THE Senate paused for a minute of silence to mourn the passing of former independent senator Deoroop Teemal and a minute to mourn former Senate leader Dr Lenny Saith who both died last month, in its sitting on September 17. Senators hailed a remarkable number of similar traits in both men notably their calm dignity, seriousness and love of country, as noted by Opposition senator Faris Al-Rawi, to whom Saith was an uncle by marriage.

Senate leader Darryl Allahar hailed Teemal saying, "He had the ability to lift the tone of our proceedings." Hailing Teemal's work in culture especially as president of the National Council on Indian Culture, Allahar said he was "a bridge-builder in this diverse society."

Allahar dubbed Teemal was a man of high moral integrity, a voice of reason, a servant of the people and a beacon for all who entered public life.