Prashad Nagar was a private housing development

Dear Editor,

My attention was directed to a letter by Mr Hamilton Green, JP, captioned “The PNC facilitated many housing schemes”(08.04.28)in which he mentioned about “the dozens of housing starts facilitated by the previous administration ranging from Roxanne Burnham Gardens to Prashad Nagar”.

Without attempting to get involved in the discussion I just want to set the record straight in the exchanges between Mr Green and his good friend Mr David DeGroot.
The lands encompassing Prashad Nagar were bought by Mr Hari Prashad from Bookers in 1958-59, and developed as one of the best housing schemes in the country. All the streets were named after his immediate family and friends, and the name Prashad Nagar given to commemorate his name. Nagar means a town or district.

Indeed, when years later Mr John Forde was Mayor of Georgetown he initiated discussions with a view to having the names of the area and streets changed and renamed. Mr Forbes Burnham, then Prime Minister “gently hinted” to Mr Forde to back off as Prashad Nagar was a private development of which all should be proud.

Yours faithfully,
Prem Persaud