IT IS with great sadness and a sense of loss, that the Guyana Rice Producers Association (GRPA), along with the entire rice sector, mourns the passing of another Guyanese icon and pioneering entrepreneur, Kayman Sankar.To say that Kayman Sankar took rice farming in Guyana into the age of mechanization would not be an exaggeration, but mere fact; and his sole and innovative endeavours were often the catalyst for many improvements in the agronomic enterprises of this country.
Like other pioneering giants in and out of Guyana, Kayman Sankar was so poor during his childhood and formative years that he was forced to truncate his education and formulate his own opportunities for wealth-creation and advancement, never depending on others but his own efforts, strength, and self-sacrifice, even while supporting his family on subsistence wages, all achieved without any enabling factors then extant to aid him in any way.
However, perseverance, determination to succeed (mainly to propel his loved ones out of a life of penury and provide them with better lifestyles than he ever enjoyed), frugal spending and clever management of the pittances he earned by simultaneously doing a multiplicity of jobs — no matter how menial, to acquire the wherewithal for investing in wealth-creation ventures –- ultimately in rice production paid off: and a legend was born.
If one can describe humility in conjunction with magnate, then they would be describing Kayman Sankar, because, although he rose to unimaginable heights, he never lost sight or feel of his groundings, and thus was very humane in his dealings with his fellow humans.
The general-secretary, executives, management, staff, and the entire membership of the Guyana Rice Producers Association (GRPA) extend condolences to Beni and other members of the Sankar family, and to the nation at this grievous loss of a veritable giant of industry and commerce, and a great human being and role model.
Written By Dharamkumar Seeraj
GRPA General-Secretary