Pushpanjali honours career doctor, businessman

May 05, 2011 News

The Indian Commemoration Trust (ICT) founded by business magnate Dr Yesu Persaud, last evening honoured a career doctor and business/religionist when it held the annual celebration “Pushpanjali.”

Dr Yesu Persaud reads the inscription on a plaque honouring Dr Cecil Harrichand, right, for his outstanding work in the Medical Field.

The event has been held for the past 11 years to celebrate the anniversary of the arrival of the first set of East Indians to Guyana.
Every year the ICT hands over awards to Indo-Guyanese who have made significant contributions in various fields.
The awardees this year were Dr Cecil Harrichand and Bradridin Hassan.
Harrichand was hailed for having served in the medical field for 50 years, 25 of which he spent working for the government.
Hassan is a businessman and a sports enthusiast. He was also celebrated for being a leading promoter of Islam, having served for decades at the Peter’s Hall Masjid.
Persaud, in his address at the ceremony, hailed the contributions of the East Indians to the development of Guyana.
He said those who first set foot on these shores on May 5, 1838, and the others who followed them did not know where they were going but they persevered, putting in hard work and determination.
Persaud also hailed the contributions of other groups to the development of Guyana, particularly the African slaves.
The ICT was founded when Persaud and a group of others decided to approach the government, under then President Desmond Hoyte, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the arrival of East Indians to Guyana, and also the abolishment of slavery.
That led to the visit of Indian Vice-President Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, who led an entourage of 240 persons, comprising ministers, writers, film-stars, models, chefs, dancers and musicians.
Thereafter, plans were set in train to erect a monument. The monument, designed in the shape of a ship, was placed as the centerpiece of the Indian Monument Gardens in Georgetown.
Persaud said that the Trust operates without a government subvention, and is largely supported through fund-raising activities.
Persaud received a plaque celebrating his receipt of an Honorary Doctorate from Warwick University from the National Television Network, NTN. Prime Minister Samuel Hinds was among those at the event.
The programme featured dances, poems and songs.