I wrote blogs from Mumbai for over three years, and after four months in the Turks and Caicos Islands it is time to start here. I have a number of aims. First, and most importantly, I hope that they may be of interest to residents in these beautiful islands, as a modest illustration of the work that I and many others are doing. Second, and leading on from that, if they encourage more tourists to visit then they will have been worth every minute of my time. And finally, as in Mumbai, it is possible some may be of some interest to those looking at investing here, to get a flavour of the issues and openings.
The contrasts with Mumbai could hardly be greater. There a population of about 20M are squeezed into an area probably little bigger than the whole of TCI, which supports a population of 31,500. In Mumbai it took me at least 40 minutes on a good day to drive to work, here the walk is 5 minutes at a push. And, dare I say, the surrounding waters of the two islands are like chalk and cheese.
Another difference is religion, and it seems appropriate to start on that theme, as Christianity is the religion of almost the entire population here , with some 50 per cent attending a Christian service every weekend, unlike the millions of devout Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Jain followers visiting temples in Mumbai. It is impossible to understand this country without understanding its bedrock of Christian faith and, I am learning, listening to its preachers.
In January I was privileged to attend an unusual Christian service, honouring those involved in Law Enforcement on these Islands. A guard of honour of police and prison officers greeted participants before a service in Grand Turk’s attractive Methodist Church. The aim of this annual service was to remind everyone of the importance of members of the police, fire, road safety, border control, prison service and other departments to TCI.
In some brief remarks, broadcast on Radio Turks and Caicos, I described how the work of the police and immigration teams had been highlighted on Christmas morning with the tragic capsizing of a boat and drowning of 17 Haitians seeking a better way of life by trying to enter TCO waters illegally. I also mentioned my and my wife Jill’s visits to the prison on Grand Turk, where we had met some of the inmates, including sadly adolescents and those with mental disabilities. Both the capsized boat and the prison underline how crucial, and potentially vulnerable, are the services of the law enforcement teams in TCI.
Although it had a serious purpose the service was a happy occasion, marked by some rousing singing by the Methodist choir and a passionate sermon by the local pastor, who goes by the wonderful name for a vicar of the Rev. Mark Christmas. My wife was left in no doubt that she should tell the BBC to send a crew here to film one of its “Songs of Praise ” programmes. They are missing a treat.
Over the next weeks, months and beyond I hope to capture some of TCI’s many attractions, including its appeal to tourists and new investors. To provide variety I will also invite colleagues from the Government and Public Service to contribute guest blogs to add to the allure of these endlessly fascinating islands.