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Basdeo Pandey, former Trinidad and Tobago PM, passes away
His daughter Michela Panday announced his death in a social media post on January 2.
Basdeo Panday / Image - UNC Official
Basdeo Panday, the former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, passed away at the age of 90. His daughter Michela Panday announced his death in a social media post on January 2.
“With deep sorrow, we would like to share that our loving husband and father, Basdeo Panday passed away on 1st January 2024, surrounded by his family,” she said in a post on Facebook. “In life and death he was a fighter. He passed with his boots on, keeping everybody around him on their toes with his wit and humour. He will live on in all of us, remembered as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, leader, and friend. He was an inspiration to his family and everybody that knew him. We will continue to celebrate his life and treasure the time we were able to spend with him.”
With a background in law, politics, unions, economics, acting, and public service, Panday was a multi-faceted leader. He served as the fifth Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago from 1995 to 2001. Notably, he was the first person of Indian descent and the first Hindu to hold the office of Prime Minister in the country.
In recognition of his contributions, he was honored with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs in 2005. Panday was the founder of the United National Congress (UNC) and held the position of political leader until 2010.
In honor of his 90th birthday, which was celebrated on May 25 in Trinidad and Tobago, Panday expressed his happiness at being at home. As he reflected on the years he had spent devoting himself to politics, he enjoyed the party in the company of his loved ones and made it clear that he had missed out on spending this milestone birthday with them.
The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), A grassroots level advocacy organization dedicated to improving the understanding of Hinduism in North America and matters impacting the Hindu community, extended its condolences in a post on social media platform X.
“Late Shri Basdeo Panday was a beloved and celebrated Hindu leader. CoHNA mourns this great loss and extends its deepest condolences to late Basdeo Panday ji’s family. We will forever celebrate the lasting impact he made as the first Hindu PM of Trinidad & Tobago,” the organization said.
Late Shri Basdeo Panday was a beloved and celebrated Hindu leader. CoHNA mourns this great loss and extends its deepest condolences to late Basdeo Panday ji’s family. We will forever celebrate the lasting impact he made as the first Hindu PM of Trinidad & Tobago.… pic.twitter.com/P345G9q2CD
— CoHNA (Coalition of Hindus of North America) (@CoHNAOfficial) January 2, 2024
A religious celebration was organized in honor of Panday at the NCIC Divali Nagar Site in Chaguanas on 2 January. The event was attended by his loved ones and closest friends, as reported by local media.
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