Family and Friends Mourn the Passing of Maneram Maharaj

Maneram Maharaj of Las Lomas was cremated at Dass Funeral Home, Chaguanas on Tuesday July 18, 2023. Born on March 4, 1962, Maneram served as a police officer with the TTPS for a little more than 20 years but continues working in the security field.

One among eight (8) siblings, Maneram was described by his elder brother Dhaniram as one who loved cricket, discussing history, and watching test cricket at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain. “Maneram would always reminisce on the West Indian greats such as Clive Lloyd, Vivian Richards, Alvin Kallicharan and shared statistics on the game much to the delight of listeners,’’ said Dhaniram.

Rajeev, speaking of his father, described him as loving and kind and would always have him eating and drinking more than he needed. He recalled his dad picking him up after school, providing him with a snack, and then taking him to the library. He said: “Dad loved reading but only non-fiction.”

“My father was fun-loving and would always dance to the music of the tassa which he loved,” said Rajeev who said that his father was so happy to meet and interact with his granddaughter Evangeline.

The funeral service was done by Reverend Adrian Sieunsrine. Hymns were songs followed by reading from the Bible. Dhaniram Maharaj in beginning his eulogy recited the Gayatri Mantra and a Christian prayer. Always a critical thinker, Dhaniram added: ‘None of us have seen God, and hence we must embrace all pathways,” and referred to “Maneram being the grandnephew of the illustrious Doon Pandit. “My grandfather’s three brothers were pandits.”

Doon Pandit was instrumental in forming the Maha Sabha and building scores of mandirs across the country including the one at Chacachacare where he was given special permission by the Governor to work among the lepers. The family also constructed the Las Lomas No 1 Temple and bequeathed five acres of land to the mandir.

Also offering prayers was Ramesh Maharaj, the younger sibling of Maneram and renowned for his work in the spiritual field. Ramesh prayed that “the soul of Maneram reunite with the Paramatman” and felt assured that their parents- Basdeo and Bhagmania- would be ready to receive him.

Among the relatives and friends at the funeral were Capil Ojah Maharaj, Devanand Sooknanan, and former councilor Dhanraj Saroop. Maneram is survived by his siblings, his two children, daughter-in-law and granddaughter, his siblings, brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.