Panday and Ramesh share GOPIO spotlight

FORMER prime minister Basdeo Panday and his former attorney general Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj shared a public platform for the first time in three years on Thursday evening in Mumbai, India, as both men were honoured for their respective achievements and contributions to the Indian diaspora. Their appearance together caused some of the Trinidadians present to remember the good old days of the UNC, prior to the events of 2001, which brought the PNM back into power and created a seemingly bridgeless gulf between the two men. In announcing the awards, GOPIO said it was the first time that it had recognised two individuals from the same country and that both Panday and Maharaj are deserving of their awards.

Panday was given the special heritage award for his achievement as prime minister and inducted into the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin’s (GOPIO) council of elders as an advisor. A spokesman for the organisation said Panday was specially chosen to be honored amidst rumours that he would be stepping down as leader of the UNC and the organisers wanted to honour him while he was still the leader of the UNC. The organisers felt he is deserving of an award because of his achievements. Panday was presented his award by Member of the Indian Parliament LM Singhvi, one of the architects of the three day conference in Mumbai. In accepting his award, Panday pledged to continue his struggle to end discrimination and to fight for equality in Trinidad and Tobago.

Maharaj was honoured for his long standing service to this nation and to the people of the Caribbean, particularly in the field of law and as an advocate of human rights. Quite interestingly, Newsday was informed that Panday was called on by the conference’s organisers, to present Maharaj with his award. Sources claimed that Panday’s wife Oma Panday and members of the large TT contingent smiled and applauded as Panday handed the award to his former deputy leader. Sources said the sight of Panday and Maharaj together again made several persons remember the formidable team that they once were and wondered if the two leaders had used the occasion of the conference to discuss political strategies and a possible alliance ahead of the 2007 general elections. Publicly, Panday and Maharaj have said they have no interest in working together politically again.