Latest update February 11th, 2025 2:15 PM
Latest News
- Govt. makes move to cancel CGX, Frontera Corentyne block license in 30 days
- ExxonMobil paying taxes in Bahamas but not a cent to Guyana
- Canadian company completes airstrip, roads to kick off 5.4M ounce gold project in Guyana
- Hamas threatens to postpone next hostage release, claiming Israel has broken terms of ceasefire deal
- Twelve-year-old girl missing for three weeks
Dr. Yesu Persaud launches autobiography
It has been described a must-read book that chronicles some critical points in Guyana’s history leading up to nationalization, in 1976.
The autobiography by business mogul, Dr. Yesu Persaud, was launched yesterday with initial reviews loud in praise for a one-of-a-kind, rags-to-riches story.
The first of a two-part book, “Reaching For The Stars – The Life of Yesu Persaud”, according to University of Guyana Professor, Al Creighton, is inseparable to Guyana’s economic development over the years.
A signed copy: Dr. Yesu Persaud at the launching of the first of his two-part autobiography yesterday.
Dr. Persaud is one of Guyana’s most powerful business leaders, building rum giant Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) from scratch and making the El Dorado brand an award-winning, world renowned spirit.
His vision in founding of Demerara Bank Limited and Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED) has cemented his place as one of the foremost movers and shakers of the country’s private sector.
Several of Guyana’s top businessmen, diplomats and officials, including Prime Minister Hinds, gathered at the Pegasus Hotel for the book’s launch.
According to Professor Creighton, the philanthropist’s story is one of endurance that spoke of a “rare human being”.
The book itself tells the story of the businessman’s ancestors who came on the ships from India. It speaks of his humble rise from the logies in Diamond, East Bank Demerara, to his work in the sugar estate doing menial tasks.
The book, from a “man of decency” and “tradition”, is an engaging narrative, the UG official said.
Well-known columnist/author/poet, Dr. Ian McDonald, too, echoed the praises saying that the book was a “fascinating and inspiring” one. “An extraordinary story in its own right.”
Another close friend, Eric Phillips of the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA), who was unable to make it, said in a message that the businessman deserves to be recognized more locally. In his commentary read by prominent UG lecturer, Dr. Paloma Mohamed, Phillips was convinced that in Guyana, “Yesu” stands tall.
Also paying tribute was Professor David Dabydeen, Guyana’s Ambassador to China.
Himself a writer, Dabydeen, whose review was read by former army chief, Major General (Retired) Joseph Singh, said he started bullying the businessman about 20 years back to write his story.
Describing Dr. Persaud as “a man of indomitable will with a deep concern for poor people”, the ambassador said the entrepreneur was finally convinced.
The businessman, well known also for his philanthropy, has received several international awards, including an honorary doctorate from a British university.
According to Dr. Persaud, he also played a critical role in Guyana’s return to democracy. He was instrumental in bringing former US President Jimmy Carter here and brokering a deal that changed how elections were being conducted. “But that is a different story that will be told later,” he promised.
He had a message. “Nothing is impossible…everything we determine to be done, can be done. The world is yours.”
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Are we better off today than we were before first oil?
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News-If you had asked me ten years ago what I wanted for Guyana, I would have said a few things:... more
OAS Secretary General Election and renewed OAS Consensus
Antiguan Barbudan Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- The upcoming election... more
Weekend Cartoon
