GEORGETOWN: UG launches book in honour of Dr Yesu Persaud

GEORGETOWN: The University of Guyana on
Friday honoured a philanthropist and great business innovator of Guyana, Dr
Yesu Persaud by launching a book titled “Iconic Leader in Business Innovation.”
This book is the first of the Guyanese Exemplars Series to be published by the
University.

During a simple ceremony at the University’s Turkeyen Campus (Georgetown), Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Paloma Mohamed-Martin revealed that the book is a summarised version of Persaud’s autobiography, “Reaching for The Stars” with excerpts from his speech when he received his honorary doctorate in Guyana in 2018, along with ten of his success points that he believes would be an asset to young individuals.

She also explained that due to the pandemic, the completion of the book was cut back.
“We had wanted to really get this book done before his birthday last year, but of course we all know what happened to the world and it took us some time to figure it out.”
The finished masterpiece of the book was described by the Vice Chancellor due to its nature in size as a “coffee table beautifully hard-bound book” which can be read by someone as young as five years old.

Dr Persaud had written his own
biography some ten years ago, which gives much details of his journey.
However, Professor Mohamed-Martin noted that in today’s era, young people would
rather get to the “meat” of the story within a short period of time, hence the
decision to make the book a summarised version of Persaud’s life and work,
which she hopes will entice them enough to read the actual autobiography.
She went on to highlight the importance of young individuals especially,
knowing the works and contributions of Dr Yesu Persaud, and the other icons
that will be featured in the other series to come.
“We want them to understand and to be introduced to these icons of industry,
intellect, and every other area in the country,” Professor Mohamed-Martin
related.
“So, we thought that creating a tiny book with excerpts of his speech that he
gave when he received his honorary doctorate would encapsulate in a very short
summarised way, his journey, his achievements.”

In his remarks, Dr Yesu Persaud
reflected on his first book, along with his works and contribution to Guyana.
“Writing came by chance, and I’ll continue…One thing I’ve been saying, this
writing now has – I don’t know how many years I have, but I have a few years I
hope, and I’ll continue to write.”
He noted that he will continue to share his experience with others.
Chancellor of the University of Guyana Edward Greene gave heart-felt remarks of
what the book represents to the country, and world at large.
“This is a testimony of the love, affection and respect we at the University of
Guyana, led by the Vice Chancellor and her senior management team share for
this quintessential icon. Most important, the book will form part of the
special collection of UGs library and will no doubt immortalise the
contribution of Dr Persaud to this University, to Guyana, the Caribbean, and
the world.”

Meanwhile, Deputy High Commissioner
of India to Guyana, Vijayakumar K congratulated the persons responsible for
making the book a success and said the book will make a lasting impact in the
Guyanese society.