tidings
Newsday reporter
The funeral of former National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC) president Deokinanan Sharma will be held on August 25 at 10 Woodlands, Valsayn at 9 am.
An NCIC release said there will also be a vigil at the NCIC Divali Nagar site at 10:30 am before it is cremated at the Caroni crematorium at 12:30 pm.
The NCIC said Sharma died peacefully on August 23, “leaving behind a legacy of dedication and cultural pride”.
NCIC said Sharma, born March 14, 1937, traveled from humble beginnings in Debe as the son of a bonded laborer to a prominent figure in the national and Indian cultural landscape in Trinidad and Tobago, “a testament to resilience and commitment his.
He said Sharma was a civil engineer who served as president of NCIC and chairman of Divali Nagar for 20 years. He said he was awarded the Humming Bird Gold Medal in 2012 for his work in Indian culture, an honorary doctorate from UWI and the Pravasi Bharitya Award from the Government of India. He said Sharma also served as treasurer in the Maha Sabha under the late Bhadase Sagan Maharaj.
Following his death, President Christine Kangaloo offered condolences to his family, friends and colleagues on behalf of her office.
“He is recognized for his outstanding contribution to the cultural landscape of TT, particularly in the promotion of Indian culture through his roles with the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha and the National Hindu Youth Organization.”
Joining in offering condolences, Leader of the Opposition Kamla Persad-Bissessar, in a statement on August 24 said that Sharma, who was one of the founders of Divali Nagar in 1986, leaves a lasting impression on the national cultural landscape.
“Without funding or support from the state, out of nothing it became the biggest national festival in TT, second only to Carnival.
“By his living example, Pundit Deokinanan Sharma embodied a sublime faith in his fellow citizens and an abiding belief that despite our innate ethnic and religious differences, the common thread of our rare cultural beauty would ultimately unite us in one unique, beautiful tapestry of union. , and evoke the best expressions of our collective humanity, as a nation we owe an eternal gratitude to Pundit Deokinanan Sharma for this truly beautiful gift that he taught us to claim, realize and embody and for the very rich, inspiring legacy he has left for posterity.”
In a statement, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts Randall Mitchell also congratulated Sharma.
“As we reflect on his passing, TT remains grateful for Sharma’s indelible contribution. Indeed, he was a true son of the soul and has left a lasting mark on the cultural tapestry of our people and country.”
