Former Junior Minister of Agriculture, Alli Baksh laid to rest

Nov 27, 2017 News, https://www.kaieteurnewsonline...-baksh-laid-to-rest/

t was a mournful occasion yesterday as many gathered at the Baksh residence, to bid their final farewells to former Junior Minister of Agriculture, Alli Baksh.

Baksh passed away Thursday morning last at the age of 70, after a relentless battle with cancer.

Gracing this occasion yesterday were friends, family members, former Presidents Donald Ramotar, Bharrat Jagdeo and other political dignitaries of the People’s Progressive Party.

Many described the former Minister as a humble, patriotic and people-oriented individual.

Baksh started his political career as a party organizer for the People’s Progressive Party [PPP], in the 1990s, working closely with Dr. Cheddi Jagan. He later served as Regional Chairman for Region Two for over 20 years.

Baksh, through his visions as a PPP/C party member, made several changes to the Essequibo Coast. According to former president Bharrat Jagdeo, Baksh was a patriot who fought for ideals and values that were bigger than the PPP/C. In his speech Jagdeo noted, “Baksh was a part of something bigger, he was a part of something that must capture all of us, and that is the struggle that Cheddi Jagan started in this country to achieve a few ideals. The first is that people from every race, religion and every gender must find an equal place in this land. They must be treated with dignity and they must be protected by our laws and constitutions. He was driven to see change, because he saw need for changes, and he saw the consequences of unnecessary policies.”

Alli Baksh’s years as Regional Chairman of Region Two, were recollected as years of great productivity. Bharrat Jagdeo recalled, “As I was Minister of Finance, Alli Baksh would by September complete implementing his Region’s budgets for the year and would move on to request supplementary funds. Most regions on the other hand would only be at 35% in implementing their budgets.”

Apart from his political career, Baksh was quite family oriented. As his four kids recalled during their eulogy, Baksh was a man who enjoyed spending time with his wife and children. His kids noted that as their father drew nearer to death, he urged them to hold on to his legacy and his life’s values.