GUYANA has lost a distinguished son of the soil in the person of Dr Yesu Persaud. Coming from humble beginnings, he worked his way to become one of the country’s leading business magnates and entrepreneurs, for which he was recognised not only in Guyana but internationally.

Born in October 1928 at Plantation Diamond, he emerged as one of the few persons in the country to have received honorary doctorates from the University of the West Indies (UWI) and from the University of Warwick, where he had been a Fellow for over 12 years, delivering lectures in a number of subjects, especially in the area of small and micro-enterprise development

To say that the late Dr Persaud has made his contribution to society and his country would be an understatement. He had in fact surpassed all expectations, especially when seen against the backdrop of his humble and modest upbringing. But he had demonstrated that with determination, fortitude and grit, no hurdle can be too great and no mountain too high.

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali described Dr Persaud as a true son of the soil and expressed condolences on his passing to his family, friends, management and staff of Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) and Demerara Bank.  He played a founding role in the establishment of both the DDL and the Demerara Bank and lived to see his dreams realised as a successful business leader second to none in the country and for that matter the Caribbean as a whole.

According to President Ali, ‘Guyana has lost an outstanding soul in Dr Yesu Persaud, a true son of the soil.’ The President joined with Mr Persaud’s family, friends, management and staff of Demerara Distillers Limited, Demerara Bank and the wider private sector ‘in prayers at this time.’

And Executive Chairman of the DDL, Komal Samaroo who took over from Mr Persaud as Executive Head of DDL described his previous boss as someone who made an outstanding contribution and who has left a huge legacy. Indeed, his legacy is there for all of Guyana to see- in the transformation of DDL to a business power house, in the establishment of the Demerara Bank and the formation of the IPED, among others.

Mr Persaud was a chartered accountant and rapidly climbed the corporate ladder of success in a way few individuals were able to do. He spent his entire life in the development of a strong business culture, including the growth and development of small and micro-businesses. His hard work, leadership and dedication along with his visionary thinking led to the formation of IPED, which has impacted positively on the lives and livelihoods of a countless number of small and medium-sized entrepreneurs all across the country.

He served in leadership positions in several local and international organisations such as Chairman of IPED, Demerara Bank Limited, Demerara Distillers Limited and the Private Sector Commission and Chairman of the Caribbean Council on Europe.  He was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and is also known for his philanthropic work. Such was the level of his achievement that the University of Guyana published a book on the life and work of Mr Persaud and a Centre for Caribbean Studies at the University of Warwick was re-named in 2010 the ‘Yesu Persaud Centre for Caribbean Studies’ in his honour.

Few men in history managed to achieve as much in a lifetime as Dr Persaud did in the field of business and entrepreneurship. And although he may not have been active in the field of politics, he did play a strong advocacy role in the struggle for democracy and good governance, especially during the dark days of PNC dictatorial rule. Apart from his leadership role in the field of business and entrepreneurship, he also played a key role in the cultural arena, especially in terms of the preservation and promotion of Indo-Guyanese cultural practices and heritage.

Guyanese also saw the recent passing of another political personality, Balram Singh Rai, who played an active part in the politics of the country, especially during the pre-independence period. He was once part of the leadership of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and served as Minister of Community Development and Education during the 1959 to 1961 period and then as Home Affairs Minister from 1961 to 1962. In 1964, he founded his own party, the Justice Party, but failed to win a seat. His party for all practical purposes folded up after the elections and he subsequently retired from politics and migrated to Great Britain, where he spent the remainder of his life. Like Dr Persaud, he also lived a full life, reaching a full 100 years. Dr Persaud died at the mature age of 93.

Guyana is poorer for the passing of these two luminaries Dr Persaud and Mr Balram Singh Rai, both of whom will be remembered for their contributions to the field of business and politics, respectively.

May their souls rest in peace!