fbpx
  • Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • Opinions
  • Features
  • Letters
  • Videos
  • Editorials
  • Columns
Paras Ramoutar

Basdeo Panday’s elevation as a national figure scholar

January 12, 2024
Dr. Vishnu Bisram

Guyana & Caricom Must unquestionably support India in battle against Terror

May 26, 2025
Remembering Aunty Betty of Port Mourant, Guyana

Remembering Aunty Betty of Port Mourant, Guyana

May 23, 2025
Dr. Vishnu Bisram

Do Guyana Governments respond to Objective, fair, balanced editorials? The attack on Hindus and Hinduism in Guyana

May 21, 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
Dr. Vishnu Bisram

Guyana must Seek American Assistance to deter Venezuela’s Aggression & Halt May 25 Election

May 21, 2025
Dr. Vishnu Bisram

Exxon, Liability, and Guyana’s Growth

May 21, 2025
Dool Hanomansingh

Why the Hindu community remains weak despite personal achievements?

May 17, 2025
English rendering of PM’s interaction with the brave air warriors and soldiers at the Adampur Air Base

English rendering of PM’s interaction with the brave air warriors and soldiers at the Adampur Air Base

May 17, 2025
Ashook-Ramsaran

THE INDIAN DIASPORA COUNCIL CONVENES CONFERENCE SESSION AT ST. JOHN’S UNIVERSITY

May 17, 2025
Leyland-Chitlall-Roopnaraine

A CHILD’S DEATH PLUNGES A COUNTRY INTO CRISIS

May 17, 2025
Vassan Ramracha

PPP/C GOVERNMENT MUST CONCEDE ITS INDIAN ARRIVAL DAY

May 17, 2025
Dr. Vishnu Bisram

Prosecute Hate Speech and Racial Attacks against Indians in Guyana

May 17, 2025
Dr. Vishnu Bisram

Indian Caribbean Diaspora Support Surgical Strikes against terrorists; backs PM Modi’s tough response

May 17, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Condition
Friday, May 30, 2025
  • Login
Indo Caribbean Diaspora News
  • Home
  • Columns
    Dr. Vishnu Bisram

    Guyana & Caricom Must unquestionably support India in battle against Terror

    Dr. Vishnu Bisram

    Do Guyana Governments respond to Objective, fair, balanced editorials? The attack on Hindus and Hinduism in Guyana

    Dr. Vishnu Bisram

    Guyana must Seek American Assistance to deter Venezuela’s Aggression & Halt May 25 Election

    Dr. Vishnu Bisram

    Indian Caribbean Diaspora Support Surgical Strikes against terrorists; backs PM Modi’s tough response

    Dr. Vishnu Bisram

    Will Azruddin and Glenn Team up in Guyana?

    Dr. Jerry Jailall

    The Adrianna “scrapehead” riots must be a wake-up call to Indo-Guyanese as we race towards the 2025 elections

    Dr. Vishnu Bisram

    Racial Unity in Grief over death of Afro Child in Guyana; divided by racial attacks on Indians; call for an inquiry

    Indian Arrival Day celebrations were held at Better Hope Mandir compound Friday May 5 afternoon.

    The Struggle for Indian Arrival as a Holiday in Guyana

    Vassan Ramracha

    CIVILITY IN TRINIDAD ELECTIONS

    Dr. Vishnu Bisram

    Racial Attacks Divided Guyanese nation united in grief

  • Letters
    Guyana Rohee’s mocking of Illegal Guyanese & Green Card Holders in America

    Guyana Rohee’s mocking of Illegal Guyanese & Green Card Holders in America

    Charles Sugrim

    Authenticating Dr Bisram’s Poll in Guyana

    Gary Griffith

    United We Stand, Divided We Fall

    Ravi Balgobin Maharaj

    Democrats More Dangerous to Dragon Gas than Republicans

    Ravi Balgobin Maharaj

    Who Really Lost in the Junior Sammy Matter in Trinidad?

    Jai Lall

    A challenge to become the rainbow in Leonora’s cloud

    Rabindra-Moonan

    The opposition UNC led by Kamla Persad Bissessar has gone into meltdown mode.

    Jai Lall

    Residents of Leonora, Guyana are ashamed and embarrassed

    Kamla Persad Bissessar

    Trinidad & Tobago REPUBLIC DAY MESSAGE 2024 OF LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION

    Ravi Balgobin Maharaj

    Crime has reached a high level in Trinidad and Tobago

  • Community News
    Remembering Aunty Betty of Port Mourant, Guyana

    Remembering Aunty Betty of Port Mourant, Guyana

    Dr. Vishnu Bisram

    Exxon, Liability, and Guyana’s Growth

    English rendering of PM’s interaction with the brave air warriors and soldiers at the Adampur Air Base

    English rendering of PM’s interaction with the brave air warriors and soldiers at the Adampur Air Base

    Indian-Caribbeans Observe Hanuman Birth Anniversary

    Indian-Caribbeans Observe Hanuman Birth Anniversary

    Ram Navami 2023 Observed

    Indo Caribbean Americans Observed 2025 Ram Naumi or Navami

    Dool Hanomansingh

    Gowtam Maharaj: “Phagwa is much more than gulal and abeer; it is building family love and strong communities.”

    Queens Boro President hosts 2025 Holi (Phagwah) Celebration

    Queens Boro President hosts 2025 Holi (Phagwah) Celebration

    Indian-Caribbean Americans in 2025 Phagwah (Holi) Spirit

    Indian-Caribbean Americans in 2025 Phagwah (Holi) Spirit

    Indo-Caribbeans Spellbound by the Maha Kumbh in India

    Indo-Caribbeans Spellbound by the Maha Kumbh in India

    Indo-Caribbean New Yorkers Observe Shivratri

    Indo-Caribbean New Yorkers Observe Shivratri

  • Editorials
    cliff-rajkumar

    VANISHING FOOTPRINTS

    Kamla Persad Bissessar

    Trinidad and Tobago OPPOSITION LEADER addresses TOWN HALL MEETING ON EDUCATION IN SAN FERNANDO WEST

    Jai Lall

    Guyana Leonora’s villagers are inseparable

    Dr. Vishnu Bisram

    Indo-Caribbean to speak on India’s Soft Power in Delhi

    Jai Lall

    Empty vessels make the most noise – politics in Guyana

    Ashook-Ramsaran

    In Commemoration of the 23rd Anniversary

    Kamla Persad Bissessar

    Hope for UNC of Trinidad?

    Ravi Balgobin Maharaj

    Is there No Other Musical Instrument Indigenous to T&T?

    Guyana-map

    October 2024 Hindu Conference bring back memories of Humiliation of Indians in Guyana

    Jai Lall

    Is Kamala Harris the “Trump” card for the Democrats?

  • Opinions
    Dool Hanomansingh

    Why the Hindu community remains weak despite personal achievements?

    Leyland-Chitlall-Roopnaraine

    A CHILD’S DEATH PLUNGES A COUNTRY INTO CRISIS

    Dool Hanomansingh

    Pakistan has always been a puppet nation

    Dool Hanomansingh

    Never too late for Dinesh to redeem himself!

    Dool Hanomansingh

    Bhadase and Sat were successful in so many ways

    Dool Hanomansingh

    The UNC is a Bullet Train Today

    Dool Hanomansingh

    Why is the EU Grant for Ex-Cane Farmers Not Paid?

    Dool Hanomansingh

    PNM hates Poor Black People

    Dool Hanomansingh

    Why whites are fleeing South Africa?

    Dool Hanomansingh

    Crime and the Hindu Community

  • Videos
    Dool-Hanomansingh-003

    US Congress woman Tulsi Gabbard condemns the ongoing genocide of Hindus and other minorities

    Geeta-Vaahini

    Geeta Vaahini, President of the  Hindu Prachaar Kendra speaks on the social significance of Ganga Dhara Festival.

    Geeta-Vaahini

    Geeta Vaahini, President of the Hindu Prachaar Kendra speaks on the Hindu view of the environment.

    swami-brahmadeo

    Swami Brahmadeo – Hindus are top CEOs and Medics in North America and Europe

    Gowtam-Maharaj

    Gowtam Maharaj, a farmer of Barrackpore, South Trinidad, shares his challenges being a farmer.

    BAMBOO #1 Flooding – Frustrated Residents

    BAMBOO #1 Flooding – Frustrated Residents

    NATIONAL-LOTUS-THEATRE

    NATIONAL LOTUS THEATRE – Performance of Niyantran

    radica-jairam

    Story of RADICA JAIRAM from Orange Valley

    fisherman-trinidad

    Families of Orange Valley felt neglected by PNM Government

    Dr Subramanian Swamy

    Dr Subramanian Swamy – Dharma Rising London April 2015

  • Features
    ravi-ratiram

    Trinidad MP Ravi Ratiram Condemns Government’s Failures Amidst Rising Crime in Central Trinidad and Calls for Immediate Action to Protect Citizens

    Pandit Ramdular Singh

    Pandit Ramdular Singh on Guyana’s Dharmic Sabha

    Vassan Ramracha

    PNM bent on Africanizing Trinidad

    Baldeo_Chanderpaul-3

    West Indian cricketers must strive to emulate Shiv Chanderpaul of Guyana

    Jai Lall

    Who in Guyana will ever buy the PNC/AFC/APNU “honesty, integrity and decency” pitch again?

    cliff-rajkumar

    Non Indians Embracing Sanathan Dharma

    Mr. Rudranath Indarsingh

    INDARSINGH ON RELOCATION OF PRINCES TOWN FIRE OFFICERS

    Vassan Ramracha

    TRIBAL AFRICANS DO NOT CONDONE INTERRACIAL MARRIAGES

    Jai Lall

    Guyana President Ali and Cabinet Ministers Engaged West Coast Supporters

    Dr Jerry Jailall

    PPP Government responds quickly to changing “Negro” on Government forms, will they also add “Indian” to Arrival Day?

No Result
View All Result
Indo Caribbean Diaspora News
No Result
View All Result

Basdeo Panday’s elevation as a national figure scholar

by Paras Ramoutar
January 12, 2024
in Opinions
0
Paras Ramoutar

Paras Ramoutar

158
SHARES
1.8k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Like Mahatma Gandhi, Basdeo Panday’s life was his message, one that permeated the nation-state of Trinidad and Tobago, and this fully evolved when he along with George Weekes, then President of the Oilfield Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU), among others led the march from San Fernando to Port- of-Spain in the mid-1970’s with the emblem to knit oil and sugar workers aimed at promoting national unity for peace and bread.

It was really a national event in the realm of national politics, which was aimed to protest and as a show of solidarity against Prime Minister Dr Eric Williams and his People’s National Movement. The historical development of Panday’s maturity showed up and it, therefore, formed part of his input in the national political system. We must not forget in this march, the leaders were brutalised by the state arm of national security—the police. He was jailed as well.

Panday was not only a budding politician in the mid-seventies, despite the fact that he, along with Stephen Maharaj, a note- worthy and active politician, and internationally-acclaimed writer and internationalist journalist, and former confidante of Dr Williams, C.L.R.James joined hands together with the formation of the Workers and Farmers Party (WFP), which failed to get a single seat in the General Elections of 1966. Panday had fought the Naparima Constituency, but failed to get that seat, even though he was marketed as a young scholar ignoring the offer to study for a doctorate in economics in India from the British Council.

Panday has had a very chequered career in the pursuit of becoming Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago several years later, and the Office Door of the Prime Minister dawned on him in 1995, when he was called to sit in that office for just about six years. It could have been more years, but as nature would have it, it was not to be. It was a see saw entry and exit, and this caused severe consternation among his supporters.

In the Prime Minister’s office, Panday managed the country well with limited oil money and other forms of financial support. Panday’s demise on January 1, 2024 struck the main cord of the national populace, from all sectors of the national citizenry—academics, legal fraternity, business, politicians, religious, social, economic, trade unions, and the CARICOM leaders.

All of them proclaiming his demise as a serious loss to the people of Trinidad and Tobago, and the Caribbean as a whole. The question we now ask ourselves: Would there be another Panday in the horizon?

For if Panday was still in the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministers would not played the fool in the distribution water and roads. Would Rohan Sinanan and Marvin Gonsalves survived the titan Panday. Especially when the national populace continuously protest for water and better roads. Panday was an innovative leader embedded with the humanitarian spirit of human kindness, and blessed with a spark of oratory, demonstrating strong leadership and absolute management of the task ahead in the pursuit of national development and nation building. He had commanded respect from all peoples at all times. But, he was not immune to criticisms and also had human failings as all mankind. He was not without faults.

In this hour of compassion, the nation has forgiven him. But he has left lessons for all whom to think that they will follow him from weakness to strength, knowledge to wisdom, and darkness to light. Besides being the first person of the Indian diaspora, the first person of the Hindu faith to hold that high office, and the first person to have a state funeral, these accolades speak much more than politicking.

It is about the man, his personality, his character, his wit, and our young scholars and students and academia should acquaint themselves of Panday’s thoughts, his messages for future generations. And the NALIS library and its satellite branches should be renamed, the Basdeo Panday Resource Library. And the Ministry of Education should incorporate his works in our classroom for study and as well as pioneers of our Independence.

May He Soul Rest In Peace.

Facebook Comments Box
Tags: carribeanGuyanaGuyaneseindian cultureIndian diasporaIndian GuyaneseIndiansIndo Caribbean diasporaindo-caribbeanIndo-Caribbean communityIndo-GuyaneseParas RamoutarTrinidadTrinidad and Tobago
Share64Tweet40Share16
ADVERTISEMENT
Paras Ramoutar

Paras Ramoutar

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Dr. Jerry Jailall

The Adrianna “scrapehead” riots must be a wake-up call to Indo-Guyanese as we race towards the 2025 elections

May 10, 2025
Remembering Aunty Betty of Port Mourant, Guyana

Remembering Aunty Betty of Port Mourant, Guyana

May 23, 2025
Dr. Vishnu Bisram

Guyana & Caricom Must unquestionably support India in battle against Terror

May 26, 2025
Dr. Vishnu Bisram

Guyana January 2025 poll puts PPP in lead against a struggling opposition with opportunity for new parties

February 25, 2025
Dr. Vishnu Bisram

Guyana & Caricom Must unquestionably support India in battle against Terror

May 26, 2025
Remembering Aunty Betty of Port Mourant, Guyana

Remembering Aunty Betty of Port Mourant, Guyana

May 23, 2025
Dr. Vishnu Bisram

Do Guyana Governments respond to Objective, fair, balanced editorials? The attack on Hindus and Hinduism in Guyana

May 21, 2025
Dr. Vishnu Bisram

Guyana must Seek American Assistance to deter Venezuela’s Aggression & Halt May 25 Election

May 21, 2025

The most important world news and events of the day.

Get ICDN daily newsletter on your inbox.

ADVERTISEMENT
Indo Caribbean Diaspora News

© 2024 Indo-Caribbean Diaspora News. All rights Reserved

Navigate Site

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Condition

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Columns
  • Letters
  • Community News
  • Opinions
  • Videos
  • Features
  • Editorials

© 2024 Indo-Caribbean Diaspora News. All rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In