media_artricles :: 2018

ORTT awarded to Wendell Mottley

Former government minister Wendell Mottley has received the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (ORTT).

Mottley, also a former double Olympic medallist who has an undergraduate degree from Yale University and a Masters in Economics from Cambridge University, was the only person to be conferred with the country's top national award by President Paula-Mae Weekes.

Mottley's career included significant accomplishments, including two medals at the 1964 Olympics, Japan and two medals at the 1966 British Commonwealth Games in Jamaica. 

After his retirement from athletics, Mottley was elected to the House of Representatives from 1981 to 1986, serving as Minister of Housing and later as Minister of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs. 

He was elected for another term in 1991 and served as Minister of Finance from 1991 to 1995. 

Mottley's long and distinguished career also included serving on a number of boards, including the Unit Trust Corporation (UTC) as its chairman. One of Mottley's teammates from the 1964 Olympics, Kent Bernard, was also awarded the Hummingbird Medal (Gold) for his contribution to sports. 

(See list of awardees on Page A17)

Editorial executive Jones P Madeira was also among those awarded the Chaconia Medal (Gold) for long and meritorious service to T&T. Contacted on the achievement, Madeira dedicated the award to his hometown of Arima.

"I am naturally overwhelmed by the recognition. I regard it as perhaps the pinnacle of a career that has spanned five decades and perhaps a little more behind it," he said.

"I have been in all aspects of media and even in corporate communications. The work was hard but there was also a good group of people to back you up. It also feels great that your country also recognises your work." 

He added that he hoped this award will inspire other professionals in the field of journalism.

Another media practitioner, Dr Kris Rampersad, freelance writer, producer and journalist who was once the editor of the Sunday Guardian, was awarded the Medal for the Development of Women (Gold) for outstanding contribution to the development of women's rights and issues in T&T.

Dr Varma Deyalsingh, a family doctor and psychiatrist, also received the Hummingbird Medal (Gold). He said he was honoured to be chosen.

"It actually meant that someone was really noticing the little things I am doing to help others...efforts that I have made to the community. 

"But the real joy is not getting an award, it's the joy that the people who you have helped will greet you and say, 'Hey Doc you made a difference in my life. Thank you.' 

"I am hoping that every person I helped will now extend a hand to help someone in some way," Deyalsingh said

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