Trinidad and Tobago PM Kamla Recites Poem by PM Modi During Community Event.
In a symbolic gesture of shared heritage and cultural connection, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Friday quoted a poem written by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a community gathering in Couva.
The event, held at the National Cycling Velodrome, was part of PM Modi’s two-day visit to the Caribbean nation, which is home to a significant population of Indian descent.
Echoes of Shared History
Quoting from Modi’s Gujarati poetry collection ‘Aankh Aa Dhanya Che’ (translated as ‘Blessed Are These Eyes’), PM Kamla recited verses that reflect on the themes of memory, hardship, and enduring bonds. The poem, deeply personal in tone, evokes the emotional strength found in remembering those who stood together during difficult times.
Here is the excerpt she shared, translated from Gujarati into English:
In the recesses of my mind
I travel far into the past
And each phase I see unfolds a memory
My recall comes with ease
Each visage easily recognised
Nothing stays hidden
For thus is the truth plain to see
For our companions
With whom we suffered
Never forgotten
Together endured those sufferings
They become the journey in the end
The verse resonated with the audience, many of whom are descendants of Indian indentured laborers who migrated to Trinidad and Tobago in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
A Historic Bond
According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, approximately 556,800 people of Indian descent reside in Trinidad and Tobago—nearly 40% of the country’s population. This includes around 1,800 Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), with the majority being descendants of indentured laborers who arrived between 1845 and 1917.
The quoting of the poem served as a poignant reminder of the deep-rooted cultural ties between the two nations, built on shared history, migration, and resilience.
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