Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

#Trinidad, January 19, 2024 – Trinidad started the New Year in mourning, the loss was the country’s first Prime Minister of Indian descent, Basdeo Panday, who passed on New Year’s day.

Panday who served Trinidad and Tobago twice as Prime Minister from 1995 to 2001, died at the age of 90. His cause of death has not yet been announced.

Reports indicate that he had a peaceful passing surrounded by family. His daughter Mickela Panday informed on social media that “He passed with his boots on, keeping everybody around him on their toes with his wit and humor.”

Panday is revered for what he has done for Trinidad and Tobago. For instance, he co-founded three political parties. Also, his occupying of office during his tenure after key elections, is described by reports as a turning point for the Indo-Trinidadians who lived across the country.

CARICOM, on its Facebook, expressed it is saddened by Panday’s passing, speaking to his work in Trinidad and Tobago, further indication of why he was revered.

CARICOM described his career as having many sides.

“The Hon Basdeo Panday held a multi-faceted career in service of his country, as politician, trade unionist and civil servant. He used his exceptional skill as a barrister to advocate passionately for workers’ rights. His belief in the value of education, and his ideologies and initiatives, have made a lasting impact on the twin-island republic,” it wrote.

Additionally, he was very present in the media, CARICOM says, as an actor, multi-linguist and proponent of religious pluralism.

Panday also served as Chairman of CARICOM and hosted a two day Summit of CARICOM Leaders at the close of the last century.

In 2005, Panday had a bit of a rough patch with the law.  Reports say he temporarily stepped down as opposition leader of the United National Congress party which he co-founded,  after being convicted in 2006 of failing to disclose a bank account in London.

In 2005, he alongside others were charged with corruption and arrested in a case related to an airport construction contract. However, the charges were dropped, with supporters claiming the allegations were political persecution.