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On March 31, my beloved paternal grandmother, the late Rutie Ragoobir, would have celebrated her 87th birthday.
Her journey was far from easy, like many before her, she faced countless struggles.
Yet, among all my ancestors, she stands out as a towering figure of strength and wisdom.
Why? Because my grandmother believed, with unwavering conviction, in building something greater than herself.
She understood the power of generational wealth – the gift of security, opportunity and a lasting legacy.
Today, I carry forward that same belief through my work in insurance and risk management.
Planning for the future is not just about us, it is about the loved ones we leave behind.
[caption id="attachment_1146340" align="alignnone" width="768"] The late Rutie Ragoobir -[/caption]
Whether through life insurance, retirement planning or asset acquisition, the choices we make today shape the legacy we leave for tomorrow.
In August 1962, around the same time TT gained independence, my grandmother embarked on her own path to self-reliance by opening a grocery store at her home on Little Cora Road in Cumuto. Named Ramoutar and Sons’ after my grandfather, the store was a testament to my grandmother’s vision and resilience. She created an identity not only for herself but for the entire Ragoobir family.
Ramoutar and Sons’ quickly became a pillar of the Cumuto community. However, my grandmother knew that true progress required collective upliftment.
She introduced credit and lending services, ensuring that no family in the village would be denied necessities.
The store’s financing system required no collateral – only mutual respect.
She maintained two simple files: trust (credit) and loans, which became the foundation of the business’s record-keeping.
Through these efforts, Ramoutar and Sons’ played a vital role in fostering social mobility for many families in the wider Cumuto area.
Despite the store’s success, my grandmother never neglected the agricultural land that accompanied her property.
The produce from this 32-acre plot was sold at the Port of Spain market, a job my grandfather cherished, creating a second source of income for the family.
As Warren Buffett wisely reminds us, no one should depend on a single source of income – a lesson my grandmother understood and lived by.
[caption id="attachment_1146341" align="alignnone" width="910"] -[/caption]
Today, we are privileged to have well-established commercial banks and insurance companies that provide accessible opportunities to enhance our standard of living and, more importantly, to safeguard the future of our children and loved ones.
Insurance companies offer a range of products tailored to our financial needs and goals, empowering us to protect ourselves and our families.
Life insurance policies, for instance, help preserve our family’s standard of living in our absence, while critical illness policies provide financial support, allowing us to maintain our independence and dignity during difficult times.
As we honour the legacy of remarkable individuals like Ragoobir, whose life was dedicated to the betterment of others, let us commit to securing our futures and building a better world for generations to come.
 
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