Senate hails Ganace Ramdial

Senate President Dr Linda Baboolal said he had served this country’s political and financial sectors with honour and dignity. She traced his career from his graduating to the bar at Inner Temple in 1963, to serving as deputy manager of National Commercial Bank (NCB) and head of Trinidad Cooperative Bank, and eventually to his election as President of the Senate in 1995 and again in 2001. In this latter capacity, he had also acted as President of the Republic. Baboolal said Ramdial was a man of honour and integrity who had served the country fairly and fearlessly. “He was stern but fair,” she said.

Speaking for the government benches, Minister of Public Administration, Dr Lenny Saith, said Ramdial had brought a calm to the Upper House which under his tenure had never seemed to be an unmanageable place. “His success stemmed from his humility, skill and acumen,” he added.

Saith said Ramdial was firm but never aggressive, and showed impartiality and pleasantness. Saith said he and his wife shared a personal friendship with Ramdial and his wife Gloria.

Senate Opposition Leader Wade Mark said Ramdial was both a simple and a complex man. Mark said he showed a “beautiful balance of compassion and authority.” Ramdial was loved by people, said Mark, because he was generous and untainted, and was a cheerful spirit who trusted in God’s purpose.

Mark hailed Ramdial for once nobly using his casting vote to vote against the party which had appointed him to office, the then-ruling UNC government.

Independent Senator Dr Eastlyn McKenzie praised Ramdial’s humility and integrity. “In the chair he was a very unassuming person. He earned the respect of every member of the Senate.”

Independent Senator Prof Ken Ramchand said Ramdial was like a benign Buddha. “All members of the Senate felt he was a team player discussing national issues.”

Independent Senator Prof Ramesh Deosaran noted that Ramdial had a great sense of humour, including about the personal shortcomings of politicians.

Deosaran thought that Ramdial’s best influence might be to show people that despite coming from humble circumstances, that doesn’t mean they should not be civil, well-behaved and law-abiding.

The Senate observed a minute of silence for Ramdial. His funeral takes place today.