RADHICA DE SILVA
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
High Court Judge Frank Seepersad has been selected to receive the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA)–India's highest overseas award–bestowed on people of Indian origin.
Justice Seepersad is expected to travel to the homeland of his ancestors later this month, along with his wife, Camille, daughter, Amanda Seepersad, mother, Champa Seepersad, and his sister Carol Seepersad-Maharaj.
Speaking to Guardian Media on Monday, Justice Seepersad said he received formal notification of the award on yesterday. He is the third judge to receive the honour and the first non-politician to collect the award. He follows in the footsteps of former prime minister Basdeo Panday and Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Dr Lenny Saith, Winston Dookeran, and the National Council of Indian Culture.
Seepersad said the honour was unexpected.
"The bestowing of this prestigious award to the great-grandchild of indentured labourers is unexpected and welcomed. This honour is the result of the incredible opportunities which have been afforded to me in this land of my birth," he said.
"Standing side by side with my brothers of every creed and race, I have benefitted not only from my rich ancestral traditions but from the diversity of experiences and the free world-class education which I have received in this blessed country."
Notwithstanding the challenges in T&T, Justice Seepersad said "This international recognition has reminded me that here in this Republic, with faith, honesty, discipline, tolerance and production, all things are truly possible."
Since the award started in 2003, only two out of the 136 awardees were judges–one from Fiji and an appellate judge from Zimbabwe.
"It's a bi-annual award and this year there are 30 awardees from around the globe with the President of Guyana being the chief guest," he added.
The PBSA is considered to be the highest honour conferred on overseas Indians.
On the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, the 17th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention is scheduled to be held from January 8 to 10, 2023, at Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards will be conferred by the President of India at the PBD Convention in the valedictory session of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrations.