Dear Editor,

I am moved by Vishnu Bisram’s tribute to Yesu Persaud (‘Public rebuke does not motivate people to do positive things,’ SN 21.6.08) to comment on the recent outburst by President Jagdeo toward this outstanding son of the soil who has made such a significant contribution to Guyana. While Mr Bisram has touched on Mr Persaud’s numerous business and civic accomplishments as well as the accolades bestowed upon him, he has not commented on the man’s decency and immaculate public behaviour over the years and in particular in this instance.

It must be noted that within less than a week of that petulant tantrum by the President,  Mr Yesu Persaud had no less than three public opportunities to lecture Mr Jagdeo on the inaccuracy of his intemperate outburst, yet he deferred to taking the high moral ground and showed his obvious class and decency by gracefully introducing the President to speak at the Cariforum summit the very next morning; by neglecting to dwell on the issue when baited by a reporter at a DDL press conference; and by avoiding the matter altogether at the DDL Annual General Meeting.

This display of dignity and civility is perhaps lost on a President who has brought disrepute to the office he holds so one cannot wait for his exit and hope that his successor can repair the substantial damage that he has brought upon the presidency. History will look favourably on Mr Yesu Persaud as a businessman of substantial foresight, intellect, courage and accomplishment who has served his country in many capacities with a dignity, grace, charm and confidence well befitting his humility, but will not look on President Jagdeo kindly.

Yours faithfully,
Timothy Hinds