It is with sadness that I learn of the passing of Mr. Sidnauth Singh, formerly of LBI, Guyana. Mr Singh, who lived in Ozone Park, was 95. He dedicated years of service to Guyanese at home and in New York City. He served as Deputy Consul General in New York from the mid-1990s under the Cheddi Jagan Administration and continued for over a decade under Janet Jagan and Bharrat Jagdeo presidencies. He served with competence and efficiency. He was widely admired and highly respected. Those of us who know of his service remember him well with deep affection. He reached out to people everywhere throughout his long years in civil service. Hundreds turned out for wake and funeral service. He is survived by his wife and family.
Singh, who served with the late Consul General Mr Brentnol Evans of Linden, was born at Triumph Village, East Coast Demerara and was educated at Central High School. He was a lifelong educator and served as headmaster of Annandale Government Secondary School. He began his teaching career in Golden Grove.
Glowing tributes were paid to him by associates and family members and by former Annandale Secondary school students, teachers, his brother-in-law and niece.
Singh was a very respected figure. He was described as one of best headmasters of Annandale High and an outstanding teacher and as one of the finest diplomats of Guyana in NY. He was widely admired for hard work, honesty, and integrity.
He tirelessly worked to promote Guyana’s interest in the diasporas as well as for his deep involvement in culture. He had a regular presence at diaspora events (religious, cultural, political and conferences) in New York, speaking at many. He was always courteous and spoke with eloquence.
I ran into Sidnauth countless times in NYC at various events when I was a community news reporter and activist, almost on a weekly basis when he was Dep CG. During that period, he assisted he and others with organizing Guyanese events and conferences. He supported our work with words of encouragement, praising efforts to bring people together.
Singh was the kind of person who offered words of wisdom and encouragement for my many years of voluntary gratis media reports, writings in general, polling, my studies in various disciplines, and community work. He also commended those of us (Chuck Mohan, Mel Carpen, Arjune Karshan, Raj Singh, Joe Kanhai, Samad Ali, Baytoram Ramharack, Ravi Dev, Vassan Ramracha, Flattie Singh, Hafiz, among others, who contributed to struggle for free and fair elections in Guyana that were finally held in October 1992. Several of us spent decades battling for free and fair elections that benefited PPP. After 1102, this writer has continued to advocate for Guyanese till this day.
Sidnauth Singh exemplified the best traditions of public service. Today’s diplomats and civil servants should emulate his commitment, dedication, and work ethic in service to Guyana and the diaspora.