IN SPITE of TT's own socio-economic political challenges, its citizens hold to their unique spirit and idyllically celebrate the joys of just being alive, says the Prime Minister.
Dr Rowley, issued a message to the nation on Friday, ahead of the 46th Republic Day on Saturday.
Rowley referred to TT as a country populated by "exceptional people" in a "global ball of chaos and confusion."
He said, "(Two islands) at the southern end of the Caribbean archipelago, facing, of course, its own socio-economic political challenges – yet its people, in their various ways, thank the Almighty, hold to their unique spirit and idyllically celebrate the joys of just being alive, and live on with 'boundless faith in our destiny.'"
Citing TT's jubilee Independence Day celebrations last month, Rowley, called on TT citizens to "claim your heritage...We feel the pride!"
He said TT "can point to its many social ills, the current crime wave, the short-comings in our infrastructure, the buckling and impeded education system, our institutions, our faltering work ethic, disregard, in some places, of the environment, et cetera – but on the other side of the national balance sheet, we must give ourselves positive grades as being a people, with a confident pride in ourselves.
"We, the nationals of this country, confidently believe that we are as good as the world’s best – and in many spheres, we have proven that we are."
Rowley said Trinidadians "(are confident) whenever we interact with the developed world... There is a pervading Trinbagonian spirit, something which is still giving birth to what will be a distinctive national character, which is showing traits of flowering into world-class successes and achievements."
The country, he said, has been constructing a Republic, although " probably not strictly according to Dr Williams’ designs plans, but within the traditions of Western democracy," notably the citizens' tolerance for each other's differences, rather than holding to rigidity and inflexibility.
"We can talk about instances of general acceptance, rather than rejection and alienation of another group.
"We can move our discussion to the general acknowledgement of an individual’s rights, and now on to the promotion of individual responsibilities.
"Modernised societies, it is said, are also characterised by downsides where citizens feel stressed, chronically-bored with experiences of insecurity, anxiety, burn-out and depression."
The PM appealed to parents and children to utilise services offered by the new Ministry of Youth Development and National Service and other state agencies and to search for one's calling in life "from very early."
He said, "Look out for those areas, the signs, subjects, specific activities, which may catch their attention.
"Let them know that their individual life’s calling is all within them; help them discover their purposeful energy, and follow its potential to a better life.
"Help your children to search for a purposeful life, rather than be adrift, without meaning – then turni
