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Newsgathering Editor
The Caribbean has lost two visionary voices in the media. Veteran local broadcaster Hans Hanoomansingh and regional columnist Rickey Singh both passed away yesterday.
Hanoomansingh’s passing was confirmed by his brother Gideon Hanoomansingh, who said funeral arrangements are being finalised. Hanoomansingh was 84.
“In response to the tremendous outpouring via social media and phone calls, I confirm with great sadness, the passing of my dear brother Hans, a true patriot of T&T whose contribution to nation building was selfless and exemplary,” Gideon said. “Hans lived a life of principle, purpose, and quiet strength. He gave everything to this country, not for recognition, but because he believed deeply in service. He was my brother, but he also belonged to the nation.”
Across social media, colleagues remembered Hanoomansingh as a pioneering journalist, former MP, and key figure in promoting Indo-Trinidadian culture.
Former UNC minister Devant Maharaj described him as “a journalist, broadcaster, cultural icon, and patriot whose voice helped shape the conscience of Trinidad and Tobago”. He credited Hanoomansingh’s leadership at Radio Trinidad and NBS for bringing integrity and depth to national discourse, and highlighted his lifelong efforts to uplift Indian heritage through media.
Minister of Culture Michelle Benjamin called him “a giant of broadcasting, a cultural champion, and a true patriot”, and praised his work in making Indo-Trinidadian heritage part of the national narrative. She extended condolences to his family and the media fraternity.
Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles said Hanoomansingh helped shape the national conversation with “intellect and principle” and was deeply admired for his calm authority, thoughtfulness, and integrity.
“We give thanks for the life of a man who helped shape the national conversation with intellect and principle,” she said. “This Hummingbird Medal Gold Awardee is a loss not only to the media and cultural fraternities, but to Trinidad and Tobago as a whole.”
She remembered him not just for his contributions to Parliament and public service, but for the example he set in how to serve with dignity and respect for those whose stories he told.
Longtime friend and fellow broadcaster Jai Parasram said Trinidad and Tobago is poorer for the loss. Parasram recalled Hanoomansingh as both teacher and colleague, deeply involved in the development of Divali Nagar and the National Council of Indian Culture. “At our last meeting in May, we discussed a new cultural project he was working on. We didn’t say goodbye,” he said.
Media Association interim president Dale Enoch added, “We mourn the passing of two colleagues, Hans Hanoomansingh in Trinidad and Tobago and Rickey Singh in Guyana. MATT extends its deepest condolences. Two giants indeed.”
Singh, a pioneering Caribbean journalist
Singh, a pioneering Caribbean journalist and founding president of the now-defunct Caribbean Association of Media Workers, died yesterday at his home in Barbados at age 88. He began his career in 1957 and was recognised for decades of regional reporting and commentary, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from Guyana in 2023.
His career was marked by courage and confrontation, surviving a lynching attempt in Buxton, a ‘Death Squad’ encounter in Georgetown, and a suspected poisoning. But it was his bold, uncompromising political commentary that made him a regional institution.
Veteran journalist Tony Fraser wrote, “Rickey Singh was born in Guyana but belonged to the Caribbean. He had problems with Guyana’s autocratic leader Forbes Burnham; indeed, it’s best put that Burnham had problems with Rickey’s independence and refusal to surrender to him.”
Fraser said Singh played a key role as editor of Caribbean Contact, a regional newspaper owned by the Caribbean Conference of Churches, and as a long-time columnist for both Trinidad Guardian and Express. “Thank you, Mr Singh, for giving quality journalism to the Caribbean,” Fraser added. “Blessings to him.”
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