| There are several persons who have contributed significantly to the development of the Dear Land of Guyana, but few can claim the title of being in the league with Dr Yesu Persaud. Dr Yesu PersaudDr Persaud’s stellar contributions to his country caused him to receive an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Warwick in 2008. But his accolades will not end there, given that the University of the West Indies has decided to bestow on Dr Persaud another Honorary Doctorate.The presentation will occur in October.“Everything you do, do it well and to the best of your ability. And remember to be consistent.” Those are the words of advice that Dr Persaud imparts on any who wish to succeed in life, and emulate what he has managed to achieve for his country.According to Dr Persaud, whatever one has to do, let it be an example for others to follow, given that “we are what we make ourselves.”While he is ecstatic being the recipient of yet another Honorary Doctorate, Dr Persaud says that it is not something he works toward achieving, but everything he does is done because he feels that people should benefit from it.The UWI award is in recognition of Dr Persaud’s outstanding contribution to the development of business in Guyana,Cheap China Jerseys, his micro-credit initiatives, mainly through the Institute of Private Enterprise Development,China Jerseys Wholesale, which has empowered thousands of poor Guyanese, and his invaluable contributions to the restoration of democracy in Guyana.Dr Persaud returned to Guyana in the 1960s from the United Kingdom where he qualified as a Chartered Certified Accountant.After working for a short period as an Inspector of Taxes, he joined Sandbach Parker and Co. and soon after became the group’s first local Finance Director.He was subsequently appointed Group Chairman.With the formation of Demerara Distillers Limited in 1975, Dr. Persaud was well positioned to lead the Company as its dynamic Chairman, under whose stewardship the Company rapidly expanded through a number of subsidiaries,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, which today forms the DDL Group of Companies.Dr Persaud is the visionary and driving force in the setting up of Demerara Bank Limited, which was the first indigenous Private Sector Bank, which today has branches throughout Guyana. He is the Chairman of Trust Company (Guyana) Limited, the Guyana Youth Business Trust and BEV Processors Inc. As a leading figure in the local business community, Dr. Persaud was founder member of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) of Guyana and was elected its first chairman and served in this position on four occasions in the past 16 years.He was a past President of the Guyana Manufacturers’ Association (GMA) and the present Chairman of the Consultative Association of Guyanese Industry (CAGI).Dr Persaud is also known for his sterling commitment to human rights and culture in Guyana. In 1990, he was a leading member of GUARD, a civil rights organisation which campaigned for free and fair elections in Guyana and freedom of the press.He was part of a critical visit to lobby the US Congress Senate and the State Department at the end of August 1990. He was accompanied by Bishop Randolph George. He worked closely with President Jimmy Carter and the Carter Centre in the monitoring of the 1992 General Elections in Guyana, and tirelessly lobbied the American,Camo China NFL Jerseys, Canadian and British Governments to assist in the restoration of democracy in Guyana.He was the leading light in the creation of the Indian Commemoration Trust in 1988, which was formed to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Arrival of East Indians in Guyana. These celebrations continue to date. He was instrumental in setting up the Indian Monument Gardens to commemorate the indomitable pioneers who came to Guyana on 5th May 1838. He is a trustee of the Yesu Persaud Foundation, which is involved in the financing of a number of initiatives,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, particularly in education and training.On the regional and international scene, Dr. Persaud’s achievements are equally remarkable. He, with other distinguished Caribbean business leaders, such as Sir John Goddard, Sydney Knox and Tommy Gatcliffe, reinvigorated the Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce (CAIC) through a series of seminars and consultations in the region,Cheap Jerseys, North America and Europe. The CAIC plays a leading role in representing the private sector and in shaping the economic development of the region. He served as Chairman of CAIC and led in a number of initiatives to extend the work of the organisation throughout the Region. Mr. Persaud continues to be a trustee of the Caribbean Council for Europe, having been a former Chairman of this organization.In conjunction with a number of European members, he lobbied and ensured Caribbean Private Sector was well treated before and after the Lome Convention. He is a trustee for Caribbean Latin America Action and the Vice President of the West Indies Rum and Spirits Association. He was also a member of the advisory group to Sir Shridath Ramphal, the Chief Trade Negotiator on Caricom international negotiations.Dr Persaud has been well recognised for his distinguished service and contributions, not only at home but internationally as well. He was awarded the Golden Arrowhead of Achievement (AA) in 1981 and the Cacique Crown of Honour (CCH) in 1983. He also received awards from the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, the Gandhi Organisation, the India International Friendship Society,Cheap NFL Jerseys Online, the Guyana Manufacturers’ Association and Consultative Association of Guyanese Industry.In 2006 the President of India conferred on Dr Persaud the prestigious “Pravasi Bharatiya Samman” award. |
