Dear Editor,
If there is one person who is most qualified and deserving to serve as High Commissioner of Guyana to India, that individual is Dr. Vishnu Bisram. He is not only academically qualified to serve in such a prestigious post but has also displayed his expertise through his writings in several media in America, Canada, Guyana, and Caribbean. Today, as exemplified by his countless writings, he exhibits a readiness to protect the Guyanese Constitution whenever it is challenged.
When the ruling PNC did not want to accept the results of the 2020 general elections, Dr. Bisram, through his writings, put pressure on the Granger government to accept the results and step down. It eventually caved in under the weight of pressure. For many who did not understand the ramifications of the issues, Dr. Bisram wrote in clear and concise language to educate them. His writings went a long way to bring closure to this naked attempt by anti-national forces to undermine democracy in Guyana. His activism and that of some others led to a change in administration.
With a degree in bio-medical natural sciences, Dr. Bisram was knowledgeable of Covid 19, the causes and threats that it posed. Reading his columns on Covid19 shed light to help me and others to understand better the nature of this virus and the precautions that should be taken. And when the vaccination was out and many were hesitant to take it, again Dr Bisram was using his writings to appeal to them to take the vaccines.
In Trinidad and Tobago, the government implemented a ban on open air cremation. This was affecting several families, relatives and friends who were unable to perform the last of their loved ones as they should. Again, it was Dr. Bisram’s writings that informed that a virus dies when its host dies. With this knowledge, I was able to write with confidence demanding our government to relax the ban on open air cremation and it was finally lifted. The TT government caved in to pressure from those who appeal to it to look at the science.
I have had the pleasure of working with Dr Bisram in several committees to plan and implement seminars and conferences on the Indian diaspora. I recall the initiative to host a panel discussion under the banner of ICDN.Today, to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of Dr. Cheddi Jagan, founder of the Peoples Progressive Party and a former President of Guyana. The event was held at the Chaguanas Borough Corporation and among the panelists were Professor John La Guerre, Basdeo Panday, former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, and Dr. Kirk Meighoo, Political Scientist.
Dr Vishnu Bisram has more than thirty years of experience as a pollster. I have had the privilege of working with him on the field collecting data on numerous occasions. There were always challenges and time constraints, but Dr. Bisram never lost interest and continued on to get a sample size required for the survey.
I know of his travels throughout the diaspora to attend conferences and conduct research including his many trips to India. Since 1981 Dr Bisram has been visiting India and used the opportunity not only to learn about the people and their culture but also to research his ancestral link which he shared with the wider public through his writings. This direct experience he shared with India provides him with special skills to develop mutual trade and the sharing of culture between India and Guyana.
Dr Bisram represents a group of activists who have worked for the cause of the Guyanese diaspora voluntarily and not dependent on external donation to meet their own expenses. I saw him on so many occasions in Guyana. This is a sacrifice that is very rare in West Indian society. By appointing Dr Bisram as Guyana’s High Commissioner to India, it would be a symbolic acknowledgement of the enormous sacrifice made by those individuals and the selfless service they have been rendering to their homeland and the Guyanese communities abroad.
Dr. Vishnu Bisram may not be a party card holder of any party, but his past contributions to the Guyanese nation and her diaspora and his willingness and readiness to serve the people of his country remains unmatched. I have no hesitation in recommending this son of Guyana for the position of High Commissioner of Guyana to India.
Yours Truly,
Doolarchan Hanomansingh
Retired Teacher, writer and sub-editor of ICDN.TODAY
Trinidad