Robin Maharaj: Life after TTT

31 May Robin Maharaj: Life after TTT

Two weeks ago, Outlish contributor and behind-the-scenes coordinator, Anthony La Borde, penned a piece – “An Ode to Robin Maharaj: T&T’s Best Weatherman” – about his appreciation for… Robin Maharaj (Click link to read it in full).

As expected, readers joined in with their fond memories of Mr Maharaj, and there were disputes on our Facebook page about whether he really said, “They want rain; ah go gi dem rain in dey mudder ass”, one night, when he thought the camera was off.

Anyhoo, late Monday night, I settled down to check e-mail and screamed. Uncle Robin had emailed us to say that he was really flattered by Anthony’s piece, and wanted to thank him personally. I then tortured Anthony on BBM, telling him to look out for a special e-mail this week, and he proceeded to waste his phone money calling me from Canada to ‘pick meh mouth’. No such luck.

However, I really wanted to find out what Uncle Robin has been up to, as readers were asking, I wanted to know as well, and, besides, this is Robin Maharaj – media icon and all-round best weatherman of all time. How cool is it to be swapping e-mails with a local, media legend!

So I asked him for an update – just a few sentences since I didn’t want to be a bother – and told him I hoped he didn’t think we were minding his business.

This was his reply:

(and he sent us a recent photo too, which I asked for).

Hi Karel

Not at all, you are not minding my business. I gladly acquiesce to your request, but it will be more than a couple of sentences.

In 1999, I left the TnT Met Service where I was Chief Meteorologist, and also as the TTT Meteorologist, simultaneously, to take up a job as a Scientific Professional at the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), at its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. WMO is a UN Agency. This was gotten over the applications of 163 other world meteorologists.

At WMO, my experience, research and expertise in both meteorology and weather broadcasting were utilised in coordinating and organising global activities and training in weather forecasting, weather broadcasting, and devising/designing and packaging weather office products for a wide spectrum of public users.

And most importantly, I was tasked with assisting Met Services in the developing countries to boost their capabilities in severe weather forecasting and warning, with a view to promoting the safety and security of populations and property. This entailed direct training, preparation of training manuals and use of whatever scientific, professional experts/expertise we could garner from member countries, on projects.

It was a great experience and my wife Grace and I enjoyed our stay in Switzerland. The job entailed lots of travel and that was a bonus.

I retired in 2005 and we migrated to Minnesota, USA, since our only two children, (two boys, the older being a highly respected CEO of a medical device company and is in great demand to save failing companies, and the second is a bioengineering expert working in research and development), and grandchildren, reside there. Our grands are all at university pursuing higher education, one in medicine.

In the interim, after retirement I have been very active in the meteorological and environmental sciences, and produce work and advice in these areas. I also found time to complete an MSc in Environmental Management in 2007. In addition, I also write to the TnT media on pertinent topics and issues, and I am happy to say that my contributions are used. I am a strong defender of meteorology, and that includes the Trinidad and Tobago Met Service. I keep in touch with senior staff there who may need my input. After the Japanese tsunami and nuclear event, my opinion was sought on Fox News TV here in the USA about the spread of radiation in the USA. Excerpts of the interview were played for two days following.

I had put on some weight when I left Trinidad and after retirement my wife, Grace, ensured that I followed an exercise and diet regime to promote/maintain good health. She is at the same weight (113lbs) she was at when we married nearly 50 years ago, so I had a good teacher/coach. Now, I feel good, weigh 147 lbs, and daily, throughout the year, I fast-walk 10 to 12 km., at a pace of 9mins/km. I have conquered the notorious Minnesota winters and in some years I walk for over 320 days.

It has been a wonderful life, one that has been rewarding in many ways. The one I wish to mention is the public recognition of my work; that approval helped me improve and to finetune my talent. There were times when I might have invited opprobrium, but the kind people stressed my strengths, abilities and talent, and led me to believe in myself. This went on for the period 1972-1999, when I was the public face of the Met Service, and I definitely appreciate the public kindness over that time.

To find that some people remember me on TTT, or from having met me in my public role, is most touching. I am grateful to Outlish and Anthony La Borde for their kind revival of those happy days in Anthony’s ode. It is good to be remembered; it is better to be remembered kindly for what others judge to be good things.

I thank you most profusely, and wish Outlish the best in all endeavours.

Sincerely,

Robin Maharaj

P.S.: In another e-mail, he added, “Your (Outlish’s) work is excellent. I hope it gets the support of folks”.

Isn’t he just the best?