PPP laments passing of Bisnauth, Reepu Daman

Apr 09, 2013 News

The passing of former Party Executives, Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud and Dr Dale Bisnauth, is being described as “a significant loss to the People Progressive Party and the PPP/Civic Government.”

Dr. Dale Bisnauth

The administration continues to reflect on the lives and death of the “two men who served their country and people until the time of their deaths”, the party said yesterday.
Party members in a press statement yesterday noted the contribution of both men to the cultural, religious and social development of Guyana during their time in Government.
“Both men were part of the team selected by Dr. Cheddi Jagan in 1992 and went on to play crucial roles in the rebuilding of our nation,” the Party’s Executive Secretary Zulfikar Mustapha said.
Mustapha also expressed condolences on behalf of the Party on the passing of the two stalwarts.
“Their passing is a significant loss to the People’s Progressive Party and the PPP/Civic Government. Up to the time of their deaths both continued to serve their country and the people in various capacities.”
“The cultural and religious background and contribution to society of these party stalwarts represent the diversity within the PPP and the successive PPP/C Government,” Mustapha said.
Former General Manager of the Guyana Broadcasting Service, Sir Ron Sanders, commenting on the passing of Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud, said, “I was saddened to learn of the passing of Reepu Daman Persaud. I recall well his diligence and commitment as a presenter of Hindu religious programmes.
“Apart from the professionalism he brought to his broadcasts, he was also a quintessential gentleman who enjoyed a respected relationship with his broadcast colleagues of all races and religious persuasions. His own deep political commitment to the PPP did not affect his capacity for respecting the views of others and enjoying their company.
“He was an example, we should all remember.”
Just days earlier, the PPP/C lost long-serving party member, Reverend Dr. Dale Bisnauth, who succumbed to a heart ailment at the Caribbean Heart Institute (CHI), mere hours after being admitted. He was 76.
Dr. Dale Bisnauth served as Minister of Education from 1992 to 2001. He went on to become Minister Human Services and later Chairman of the Board of Industrial Training up until the time of his death. Dr. Bisnauth also served as a reverend of the Burn’s Memorial Presbyterian Church.
Pandit Persaud was Guyana’s longest serving politician, with his stint beginning in 1958.
Persaud was appointed Agricultural Minister in 1992 and held many positions in Government, including Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee and Vice President of Guyana.

Pandit Reepu Deman Persaud

In 1996, Persaud received Guyana’s second highest National Award, the Order of Roraima, as he would later open a Foundation in his name as part of an education drive.
Pandit Persaud was also the founder of nation‘s largest Hindu organization, the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha.
Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud died last Sunday at the Georgetown Hospital’s Caribbean Heart Institute while receiving treatment for health complications.
He was 77 years old.