Happy City" reiterating his church's preoccupation with the "Happy" concept. Even the questionnaire provided made an issue of the "Happy" brand.
I consider it unacceptable for anyone to seek to impose his beliefs on the population of Chaguanas, rather than allowing the people to choose freely.Additionally, people should note that T&T is ranked as the fifth most happy nation of the hemisphere, but interestingly, T&T also ranked highly (10th) for murders. Is it that the quest for happiness in T&T reduces consideration and respect for others?
I believe that the brand for a city of Chaguanas should reflect the traditions, beliefs and lifestyles of the people who shaped the development of the area. I have no fear of contradiction when I state that the values of entrepreneurship, creativity, thrift and discipline, together with the people's capacity for hard work, are the cultural elements that built Chaguanas.
Why not an Education City as proposed by Minister Karim, or the City of Opportunity? But certainly not the "Happy City" which suggests hedonistic tendency to "do it because it makes you feel good," with little consideration for others.I certainly believe that this "Happy City" brand should be rejected.
David Subran,
via e-mail