The Political Principles of the NJAC- Part 1

1. THE POLITICAL SYSTEM MUST BE INDEPENDENT OF OUTSIDE CONTROL AND MANIPULATION

An independent economic base is a minimum condition for this since " there is no political power without economic"(Conventional Politics or Revolution).Economic  dependence is the material basis of neo-colonialism. Given the realities of internal pressure a strong will to self-determination on the part of the people and leaders is also essential.

THE CHALLENGE OF 1970- A LOST HISTORY OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

The Challenge of 1970

An Analysis of the Economic Impact of the Trinidad and Tobago Revolution of 1970

There is one basic principle to NJAC's economic philosophy.

 That is, the participation of the people in the economic life of the nation.

On page 12 of our “Blue Book”, the People’s Declaration of Policy for the Development of a New Trinidad and Tobago it is stated that:

“The resources of the country to the people of the country as a whole be used for the benefit  of the people as a whole”.

“Ownership by the people must be dominant in the economy”.

“The People must exercise effective control over the economy”.

The Trinidad and Tobago Revolution of 1970 sought to achieve this. It aimed to bring about an economic transformation of the society. Indeed so that this principle could become a central part of the nation’s economic life.

One challenge of 1970 was to confront the old economic and social order. Another was to replace it with one that worked in the interest of the people of Trinidad and Tobago, and their happiness. It was the challenge of creating a new economic destiny. This destiny would assure the nation of a bright economic future and would take the people onto a higher level of existence.  Before 1970, indeed, a colonial economic system existed. It was an economy that was set up to secure the interests of a few. 

In fact during the period of chattel slavery, labour and capital were one. Labour was capital and capital was labour.  During indentureship, economically, there was not much difference. Throughout all of this, the role of the state was to ensure that the interest of only a few was well secured.

Indeed, the entire political structure that was set up, to serve one purpose only. That is, the laws and all aspects were to serve one basic premise – power to the few, profit to the few. There was no concept of people’s control of the economy or people’s control of anything for that matter.

What NJAC STANDS FOR

THE PRINCIPLES OF NJAC:

1. Honour the old

2. Love the Children

3.Be a Brother, Be a Sister

4. Protect and Prepare the youth

5. Elevate and Respect the Woman

6.Build the Family

7.Unite the Nation

8.truth must be the corner stone of the Political system

9.We want the whole bread not the crumbs

10.Educate, discuss and persuade, thereby encouraging , motivation, consultation and participation

11.Love must be the basis of all relationships and work must be a right not a favor, as man cannot find spiritual development and fulfillment without it.

12. Let the people decide

New York Honours Makandal Daaga

The Chief Servant Makandal Daaga, Political Leader of N.J.A.C. and T&T's Cultural Ambassador Extraordinaire to Caricom was one of the panelists at the Brooklyn film screening of a new film on the 1970 T&T revolution.

Th screening of the film entitled '70: "Remembering a Revolution" took place at Lafayette Presbyterian Church Brooklyn , on Thursday, June 23, 2011.

The panel discussion was moderated by foremost U.S. Trade Unionist Roger Toussaint, International V.P. of the TWU of America and chair of the hosting committee.

Other panelists included the Honourable Stephen Cadiz producer of the film and T&T's Minister of Trade and industry; The Honourable Embau Moheni, Deputy Political leader of N.J.A.C., and T&T's Minister in the Ministry of Arts and Multiculturalism; and Professor Henry Newton, Department of History, Temple University.

Also present at the event, were the film's Director Alex de Verteiul, and it's Editor, Luke Paddington.The website for the film is www.70themovie.com.

Ms. Liseli Daaga, head of the Butler Institute of Lifelong Learning and wife of Chief Servant Makandal Daaga, was also there and spoke to members of the audience.

The event appeared in an article in the N.Y. Daily News.

In addition, a review of the event appeared in a Trinidad Guardian Newspapers article.

The words that were engraved in the two plaques presented to Chief Servant Makandal Daaga were as follows.

Presented to:

Brother Makandal Daaga

For a Lifetime of Vision and Sacrifice

Faithful to the Ancestors

Leader of a Generation,

Trailblazer & People's Champion.

On behalf of the

Caribbean Community

of the Greater New York Area,

Thursday, June 23^rd, 2011

Profile of Point Fortin Councillor Marilyn Ramanarinesingh

Marilyn Ramnarinesingh
Councillor for Fanny Village, Pt Fortin
Executive Officer, NJAC

Marilyn Ramnarinesingh is currently the Counsellor for Fanny Village in the constituency of Point Fortin. She is also an Executive Member of the National Joint Action Committee and is responsible for its operations in Point Fortin.

Mrs. Ramnarinesingh is the owner of Marla’s Hardware Supplies and has had a productive career in the hardware industry serving as a Manager at the Point Fortin Hardware for twenty-two years (22) from 1987 to 2009. She has also served as a Manager at Kirpalani’s Limited in Point Fortin from 1982 to 1987.

Marilyn Ramnarinesingh is a past student of the Southern Central Anglican School, Point Fortin College, St. Bernadette’s Convent School and The School of Creative Stitches.

Mrs. Ramnarinesingh is a devoted wife being married to Mr. Mervyn Ramnarinesingh and mother of two sons, Nicholas and Richard, both of whom are doing very well in their education.
Sister Marilyn has dedicated her life to serving the people of Point Fortin.

We Honour Our Heroes

Senator Embau Moheni Deputy Political Leader of N.J.A.C. and Political Head ,N.J.A.C. Tobago along with ten other living legends of the 1970's movement, will be honoured on Saturday 16th April 2011. Their accolades are due to their unlimited dedication and hard work that they have devoted to our organization.These stalwarts of the NJAC family are just some of the reasons why our oranization has survived and is able to stand so firmly and proudly as part of our government today.To these veteran soldiers we say thankyou and congratulations to you all.The cocktail award ceremony celebrating these heroes of our land will be held at the vanguard hotel Tobago, chaired by His Excellency Makandal Daaga and bishop Claude Berkeley

People's Partnership Meeting

The People's Partnership will be hosting a public meeting today in the Port-of-Spain South Constituency, at Cor. Bournes Road & Western Main Road, St James, at 7 pm.

The speakers will include People's Partnership Candidate for PoS South, Gizelle Russell. Other speakers are Makandal Daaga, Laventille West Candidate; Kwasi Mutema, Laventille East Candidate; Annabelle Davis, PoS North Candidate; Garvin Nicholas, Diego Martin North East; and Vernon De Lima, Crime Spokesperson. Other exciting speakers will appear.
(Hotline: 623-5470; 622-5817)