Carisa Lee
Reporter
carisa.lee@cnc3.co.tt
The life of veteran broadcaster, cultural icon and former politician Dr Hansley “Hans” Hanoomansingh was celebrated yesterday as he was laid to rest at the Curepe Presbyterian Church.
Hanoomansingh died on July 4 at the age of 83, after a period of illness.
Dozens of people filled the church to pay their final respects to Hanoomansingh, who was known as an agent of change and had a heart of wisdom and love for learning.
His son Kurt said his father did not lose these traits, even as he dealt with the grief of losing his son Peter in August 2022 and health issues that started later that year.
“Yet still, he persevered. I never really heard him complain, though I know he was grieving and he was in incredible pain,” he said.
Kurt shared that during that time, his father started thinking about his biography, which, unfortunately, he did not get a chance to complete.
His younger brother, Gideon Hanoomansingh, believes the impact Hans made on T&T in media, culture and politics needed to be heard, as he challenged biographers Premnath Gupta and Dr Jerome Teelucksingh to volunteer as witnesses of history.
“To give tomorrow’s generations a better insight into this remarkable individual who lit that candle and burnt it so brightly to the very end,” Gideon said.
Hanoomansingh was first known for his calm, authoritative voice that brought news and public affairs into homes across T&T on Radio Guardian and later opened his own radio station, Heritage Radio, to promote culturally rich and responsible content.
“Heritage Radio had a policy not to advertise alcohol or meat products during Ramadan and Divali. For Sparrow’s 75th birthday, Hans dedicated 12 hours to celebrate the occasion,” Gideon shared.
In 1966, at the age of 24, Hanoomansingh was selected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Caroni East. Gideon remembered his brother’s dedication to that role as well.
“We were campaigning in Palmiste Village, Longdenville, and someone passed on a car firing gunshots in the crowd, and Hans, who was speaking at the time, shouted, ‘The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?’ His ardent helper said to him, ‘Get your tail in the car; you go pray later,’” Gideon shared as he laughed with the congregation.
He said Hanoomansingh spent most of his life in the public eye, but those closest to him witnessed a deeply personal side. There were the lyrics he used to court his wife, Myrna, on the steps of Rousillac Presbyterian School in the 1960s.
And there was his relationship with his niece Yasha, who sang You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban because that’s exactly what he did for her and so many others present.
His son Kurt said he was still struggling to come to terms with his father’s death, unable to fully grasp how big a void his absence would leave in their lives.
“I was very loved and supported, and he’d drop anything if he had to prioritise something for us,” he said.
Hanoomansingh’s other son, Ravi, said his father was a true “Trini to the bone,” as everything was better in T&T, even dialysis.
“Dad always talked about the excellent care received in Toronto, but quick to always find a way to leave for Trinidad,” he shared.
Officiant Rev Adrian DE Sieunarine used the first letters of the icon’s very name to frame his message, drawing on his life and legacy.
‘H’ stood for a heart of wisdom, a quality that defined Hans’s approach to journalism, politics, and family life.
‘A’ represented the ancient ways, a tribute to his deep respect for tradition, culture, and the values passed down through generations.
‘N’ symbolised new opportunities, a nod to his forward-thinking vision, especially in opening up the media space and supporting young talent.
‘S’ stood for spirituality, the quiet yet steady faith that guided him through both triumph and tragedy.
Among those present at the service were former government ministers Winston Dookeran and Dr Bhoendradatt “Bhoe” Tewarie, Congress of the People founder Prakash Ramadhar, and former speaker of the House Nazim Mohammed.
