PRIME MINISTER Kamla Persad-Bissessar spent her 60th birthday yesterday holding a thanksgiving “puja” (Hindu prayer ceremony) at her private residence in Estate Drive, Phillipine near San Fernando.
The prayers began at 2 pm and was attended by Persad-Bissessar’s relatives and specially invited guests including children and several elderly persons. She gave thanks to the Almighty for her family and strength of body and mind to lead the People’s Partnership coalition Government.
Persad-Bissessar, a devout Hindu, had a pundit perform prayers while she and members of her family bowed their heads. At her side were husband Dr Gregory Bissessar and their son, Kris.
Persad-Bissessar then distributed gifts to her invited guests, who gathered in the downstairs lobby and dining room of her residence.
Persad-Bissessar was born on April 22, 1952, in Siparia to a family of eight children. She became the country’s first female Attorney General and thereafter emerged to lead a coalition government in the General Elections 2010, to become the country’s first female Prime Minister.
Dressed in a radiant yellow and pink sari, Persad-Bissessar listened attentively to pundit Abdhenand Persad-Sharma, who performed Hanuman, Ganesh and Durga pujas with Dr Bissessar and Kris at her side.
Seated among the guests were Transport Minister Devant Maharaj and Minister in the Ministry of Works Stacy Roopnarine. At the time of the celebrations, Works Minister Jack Warner and Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Surujrattan Rambachan were touring parts of Tabaquite to view road conditions.
Maharaj wished Persad-Bissessar a happy birthday and praised her for leading the Government which places special focus on children and the elderly. He thanked the Prime Minister for setting an example for others to follow in celebrating a birthday with prayers and thanksgiving.
“Whilst we’re accustom to the partying on such occasions as birthday celebrations, our Prime Minister chose to thank God for the gift of life and good health,” Maharaj said. Persad-Bissessar then distributed gifts to approximately 75 children and elderly persons. “You all are close and dear to me,” Persad-Bissessar said.
Newsday
