We will be celebrating the 75th Independence Day of India at a very challenging time. Last year humanity struggled to fight the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of us lost our near and dear ones, and some witnessed our close ones fight back. We wanted to remind ourselves of our resilience to gather and move on with renewed hope and work towards a better and brighter future in this challenging time. It is a time to reassure our friends and partners that we will play a constructive role in a time of global crisis.

In the last 75 years, India’s democracy has become more robust and resilient in times of challenges, fulfilling old dreams and aspirations and inspiring new ones. Today India is an inalienable force in connecting the globe through information technology and artificial intelligence. Her achievements in new sciences such as biotechnology, genetic engineering, material sciences, nanotechnology, space sciences and clean energy contribute immensely to a better future.

India’s civilizational existence rests on her strength of diversity and pluralism. Its philosophical underpinning has been the age-old adage of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (The world is one family). It is also the land of Mahatma Gandhi who gave the world the methodology of truth and non-violence for establishing peace. We believe in togetherness. Together we build, and together we prosper. In this spirit of togetherness and friendship, as we celebrate the 75th Independence Day of India, I wish all Trinbagonians a better, brighter, healthier and prosperous future.