Tributes pour in following death of son of the soil Dr Yesu Persaud

…President Ali leads way in hailing iconic businessman’s contributions

Following the death of 93-year-old iconic businessman and philanthropist Dr Yesu Persaud, who founded the Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) as well as the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED) and made numerous contributions to the fabric of Guyanese society, tributes have come pouring in.
Leading the way was President Dr Irfaan Ali, who released a statement on his official social media page. According to him, Dr Persaud was a “true son of the soil” and Guyana has lost an outstanding soul.

“Guyana has lost an outstanding soul in Dr Yesu Persaud, a true son of the soil. It is with great sadness I learnt, moments ago, about his passing. To his family, friends, management and staff of DDL and Demerara Bank, and the wider Private Sector, I join with you in prayers at this time. May his soul find eternal peace,” he said.

A tribute also came from the diplomatic community, with Indian High Commissioner to Guyana Dr KJ Srinivasa, highlighting the many illustrious contributions made by Dr Persaud. In a statement, the diplomat described the businessman as a model for everyone on what is possible through hard work.
“His life is the best example and a model to follow, how a person from humble beginnings could make phenomenal rise and become Guyana’s leading businessmen and a highly respected individual, solely through his hard work.  A true testimony of the heights to which determination can propel humans, the Dr Yesu Persaud story is nothing short of impressing with him being honoured for his outstanding contributions, business and philanthropy, in Guyana and abroad,” Dr KJ Srinivasa said.

The Indian High Commissioner described Persaud as an innovative leader, whose work spans many continents, two centuries and several successful business ventures. There is also his civic and philanthropic work, which the diplomat noted has been and continues to be highly impactful.
Dr Srinivasa also reminisced on the time in 2006 when the Government of India honoured Persaud with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award for his outstanding contributions to business and Indian history and culture.
“He is one of the main persons responsible for creating the Monument Garden which marks the arrival of the first batch of Indian indentured labourers to Guyana in 1838. He is one of the founder members and life member of the Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO).”
“The Indian Commemorative Trust led by Dr Yesu Persaud has been contributing immensely to the welfare and wellbeing of the Indian diaspora community in Guyana… the Government of India greatly values and recognises the contribution of distinguished personalities like Dr Yesu Persaud for his outstanding role in the development of the Indian diaspora and Indian culture in Guyana.”

PSC
Also providing tributes was the Private Sector Commission (PSC), which hailed Dr Persaud, its Founding Chairman, as the architect of the rebirth of the Private Sector after decades of State control and monopoly of business in Guyana.
“The business community will forever be grateful for the astute and wise leadership he provided in the early days during the return of democracy to Guyana and particularly his role in the birth of the Private Sector Commission,” PSC said.
“Dr Persaud’s role in the restoration of democracy in Guyana in 1992 is legendary. His forging of the Philosophy of Private Public Partnership became the foundation and principle of the PSC and will forever be etched in our own relationship with Government.”
According to the PSC, Dr Persaud is remembered for being a man who stood firm in his beliefs and always played his part with dignity. They further expressed gratitude for his contributions towards the development of Guyana.

GMSA
The Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) meanwhile also extended its condolences. Describing Dr Persaud as a true visionary and an “ardent humanitarian”, GMSA said that Guyana has lost a great soul. Not only did the association praise Persaud’s philanthropic legacy, but also the legacy he has left in the Guyana economy.
“Dr Yesu Persaud has contributed immeasurably to the growth and reputation of his nation. His life and legacy are as inspiring as it is decorated. Dr Persaud had forged the company of DDL into a Guyanese institution with products of international recognition and praise, he envisaged and founded Guyana’s first indigenous bank, Demerara Bank Ltd and was the architect of the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED), an organisation that supported the development of thousands of small businesses across Guyana.”
GMSA reminded that Persaud once served as President of the GMSA, then known as the Guyana Manufacturers Association (GMA) in 1992. According to the association, Dr Persaud brought his skills and experience and worked tirelessly for Guyanese manufacturers during his tenure.
“He was also one of the initial conceivers of a single Private Sector Commission that would represent and further the interests of local Private Sector and function as the interface with the Government and international funding agencies.”

“His work for Private Sector development was instrumental and his contributions to the development of Guyanese society remains unparalleled. He truly led a life worthy of emulation, one that will inspire many for generations to come,” GMSA said.

GAWU
The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) also joined in extending condolences on Dr Persaud’s passing. It was noted that the businessman has a long history with the sugar industry and by extension, GAWU.
“As one of the bargaining agents of the DDL, our relations were consolidated and undoubtedly his involvement led to several improvements to the workers’ conditions-of-work. We have always admired his humility and his desire to ensure that workers were treated fairly,” GAWU said in its statement.
“We believe this must have been influenced by his own life on the sugar plantation. The GAWU sees this as one of the many outstanding qualities of the late Dr Persaud. The GAWU recollects his support to the sugar industry. He was among those who brought the industry into the hands of the State. Later, he denounced efforts to privatise it during the Hoyte Administration.”
GAWU also noted Dr Persaud’s overall contribution to the restoration of democracy back in 1992, when Dr Cheddi Jagan became President of Guyana. In fact, the union noted that this was one of his many contributions to the Guyanese people.
“At this time, the GAWU extends its sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Dr Yesu Persaud. We also send our sympathies to the Management and Staff of the DDL and the other organisations to which he was affiliated. Certainly, our country has lost another outstanding son of the soil.”

Medical community
Among the areas that Dr Persaud’s philanthropy has touched is the medical community. The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) benefitted from his contribution in raising funds for the Clinical Educational Centre for the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation which opened in October of 2020.
“He was instrumental in raising over US$1 million to help finance this mammoth project and to help realise a dream that is beneficial to the current and future generations of this country with regards to teaching and training medical personnel.”
“The Yesu Persaud Foundation collaborated with other agencies to assist in making Guyana a proud nation to sport a brand-new facility with modern technology to promote this establishment as a medical teaching and learning institution for the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. At the opening ceremony, the Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, hailed Dr Yesu Persaud, an investor, as a man of tremendous integrity and praised him for his selflessness,” GPHC also said.
The University of Guyana (UG) Medical School also released a statement attributed to both staff and students, hailing the contributions made by Dr Persaud, who was described as one of the school’s greatest benefactors.
“Dr Persaud was not only an inspirational and iconic figure in Guyana’s business community and Guyanese society, but he was also one of the School’s greatest benefactors. His passing is a great loss to the people of Guyana, but his legacy will live on in the achievements of all those whose lives he touched, not least current and future generations of UGSM graduates. May his soul rest in peace,” the medical school said.

AFC
The Alliance For Change (AFC) also extended condolences to the family of Dr Persaud, describing him as an outstanding man whose footprint can be found in every continent. This, the party noted, is embodied in the work and lives of the thousands who benefitted from his generosity, mentoring, and the various programmes, causes and initiatives he championed.
“Apart from being the driving force and business tycoon behind DDL, and its world renowned El Dorado rum, the Institute IPED, the Demerara Bank and the Diamond Fire and Life Insurance Co, Dr Persaud used his quiet influence and diplomacy to promote and foster good governance, stronger democratic principles and social cohesion here in his beloved Guyana,” AFC said.
“On an individual level, he offered himself as a mentor to anyone willing to take time to learn from his many struggles and achievements that were endured and earned through many decades of experienced life.”
Describing Persaud as a “giant among men”, the AFC noted that he was a national hero who was “quiet, humble, confident and unassuming.” These are qualities the party noted many persons cannot claim to possess.