Goodbye Norris! NFFA wants national award for activist

Farmer carry the body of Norris Deonarine to the funeral pyre on the banks of the Caroni River

Mourners said their final goodbyes to Norris Deonarine Sunday following which his body was cremated on the banks of the Caroni River.

The Education and Research Officer of the National Foodcrop Farmers' Association (NFFA) died suddenly at his home on Thursday night after suffering a massive heart attack. He was 52.

Pandit Vigyanand Maharaj performed the last rites for the activist who fought for farmers and the protection of agricultural land. His colleagues from the NFFA took the coffin to the final resting place before it was committed to the flames.

Food Production Minister Vasant Bharath was one of the cabinet ministers who represented the government of Trinidad and Tobago. Others included Prakash ramadhar and Rudranath Indarsingh.

Bharath extended condolences to the family on behalf of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and the Government.

In an brief address at the funeral the minister described Deonarine as selfless man. "Norris was one of those who never thought of himself. He was always at the forefront of the struggle, particularly those that involved farmers who for many years have been neglected," Bharath said.

Bharat said he wants to honour Deonarine. "I have asked across the ministry, that all members of staff as well as all of our State boards, that they should make recommendations to me in three working days as to what we can do as a fitting tribute for Norris Deonarine," he said.

Activist Attilah Springer interrupted the minister's speech with a suggestion. "We want food security for Norris," Springer shouted. "If you want to honour Norris ... food security for Norris in his name."

President of the NFFA, Terrence Harewood, issued a statement calling on Government to honour Deonarine with a posthumous national award.

"In recognition of the achievements of Norris Deonarine, the NFFA will be recommending to Government that he be given a National Award posthumously at this year's Independence Day celebrations," the release said.

"We will begin discussions soon as to other ways we can memorialise the works of Norris Deonarine so generations to come can fully appreciate the sacrifices and the dedication that was necessary to move the struggle forward."

The Chairperson of the Tunapuna/Piaro Regional Corporation, Khadijah Ameen, told reporters she hopes the government grants Deonarine's last wish, which was to acqire an abandoned 600 acre estate at Lopinot for farmers.

The day before he died Deonarine had intervened to try to prevent a confrontation between farmers and a group of people claiming to be owners of the land.