Navin Chandarpal was one of Guyana’s best known public figures and politicians. His popularity was so extensive that most people who knew him well, even those who did not share his political views or allegiances, felt honoured to be considered by him as a friend. His relationship with people transcended politics. He had time for Party workers, comrades, his students and friends.
He never spoke, much less boasted, about what he did for the PPP, for the country or for others. I was talking to him at a function three years ago and a young woman came up. She embraced him warmly and exchanged pleasantries. She then turned to me and said that Navin was one of the most important persons in her life. She said that he was responsible for her success in obtaining her doctorate degree because it was he who encouraged and inspired her. He was visibly embarrassed by such lavish praise.
Navin Chandarpal’s attitude to personal and political adversity was marked by tenacity. While he did not win this last personal battle,
