Independent Senator and President of the National Council for Indian Culture (NCIC), Deoroop Teemal, has died. He passed away at his home on Sankar Street, St. Augustine around 1 a.m. on Sunday. He was 69 years old.
His death was confirmed in a statement issued by the NCIC, which described him as a “dedicated leader and passionate advocate for cultural preservation and community development.”
Teemal had been unwell for the past week, according to Surujdeo Mangaroo, First Vice-President of the NCIC, who called his passing “a tremendous loss to the development of Indian culture in Trinidad and Tobago.”
“Senator Teemal was a dedicated leader and a passionate advocate for cultural preservation and community development. His commitment and service have left a lasting impact on our nation,” Mangaroo said.
Teemal had served with the NCIC for over two decades, including multiple terms as Chairman of the annual Divali Nagar celebrations. He was elected President of the organization in April 2023 and was due to serve until 2026.
The NCIC’s constitution provides that the First Vice-President will act as President until a new leader is elected in April next year. Mangaroo added that the executive would soon meet to discuss the way forward for the 2025 Divali Nagar, scheduled for October.
Professionally, Teemal was a Civil and Structural Engineer and Project Manager with 37 years of experience. He worked with major agencies such as the Ministry of Works, NIPDEC, WASA, and the Gaspar Grande Water Supply Project. He also served as Principal of Team Engineering Systems Limited.
Teemal was first appointed as an Independent Senator in 2020 and served in the 11th, 12th, and 13th Republican Parliaments of Trinidad and Tobago.
He is survived by his wife, Geeta, and their two adult daughters.
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