Former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Basdeo Panday was born in a rural village in Princes Town, south-central Trinidad on May 25 1933, where he spent his earlier years as a cane weigher and primary school teacher before pursuing higher education and transitioning to the civil service.

He earned degrees in law from Lincoln’s Inn in 1962, economics from London University in 1965, and drama from the London School of Dramatic Art in 1960, before entering the political arena in 1966 as a member of the Workers and Farmers’ Party.

Panday’s commitment to the welfare of the working class remained steadfast throughout his life. His private practice as a lawyer saw him advising various trade unions and in 1973, he assumed the role of president general of the All Trinidad Sugar and General Workers’ Trade Union (ATS&GWTU), championing the rights of labourers.

He co-founded the United Labour Front (ULF) and made his debut in the Trinidad parliament on September 15, 1972, as an opposition senator. Over the years, he represented the constituency of Couva North and served as leader of the opposition from 1981-1986.

In 1988, he resigned from the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR) and formed Club 88, which later evolved into the United National Congress (UNC), one of two major political parties in Trinidad and Tobago and the current parliamentary opposition. His leadership led him to become prime minister in November 1995.

Throughout his political career, he also held the positions of leader of the opposition four times as well as minister of external affairs and international trade.

He passed away on January 1, 2024 at age 90.