10 highlights in the career of Basdeo Panday

Former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday, who died on Monday at the age of 90, was a trailblazer who carved out a career that most could only dream about.
He is best known as the fifth Prime Minister of Trinidad and one of the founders of the United National Congress.
However, outside of his political career, Mr. Panday was also a lawyer, trade unionist, economist, civil servant, and actor during his storied career.
Here are 10 highlights of his career:
1957 - Departs for the UK to study law
Panday, who was born on 25 May 1933 in St Julien Village, Prices Town, departed for the United Kingdom in 1957 to further his education. Previously, he attended New Grant Government School and St Julien Presbyterian School before getting his secondary education at Presentation College (San Fernando). Panday then worked weighing sugarcane loads, before teaching in a primary school and working as a civil servant at the San Fernando Magistrates Court. In the United Kingdom, Panday earned a degree in law from the Inns of Court School of Law in 1962 and a Bachelor of Science in economics from the University of London in 1965.
1964 - Panday appears in the film, Man in the Middle
Panday also earned a diploma in drama from the London School of Dramatic Art in 1960 during his time in the UK. He appeared in the films Nine Hours to Rama (1963) and The Winston Affair (1964). The film, which was also known as Man in the Middle, starred Hollywood legend Robert Mitchum. Panday played an Indian Correspondent in the film. In his scene in the film, Panday's character asks the question, "Is there any justice apart from might?" Mitchum's character Lieutenant Colonel Barney Adams replied, "Justice exists only in its own right. It exists apart from power, apart from might. Expedience can have no part in justice."
1965 - Panday returns to Trinidad
The 1965 was a pivotal one in the life of 22-year-old Basdeo Panday. He was offered a Commonwealth scholarship at the Delhi School of Economics to study a post-graduate degree in economics and political science. However, he turned it down and chose to return to Trinidad to practice law. After his return, Panday also joined the Workers and Farmers Party, which was formed by Stephen Maharaj, CLR James, and George Weeks. The party contested the 1966 General Elections but did not win any seats in Parliament. Panday's political career had commenced.
1972 - Opposition Senator for the DLP
Panday, 39, was appointed as an opposition senator for the Democratic Labor Party (DLP), the main opposition party in the country from 1957 to 1976. This appointment marked his first appearance in Parliament.
1973 - All Trinidad Sugar and General Workers' Trade Union
Panday was also active as a trade unionist during his career. He was recruited to the All Trinidad Sugar Estates and Factor Workers Union in 1972 and later became its President General. Under his leadership, the union expanded and was rebranded the All Trinidad Sugar and General Workers' Trade Union.
1976 - Panday elected as MP, named Opposition Leader
Panday along with George Weekes and Raffique Shah formed the political party, the United Labor Front (ULF) in February 1975. A year later, he successfully contested the Couva North seat in the 1976 General Elections and became a Member of Parliament for the first time. Panday was also appointed Opposition, again a first in his career.
1986 - Panday appointed a government minister
In 1986, Panday was named Minister of External Affairs and International Trade as part of the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR). The NAR, under Arthur N. R. Robinson, swept into office, soundly defeating the Peoples National Movement (PNM) 33-3 in the General Elections. Panday and Robinson along with Lloyd Best had co-founded the Trinidad and Tobago National Alliance in 1980 before forming the NAR in 1984. Panday's appointment was another significant moment in his career, marking his first time as a government minister.
1989 - Panday founded the UNC
Panday along with Kelvin Ramnath and Trevor Sudama left the NAR in 1988 and went on to found the Caucus for Love, Unity and Brotherhood (CLUB '88). In April 1989, Panday founded the United National Congress (UNC), which contested the 1991 General Elections. The PNM returned to office under new Prime Minister Patrick Manning, and Panday was appointed Leader of the Opposition.
1995 - Panday elected Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago
Panday, 59, became the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago after winning the 1995 General Elections. The UNC/NAR coalition took over the government after a 19-17 election win. Panday was the first person of Indo-Trinidadian descent to become Prime Minister and the first Hindu to hold office. He also led the UNC to victory in the 2000 General Elections.
2010 - End of Panday's Parliamentary career
Basdeo Panday's time in Parliament ended in 2010 after his appointment as Leader of the Opposition was revoked. The 77-year-old had lost his the UNC internal election for the post of Political Leader and was replaced by Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Panday did not contest any seat in the 2010 General Election, which the UNC won, bringing an end to his term as a Member of Parliament. (Source: The Loop, Jan 2, 2024)