As she took to the podium to speak at the funeral service for Andrea Bharatt on Friday afternoon, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar said while she is deeply saddened over the young woman’s tragic passing, she has been comforted by the way in which the entire nation has united to take a stand against crime in violence.

“Andrea, your nation owes you a great debt of gratitude. You have united a nation and you have awakened a social consciousness like never before; sending ripples throughout the red, white and black of our nation,” the Opposition leader said.

Addressing Andrea’s father, Randolph Bharatt, as “Daddy Bharatt”, Persad-Bissessar offered her condolences, telling the grieving man that his daughter will remain imprinted in the minds of everyone, long after she has been laid to rest.

“She was a daddy’s girl, her teacher’s shining star, her friend’s biggest supporter, and her family’s shining light…we have truly lost a gem” she recounted.

Persad-Bissessar called on citizens to continue to heed Andrea’s call to action, by being their brother’s and sister’s keeper.

Also in attendance at the young woman’s funeral was Member of Parliament for Arima, Penelope Beckles. 

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley said on Thursday night that he chose not to attend the funeral,  so as not to make it into a political event.

Speaking on a PNM platform last evening the Prime Minister extended condolences to Bharatt’s family, saying : “I want to say to Andrea’s family: you are not alone. We can’t begin to understand the grief that you are experiencing”