The widow of Navin Chandarpal, Indranie Chandarpal, on Tuesday received a posthumous award for her late husband, a former Presidential Adviser on Science and Technology, for his contributions towards science, technology and innovation. Chandarpal passed away on October 28, 2014, after a two-year battle with cancer.
The Government Information Agency (GINA) reported that Education Minister Priya Manickchand, in presenting the award, read the words on the plaque: “We extend this token of appreciation with our heartfelt gratitude for your outstanding and dedicated service so unselfishly given towards the development of science, technology and innovation in Guyana.”
Mrs Chandarpal thanked the Ministry for the award, noting that all persons who had the opportunity to interact with her husband knew of his passion for science and technology. She also expressed happiness that the National Science Policy has indeed become a reality, “because I know he started the process since 2008, and it is important that we have such a policy today.”
Minister Manickchand, who had mentioned Navin Chandarpal in her presentation previously, noted that “he lives in these kinds of policies”. She observed that he would continue to live on as Guyana continued to implement policies. He pioneered numerous national initiatives on sustainable development through his post as Adviser to the President on Energy, Natural Resources, Science, Technology and Environment from 1992 to 2001. During the period 2001-2003, he served as Agriculture Minister and a Member of Parliament. Over the past 10 years, he reassumed the role of Adviser to the President on Sustainable Development, Science and Technology. For the 2010-2011 period, he served as Principal of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) Labour College.