Navin Chandarpal: A true son of the soil has departed our earthly shores

Veteran politician cum academician, Navin Chandarpal, passes away

AFTER a long fight with stomach cancer, veteran politician and People’s Progressive Party (PPP) stalwart, Navin Chandarpal, 63, passed away yesterday morning at his East Coast Demerara home.
Navin Chandarpal addressing residents of the Diamond/Grove Housing Scheme, EBD during a food price consultation as Presidential Advisor on Sustainable Development, Science and Technology

Navin Chandarpal addressing residents of the Diamond/Grove Housing Scheme, EBD during a food price consultation as Presidential Advisor on Sustainable Development, Science and Technology

And the tributes from colleagues he has worked with for decades have been pouring in ever since.
The Guyana Chronicle spoke to several of Chandarpal’s well-wishers, all of whom contend that he was committed, hardworking, inspirational person who contributed significantly to the development of Guyana.
The PPP, in a statement, said, “The Central Committee and the entire membership of the PPP is saddened by the death of one of its leading stalwarts, Comrade Navin Chandarpal.
“…The PPP wishes to express its deepest condolences to his wife, Comrade Indra; his two children, Geeta and Robin; and relatives, friends and the entire Party membership on his passing.
“This is indeed a great loss to the Party, but his sterling contributions; his dedication, commitment and loyalty to the Party will no doubt serve to inspire others in the struggle for a peaceful, progressive and prosperous Guyana.”
Mr. Navin Chandarpal having a look at the Exhibition on the late former President, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, before declaring it open earlier this year

Mr. Navin Chandarpal having a look at the Exhibition on the late former President, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, before declaring it open earlier this year

At the time of his passing, Chandarpal was a member of the Central and Executive Committee of the Ruling Party.
The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) has also expressed sympathy at Chandarpal’s passing.
In a statement, the Party said, “The Central Executive Committee and members of the PNCR extend sincere condolences to Mrs. Indra Chandarpal, M.P., and other relatives and friends of Mr. Chandarpal. Mr. Navin Chandarpal’s passing is a great loss to his Party, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).”
The Alliance For Change (AFC), too, issued a statement on his passing. It said, “The Alliance For Change is saddened by the death of Navin Chandarpal, a former Government Minister and Presidential Advisor.
“The late Chandarpal has served his country in several fields, as a teacher, youth and student leader, and in the fields of trade unionism and politics.
“The AFC shares the loss of Chandarpal, and expresses sympathy with his wife, Indra, and his children and other members of the bereaved family.”
Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, who functions in a portfolio once held by Chandarpal, acknowledged the many contributions he made to the agriculture sector, as well as the country.
He said, “As Agriculture Minister, Navin played an important role in setting the stage for the transformation of the drainage and irrigation system. He was also pivotal in putting the rice industry on a new pathway.
“He has certain legacies that sometimes we forget, but his work has resulted in many developments. One of his legacies is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); he was the architect of the EPA, which is something that we often forget.
“Navin also played an important role in the establishment of the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB). Today, the Board is regarded as a best practice throughout CARICOM, and Guyana is seen as a leader in regulating the use of toxic chemicals and the responsible use of toxic chemicals, as well as the use of pesticides.”
According to Dr. Ramsammy, Chandarpal was also a premier freedom fighter in the Ruling Party’s struggle for freedom and democracy.
He said, “He played a significant role in many areas: As a freedom fighter, as well as when it came to integrating science and technology in the development of the areas where he worked and, by extension, the country as a whole. Navin will be sorely missed, for sure.”
CEO of the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) and former Education Minister, Mr. Shaik Baksh, reiterated similar sentiments, and also reflected on Chandarpal’s contribution as an Education Minister.
He said, “We have lost a real professional and technically-skilled expert. When I was Minister of Education, he was instrumental in crafting a national science and technology strategy. He worked hard for two years; it is to his credit that the Ministry of Education was able to complete that document.
“He was always supportive of science education, and worked closely with the coordinator of science education at the Ministry of Education.”
According to Baksh, Chandarpal was a close friend and colleague for many years. “We were always able to have discussions of many important matters. He will be missed; that is for sure.”
The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) President, Mr. Komal Chand, is another long-standing friend of Chandarpal, who has known him since his days in the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO), as well as during his tenure at the GAWU School.
Chand, said, “His death was expected, in that he was sick for some time with cancer. The fact that he has passed sends a message to one that we have lost a great patriot, comrade and political leader. He served in different capacities, and served with distinction. He will be missed very much by the people he worked with; by the people he befriended; and by the country for the many contributions he has made to Guyana.”
PPP stalwart, Mr. Hydar Ally, also offered his condolences to the Chandarpal family. He said, “It is indeed a very tragic loss, because I knew Comrade Chandarpal since my early PYO days, and I have to say that he was an inspiration to me as a young man growing up in that organisation.
“I admired him for his sharpness of intellect, commitment, and dedication to the Party. We served on both the Central and Executive Committees, and I happened to be his neighbour; so we were very close. He was such a wonderful person: A man of honesty, integrity and one who was willing to do whatever political assignment he was asked to do.”

DISTINGUISHED CAREER
Chandarpal, before his death, functioned as Presidential Advisor on Sustainable Development, Science and Technology.
He entered politics while a student at the Richard Ishmael Secondary School, starting out as a member of the PYO, and rising to the post of General Secretary.
Chandarpal also played an active role in student politics, and was at one time elected President of the University of Guyana Student’s Society (UGSS).
He also represented the PPP and the PYO at several meetings and seminars, both locally and internationally. He played a key role in the struggle against imperialism and dictatorial rule in the country.
Following the restoration of democracy and the assumption to office of the PPP/C in October 1992, Chandarpal served in several senior Government positions.
He also served on several other Committees, such as the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre and the Cheddi Jagan Commemoration Committee, both of which he was Chairman. (By Vanessa Narine)

he was a real good guy

Chandarpal’s funeral service set for Sunday  – family issues statement  October 29, 2014
  IT is with great sadness that the family of Navindranauth Chandarpal announces his passing on 28 October, 2014. We are nonetheless grateful that he passed away peacefully at home while surrounded by family and relatives.
He was, up to the time of his death, serving as Presidential Advisor on Sustainable Development and Science and Technology.
Navin was diagnosed with stage four stomach cancer in 2012, and at that time he was given a few months to live. His indomitable spirit did not allow this, and Navin waged a fierce resistance against his cancer for almost two years. His body was continuously weakened but his mind never faded. He was blessed with wonderful doctors and nurses but just as importantly was showered with love, prayers and comfort from his family, relatives, friends, comrades and colleagues throughout his treatments.
The family would like to express our love and gratitude to all those who made his life one without regrets.
Wake
Wake for Navin Chandarpal will be held every evening up to and including Saturday, 1 November 2014 at his home at 118 Block I, Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara.
Funeral Service and Cremation
The Funeral Service for Navin Chandarpal will be held on the lawns of the Guyana International Conference Centre at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara on Sunday, 2 November 2014. The service will commence at 11:00 hrs. His body will then be taken to the Good Hope Cremation Site for last rites and cremation at 14:00 hrs.

Tributes to Navin tonight at Red House  October 29, 2014
  IN honour of the life and work of veteran People’s Progressive Party (PPP) politician Mr. Navin Chandarpal, who died earlier this week, the party will be holding a ‘night of reflection’ this evening at the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre [Red House].
Tributes will be delivered by the PPP General Secretary Mr. Clement Rohee and other party leaders. The public is invited to attend this activity as PPP leaders say farewell to a stalwart and true hero of Guyana.

PPP mourns death of one of its leading stalwarts – says Chandarpal played a key role in struggle against imperialism, dictatorial rule  October 29, 2014
THE Central Committee and the entire membership of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) are saddened by the death of one of its leading stalwarts, Cde. Navin Chandarpal, who passed away on Tuesday, October 28, 2014.
Cde. Chandarpal was, at the time of his passing, a member of the Central and Executive Committee of the Party. He started out as a member of the Progressive Youth Organisation, rising to the post of General Secretary.
The PPP, in a message, said Chandarpal played an active role in student politics and at one time was elected President of the University of Guyana Student’s Society (UGSS). Those were the days when the PNC regime sought to control all facets of national and student life but Cde. Navin Chandarpal succeeded in defeating the PNC-sponsored candidates to take control of the student body at a time when all national and regional elections were massively and blatantly rigged by the PNC regime.
Cde. Chandarpal represented the PPP and the PYO at several meetings and seminars both locally and internationally. He played a key role in the struggle against imperialism and dictatorial rule in the country.
Following the restoration of democratic rule and the assumption of the PPP/C to office in October 1992, Cde. Chandarpal served in several capacities including that of Minister of Agriculture and as Presidential Adviser, a position which he held until the time of his passing.
He served in several other Committees such as the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre, and the Cheddi Jagan Commemoration Committee both of which he was Chairman.
He was the husband of Indra Chandarpal who, like him, also served at the leadership of the Party and as a former Government Minister and currently holds the post as Chairman of the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO).
The PPP wishes to express its deepest condolences to his wife Cde. Indra, his two children, Geeta and Robin, relatives, friends and the entire Party membership on his passing.
This is indeed a great loss to the Party but his sterling contributions, his dedication, commitment and loyalty to the Party will no doubt serve to inspire others in the struggle for a peaceful, progressive and prosperous Guyana.
May his soul rest in peace!

did kyla know navin