In light of rising gang activity in T&T, chairman of the National Commission for Self Help Surujdeo Mangaroo has called for the rekindling of community spirit saying that it is only through sports, culture and positive actions that T&T can be saved. Mangaroo delivered the feature address at the closing ceremony of the Ganesh festival held at the Shri Ganesh mandir in Penal on Saturday night. Mangaroo who also received a community service award this year said if citizens followed the Muslim principles of "Zakaat" and donated a stipulated percentage of their income to upgrading the community, then there will be no need to have the Government's subvention.
He said citizens needed to grow their own food, engage in physical activities like sports and eat foods low in fat and sugars. "We need to return to the sports and games that we played as children – cricket, football, catch, scooch, skipping, moral, hopscotch and road races. We know that sports build character, team spirit, lasting friendships and relationships. The formation and proper running of sporting groups, leagues and organisations will assist in the development of civic conduct, mutual respect and speaking in turn," Mangaroo said.
He said: "One of the best ways to help our community is for each of us to plant some food which we can share with our neighbours. By planting our own food we can be sure of the chemical content and pesticide used. "If we reduce the amount of salt, preservatives, fatty foods in our meals, this can go a long way in reducing the number of requests for canes, walkers, wheelchairs and disability grants," he said. Mangaroo noted that T&T's $4 billion food import bill must be reduced systematically. He said famines, hurricanes and other natural disasters will continue to occur because of the changing global climate, adding that citizens must stop littering and pollution.
"Community elders must also provide extra-curricular activities for adults that would create social bonds between individuals," Mangaroo said. He called on the devotees to take time out to list their blessings saying one important way through which they can become positive is to document three good things that happened to them each day. After the function, Minister in the Ministry of Works Stacy Roopnarine distributed copy books to all of the children in attendance. Roopnarine also called on the devotees to use religion as a unifying force, adding that "through religion all things are possible."