The story of Navindra Samaroo

Aug 02, 2020 News

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An aspiring crime fighter slain by criminals…

By Shervin Belgrave

He was an aspiring crime fighter, but his life, ironically, was snuffed out too soon by criminals. He didn’t even have a fighting chance to truly unleash the potential he was so confident he had.

Navindra Samaroo, to his family members and friends, was a beautiful soul, but to the bandits, who launched their attack on the afternoon of July 24 last, when he slowed down his car to navigate a pothole on Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown, he was just a target.
To many, he was just known as Navin and worked as a Marketing Agent at G&J Phone Card Investments. But what many people didn’t know was that he was teeming with ambition.
He was the third child born to an ex-police officer, Sugrim Samaroo, and his beautiful wife, Valini Shivcharran, on November 29, 1997.
To his mother, he was a “precious jewel”, to his boss, Rampertaud Etwaroo, he was a “willing and hard-working” employee and to the woman betrothed to him, Michel (pronounced Michelle) Castelin, he was her “everything”.
In an exclusive interview with Kaieteur News recently, Navin’s mother, Valini reminisced on his short life. Tears flowed freely as she glanced at a childhood photo of him dressed in his father’s police hat, armed with a toy gun. He really wanted to follow in his father’s footstep to fight crime, she disclosed.
She was so proud to see how much her “baby boy” wanted to imitate his father.
Ms. Shivcharran described him as a well-mannered son and revealed that he was jovial and funny individual who displayed a passion and strong interest for solving crimes. She said that there were times when he would even boast of being “the protector of the family”.
After completing his secondary education at the Richard Ishmael School, he was able to secure a job at the Nalico Nafico, insurance company, she revealed.
He worked there for a short time, she added, before gaining employment as an accountant with another company, Muneshwers Limited.

But these jobs, his mother said, were only intended to be temporary since his end game was to become a Customs Officer and eventually a crime fighting police.
He eventually moved on to the G&J Phone Card company as he financed his studies in preparation for his dream career. By this time, Navin was 21 years old and was looking for a life partner to settle down with.
While working at his new place of employment, he met a young woman, Castelin from Venezuela, online and the two eventually fell madly in love. She, he believed, was a viable candidate to build a life with.
Everything was all planned out and Navin was well on track to becoming that successful crime fighter and a romantic husband. He had even envisioned having five kids with his future wife. But little did he know that fate had other plans for him.
No one saw it coming – a callous end to his wonderful life.
But fond memories of him, before his passing, will forever remain etched in the minds of those he touched and bring them smiles on days when its passing is too much for them to bear. Navin’s life did not only touch the hearts of his family members, but those of his employer and co-workers who admired his astounding work ethics. His boss, Etwaroo, told Kaieteur News that it was difficult to get Navin off the road when he started working.
“He was an exceptional salesman always energetic and looking for new clients,” said Etwaroo.“Navin was also an adventurous individual who managed to convince me to go on exciting trips to the country side and hinterland locations,” he added.

His boss even remembered him as one, who in their staff meetings, would always begin his contribution by thanking God for life and expressing his gratitude for another opportunity to be happy and alive.
Castelin, recalling that the two years she had known Navin was filled with happiness, said, “He convinced me to travel to Guyana and be with him. I did not want to at first, but he won my heart.”
She has no regrets that she accepted his proposal. “He was sweet, charming and would make me laugh. I remember him proposing to me and telling me that he wants five children with me.”
When the year (2020) dawned, Navin was just months away from accomplishing a major dream he had plotted out in his mind. He was preparing for his final exams, which would determine his future in the Guyana Police Force.
He had even greater expectations. Castelin, his wife to be, found that she pregnant with their first child. Navin was excited and had planned to keep things secret until July 30, his mother’s birthday.
Castelin said plans were already in motion to make the day spectacular for Ms. Shivcharran. They had also decided, and had planned to announce then, that August 14 would be their wedding date.
Unfortunately, Navin was not given the chance to see his plans to fruition and accomplish his dreams.
On that fateful day, July 24 last, while returning to work, Navin was attacked and killed by bandits who rode on a motorcycle alongside his car.It was public-spirited citizens who rushed his lifeless body to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. According to reports, the bandits only got away with a bag in which Navin had some food.
As she recounted the moment, she learnt of his demise, Castelin burst into tears. She reflected for a while on her last moments with him — those she will forever cherish. “He came home from work and said that he was hungry. I asked him if he wanted me to fry him some eggs and sausage. With a smile on his face, he said yes my love.” While preparing the meal, she recalled, Navin reminding her of their upcoming wedding date and honeymoon. They were hoping that they could spend it in New York (should COVID-19 restrictions allow). He spoke of plans too to buy a nice car, a house and having a fairy tale life, she recalled.
After packing the meal in his lunch bowl, Castelin said she followed him to the gate and there he kissed her goodbye, and told her, “I will always love you because you are the love of my life.” It was then he drove off, never to be seen alive again.
As Navin’s family and friends try to come to grips with his demise, police are still seeking answers to bring the perpetrators to justice.

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