By Frederick Halley
GUYANA-born Ramnarine Sahadeo, who started practising law in Ontario, Canada in 1980 and retired in 2014, is credited as being one of the most astute attorneys, specialising in the field of Immigration and Citizenship, Family Law and Criminal Law.
While law was his forte, Sahadeo also excelled as an author, writing extensively on the “Great Soul” Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and the Bhagavad-Gita. According to Sahadeo, his initial endowment financed the scholarship, which was established at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, for a few years, but he wants other admirers of the Mahatma to have an opportunity to contribute in order to make it a lifetime award. Since his retirement after 34 years of active law practice, Sahadeo has researched, written, and lectured about the life of the Indian lawyer, politician, social activist and writer who became the leader of the nationalist movement against the British rule of India.

Sahadeo pointed out that since its inception in 2017, the scholarship has already supported several students in pursuing academic excellence. The recipients, to date, are Adriana Michell, a Third Year English/Cultural Studies and Peace Studies student; Amber Robidoux, Third Year, Justice Political Philosophy and Law; Tal Septon, Fourth Year, Peace Studies and Political Science; Leni Frances Kneller, Third year, Peace Studies and Anthropology and Hannah Elisabeth Jean Chapman, Third Year, Justice Political Philosophy and Law.

In 2020, the Office of the Dean of McMaster University wrote Sahadeo for his “kindness in changing the world.” The Dean pointed out that, “2020 has been an unprecedented year full of challenges for many. This year has also brought about reflection. As I look back, I am reminded of a simple creed you live by – treat others as you wish to be treated. This creed has been echoed across the world and those who don’t live by these words – their actions have been magnified on the news and in social media globally. It is a reminder that we still have work to do. It is a reminder of the importance of the Gandhian lifestyle and his universal principles that we know can make a change. It is true the selfless acts of people like you that give our future hope.
“To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Canada’s confederation, in 2017, you created the Mahatma Gandhi Scholarship. The scholarship aids in the education of the next generation of leaders and promotes values of peace. I am proud and grateful to share with you that because of your generous support, the scholarship will now last in perpetuity. You, too should be proud.”

Sahadeo’s first edition of his book titled Mohandas K. Gandhi – Thoughts, Words, Deeds and His Inspiration: Bhagavad-Gita came out to mark the 10th anniversary of the atrocities of September 12, 2001, now popularly known as 9/11 and according to the author “it was primarily intended to show that we should not assume that thousands of years of human existence only produced one 9/11 and that we should not allow one dark event to dominate our thoughts, words or deeds each year. On the same date but in different years, other men spoke of peace, love and unity, in the face of some of the greatest injustices the world ever witnessed.

Sahadeo disclosed that “hundreds of terrorist attacks killed thousands of people before and after this infamous day, but they did not happen on American soil and thus did not capture the attention of the world that has since restricted the freedoms and rights we once enjoyed. Those who once thought that religion is a private matter between God and believer now have good reason to think again. When the towers in New York collapsed, people of all religions lost their lives. Even the agnostics and atheists were not spared. Consequently, we must learn about all religions and how they can impact human behaviour and social development.”
Sahadeo feels that ‘whatever feeble attempts have been made to justify such acts be conceded that they were not caused because of poverty, exploitation, or lack of education, for there are millions across the globe who suffer from these daily.”

According to Sahadeo, the book’s ultimate aim can be summarised in Gandhi’s own words. “While he was fasting almost to death and was asked what do you want? His memorable reply was “I just want the fighting to stop. These were the exact words that a little child repeated to a family court judge who was presiding over the custody battle waged by her parents without regard to the harmful effects on her, whom they claim to love so much.”

The book also summarises the life of Gandhi, his education in England, life in South Africa and his struggles for the Independence of India, all while following the dictates of the Gita.
A copy of the book was sent to President Barrack Obama. Tulsi Gabbard Congress person from Hawaii in the House of Representatives, also received a copy in 2015 and acknowledged appreciation “for your thoughtful gift.”
As far back as 1992, Sahadeo has been playing a major role in promoting education in Guyana and elsewhere. He has adopted the first school he attended and wrote a booklet as a guide, encouraging others to do the same. The media referred to him as ‘Father of the Adopt a school programme” with a “touch of Class” as far back in 1993. He is currently sourcing books for school libraries in Lethem, Leguan and other areas where libraries do not exist.
Sahadeo was also part of Democracy Watch 2000 after the elections in Guyana. The driving force of this ad hoc group and friend Rajendra Singh commented, “Ramji, as he was familiarly called, offered encouragement, counsel, guidance and inspiration to other members. He assisted the group to write letters to local and national politicians across North America; to write to newspapers across Canada seeking help in our cause.

“We contacted the offices of the Prime Minister of Canada and senior leaders of both major political parties in the USA. It must also be mentioned that while Ramji volunteered his time and energies to Guyana’s future, he was simultaneously engaged in promoting the Gandhi Scholarship he founded.

“As a very staunch Hindu, Ramji, now a retired lawyer, occupies some of his time with helping Mandirs in their fund-raising drives and has constantly been campaigning in the drive to stamp out the consumption of alcohol at all Hindu functions including funerals.” His book is available in Guyana and North America and proceeds used to fund the Gandhi Scholarship and other Cultural Learning institutions like Saraswati Vidya Niketan on the WCD and the Cove and John Hindu College.
Born on the island of Leguan , Sahadeo attended St. David’s Anglican School, now called Eastern Leguan Government. He also went to a private secondary school at Wakenaam Island for one semester and according to him, “this meant daily bicycle ride early from Endeavor, Leguan to backpart, parking the bicycle at a friend’s home then taking a launch across the river to Wakenaam Island.”

It was then onto Metropolitan High School, located above a rum shop at Blenheim, Leguan, a private secondary school run by three Trinidadians. He said the school closed after a few years for lack of support.
After gaining four subjects at the General Certificate of Education (GCE) while at that school. in 1964, Sahadeo started teaching at age 16 at Uitvlugt Primary School, Ocean View, on the West Coast, Demerara, one of the many schools that was created during the 1960s as a result of racial disturbances. “It was also the time when government was setting up its own schools and taking over from the religious institutions. It was no longer necessary to convert to get a job with the government.”

Sahadeo took private correspondence course by Rapid Results College in UK, passed two subjects Advanced Level GCE, and then started working at the Guyana Revenue Authority as accounts clerk.

Sahadeo migrated to New York in 1969 but quickly moved to California until graduating in 1971 from California State University Pomona in Political Science.
In 1972, he was admitted to first-year Law School in UG but left for Canada where he attended Windsor Law School. He graduated in 1978 and started practising law in 1980 in Ontario.
Sahdeo retired 2014 after practising mostly in Immigration Family and Criminal Law. One of the most memorable periods during practice was representing many persons from Guyana, a country producing the most Refugee claimants from anywhere in the world to Canada in 1984-85. Most came because friends/relatives paid their passage and hosted them.
Sahadeo is married and has two children and four grandchildren. His wife hails from Hong Kong.