On the timeline of Guyanese Literature, there is currently an unprecedented publishing outpouring of writings forming part of our living history such as autobiographies, semi-autobiographies, biographies, memoirs, journals, diaries, letters and monographs. This genre of writing is attracting attention for various reasons.

More and more, individuals are becoming aware of the importance of preserving our history, our heritage and our culture; more and more, individuals are compelled to share their story, setting the records straight; more and more individuals are constrained by the speed of information dissemination to publish their researches and findings; more and more, it is becoming evident that some individuals (man and woman) were/are able to affect the course of history.

Exploring this genre of writing coincides with the staging of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2015 in the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India, to celebrate the contribution made to the world by people of Indian origin (PIO). Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is also called the ‘Non-Resident Indian Day.’ This annual event usually starts on January 9, the day Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa. So the focus, at this time, will be on the following three books, all of which have their

genesis in India.
‘Reaching for the Stars’ by Yesu Persaud is the story of the early life of Persaud, started in humble beginnings, overcoming deprivation, struggling for an education, here and overseas, working his way up from the sugarcane fields to become the head of that enterprise. This part of his story culminated in the role he played in the historic nationalisation of Booker. ‘Reaching for the Stars’ is the story of a remarkable man, a story which is uplifting and inspiring.
‘Coolie Woman’ by Gaiutra Bahadur is the extraordinary story of an ordinary woman whose story faded into obscurity until now rescued to become a monument to womanhood. Here, the author has reconstructed the story of her great grandmother, pregnant and travelling alone, who was transported from an India of deprivation, a journey lasting many months and many challenges, to a Guyana of hard labour, marginalisation and sexual exploitation. ‘Coolie Woman’ is an indictment of man inhumanity to man and a salute to woman.
‘Glimpses of a Global Life’ by Shridath Ramphal is the story of a Guyanese who has become a world leader. To list his achievements, honours and awards is a daunting assignment, a list that stretches from Guyana, his birthplace, to India, his ancestral home, touching almost all the lands in between, reflecting the extraordinary tale of

a super man. But is the story of a man who loved cooking and dining on fine foods. This is the story of a man whose interests include cricket, fishing and dancing. This is also the story of a man who loved shopping. This is the story of a man who still feels the bitterness of two major failures in his life. Ramphal still talks about the failed West Indian Federation (1961 – 62) and the failed attempt to be elected as United Nations Secretary General in 1981. ‘Glimpses of a Global Life’ is about of some of the changes Ramphal wrought to this world relating to economic wellbeing, trade balances, ameliorating poverty, ridding Apartheid, enhancing education and the environment.
Even as we go to press, there are many persons, who are writing their own stories, there are many persons whose stories are being written by others, stories that would add to the national discourse, stories that would become part of our living history, stories that would become part of our literature.
(Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email:oraltradition2002@yahoo.com)

What’s happening:
* Now available two new books by Basdeo Mangru, ‘Colonial Emigration from the Bengal Presidency’ and ‘Kanpur to Kolkata: Labour recruitment for the sugar colonies.’

(By Petamber Persaud)