THE EDITOR: I am at a loss as to why successive governments have not yet officially proclaimed pan as TT's national musical instrument, thereby elevating its national and international status to that of all our national symbols and emblems – the flag, the coat of arms, the birds, the flowers, etc.

The descriptive word "national" fosters an historic sense of belonging, pride, patriotism, community, respect, identity, and ownership. With humility and pride, TT has shared its musical genius and inventiveness with the world via the United Nations having declared August 11 as World Steelpan Day annually.

The time has come to internalise this accomplishment not just from a musical standpoint, but from an all-embracing national perspective. Preparations must be made at all levels – societal, educational, governmental, etc – to ensure that national and international opportunities that present themselves are recognised and taken advantage of for our benefit.

Pan is a stand-alone and communal invention that was birthed in TT. It is more than deserving of official national recognition which is being swept under the carpet. The late prime minister Patrick Manning, who declared pan the national instrument in his 1992 Independence Day address to the nation, did not live to see it officially proclaimed via parliamentary procedure as being our national musical instrument.

How many of us nationals will not be around when this national recognition is given to pan?

HENRY HARPER

Petit Valley

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