Assistance without fear or favour, Senator

THE EDITOR: Senator Seepersad-Bachan, from the safety of the Parliament chamber, launched a most vicious, unprovoked and unjustified attack on me. I strongly believe that, if one must engage in battle, one should seek a worthy opponent and hence I would not be drawn into a verbal war with her. So the purpose of this letter is to set forth the facts.

Firstly, I am the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Divya Enviro Ltd. The other directors are members of the Swaha Divya Ashram, a Hindu Centre, which is located in Presyal, Couva. This Hindu Centre, of which I have the honour of being the Spiritual Leader and whose facilities include a pre-school, a library, a computer lab, classrooms, a multi-purpose hall and religious facilities was established some seven years ago when I met with residents of Preysal and surrounding areas. I indicated to them, then, that Swaha Inc wanted to work with the community to establish a Hindu Centre to serve the needs of the community, which included religious and social services, sport and education programmes and the development of the community including training and job creation, especially for the under privileged and women folk.

We do all of the above and the creation of Divya Enviro Ltd was in pursuance of my social contract with the community. Swaha Divya Ashram submitted an application to the SWMCOL, in response to their advertisement. We were interviewed and chosen. I am not a member of any political party and have never been a member of the political party which presently forms the Government. Senator M Persad is in no way connected with the Company. Furthermore the forty-odd persons employed, who are from communities including Preysal, Balmain, Basta Hall, Indian Trail, Milton and Couva, can attest to the fact that absolutely no attempt was made to influence their political affiliations. The fact that we receive applications on a daily basis is indicative of the high level of unemployment in these areas.

It is also worthwhile to note that over fifty percent of those employed are women who need the wages to pay their medical bills, send their children to school and to provide basic amenities for their families. Clearly the goodly Senator has not experienced or is in touch with the harsh realities of the lives of those who are not as privileged as herself. I extend an invitation to her to visit and be educated. If helping deserving people, who live in a stronghold of the Senator’s party, is unprincipled or unethical then full power to her. If however helping people irrespective of their political affiliation and making no demands on them is principled and ethical then I expect her to do the principled and ethical needful. As a Hindu, of faith and conviction, I am duty bound to contribute to my community and country of birth. This I have done and continue to do through my teaching, research and outreach activities in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caricom region and my active involvement in engineering organisations at the local and international levels. I have dedicated, willingly and conscientiously, my resources to the service of my fellowmen and would not allow myself to be deterred or sidetracked by spurious attempts at characcter assassination.

PANDIT PRAKASH PERSAD
Senior Lecturer
UWI