This story of love and devotion began in Guyana and went beyond its borders to become a shining example for others to admire.

Mohan Ramsamooj and his loving loving wife Soosati were happily married for 67 years and this beautiful bond was broken when God took Soorsati to be beside Him. Soorsatie’s passing created a void in our community. She was an icon in her own right having raised eight children and created a business that set high standards for others. Soorsati combined the roles of wife, mother and entrepreneur admirably and set new paths for others

to follow.
Soorsati was born on March 26, 1928 in the village of Golden Grove on the East Bank of Demerara. Soorsati’s mother Sumintra was a hardworking woman who cared for the family. Sumintra and Jugram had three sons and three daughters and like most parents they wanted the best for the children.
Soorsati attended Diamond Government School and was a classmate of prominent business mogul Dr. Yesu Persaud. As most of us know parents in those days were strict and seldom let their children out of their eyes. When it came for Soorsati to be married a suitable young man was identified from a neighbouring village and a marriage was arranged. The person that was responsible for the arranged marriage was Pandit Sookdeo Maraj. He knew both families and felt that Mohan was not only a nice young man but he had the qualities to make Soorsati happy. On a bright and sunny day on January 26, 1947 marriage vows were exchanged between Mohan and Soorsati Ramsamooj. Thus began their journey on the long road to life’s richness and happiness.

The first major event in their lives happened on December 24, 1947. It was a Christmas event to remember as their first-born child Bharat Chandranauth announced his arrival. Bharat grew up to be a warm and caring young man who was always helpful to his parents. Mohan and Soorsati soon found themselves busy parents and in a short space of time seven other children were born. Mohan and Soorsati were doting parents and they instilled in the children love for others and a respect for all living things.
They stressed the importance of a sound education and the children went on to become successful in their respective careers. Mala Ramsamooj, for instance, attended school in Georgetown before migrating to New York. She then went to Queens College in New York where she successfully completed her Master’s Degree.
Mala went on to establish a top modelling agency ‘Working Models’ and she involved herself in a number of charitable causes. At one point Mala had her own television show and she landed exclusive interviews with legends Amitabh Bachcan, Rajesh Khanna and President Cheddit Jagan among others.
Mala teamed up with her brother Prabhu and they became a formidable team. They were able to get Shashi Kapoor to visit New York for a concert at Queens College and Mala and Prabhu became pioneers in their own right on the social circuit. But before all this happened, there was the enterprising spirit of their mom Soorsati. She was not content just to be a housewife. Soorsati had a sense of style and fashion at an early age. She also had a keen sense of business. She decided to attend the Carnegie School in Georgetown to acquire knowledge about fashion and pattern and dressmaking.
After graduation Soorsati put her training to good use. In 1971, she established Carnaby Boutique in Georgetown. This meant that Guyanese could have access to international fashions and could complete with the rest of the world. By 1974 Carnaby Boutique became one of the finest in the Caribbean. Soorsati and her family had worked hard and the natural expansion of the business was to become a manufacturer. This was accomplished with success and Carnaby was a household name in Guyana.
Soorsati and her family experienced great sadness when the eldest child Bharat passed away in 1974 but the family persevered and strived to do well in his memory. Mohan, in the meantime was quickly making a name for himself in the business world. He became a salesman at Sandbach Parker in Georgetown. Mohan was responsible for the sales of combines and tractors to countless farmers and he proudly stated that he never turned away a customer.
He always found a way for them to realise their dreams to become successful farmers. Indeed Mohan worked his way to a position in the known as ‘Mr. Sandbach Parker.’ He was sent on a training course to London representing Massey Ferguson. While in London, both Mohan and Soorsati had the pleasure of attending a dinner hosted by the Indian High Commission in London. At that dinner they met Lady Mountbatten and they chatted about culture and society.
Those years were indeed memorable and Soorsati and Mohan were overjoyed to meet with Prime Minister Indira Gandhi when she visited Guyana. Mohan and his family duly migrated to New York but their deep involvement continued with the community. One of Soorsati’s memorable moments was to have dinner with the legendary Amitabh Bachchan in New York, an event that was arranged and managed by her children Mala and Prabhu.
Soorsati came a long way from Guyana but she never lost the common touch. She cared deeply for others. She was an avid sports fan and her favourite sport was cricket. She also loved her Lord and the Bhagvad Gita was her constant companion. Soorsati was described as ‘the Golden Girl with the Diamond touch!’ She has brought happiness and joy to her family. Soorsati’s love and devotion to her family and care for others remain unparalleled. She will always live in the hearts of those that cherish and value love, tolerance and respect for others.

Editor’s note–This article was previously published in Caribbean News in New York

(By Dr Dhanpaul Narine)