Desi’s patriotism and devotion remembered

It was only recently that I found out that he was struggling with a terrible cancer and this was a great surprise, because during that time he had been making serious and patriotic national contributions. His voluntary work with the youth of St Ann’s was proof of his patriotism and social conscience.

His courageous newspaper writings on the growing authoritarian governance of our country anchored many of our thoughts and validated many of our fears about the future of Trinidad and Tobago.

Desmond Allum was logical and empirical in his analysis, and passionate in his concern for Trinidad and Tobago. On many mornings I would receive phone calls which asked the same question: “Have you seen what Desmond Allum has written today?”

His recent writings shed light on many of the areas of darkness that were spreading through our national institutions. His stubborn determination to resist bad policies and false premises were timely and critical in steering the ship of state into safer waters.

His patriotism and devotion will be missed by his country and I hope that his family will be comforted in their time of grief by the knowledge of how greatly he was valued.

GREGORY ABOUD

Port-of-Spain