The Ministry of Planning and Sustainable Development and the Tourism Development Company Limited in conjunction with Arif Ali and Hansib Publications Limited launched the book Trinidad and Tobago: Terrific and Tranquil Golden Jubilee Edition (1962-2012) at the Port of Spain Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency hotel, Wrightson Road, Port of Spain on Wednesday. The occasion marked the nation's 50th anniversary of Independence.

Those gathered in the ballroom were the first to view the 248-page hardcover book, also refered to as the Gold Book. The national flag is prominently displayed on the front cover, while on the back there is a brief text which draws a comparison between the first Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Eric Williams and his dreams for the nation and current Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and what she hopes for the future of Trinidad and Tobago.

Speaking at the launch, Minister of Planning and Sustainable Development, Dr Bhoe Tewarie said, "The images in this book establish links between our past and present and our present and our future. They show how far we have come in the 50 years of our independence and should serve as a baseline of where we see ourselves 50 years from now.

"Our challenges today must not become ingrained, we must overcome them as we endeavour to create a country which can sustain for generations to come," he added.

"This Gold Book is about us — about our people and how they live, work and play. It is about the adorable and energising places in our country that we take for granted. It is about our towns that have grown and changed and evolved around us. It is about our past, present and our future," he said.

Making it a double celebration, Machel Montano alongside 2011 Digicel Rising Star winner Neval Chatelal released the second song on the Going for Gold album, titled Wonders of this World which is written by Chatelal who says it is a very meaningful song for all to enjoy.

Montano shared how he met Chatelal and how the two came to collaborate on the song. But overall Montano said he was pleased with the music coming from the up and coming generation and feels the future of music is in good hands.

Tewarie said, "It is my fervent desire that this book will become a collector's item."

According to the Minister the central focus when planning the range of events to commemorate the country's 50th Independence anniversary was to engage as many citizens as possible.

He said, "The innate beauty that is Trinidad and Tobago is well represented within the pages of Terrific and Tranquil. The images in this publication are a true representation of who we are as a people and as a nation."

The book will soon be available at all major bookstores.