VETERAN People’s Progressive Party (PPP) member and esteemed President of Guyana’s largest Hindu organisation the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud passed away late Saturday night at the Guyana Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)-based Caribbean Heart Institute (CHI). He was 77 and was ailing for some time with Parkinson’s disease.

Pandit Persaud became a member of the PPP in the early 1960s and was actively involved in the struggle for independence and the restoration of democracy and free and fair elections.
Following the historic October 5, 1992 elections he served as Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs. He was also Guyana’s longest serving parliamentarian being in the House for over 40 years and was the PPP’s Chief Whip for a substantial part of his parliamentary career and served as Deputy Speaker, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Chairman of the Constitution Reform Select Committee and Leader of the House.
Pandit Persaud who came from humble beginnings, growing up in a logie at Diamond, East Bank Demerara was also a highly religious person who was a member of the Guyana Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha in his early religious life, but eventually branched off in the early 1970s and founded his own religious grouping the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha and became its president, in which capacity he served until his death. Over the last seven years he established a foundation to provide a scholarship programme to help those who wanted to pursue higher education but could not afford to do so.
Several distinguished Guyanese have paid glowing tributes to Pandit Persaud for his sterling and outstanding contributions to Hinduism and politics in Guyana including President Donald Ramotar.

President Ramotar
In his facebook page yesterday said:  “I am truly saddened by Pandit Reep’s death. Reep was more than just a friend; he was a good teacher and an amazing orator. His passing will leave a void in the hearts of all Guyanese who knew him. Reep’s memory and deeds in the fight for democracy and freedom in our land will always remain deep within my heart. Deepest condolences to his family.”
President Ramotar at a special religious function in 2012 celebrating Persaud’s work said Reepu Daman Persaud “managed to skillfully blend religious and cultural needs to the needs of the whole country and brought it to be part of the general movement that eventually brought freedom to Guyana.”

Anil Nandlall – Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General
A Guyanese political icon, a religious giant, a guru and a comrade has fallen. Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud is dead. In the over 50 years of public life, Comrade Reep has transformed and touched the lives of thousands. His sojourn in this material world has come to an end. To his family, I extend my deepest sympathies. May his soul rest peacefully at the lotus feet of Prabhu Shri Ram!

Captain Gerry Gouveia
I am deeply saddened by the death of Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud. He was a fighter for democracy and was a very wise man. He stood on the moral high ground as a leader in Guyana.
He tried hard every day to safe guard moral standards in our country. May his soul rest in peace!

Last year, as part of a new initiative by Speaker of the National Assembly Rapahel Trotman to honour past Members, Persaud was celebrated and honoured by the Full House for his 41 years of service as a Member of the Parliament of Guyana.
During that ceremony, Home Affairs Minister and longtime PPP member Clement Rohee reflected on Persaud’s contributions to Guyana pointing out that as “the son of a humble indentured immigrant from India, Reepu Daman Persaud made an indelible impact in all the struggles of this country and can be best known as a noble Guyanese son and patriot who has helped to bring our country to where it is”.
A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament and historian, Dr. Rupert Roopnarine said then that Persaud will always be remembered as a diligent and committed politician and religious leader who loved his country.

In 1996, Persaud received Guyana’s second highest National Award, The Order of Roraima which celebrated his work in the National Assembly for decades. He would later form a Foundation in his name as part of an education drive. Reepu Daman Persaud was 77 years old.
Persaud and former leader of the Peoples National Congress Reform (PNCR), Robert Corbin were in July 2012 honoured by the National Assembly for their 41 and 38 years service respectively as parliamentarians.