THE body of Attorney –at-Law Vicramaditya ‘Vic’ Puran was yesterday cremated at the Good Hope Crematorium, following a ceremony, according to Hindu rites, at his home, 77 Barr Street, Kitty.

Earlier in the morning, the body lay at the Merriman Funeral Home, Lime and Bent Streets, for initial viewing, and attracted large numbers of relatives, friends, members of the judicial system and other sympathizers.
During the ceremony held outside the Purans’ home there was a plethora of moving tributes, beginning with the eulogy read by daughter of the deceased, Attorney-at-Law  Mishka Puran.
Occasionally breaking down, Mishka, who purposed in her heart to be strong for her father, noted that he had met his demise on his 57th birth anniversary. He was born on October 15, 1955, and was involved in an accident and died on October 15, 2012.
Referring to her father as one who was ‘hungry for life’, Mishka recalled that he was born prematurely in October 1955 – two months ahead of the time he was due, and by the same token, she felt, his life had been snuffed out prematurely, leaving some amount of unfinished tasks behind.
Vic Puran met his demise  on Monday, as he was going to his farm at Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara. Family members tried to find comfort in the fact that he died doing something he loved to do, but they still had great difficulty accepting the death.
He was the eldest of five siblings and spent his early life on the Corentyne and later attended Rama Krishna Primary School. After passing the Common Entrance and winning a place at Queen’s College, he moved to Kitty, to facilitate his attendance at the college.
Having come from humble beginnings, Vic Puran applied himself diligently at Queen’s College. A young man of humble disposition, he was never of an inflated ego, Mishka said, and ‘tried his hands’ at various jobs, before making it into the field of his dreams.  He first did carpentry, later fruit vending, was a taxi driver, a high school teacher and worked at a bakery, before securing the prestigious job of Special Adviser to former President Forbes Burnham.
With the help of the Rahaman family, he later travelled to London, and eventually entered a university to read for a Law degree.  But being poor, this accomplishment was not without challenges, and relatives recall, that Vic had to literally sweep the streets of London to earn money to pay for his education there.  Miska, who also lives in London, admitted she keeps for posterity, and indeed for inspiration, a photograph of her father, the late accomplished lawyer, sweeping the streets of London.
She told of the loving, caring and attentive father he was to his family, and the good times they spent together as a family. But then things took a turn, and for whatever reason his health began failing him. Quite recently she recalled his outlook on life was somewhat different, and it became clear his health was failing.
Puran’s brother, Vijay, added that he will always live within those lives that he touched. He recalled Vic was a wonderful person, a go-getter who placed a high premium on education, urging his siblings and children to make education their priority in life.
Vijay proudly acknowledged his brother as an accomplished lawyer; a fearless person; a true father figure, both in his home and for his siblings. He instilled in his family the core values of honesty and having a good education, and went out of his way to help people. Living by those guiding principles, he eventually made it to the top and became one of the most accomplished lawyers in Guyana.
For Vijay, his brother was a true patriot who showed no interest in migrating, but felt that his duty was to represent his people and he chose to do it from right here. And there were many times when he represented people he knew needed justice but had no money.
Meanwhile, Attorney General, Anil Nandlall,  who said he had known Mr. Puran for almost  half of his life, alluded to him as being not only a friend, but a brother. “Puran was not merely a colleague of mine; he was not merely a friend of mine. Vic was my brother.”  He said there are a few persons who have had tremendous influence on his life and in this regard, Vic stands very tall.
In this regard, he referred to what he termed, Puran’s magnetic ability to attract people. “But his humility and simplicity, I believe, were his most attractive qualities,” Nandlall said.
Noting that Mr. Puran had much strength, a lot of courage, a lot of character, Nandlall said, “Vic was, in his own characteristic way – a pillar of strength”.
Meanwhile, Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, who offered condolences on behalf of the Ministry of Health, recalled that his daughter had a very good relationship with Mr. Puran’s daughters, one of whom is soon to graduate as a doctor, and the other Mishka, an Attorney-at-Law, walking in the footsteps of her father.
He commended Mr. Puran as a father who had provided well for his family. He said, over the years, the Puran family has been able to do well for Guyana, by projecting a good image of the country abroad.
And Ms. Emily Dodson, President of the Guyana Association of Women Lawyers (GAWL), spoke on behalf of the Guyana Bar Association. Recording pluses for Mr. Puran, she recalled that he had a very analytical mind and was one who gave credit where credit was due.
“That was the nature of the man and we will all miss him in the legal profession,” she said. Dodson added that she was particularly moved by the fact that Vic Puran had always supported the work of the GAWL.