00:00 [Indistinct chatter]
00:14 The line of people waiting to view the body of Basdeo Pandey and sign the condolence book
00:19 stretched from the entrance of the Red House on Abercrombie Street
00:23 to the corner of Prince and Abercrombie Streets.
00:26 It didn't stop Makayla Pandey, who was in the company of two of her three sisters,
00:31 from meeting and greeting every single person that was standing in line
00:35 under the heat of the midday sun for her father.
00:38 At times, she was on the verge of tears.
00:40 And for those who were there to witness it,
00:43 her gesture drove some spectators to tears as well.
00:47 Makayla says there are no words to express how grateful she is
00:52 to everyone who has helped at this difficult time for her family.
00:56 We have gotten strength from the people of Trinidad and Tobago,
01:00 my family, me. It's unbelievable.
01:03 How do we begin to say thank you?
01:05 So we say thank you on behalf of our dad as well.
01:08 It is helping them to cope, although she reveals that her mom, Omu Pandey, is struggling a bit.
01:15 On December 4th, a decision was taken by the Sanatan Dharma Mahasabha
01:20 to rename Shiva Boys Hindu College, Bas Deo Pandey Shiva Boys.
01:25 It's great if it will inspire the youth,
01:28 because he was interested in the youth and he loved the youth of this nation.
01:32 He believed the youth were the future of this nation.
01:34 He believes that education was the way out of poverty
01:37 and how you can change your life and have control of your life.
01:40 So it's a wonderful honor and we're very grateful and I thank them on his behalf.
01:44 Some have shared a sentiment that the Piaco International Airport
01:47 should be named after Bas Deo Pandey as well.
01:50 You know, I tried to think of what he would say if he was here.
01:53 And he would say, "What are you naming anything after me for?"
01:56 That's what he would say, "Don't name anything after me."
01:58 He'd probably want constitutional reform if he wanted anything.
02:02 It was never about him. It was not about his name.
02:05 It was always country before self and therefore what will help the country.
02:09 He believed that constitutional reform would have helped the country,
02:12 so that was what he would want.
02:14 And the people who came to see him, including Rhonda Sibalo, highly regard him.
02:19 He was a good prime minister. He was a people person.
02:24 And how did you feel when you heard he would be given a state funeral?
02:28 Happy. Yeah, it was well deserved.
02:32 Manmohan Gosain says it's only fitting to give a great leader a great send-off.
02:38 I was fortunate to be here this morning to see him come to the Red House for the last time.
02:43 But it was a very touching moment for me and my wife.
02:47 And I think this will be remembered, well, Trinidad will remember Bas
02:53 as one of the greatest leaders in this country.
02:55 Eileen Lara believes the late prime minister could have made a change in a community
03:00 which has been stereotyped.
03:03 I believe if he didn't come Laventille and fix Laventille, he would have fixed Laventille.
03:08 He would not look at Laventille and Laventille and fix it. I believe so.
03:12 Corey Joseph tells us he worked with the youth arm of the United National Congress
03:17 when Mr. Panday was leader of the party.
03:20 He was a man, he didn't mind going any area, any way and talking to people and reacting to people.
03:25 He was very different.
03:27 And it's good that they have a parade like this for him.
03:29 It reminds me of what Trinidad and Tobago is supposed to be.
03:33 We're supposed to treat all leaders like that.
03:35 Give them the respect that they deserve.
03:37 Alicia Boucher, TV6 News.
03:42 [BLANK_AUDIO]
