00:00The Prime Minister commended this nation's Defence Force and Protective Services for playing their role in celebrating light over darkness.
00:07Speaking during Diwali celebrations hosted by her office, the Prime Minister also thanked the nation's public service for sustaining national
00:16life.
00:17Jewel Brown reports.
00:18I want you to give a round of applause to the members of our Protective Services. In their own way,
00:25they work to celebrate the light over the darkness.
00:30Prime Minister Kabla-Pasab-Basasa speaking during the 2026 Diwali celebrations hosted by the Office of the Prime Minister.
00:38Among those in attendance were Chief of Defence Staff Don Polo and Senior Military Officers, Police Commissioner Alastair Guevaro, Deputy
00:45Police Commissioners, Chief Fire Officer Andy Hutchinson and other Senior Protective Service Officers.
00:51But I wish to thank the Defence Force, the Police and Fire Service leaders and officers, our Senior Personnel Officials,
01:00the Cabinet Secretariat and all representatives of our state agencies.
01:05You serve in different ways, but your work helps protect our people, support our public officers and sustain our national
01:12life.
01:12And Diwali reminds us, above all, how much good we can achieve when we bring that dedication together in service
01:21to others.
01:22Also in attendance were members of Cabinet, Permanent Secretary to the Office of the Prime Minister, Natasha Barrow, who was
01:28also the Head of the Public Service, Chief Personnel Officer Dr. Darrell Dindial, and the Director of Personnel Administration, Corey
01:35Harrison.
01:36P.S. Barrow, thank you for steering this office and for the leadership you provide as Head of the Public
01:44Service.
01:45To our other Permanent Secretaries and Deputy Permanent Secretaries and Senior Officers, thank you for guiding your teams, providing sound
01:54advice, managing public resources and carrying governments through to delivering.
02:00What is required for the delivery of services to the public was also highlighted.
02:05I know the demands can be considerable. Urgent matters arise. Deathlines change and your families sometimes share the sacrifice.
02:14So please know, we appreciate your efforts. The message of Diwali finds real meaning in that service.
02:22Knowledge becomes useful when it helps someone find an answer. Compassion becomes meaningful when it helps someone.
02:31Integrity strengthens public confidence when people see, when people see that they are treated fairly.
02:39The Prime Minister congratulated all in attendance for keeping the Diwali celebrations alive and also for fostering friendship and understanding.
02:47As I have been saying throughout this season, all religious parts lead to the same God.
02:57May call upon God by different names in different languages and we offer prayers in different ways.
03:04But we seek his grace and honor and we honor him through the love and kindness we show one another.
03:12That spirit belongs at the heart of the office of the Prime Minister.
03:17We serve every community and we have a special responsibility to set an example of the respect and unity we
03:25cherish in Trinidad and Tobago.
03:27After the Diwali celebrations, the Prime Minister chaired the weekly cabinet meeting at the Diplomatic Center.
03:33So, Jewel Brown, TV6 News.
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