Firstly, let me state publicly that I am not against the number of public holidays we enjoy in this country. I wish that be made abundantly clear. I think we deserve every one.
Those who have to work have a unique opportunity to increase their income and those at home can spend some time with their family. Not all time spent with a family can be deemed quality though. It depends on the calibre of the family.
My concern is our knowledge of the specifics of each holiday. We must be made aware of all the relevant data pertinent to each particular day. We have public holidays for example Christmas, Eid, Divali, non public holidays eg Carnival, and created holidays examples being Mondays, Fridays and days before and after public holidays.
The Prime Minister in his or her wisdom can allocate a public holiday, say if we won a gold medal at the Olympics or qualified for the Fifa World Cup. In light of what is transpiring now, this alleged qualification needs to be seriously questioned, but then again Spain won a World Cup.
When the public blocks a road to highlight a particular problem or the police have road blocks, voil�, you guessed it–another holiday.
Today is Corpus Christi, a public holiday.
Saturday, May 30, 2015 was Indian Arrival Day, a public holiday. Friday, June 19, 2015 will be Labour Day, a public holiday.
Although I am not a betting man I am putting it to you many Trinis will make Friday June 5, 2015 another holiday because of its close proximity to the weekend. If I lie, I die. Prove me wrong, I dare you.
All beach houses and hotels have been fully booked from Wednesday to Sunday. Ah lie?
The country will be in the auto pilot mode.
Corpus Christi is a Catholic public holiday celebrated in Grenada, Saint Lucia, Austria, Brazil and T&T.
I am grateful for the holiday but I believe all those who enjoy it must be made aware of its significance.
The day celebrates the tradition and belief in the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
T&T has 14 public holidays and two days for Carnival.
India and Colombia have 18 each. Finland has 15. Holland, Hungary and the UK have eight each. Note well.
T&T is a model for the rest of the world to emulate. Many religions at work peacefully. Take a bow people, we deserve it.
We in T&T celebrate all religions, events and holidays.
What about a Heroes Day to celebrate winning a world beauty title, a gold medal, qualification for a world cup, all things that we have done and will do again? We will revisit the past and plan for the future.
We are all brothers and sisters with different mothers but one father.
God bless our nation on the occasion of Corpus Christi.
Be safe on the roads and at the beaches.
By the way, Corpus Christi 2016 is going to be on May 26, a Thursday.
Here we go again.
AV Rampersad
Princes Town