We join in recognising our own Dr Yesu Persaud following the honour conferred by the University of Warwick, United Kingdom, in the naming of one its research centres after the well-known Guyanese businessman and entrepreneur.
The event took place last month at the Demerara Bank Head Office in Georgetown. In attendance were UK High Commissioner to Guyana, Gregg Quinn; US Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway; Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson; and former Prime Minister Sam Hinds. Also in attendance were Dr David Dabydeen, Associate Director, Development Office of the University of Warwick; Luke Taylor, Head of Humanities, University of Guyana; and Director of Demerara Bank Limited, Sheila George.
The feature address was delivered by Khemraj Ramjattan, Guyana’s Minister of Public Security. Ramjattan described Persaud as a humble icon, noting the prestigious award from Warwick University was recognition for all of Guyana as well. He noted how Indian Indentureship played a major role in building Guyana, adding, “Dr Yesu Persaud, quite frankly, is one exceptionally glowing example of a jewel.”
Persaud was recognised for his contributions to Guyana via the business sector, and especially for his work at Demerara Distillers Limited, Demerara Bank Limited, the Institute of Private Enterprise Development, and the University of Guyana. Persaud was also commended for his work in Guyana’s development, and for helping nationals.
In response, Persaud spoke to the benefits of hard work and persistence, saying these were the keys to his success. He recalled humble beginnings on the sugar estates, and when he left Guyana, the commitment was not only becoming qualified as an accountant, but as a manufacturer, and for every other thing imaginable.
The Centre for Caribbean Studies at Warwick University will be renamed the Yesu Persaud Centre for Caribbean Studies. It will feature snippets of Persaud’s biography on its walls.
Even as we join in congratulating Persaud for what in his words are, “My hard work, dedication, determination, and perseverance”, and for such an eminent achievement, at the same time we hold up his commitment and vision for a better world as worthy of being emulated by nationals at home, and abroad in the diaspora.

No doubt about it – the government of Trinidad and Tobago, along with its Office of Disaster Preparedness, regional corporations, and other state agencies, failed to respond in a timely and supportive manner last month when parts of this nation were inundated by rain and severe flooding. Whether the government is now at a stage of fatigue, or apathy due to inherent and systemic inabilities to deal with contingencies as these is not the issue at this time.
However, what is worthy of commendation is the response by nationals taking up the challenge in becoming their sisters’ and brothers’ keepers during a national crisis. It is commendable how nationals put their lives in danger to rescue a pregnant mother after her car was swept away by flood waters. Also, the non-profit group, SEWA TT, is worthy of praise for serving 3,500 hot meals to affected people who were forced to evacuate their homes. According to the group, these meals cost a total of (TT) $35,000, and were distributed mostly to affected residents in Barrackpore, Debe, Penal, Rio Claro, and Couva.
This was all accomplished without State support. As groups as these continued with mobilising and reaching out during this difficult time, we note the ironies in how the Head of State was making plans to fly abroad to Belize to attend a summit on Natural Disasters.
Even as we mobilise our resources here abroad, and continue to send help to our relatives back home, it is reassuring to note the good work being done at the community levels, and how this is making a difference in our homeland.