Dear Editor,
Much has been, and will continue to be, said about Dr. Yesu Persaud. His monumental achievements in business and his invaluable contributions to the advancement of entrepreneurship will, no doubt, be foremost. That in no way even suggests that his efforts, over many years, to foster and preserve Indo-Guyanese culture and traditions are of less importance.
I knew of him as a boy growing up on the East Bank, and was in awe at having had the opportunity to be in proximity to him during a moment in my tenure as a technician at the GuySuCo Central Laboratory in Georgetown. He was instrumental in helping to realise the activities in 1988 to mark the 150th anniversary of Indian arrival. Having directed a few Indian-themed stage plays by that time, I missed out on the anniversary celebrations due to prolonged hospitalisation. My disappointment was profound.
When he personal approached me in 1989 to direct the sequel to “The Journey”, a stage play depicting aspects of the arrival of East Indian immigrants and settling in then British Guiana, my incredulity and joy were boundless. Having been in the media for many years, and having conducted numerous interviews, I was dumbfounded when he asked, some years back, to interview me on my achievements on the promotion and preservation of Indo-Guyanese culture. I felt it should have been the other way around.
The description of my feelings to his request would be an understatement, given that mine paled in comparison to his.
We engaged in many discussions on the promotion and preservation of Indo-Guyanese culture. Some of those discussions unavoidably diverted to life and challenges. His advice remains priceless. Having had the opportunity to work at the Diamond Distillery, I experienced the positive impact of his vision and astute leadership.
I was honoured as I was the day he and I were asked by the Bank of Guyana to be recipients of specially minted coins for the commemoration of the 175th anniversary of Indian Arrival in Guyana. I never thought that such events of being alongside Dr. Persaud were possible for me. In all of my interactions with him, he was humble, accommodating, comforting, and encouraging.
There were times when we had divergent points of view. Even then, his humility shone through.
He has made an indelible mark in the various fields he influenced, and, as a cultural activist, I am aware of the void in the efforts to preserve Indian culture his death has left. He, however, has left a legacy; one of hope, optimism and determination to achieve for individual and collective advancement.
Sincerely
Neaz Subhan
