Warwick University honours Yesu Persaud with Doctorate

Aug 21, 2008 News

“An exemplary Guyanese whom a lot can be learnt from” Hans Barrow

“No one can take away that he is an example for all who would wish to walk in his footsteps” Major General (rtd) Joe Singh

“A splendid example of progress from poverty to stellar achievements” Professor David Dabydeen

Scores of dignitaries and eminent entrepreneurs turned out at Le Meridien Pegasus hotel last evening to honour Dr. Yesu Persaud who was recently awarded an Honorary Doctorate for honourable causes by the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom.
The University only bestows the honour on some 10 persons each year out of a field of literally hundreds of individuals worldwide.
Professor David Dabydeen, who chaired the proceedings, noted that Dr. Persaud’s beginning was very humble as he started working in the canefields of Guyana.
He, however, pointed out that despite his modest foundation, he has served in a number of eminent positions which include Chairman of Demerara Distillers, Founder and Chairman of Demerara Bank, Chairman of the Trust Company Guyana Limited, Chairman of the Institute of Private Enterprise and Development (IPED) and Chairman of the Private Sector Commission of Guyana. He also served as President of the Guyana Manufacturers Association, Vice President of the West Indies Rum and Spirits Association, and a member of the Advisory Group to the Caribbean’s Chief Trade Negotiator, Sir Shridath Ramphal, on CARICOM international negotiations.
He has also been an Associate Fellow of the University of Warwick’s Centre for Caribbean Studies for the last 10 years.
“Yesu Persaud is a splendid example of progress from poverty to stellar achievements,” said Dabydeen.
Dr Persaud is one of Guyana’s leading businessmen and philanthropists who is renowned for his support of human rights, his outstanding contributions in business and Indian history and culture, and his role at conceiving the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED).
“His notion of helping people to help themselves is the most effective way of eradicating poverty.”
Dr Persaud is the recipient of several international and national awards including the Gandhi Organisation Plaque for his contribution to promoting Indian culture in Guyana, the Cacique’s Crown of Honour for the development of new industries in Guyana in 1983, and the Glory of India Award and Certificate of Excellence by the India International Friendship Society in 2005.
In 2006 India honoured him with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman for his outstanding contributions in business and Indian history and culture.
Dr Persaud is a founding member of Guyana’s Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) which was later converted into the Indian Commemoration Trust, and he is single-handedly responsible for creating the Monument Garden which marks the arrival of the first batch of Indian indentured labourers to Guyana in 1838.
Dr Persaud was described by many of his friends and colleagues last evening as a humble man who did not disrespect or discriminate.
He was described as an open individual who would greet anyone on the social ladder from top to bottom and did not disparage.
“He is one of the persons who never hesitated to allow a person to realize their fullest potential.”
Current Chairman of IPED, Dr Leslie Chin noted that it was because of the vision of Dr Persaud that IPED was formulated and one of the values he instilled at that organsisation was the value of financial stability for all.
Bishop Randolph George described Dr Persaud as a man of outstanding character. “We ought to be thankful as a country for people like Persaud.”
Hans Barrow told the gathering that Dr Persuad was an exemplary Guyanese whom a lot could be learnt from.
Meanwhile, Major General (rtd) Joe Singh noted that the distinguished persons in the audience were testimony to the depth of Dr Persaud.
He added that Dr Persaud was a man who never made age a factor and gave unselfishly of his time. “No one can take away that he is an example for all who would wish to walk in his footsteps.”
Singh also noted that it was fitting for Dr Persaud to be honoured while he was alive and urged that it be done in more cases for people who have served the country faithfully and unselfishly.
Dr Persaud, in expressing appreciation for the award and compliments bestowed on him, said that he was proud of his humble beginnings and that he learnt “from a young age to respect all, love all and hate none irrespective of who they are, given that we are all part of the human family…cease to do evil, learn to do good given that what you sow you reap.”
According to Dr Persaud, a person is what he/she makes themselves and humility would take an individual a far way. He added that one of his life’s philosophies was to “do your best and nothing but the best.”
Dr Persaud acknowledged that a project that he was particularly proud of is IPED, which gives persons an opportunity to own their own business, and it was his tribute to Guyana.
He estimated that IPED has been responsible for the establishment of some 40,000 businesses and the creation of some 50,000 jobs.
In offering a bit of advice, Dr. Persaud said that nothing happens if you don’t make it happen given that God has blessed “us all with faculties (brain) and we must use it.”
He added that if all was to contribute to society it would be a better place.
Dr Persaud was also adamant that there was no reason for this to be a poor country since the country is blessed with an abundance of resources.
He noted that what needs to be accomplished is the putting aside of the division that exists in the country. “If we can come together we can transform the nation….we will prosper.”
Dr Persaud is currently working on his autobiography.