by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI
On Wednesday, December28, my 91-year-old father, Balgobin Ramdeen, retired attorney-at-law, author, and former Member of Parliament for Caroni East, passed away in a London hospital. He had been ailing for a while. By the time you read this he would have been cremated. His ashes will be brought back to Trinidad.
We thank everyone for their kind tributes. Pa’s granddaughter, Caroline, said: “Goodbye beautiful grandpa, you instilled great values in all of us and gave us all a chance to live a good life.You will be greatly missed…May your values and wisdom live on in all of us.”
Prof Brinsley Samaroo wrote to me saying that Pa’s was “a life well-lived at so many levels. Articulate to the last and with a memory like an elephant! Trinbago will miss his wisdom and the guidance he gave to younger generations. May angels sing him to his well-deserved rest.”
Hans Hanoomansingh said: “He is not gone. He lives in your hearts and mind and countless people whose lives he touched especially in the critical period preceding our Independence. We were deeply honoured that he represented Caroni East and the nation when he played a defining role in the independence march. To me, he was very special from my days at the College of St Philip and St James and thereafter. His writings as Cassandra spanned generations but his books also contribute to an expansion of our knowledge. A Hindu who genuinely embraced everyone. The heavens have been celebrating his return…”
Basdeo Panday, former PM, is reported in the media as saying: “He was an activist who cared very much about this country…I think he made tremendous contributions towards the democratic development of Trinidad and Tobago…modern politicians can benefit from the work that Mr Ramdeen did.”
Former MP, Jack Warner, said: “…I know he has left behind many treasured memories for those of us who were privileged to know him…we ought to let these memories sustain us and keep us strong. It was Kahlil Gibran who stated ‘When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight’ and truly Balgobin Ramdeen has delighted many…. May I encourage you to speak of him not with tears, for thoughts of him should not be sad but speak of him with the same charm and kindred spirit with which he was blessed and let it comfort us as we mourn his passing.”
Balgobin and Ruby Ramdeen in the early days. Photos courtesy Leela Ramdeen
And Timothy Hamel-Smith’s words reminded us that in our loss: “Life is changed, but not ended…One day there will be no more good-byes.”
Amidst the cacophony of noise from fireworks bringing in the New Year, there was stillness in our home in London and in our hearts. Each of us filled with thoughts of him and of my mother and brother who have gone before.
I had smiled when I read in T&T newspapers online that my cousin, Devant Maharaj, had told the media that Pa was a devout Hindu who brought up good Catholic children.
Early in his life, Pa ran a school and taught all the subjects on the curriculum – including: “The life and teachings of Christ”. All his students got distinctions in this subject! He and I used to have long discussions about Christ’s teachings and its relevance today.
He was well-versed in Hindu scriptures also. On the front of one of the books he wrote was a picture of Arjuna on a chariot drawn by five horses. The Bhagavad Gita, the Mahabharata, and the Kathopanishad tell us that our senses are like horses – tied to the chariot of the body. Our senses can run away to pursue their own desires but we must practise self-discipline and rein in our restless senses. Each one of us is the charioteer – in control of these five horses/senses. There are ways of controlling them.
For us Catholics, commitment to the tenets of our faith and the development of our spirituality will enable us to do so.
Pa’s wise sayings will guide us as we journey on. Inter alia, he told us: “The family is the basic building-block of society; let every one of your acts be an act of prayer – it will be if you are always connected to God; count your blessings; see the divine in yourself and all around you.”
While I was recovering from my operation in London, Pa and I were working on his autobiography which is nearly ready. Indeed, his fight for justice was so strong that even on his death bed he commanded me to take out pen and paper and he dictated some thoughts that I should include in his autobiography. Arif Ali, Hansib Publications, has undertaken to publish it.
It was John Maxwell who said that “The first step to leadership is servanthood.” Pa truly lived to serve humanity -– instilled in him by the teachings of Sanatana Dharma.
He was a man of integrity and compassion; a humble man. When we wanted to apply for a national award for him, he forbade us to do so. As my school friend, Rosalind said, “He is an unsung hero who chose to walk a simple life.”
He leaves behind six children (one of his seven children is deceased), ten grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. It is because of both him and my mother, Ruby, that I have this passion for justice.
We thank God for his life. Rest in peace, Pa.
