Mr.
Basdeo Panday was sworn in as Prime
Minister of Trinidad and Tobago on December 22, 2000.
This is his second term in office as Prime Minister.
Mr.
Panday was also appointed Minister of National Security on January 25, 2001.
This makes him also responsible for the Cadet Force, Citizenship, Civilian
Service Corps, Defence Force, Drug Enforcement/Interdiction, Estate Police
as well as Forensic Science Services, Immigration and Internal Security.
Additionally, National Emergency/Disaster Management, Safety and Law
Enforcement (Police, Prison and Fire Services) and Security of Government
Officers and Premises Work Permits fall under his purview.
The National Drug Council, Police Complaints Authority and NEMA are
overseen by the Minister of National Security.
Mr.
Basdeo Panday was born on May 25, 1933 in a rural village in Princes Town.
He is married to the former Oma Ramkissoon and is the father of four
daughters.
Prime
Minister Panday worked as a cane weigher, primary school teacher and civil
servant prior to attending university where he obtained degrees in Law (Lincoln's
Inn - 1962), Economics (London University - 1965) and Drama (London School
of Dramatic Art - 1960). Prime Minister
Panday entered politics in 1966 when he became a member of the Workers and
Farmers' Party. He was also advisor
to a number of Trade Unions upon starting his private practice as a lawyer
and continued his struggle for workers' rights when he became President General
of the All Trinidad Sugar and General Workers' Trade Union (ATS&GWTU)
in 1973. He continued to serve in
this position until his appointment as Prime Minister.
Prime
Minister Panday was one of the founders of the United Labour Front (U.L.F).
He has represented the Constituency of Couva North in the House of
Representatives since 1976 and was Leader of the Opposition from 1981 to 1986
when he was appointed Minister of External Affairs and International Trade
in the NAR Government. In 1988 he resigned from the National Alliance
for Reconstruction and formed Club 88 which eventually became a new party,
the United National Congress. He was
again appointed Leader of the Opposition in 1989 until his appointment as
Prime Minister in November 1995.
Prime
Minister Panday was the 1995 Express Individual of the Year and was awarded
an Honourary doctor of Law Degree from Benares University, India in January
1997.
Prime
Minister Panday's interests are music, reading, chess and golf.