Amidst several glowing tributes about his numerous political contributions, former government minister and PNC general secretary Ranji Chandisingh was yesterday remembered by his son Yuri as a dedicated family man who was “an excellent father”.
Yuri Chandisingh, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of GWI, delivered a brief but touching reflection on his father’s life during the funeral service at the Umana Yana. Ranji Chandisingh passed away at his home on Monday morning. He was 79 years old.
Yuri, the only child of the deceased, recounted growing up with a father who was deeply committed as he religiously travelled throughout Guyana spreading his political message. He said that he had often travelled with his father on these trips which he opined served as a learning experience. Yuri also said that his father was principled and emphasised the values of integrity and honesty. He also placed strong emphasis on education.
The deceased’s son also described Chandisingh as an excellent husband to his widow Veronica. The two were married for more than 40 years, and Yuri hinted at the special relationship that the two shared.
The younger Chandisingh’s “contemplations”, as described on the programme, came at the end of a number of remembrances during which political associates remembered his contributions. Chandisingh served in senior positions in both the PPP and the PNC.
Significantly, senior members of the PPP with which Chandisingh had had an acrimonious falling out were in attendance. PPP General Secretary Donald Ramotar pointed out that Chandisingh was among a group of Guyanese who had been encouraged to return to help the party achieve its objective. He said that when he returned, he played several roles in the PPP, even becoming the editor of Thunder, the party’s official organ. He described him as a man who fought against the colonial systems and was one of the local fighters for democracy.
He explained that when Chandisingh resigned from the PPP in 1975, it was because of the changing political climate locally and internationally, and his particular fondness for socialism. Ramotar said that in spite of this decision he maintained good relations with members of the PPP. Ramotar said Chandisingh was a very modest man, who was very private and who had strong links with his family.
Opposition Leader Robert Corbin described the deceased as a “multi-faceted personality” who was dedicated to nation building. Corbin said Chandisingh not only made a significant contribution to the PNC but to the nation in his several capacities. Corbin said he possessed several admirable qualities including courage and a brilliant mind.
Mayor Hamilton Green described the former PNC general secretary as a “man of magnificent intellectual proportions” who had a passion for Guyana. He said Chandisingh was a man who possessed tremendous wisdom and who had a calm way of articulating his thoughts.
Other speakers included, former health minister Dr Richard Van West Charles, Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram, and former politician turned Pastor Walter Beepat.
Tributes were also read from former local political leaders now in the Diaspora as well as the eulogy prepared by Halim Majeed, former deputy chief political advisor to President Forbes Burnham.
Chandisingh, was educated at the prestigious Harvard University, where he was enrolled as a student at 16 years old. After completing his education, he migrated to the United Kingdom, where he developed a strong camaraderie with the Communist Party of Great Britain.
He later returned to Guyana, where he joined the PPP and became a member of the Cabinet of the PPP government in 1961 as minister of labour, health and housing. He was also a leading ideologue of that party and became the principal of the party’s school, Accabre College. He was served as the deputy general secretary of the party.
After joining the PNC in 1975, he became director of studies of the Cuffy Ideological Institute at Loo Creek, Soesdyke/Linden Highway and a member of the Central Executive Committee of the PNC. In that capacity he wrote the highly informative booklet entitled “Education in the Revolution for Socialist Transformation and Development”.
In January 1980, he was appointed minister of higher education. In the following year, he became minister of education, social development and culture and in 1984, he replaced Dr Ptolemy Reid as general secretary of the PNC when the latter retired. He also served as Guyana’s last ambassador to the USSR before the closing of the mission in the early 1990s. On his return to Guyana, he retired from active politics.
Following yesterday’s service at the Umana Yana, Chandisingh’s remains were interred at Le Repentir cemetery. (Mark McGowan)