Dhanraj: I hold no grudges against UNC

Former Local Government Minister Dhanraj Singh who was freed of a murder charge of hiring two Muslimeen hitmen to kill Hansraj Sumairsingh, chairman of the Mayaro/Rio Claro Regional Corporation on Thursday, said he had no grudges against any of his former UNC colleagues who might have deserted him while he was in prison. Speaking with Sunday Newsday yesterday, Singh, who was just longing to play the piano with his children at the time, admitted that none of his former colleagues called or checked up on him during his life in prison. “They weren’t around, yes, but I was alright,” he said. Being the upbeat person that he is though, he said all he wanted was his family and that was okay with him. “I had my wife and my children and that was all I wanted. I know they (UNC colleagues) were probably very busy with their political lives, but I hold no grudges. I just want to move on with my life now,” said Singh.

The former Minister, who was popularly known as the ‘Sheriff’ and the ‘Winer Boy,’ turned into a music lover while he spent nearly three years at the Maximum Security Prison in Arouca. He said he used every opportunity taking a musical class to help keep himself occupied and to continuously enhance himself. “Every single musical class they offered, I took. I learnt to play not only the harmonium (East Indian musical instrument), but the piano as well. As a matter of fact, I was just about to teach my children what I learnt,” he said. He joked that the only class he did not want to take up was dancing lessons. He was also very involved in the prison’s religious activities and attended the Seventh Day Adventist Church services on Saturdays, through which he formed a close relationship with God and learnt more about Jesus Christ. Singh said he survived in prison by “keeping busy” and felt that is one way other prisoners can reform themselves. “But it is all up to the prisoner,” he said, “I know I had to keep busy with exercise because I suffer from diabetes.”

Referring to the fact that he was allowed to play a harmonium and keep a tennis racquet, Singh defended himself, saying because of his circumstances, he was isolated and had no one to talk to most times and no one to play with in the courtyard. “They had to get me a racquet at least, I had no one to play with,” he lamented. On the issue of the prison system, Singh felt the prison officers were well-placed and were doing a fine job. He said he never had any experiences of abuse against him, even though sometimes, he was unhappy. “From time to time, things happened like everywhere else, but they have a function,” Singh responded. The former politician noted, however, there was neither a television set, nor a radio at the prison and has requested that these be installed. “In other prisons they have them there, so I feel there should be at least a radio and a televison set,” he said. Singh was impressed that all of the religious organisations were heavily involved in reforming the prisoners’ lives. “But not every prisoner will change, it is up to the prisoner to see the light,” he said. “Spirtuality plays a very important role in a prisoner’s life, at a time when all your friends and family have deserted you.” He described prison life as the “perfect opportunity” to know God, especially in the quiet and silence of a prison cell. “God gives prisoners the opportunity for them to know him at this point in their lives,” he said. Singh’s relationship with Rev Barker had grown to such great proportions that he has influenced him in the sphere of social work.

As a matter of fact, he is dead set on helping the Reverend in that area as soon as he is settled and well-rested. He recalled that there was a suicide watch on him in his first stages at prison. Did the thought cross his mind? “Ha, no way, not at all,” said Singh, “that never came to my mind. The thought of seeing my children and my wife and my love for music kept me going. Besides, I was too busy to think of suicide.” For now, he just wants to lap up every waking moment with his family and also to rest. As for future plans, he said he is happy with the size of his family, his three children, nine-year-old Rajiv, Sharda 14,  Adesh, 17 and his wife Leela, who have stood by his side throughout the ordeal. Beside the social work on which he intends to embark, Singh is also considering starting a new business venture in the lumber industry with his mother, Sheila.