Dr. Vishnu Bisram is a fourth generation person of Indian origin born in Guyana, son of Baldat Jewah Bisram and Gladys Ketwaru Jewah whose grandparents migrated from India as indentured laborers some 135 years ago. Vishnu is married to Indo-Trinidadian Parbatie Laloo, whose great grandparents also hail from India. They are both advocates of their diasporas in America and avid promoters of closer relations between with USA and their home country and also with India.
Dr. Bisram received his formative education in Guyana. He excelled in his studies at Primary School (St. Joseph Anglican also known as English School in Port Mourant), topping his class annually since 1966 when he began formal schooling. He passed Common Entrance in 1972 to attend the prestigious Berbice High School in New Amsterdam. His family (father and his aunt Bethlyn), against his mother’s desires, opted for the Corentyne (Chandisingh) High School in Rose Hall. Berbice subsequently moved to Multilateral High School in 1975. Vishnu Bisram excelled in high school and among the leading performers throughout his five years. Because of his extraordinary scholarship, he served as a Prefect (tutor) or student teacher in the final year, serving briefly as Head Prefect at the Corentyne High School before migrating to the USA in 1977 to further his studies at age 16. In New York, he enrolled at the City College of City University of New York, studying Bio-Chemistry and after obtaining his degree pursued studies in the social sciences.
In NY, Bisram continued his leadership since his student days in Guyana. He started his activism as a student leader as a teenager being elected President of the Hindu Society and Student Council of Corentyne High School in Guyana. He organized students at the secondary school, leading them in protests and subsequently at the college level earning accolades. Bisram-ji helped found several Indian and Guyanese based organizations. Among the organization he helped to found are: Indo Caribbean Federation, Indian Cultural Council, Indian Diaspora Council, GOPIO, Indian Diaspora International Center, Indo Club of City College, Phagwah Parade, Diwali motorcades, etc.
While a student and educator, he engaged in volunteerism that benefited Guyana, India and the Indian diaspora. Dr. Bisram is well known for his activism championing the diaspora and issues pertaining to Guyana-India relations. He is an outspoken advocate for Guyana and India and their diaspora interests. He has championed various diaspora causes and helped to address issues facing the diaspora. He has served his community, country and diaspora with zeal, dedication, commitment and patriotism in similar mold as freedom fighters of Guyana and India. In New York, he pioneered a movement for free and fair elections in Guyana from his arrival in 1977 continuing that struggle until elections were held in October 1992. And he remained politically active thereafter on Guyana issues, writing extensively on varied subjects. Dr. Bisram held leadership positions in several organizations. He was elected to varied positions in the undergraduate and graduate student governments at City College of New York and CUNY Graduate Center including Vice President for Education (1980-81), Senator for Sciences (1979 to 1982), President GSC (1987-89), Treasurer (1985-87) and Vice President GSC (1983-1985), Councilor (1982-83), DSC Councillor 1994-96; executive positions in several Indian organizations between 1977 and now.
In NY, he obtained undergraduate and post-grad degrees (including multiple MAs and PhDs) in the natural and social sciences and educational administration. He served as an educator for over 40 years in New York.
While in USA, Bisram also championed diaspora causes and cementing ties with India. He helped to organize events commemorating the 150th. anniversary of Indian migration from India held at Columbia University in 1988; 175th anniversary (2013) of Indian arrival in Guyana held in NYC and in Guyana; 100th anniversary of end of recruitment of indentured labor from India held in Trinidad, Guyana, and New York in March 2017; Girmitya Conference at Columbia University April 2018. He also organized several academic conferences on the diaspora in Trinidad, Guyana, and USA. He presented papers on indentureship at several Indian diaspora conferences including USA, Fiji, Mauritius, India, Surinam, and Trinidad. He has been engaged in volunteerism and philanthropic activities to help improve lives of depressed communities.
When attempts were made to restore authoritarian rule, Bisram led a public relations movement from 2018 onwards to combat violation of Guyana’s constitution. And when an attempt was made to rig the March 2020 elections, Dr Bisram led a PR movement and lobbying of governments (USA, India and others) to pressure the then regime to accept the will of the voters. Eventually, the then regime accepted the outcome of the vote.
Bisram has been recognized for his academic achievements and leadership. He was listed in Who Is Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges in 1982 and 1983 recognizing his academic achievement and outstanding leadership qualities. And he was honored by several community-based organizations.
Vishnu is a prolific writer on the diaspora and on Guyana-India relations and in promoting India and an excellent academic. He has traveled extensively researching the diaspora churning out voluminous articles. He also served as a prize-winning journalist and newspaper columnist writing on the Indian diaspora, penning thousands of articles. He is also a grass roots organizer focuses on the diaspora organizing seminars, conferences, festivals and conventions on India. He takes pride in his identity and roots and courageously speaks on matters that would be beneficial to the diaspora and India-Guyana relations. He also advocates for investment in and increased trade with India and Guyana. He has been appealing for greater tourism and transforming India into an influential global power.
Dr Bisram also seeks to promote development in other diasporic countries including Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Fiji, Jamaica, among others, regularly traveling to them.