Another Indian award for Panday

HOT on the heels of his award from the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) in Mumbai, India, Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday is in line to receive another award. Sunday Newsday has learned that today, Panday will be receiving the coveted Pravasi Award from Indian President Dr Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam. Sources told Sunday Newsday Panday was recommended for this award by GOPIO for his achievements as former prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago from 1995 to 2001.

Newsday exclusively reported that on Thursday in Mumbai, Panday and his former attorney-general Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj received awards at a three-day GOPIO conference for their contributions to the Indian diaspora. Panday himself presented his former deputy with his award and was applauded by the large Trinidadian contingent present. That contingent included Panday’s wife Oma, UNC MPs Chandresh Sharma and Harry Partap and UNC CEO Dr Tim Gopeesingh.

Maharaj said he learned about his award in London on his way to a vacation in Malta and he was pleased to receive that news. However, one source claimed the former AG appeared to be in shock when Panday was called to present him with the award. Sources said Panday and Maharaj warmly greeted each other on the opening day of the GOPIO conference on Wednesday and there was speculation, after they appeared on stage together to receive their awards, that they held private discussions about political developments in TT. Panday and Maharaj have publicly stated that they do not have any desire to work together.

Sources claim any reconciliation between Panday and Maharaj will not find favour with any of the sitting UNC MPs or many opposition supporters who still blame Maharaj for the UNC being out of office. Maharaj is trying to form his own political party and has said he will retire from active politics by 2007 if that  party fails to get off the ground. During Panday’s absence from TT, UNC Chairman Wade Mark denied reports that Panday planned to resign as UNC leader. He said such claims were political mischief by agents of the ruling PNM.