PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):
Former Trinidad and Tobago prime minister Basdeo Panday died Monday. He was 90 years old.
His daughter, Mickela Panday in a post on social media, confirmed his death saying “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.
“In life and death he was a fighter. He passed with his boots on, keeping everyone around him on their toes with his wit and humor. 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 everyone who knew him. We will continue to celebrate his life and treasure the time we were able to spend with him,” she wrote.
Panday, an attorney, trade unionist, economist, actor, and former civil servant who served as the country’s fifth prime minister from 1995 to 2001.
He was the first person of Indian descent to lead a government here and was first elected to Parliament in 1976.
He served as opposition leader on five occasions between 1976 and 2010 and was the founding member of three political parties including the now main opposition United National Congress.
He is survived by his wife, Oma and his daughter.