Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer
(From left) Dr. Victor Page, chairman of the Bustamante Foundation, Hugh Lyon, Evelyn Sangster-Barnes, Karlene Goberdon, John Carter and his wife Jeannie and their darling little daughter Ariana Carter, with Effie and Seragh Lakasingh.- contributed
It has been said, and quite often, that the ability to walk with kings and queens and not lose the common touch, is indeed quite a rare commodity. Indeed, the true gems of any society are those who give, and in giving find solace, rather than grandstand for the applause of their fellowman.
One such unsung hero who has effectively contributed to the society through deed is the charming Effie Lakasingh. A registered nurse by profession, she has been the devoted wife to businessman and cultural ambassador Seragh Lakasingh.
For many decades, she has served as confidante and personal assistant to widow of National Hero Sir Alexander Bustamante, the indomitable Most Honourable Lady Bustamante. Mrs. Lakasingh has also served our inner-city youths through various outreach programmes.
It was in recognition of her role in the latter sphere that she was awarded the Order of Distinction (OD) for services in the field of community services and nursing, at the National Awards Ceremony on National Heroes Day.
To say that this was indeed a most deserving award could possibly be the understatement of the season. Not given to whimsical celebrations, the Lakasinghs last Thursday evening opened the doors to their upper St. Andrew residence and admitted nearly 250 guests to what was most certainly a gala reception that was beyond compare!
thank-you affair
The affair was a 'thank you' to the many friends and relatives who had called the Lakasinghs with congratulatory messages on the occasion of her receiving the national honour.
Luvs, it did rain some, but the persistent drizzle did nothing to dampen the spirit of good-natured camaraderie that was the order of the evening. With a number of marquees strategically placed in the gardens, guests had no trouble manoeuvring from the lawns and beautifully lit gardens into the main house.
There some overflowed from the living area and on to the patio. There they were treated to a panoramic view of the hills and city that seemed to highlight not just the beauty of the setting, but also of the occasion.
And with the very talented Floyd Ffolkes band doing the musical honours, he kept the party 'swinging' with his choicest musical selections.
And then there was the fare - a faultless Jamaican offering with continental appeal that was a treat to the soul, and then some! Dears, simply put, it was all fab, but the stamp 'n' go was to die for!
In between the drizzle and the party chatter, the host commandeered the attention of his guests to welcome and introduce the newly arrived Acting Indian High Commissioner K Rajagopalachari and his wife, as well as to bid adieu to the outgoing Deputy High Commissioner Bimal Saigal.
This was followed by the presentation of gifts to both diplomats, and then it was back to the host who surprised many by announcing that, indeed, the reception was two-fold, as he and his wife had only just days before celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary.
Well, my dears, at this juncture Commander John McFarlane, did the honours and said in song, what Seragh was thinking, as he dedicated the song Wind, Beneath My Wings, to the lady of the moment.
And talk about good company. Dears, it was an august gathering of some of the country's leading citizens with guests from almost every sector of the society in attendance.
Among the notables spotted were Edward Seaga and his wife Carla; The Hon. John Issa and his daughter, Muna; Senator Dr. Oswald Harding and his wife Marigold and Dawn Henry. Long-time family friend, Dr. Joyce Robinson; the Mexican Ambassador Leonora Rueda; Ambassador Madge Barrett and her husband Tunty; Professor Hugh Wynter and wife Professor Dorrie Wynter; Eddie Shoucair; Dr. Adolf Mena and wife Sara-Lou; Joe McPherson; Charley Johnston and his lovely wife Lisa; Gordon and Diane Tewani; Elon Beckford; Dr. Billy Lockyer; Dr. Donna Braham; Dr. Anne Robinson-Bridgewater. Playwright and actor Norman Rae; Hubert Chin and his wife Jean Lowrie-Chin; songstress Pat Gooden; Lincoln and Barbara Robinson; Donald and Heather Davidson; Victor and Lucy O'Sullivan; Montego Bay-based businessman Lachu Ramchandani and his brother Lockhu, in from India; Dr. Deepac Shah and wife Dr. Sudah Shah; Ravi and Asmita Rambaran; Nora Struderick; Garnet Reid; Jeanty and Sudhir Patel; Mrs. Laleta Davis-Mattis; Andrea Jaghai-Williams; Herman and Sally Duncan; Ward and Pauline Thompson; Denis Ingleton; Joe and Shirley McKessy; Donald and Shirley Braham; Charmaine Biersay and daughters Chantelle and Rachelle; Herman and Jean Beaumont and Minnie Wong; Devon and Keisha Spence; concert pianist Douglasse Burrelace; Wilbert and Jennifer Sirjue; Answered Ramcharan; Kiron and Maxine Banhan; Nari William-Singh; Hugh and Rita Whittaker; Colville and Elaine Rickards; Wayne and Audrey Jones.Aso jetting in from overseas for the gala were; Dr. Victor and Evelyn Page; Hugh Lyon; Carla Belnavis; Mrs. Evelyn Sangster-Barnes; John and Jeannie Carter; Karlene Gobardon; and Ariana Carter among others.
