Ramsaran’s BEYOND EXPECTATIONS Autobiography Launched in GUYANA

Ashook Ramsaran’s autobiography ‘BEYOND EXPECTATIONS: The Odyssey of a Village Boy from Guyana” was launched on Friday, August 7, 2026 at the Castellani House in Georgetown. It was held on Day 2 of the Guyana Prize Literary Festival 2026. The event was expertly moderated by Gem Madhoo-Nascimento, veteran Guyanese theatre producer, cultural icon, and founder of GEM’S Theatre Production, who has shaped professional and educational theatre, arts, and tourism in Guyana for decades.

Notably in attendance were Rosalinda Rasul, Head of Diaspora Unit at Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Clement Rohee; Hemraj Kissoon, former chairman of Indian Commemoration Trust (ICT); Sase Sankar, current chairman of ICT, and many others.

“BEYOND EXPECTATIONS” is a well-organized and chronologically compiled book detailing the long journey of Ashook Ramsaran whose great grandparents left India as indentured laborers and arrived in then British Guiana (now Guyana) in 1853 and 1857 respectively. It includes an elaborate Journey Map detailing the journeys from India to Guyana and then onto to USA. It is in 3 parts: The Early Years in Guyana; Settling in the USA; and Civic Engagement and the Global Diaspora, with an extensive Appendix that includes family history, articles, Kolkata and other memorials, obituaries and tributes, recognition awards, US Congressional Record and other historical documents. The book is interspersed with selected photos in each section that provide perspectives at each stage of the journey, as well as an emotional tribute to Ramsaran’s late son Gerald to whom the book is dedicated.

The back cover includes advance perspectives by: Donald Ramotar, former President of Guyana; Letitia James, Attorney General, State of New York, USA; Ela Gandhi, Chairperson, Gandhi Development Trust; South Africa; Dr. Alina Camacho-Gingerich, Professor of Spanish & Latin American Studies, St. John’s University, Queens, New York; Albert R. Ramdin, Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS) and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Suriname.

The event followed the launch of Khalil Ali’s “Guyana on the Rise”. Khalil Ali’s statement on his book was read by Dr. David Dabydeen.

Gem Madhoo-Nascimento introduced the book “BEYOND EXPECTATIONS” with her personal comments about village life, the experiences with her own father’s car mentioned in the book, and the author’s very supportive spouse Camille who is her cousin. “Camille’s uncle Victor of Auchlyne Village owned a hire car which took a few of us to work every day. There were times when we had to give the car a push ourselves to get it started, as it was old and prone to stalling”.

Dr. David Dabydeen, accomplished prize winning author and Nobel Prize nominee, who wrote the foreword in the book, quoted excerpts with references to education, determination and achievements globally, including outstanding reviews by Guyanese origin Dr.Tulsi Singh and Brian Ramphal. “His assimilation, education, corporate business, entrepreneurship, local civic leadership and international diasporic initiatives are admirable, second only to his dedication to his family, so beautifully captured in this autobiography”.

Ben Jacob, writer, researcher and Indian indentureship historian based between London, UK and New Jersey, USA, spoke about his role in the book. He stated that, “Ashook, has made of himself, through his business, through his civic work, through his cultural imprint in the diaspora, and now through this book, a vital part of a chain that extends back to those first journeys, with the same stubborn resilience and loving hope that he drew from his own ancestors”.

Dr. Seeta Shah-Roath, Faculty of Education & Humanities, University of Guyana (UG), quoted excerpts from the book, in particular the inscription on the Kolkata Memorial which Ashook Ramsaran wrote: “ From Here They Set Forth. This memorial commemorates the thousands of indentured Indian labourers who sailed from Kolkata Port between 1834 and 1920 to lands far away seeking better livelihoods for themselves and their families. This is a celebration of their pioneering spirit, endurance, determination, and resilience. They made significant contributions to their adopted countries, yet cherished and passed on the spirit of Indianness — culture, values, traditions — to their descendants. We salute them.”

Ramsaran thanked moderator Gem Madhoo-Nascimento, Dr. David Dabydeen, Ben Jacob, Dr. Seeta Shah-Roath, Guyana Prize Literary Festival 2026 organizer Al Creighton, and acknowledged the attendees and supporters, including his grandson Gavin Ramsaran making his first trip to Guyana.

Ramsaran said, “I am both humbled and grateful that I have the courage, insights and abilities to have written this book – My journey from a small, poor farming village to the greatest metropolis in the world. This book is not about a fixed abode but a journey moving through time and continents. It is life in transition in a microcosm. It is said that “It Takes a Village”. For me it was the village that nurtured me yet was not big enough to sustain my yearning, same as my great grandparents who boldly ventured seeking better livelihoods beyond their poor farming village”.

There were several pertinent questions from the audience including: Ramsaran’s motivation to write the book; the role of faith in the journey; use of English interspersed with Guyanese Creole; lessons and legacy.

Following signing of purchased books, there were refreshments and general discussions.