ATTORNEY General Anand Ramlogan says he would not be surprised if Machel Montano wins tomorrow’s International Power Soca Monarch final and walks away with the $2 million prize offered by the Government.
“I wish him the very best of luck. He certainly has my vote,” Ramlogan said while speaking in the Senate on Tuesday night as he introduced the Miscellaneous Provisions (Remand) Bill at the Red House, Port of Spain.
He recalled, on Monday night, he had the “good fortune” of attending Montano’s concert, “The Return”, at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo.
Ramlogan described as a “very moving moment” the scenario when Montano brought on to the stage the world “king and queen” of calypso, Slinger Francisco, better known as “The Mighty Sparrow”, and McArtha Linda Sandy-Lewis, better known as “Calypso Rose”, respectively.
He recalled cutting out pictures of the two calypso icons to stick in his copybook with flour paste while he was in primary school. He noted they were honoured by Montano in front of almost 35,000 fans, and Calypso Rose broke down in tears.
Ramlogan pointed out what Montano did was demonstrate respect for elders and “a kind of caring and compassion that is sadly lacking in the youths” in this society.
“The extent to which Mr Montano was able to do that and to send a message that as a superstar and an icon…that this is what he stands for, I salute Machel Montano…for that gesture and for the powerful message it sends, and I say he is indeed worthy of emulation, and I hope that others will lead by example to mentor and set an example for our youths,” Ramlogan said.
Montano returns to the Power Soca Monarch competition after a protracted absence.
Opposition Senator Fitzgerald Hinds, in his contribution, pointed out Montano had been seen in the company of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and the United National Congress (UNC) “frequent times”. He added there were some citizens who were saying the artiste had been sponsored by the Prime Minister and the UNC and was a “liming friend” with Persad-Bissessar.
The Government members raised their voices in objection to this statement.
