Prime Minister: Teemal’s work will endure, inspire

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has hailed the legacy of late independent senator, Deoroop Teemal, who died on Sunday morning.

In a statement, the Prime Minister offered condolences to his family, the National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC), and his friends, saying for more than two decades, “Teemal served culture and country with distinction.”

“As President of the NCIC and a senior organiser of Divali Nagar, he championed the preservation and celebration of Indo-Trinidadian heritage, fostering mutual respect across our diverse society,” the PM’s statement said. “In the Senate, his measured analyses, courtesy, and steadfast commitment to the public good earned universal respect.”

The Prime Minister added:

“In my many interactions with Senator Teemal—at the Divali Nagar, community forums, and within the political sphere—he was invariably warm and cordial. His gracious demeanour and attentive ear promoted genuine dialogue and strengthened the spirit of cooperation essential to effective public service.”

The PM noted that Senator Teemal’s passing “is a tremendous loss to the Indo-Trinidadian cultural community and the nation as a whole.”

“Yet his work—profoundly patriotic and grounded in public service—will endure,” she said, “inspiring present and future generations to honour their heritage and serve Trinidad and Tobago with the same devotion.”