Dear Editor,
I was profoundly saddened when I heard that Komal Chand has passed away. I knew that he had been ailing for a while, and recently was receiving medical treatment in Cuba, where he transitioned to the great beyond.
I had known Komal since 1996 when thereafter as GuySuCo’s Chief Industrial Relations Manager/Industrial Relations and Human Resource Director we were engaged in numerous negotiations and meetings, at various levels, on matters related to pay increase, strikes and general welfare for sugar workers. He was a very shrewd and stubborn negotiator, who would go to the extreme in the process to get even the last penny and benefit for the sugar workers. He was always a soft spoken, composed person, with well-articulated presentations, and despite the robustness, fierceness and sometimes unfriendly exchanges he has never left these meetings with animosity. We always parted with some degree of amicability. Komal was a keen listener, with a very analytical mind; one who would diligently peruse data, be it on production, finance or operations, and probe with great intent to get plausible answers to his doubts and queries, and only when he was genuinely satisfied would he move on. He was an avid reader on subjects ranging on health, biographies, trade unionism and economic global affairs. After I left GuySuCo in 2015, we became great friends. It was a period that I experienced a different side of Komal; a period of brotherhood, kindness and wisdom. He shared with me his thoughts and extensive learnings on health, medicine, politics and trade unionism. We had many exchanges on the phone, social get-togethers at his famous watering hole at NAACIE and visits to his office.
Komal on many occasions described to me one-on-one, with sincerity, how much he was saddened, depressed and disappointed with the closure of some sugar estates. He honestly and genuinely had the sugar workers to his heart. I could only describe him as a true and patriotic trade union leader. Sugar workers, the trade union confederation, and this nation will certainly miss him, and I will miss a dear friend.
I offer my sincere condolences to his bereaved family, and pray that Comrade Komal’s kind and honourable soul has eternal peace.
Yours faithfully,
Jai Petam
