Lak­sh­mi Per­saud 1938 - 14 Jan­u­ary 2024. We are deeply sad­dened to ad­vise that our cel­e­brat­ed, pi­o­neer­ing Trinida­di­an Au­thor, Dr Lak­sh­mi Seeter­ram-Per­saud died peace­ful­ly at her home in Lon­don, Eng­land, at the age of 86 years on Jan­u­ary 14, 2024. Lak­sh­mi’s nov­els and lit­er­ary works were per­cep­tive­ly and unique­ly Trinida­di­an and Caribbean as can be read in her nov­els:

- But­ter­fly in the Wind

- Sas­tra

- For the Love of My Name

- Raise the Lanterns High

- Daugh­ters of Em­pire

Among Lak­sh­mi’s many pres­ti­gious awards are the fol­low­ing:

2022: Cha­co­nia Gold Me­di­al Na­tion­al Award

2019: Na­tion­al Coun­cil of In­di­an Cul­ture (NCIC) Award and Ho­n­ourary Guest and Fea­ture

Speak­er at the Di­vali Na­gar

2013: UWI Hon­orary Doc­tor­ate

2012: NALIS Life­time Award at the 50th An­niver­sary of In­de­pen­dence

2006: CARIF­TA Award for Lit­er­a­ture

Through her nov­els, lit­er­ary and oth­er works Lak­sh­mi em­pow­ered Trinida­di­an and Caribbean girls and young women in par­tic­u­lar, en­riched our lives and leaves a rich lega­cy for our use. May her soul rest in peace! Con­do­lences to her chil­dren, broth­er, sis­ter, friends and read­ers.