|
sdmsh@tstt.net.tt
Caribbean
man Bhadase
-
Articulate public speaker and debater.
-
Unites Hindu community via national organisation.
-
Sees need to mobilise working class.
Untold
History of T&T—Part V
Bhadase Sagan Maraj was a self-made millionaire in 1948
when he was only 28 years old. He started off his business
career at Caroni Village which developed as a sugar factory
and sugar plantation on the south bank of the Caroni River.
Bhadase displayed entrepreneur skills in dealing with US
Army, Naval and Air Force personnel that were established
at Chaguaramas, off Wrightson Road, Waller Field and Carlson
Field.
He started off by hand-digging “sharp sand” from
the bed of the Caroni River and selling to the Americans
as construction material. Later on he engaged in used bottle
collection and the buying and selling of scrap material
that was a scarce commodity in Trinidad after World War
II (1939-1945).
By 1950 Bhadase had become an articulate public speaker
and debater. In addition he was a person of great charity.
And by 1950 he was popular enough to win the Tunapuna seat
on the Legislative Council against 12 opponents.
Bhadase Maraj went on to bring the fragmented Hindu community
together via a national Hindu organisation called the Sanatan
Dharma Maha Sabha. This body was incorporated by Act of
Parliament No 41 of 1952.
The construction of Hindu schools and the education vision
was sold to the Hindu population by Bhadase Maraj. And if
today there is a continuing education thirst by Hindu families,
the beginnings lay with Bhadase Sagan Maraj and his colleagues
of the Maha Sabha.
But Bhadase was also a Caribbean man who reached out to
most of the regional politicians of the day. Cheddi Jagan
of Guyana, Eric Gairy of Grenada, WH Campbell of Montserrat,
ET Joshua of St Vincent, and Alexander Bustamante of Jamaica.
Born Alexander Clarke, Bustamante took that name from a
Spanish sea captain who befriended him in his early life.
He was quick to realise that the social and economic ill
that the colonial system created had to be countered by
mobilisation of the working class. Pay and working conditions
were poor in the 1920s and 1930s. Failing harvests and the
lay-off of workers resulted in an influx of unemployed from
the countryside into the city.
The years 1937 and 1938 brought the outbreak of widespread
discontent and social unrest in Jamaica. In advocating the
cause of the masses, “Busta” became the undisputed
champion of the working class. He also confronted the colonial
governor.
On September 8, 1940, Bustamante was jailed for alleged
violation of the Defence of the Realm Act. He was released
17 months later. But he remained outspoken and aggressive.
He is Jamaica’s first chief minister and on the Jamaica
House of Representatives stationery Bustamante wrote Bhadase
Maraj on August 11, 1959. Topic was the premiership of the
Federal parliament and “Busta’s” support
for Ashford Sinanan (known as Major):
Hon Bhadase Maraj
Leader of the Opposition
Port-of-Spain
Trinidad.
My dear Bhadase,
Would to God, owing to your health, I did not have to write
you on the following matter.
Although the party means so much to Trinidad, to me your
health comes first. I think of course that the only way
your health will improve somewhat is for you to stay in
the USA for some months, so you can get proper and continuous
treatment, even though you may fly back to the land of your
birth occasionally.
It is obvious to me that you are so interested in your island,
and are so concerned over the disunity there, that you are
sacrificing your life for these things. Well, the sacrifice
you are making by just flying to America and returning,
will serve Trinidad no useful purpose, because you will
leave this world quicker than if you were taking good care
of your health.
Coming back to another point. Two deputies have been voted
in at the recent convention by the people, and without wanting
to inject my personal admiration—I could say love—for
Major (Ashford Sinanan), no one could be more suitable than
he.
The other man I understand is Dr Ormah Maharaj (later to
be president general of the Maha Sabha). Apart from being
a medical man, I understand he has excelled himself in his
profession. I am told he is most capable, and well liked,
and so it is obvious to me that the two gentlemen elected
are most suitable.
Still in the interest of Trinidad first, the party and peace,
I would like to suggest for your consideration, and for
the consideration of a committee that you may appoint, to
come to a decision one way or the other, that one of the
deputy leaders should voluntarily resign for the good of
Trinidad, for the good of the party and harmony, and ask
Mr Victor Bryan if he would accept the position, and endeavour
to use your influence with the executive to have this suggestion
accepted.
With great concern over your health, over the health of
a man who has been so thoughtful of his mother.
I remain,
Yours sincerely,
Alexander Bustamante
Satnarayan Maharaj is the
secretary general of the
Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha
|
