Senior Reporter
Less than a year after administering the oath of office to Trinidad and Tobago’s top judicial officer, Senate President Wade Mark will today stand alongside Chief Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh and former government minister Dr Surujrattan Rambachan as recipients of the nation’s highest award, the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (ORTT).
The trio were among 32 individuals named yesterday as recipients of national awards ahead of today’s 50th Republic Day celebrations. Three organisations were also recognised.
The ORTT is conferred on citizens and non-citizens who have rendered distinguished and outstanding service to Trinidad and Tobago.
Speaking briefly with Guardian Media after the announcement, Mark said parliamentary duties were keeping him occupied.
“I’m still in Parliament and will be on duty until 3 am,” he said, expressing gratitude for the recognition but declining further comment because of work commitments.
Mark, who was elected Senate President under the United National Congress (UNC) administration on May 23, 2025, has enjoyed a lengthy career in politics and trade unionism. He first entered Parliament as an Opposition senator in 1990 and has since served in several ministerial portfolios, as well as Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Guardian Media also sought comment from Boodoosingh through the Judiciary, but no response was received up to press time.
Boodoosingh was admitted to the Bar on October 30, 1992, and appointed a Supreme Court judge in 2007. During his judicial career, he served in both the High Court and Court of Appeal and lectured at the Hugh Wooding Law School.
Rambachan, who recently disclosed he is battling stage four cancer, said he was surprised by the honour.
“I get an award? Wow! I have to prepare a statement,” he told Guardian Media by telephone.
A longstanding UNC member, Rambachan has served for decades in local government and as a Cabinet minister.He said he had been informed of the nomination and was “expecting something” but was unsure whether it had been approved. He opted to reserve further comment until today.
At the time of the interview, Rambachan was leading puja prayers on a Facebook livestream.
Chaconia Gold recipients
Six people received the Chaconia Gold Medal, the nation’s second-highest award.
They are epidemiologist Dr Paul Elias Alexander, retired politician Joseph Toney, Keshmani Dhaniram-Gosine, political scientist and educator Dr Maukesh Basdeo, retired Justice Allan Mendonça and entrepreneur-philanthropist Haji Churchill Azad Akaloo, who was honoured posthumously.
Akaloo was recognised for transforming Sheik Lisha Ltd from a family business into a major Caribbean manufacturing enterprise.
Former broadcaster, musician and producer Sadhruddin “Sadro” Mohammed and Emamool “Mamoo” Deen, credited with helping to create doubles alongside his wife in Princes Town in the 1930s, also received posthumous Hummingbird Gold Medals.
Two organisations involved in searching for and recovering missing persons were also recognised with Hummingbird Gold Medals. Shamsudeen Ayube and Vallence Rambharat, leaders of separate Hunters’ Search and Rescue teams, were among the ten recipients in the category.
Rambharat described the award as a tribute to the organisation’s volunteers.
“I’m honoured to accept the award on behalf of 42 members of the Hunters’ Search and Rescue Team,” he said.
“To me, it’s unbelievable that an organisation that started six years ago could assemble 42 volunteers who continue to dedicate their time to assisting families with missing loved ones. The volume of work we’ve done over the past six years is immense.”
Rambharat said the group has helped reunite approximately 2,000 people with their families and has expanded its activities to include wildlife rescue and community outreach programmes.
“It has been a tremendous amount of effective work and I think the organisation is now a household name. Whether it’s a big problem or a small problem, people contact us, and it has been a great experience to serve the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago,” he added.
Recognition for journalists
Former Trinidad Express editor-in-chief Omatie Lyder was among four media practitioners awarded the Chaconia Medal Silver. Also honoured were retired political editor Ria Taitt, photographer Andrea De Silva and veteran journalist Jai Parasram.
In a WhatsApp message, Lyder said she was “truly honoured” to accept the award.
“While I accept this award graciously, serving the public interest has always been reward enough for me,” she said.
“Journalism, at its best, is a public service, and for 43 years it has been my privilege to serve.”
She also congratulated Taitt, praising her contribution to political and parliamentary reporting.
“Ria has brought a wealth of experience and knowledge to political and parliamentary reporting, and her work has made an important contribution to our understanding of public affairs,” Lyder said.
Offering words of encouragement to journalists, Lyder added: “Continue to serve the public interest fearlessly. Continue to ask the difficult questions. Continue to hold power to account. Above all, maintain the highest standards of journalism: accuracy, fairness, independence, integrity and courage.
“The platforms may change. The business models may change. The challenges may change. But the public’s need for credible, responsible journalism does not.”
Soca artiste Destra Garcia was among three recipients of the Medal for the Development of Women (Gold), recognised for her contribution to the development and representation of women through more than two decades in the music industry.
