OP poorer with Pandit Gossai’s passing – President

By Stabroek staff | June 18, 2009

Tributes were offered last evening to Pandit Prakash Gossai who is to be cremated in New York today and on Tuesday President Bharrat Jagdeo said that the death has left the Office of the President poorer.
A portrait of the late Pandit Prakash Gossai garlanded with flowers during a tribute to him at the Indian Cultural Centre yesterday.

A portrait of the late Pandit Prakash Gossai garlanded with flowers during a tribute to him at the Indian Cultural Centre yesterday.

He said that Gossai was very open-minded and had great respect for all people and this made him a good ambassador to many inter-faith communities that met from time to time “My office will be much poor, because of the loss of Prakash Gossai,” the President said.

Pandit Gossai fell ill last Thursday evening after leaving work and was admitted to the Balwant Singh Hospital. He was later transferred to the Caribbean Heart Institute (CHI). He had been diagnosed with a heart condition and was subsequently taken to Florida, US, where he died at around 3 am on Monday. He was 56. He will be cremated today in New York.

Last evening, the Indian Arrival Committee and the Indian Cultural Centre organized an event studded with songs and tributes by a number of persons including Minister of Culture, Dr Frank Anthony, businessman Yesu Persaud and Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Subit Kumar Mandal.

The Government Information Agency (GINA) in a release said that President Jagdeo and other cabinet members attended a wake on Tuesday in honour of the late Pandit, who was a Special Assistant to the President, at Castellani House, Vlissengen Road.

Speaking there, the President said that he was certain that all those who would have had a chance to interact with Pandit Gossai would have fond memories of him and had been impressed by his simplicity, his graciousness and his willingness to help in even the most extreme of circumstances. Jagdeo said that by working as his assistant, Pandit Gossai aided in serving people, something that his office holds very dearly. He noted that on many occasions in his absence, people would seek help for a number of unresolved issues and a few of his staff, particularly Gossai, took on that responsibility every day.

He posited that because of his selfless personality, he dedicated most of his life to serving people and found great joy in doing so. This, the President said, significantly enhanced the type of work they did in reaching out to people. He added that Pandit Gossai recognized the need to bring people of different faiths together in order to solve some of the social problems that are impossible for government to solve alone.

Members of the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) during a tribute to the late Pandit Prakash Gossai at the ICC building yesterday.

In recalling Gossai’s service towards humanity, he revealed that on many occasions the Pandit would shy away from publicity and had no desire for rewards. The President said that this is a perfect exemplification of an essential part of Hinduism. He further stated that the passing of Pandit Gossai has left sadness throughout Guyana, particularly in the Hindu community and his absence will leave a gap in society.

Meanwhile, GINA also said that Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, and Permanent Secretary within the Office of the President, Dr Nanda Gopaul were expected to attend the cremation.

The last rites will be held at the St. Michael’s Crematorium, Astoria Boulevard, East Elmhurst, New York. GINA said that Pooja and final rites will take place at the Grace Funeral Home from 8:30 am to 11:00 am thence to Gossai’s residence at 120th Street, South Ozone Park and finally to the crematorium.

Pandit Gossai was born in Handsome Tree, Mahaica Creek, East Coast Demerara, on April 25, 1953. In 2002, he was awarded the Medal of Service on the anniversary of Guyana’s Independence, for his contribution and commitment. He leaves to mourn two children Pratiksha and Arun Gossai.