UNC Senator: Smith disliked handouts

President of the Senate, Dr Linda Baboolal, said the late Senator Arnim Smith’s greatest legacy was his work with the steelband movement and with grassroots people.

His dedication to the steelband was his epitaph, she added. Baboolal said that from the time of his first contribution in the Senate, she had known he would excel there in his own way. Describing him as unique, she said: “He brought a genuine knowledge of, and empathy with, grassroots people.” Smith used to speak from his heart, she recalled, this being a reflection of his various experiences with different people. Remembering the recent Budget debate, Baboolal recalled her words to him later in the tea-room, “Arnim, that was a good contribution.” She praised: “Arnim was polite, humble and respectful. He was very approachable.”

Baboolal recounted being impressed with Smith’s great joy and pride in his daughters and son. She hoped Smith’s passing would inspire all to reflect on the fragility of life and of the necessity to make each day worthy in the service of Trinidad and Tobago. The condolences of the Senate and a transcript of the tributes to Smith she disclosed, would be sent to his widow. Opposition Senator, Carolyn Seepersad-Bachan, said she sat next to Smith in the Senate and had got to know him well in the last 12 months. “He was one of the best team-players I ever came across — a real trooper.”

Seepersad-Bachan revealed: “Every position he adopted was based on a principle. That’s why he could hold such strong convictions. I was amazed by his deep sense of passion. He was passionate about culture, about issues. I identified with him. He was always encouraging you, to go beyond your limits.” Seepersad-Bachan recalled Smith’s self-respect to note: “As he moved from poverty to being a successful businessman, he never asked for a handout, even if he had to take something and sell it on the side of the road.” Saying Smith wanted to be an example to the youths of Laventille, she said: “He was incensed when youths were encouraged to take handouts from social programmes.” Independent Senator Parvatee Anmolsingh-Mahabir expressed her belief that while one’s body died, the soul did not, and that Smith was now in a better place. Of her encounters with Smith in the Senate, she recalled: “I always found Smith to be a very genial and down-to-earth person.”