Obituary of Mr. Rampersaud Tiwari

Rampersaud Tiwari was born and lived in the village of Buxton, East Coast Demerara, Guyana, as did all his siblings and his children. He was the grandson of Indian indentured immigrants who moved from the sugar estate to settle in this village established by formerly enslaved people. His upbringing in a multicultural and multiracial environment was reflected in his world view and in his circle of friends and relationships. This was to have a lasting impact throughout his life.

He attended the Buxton Congregational Primary School where he won a scholarship which enabled him to proceed to secondary school in the capital, Georgetown.  He furthered his education with studies in public administration and international relations at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras and Carleton University, Canada.

He was a career civil servant who dedicated a lifetime of service to the government and people of Guyana. He began his career in the Magistrates’ Courts in pre-independence Guyana, progressed to the Ministry of Development and Planning as an Administrative Cadet, moved to the Premier’s Office as Assistant Secretary to the Council of Ministers during a turbulent time in his country’s history, continued to serve in the ministries of Education, Public Service, Foreign Affairs and eventually, retiring as Permanent Secretary/Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Works and Transport.

After relocating to Canada, he committed his energies to an interest close to his heart, that of the Indian indentured immigrant experience, with particular reference to Guyana. He presented papers, attended international conferences on the subject and served as a mentor to many young researchers.

His generosity was boundless and will be remembered by his community, his friends and his family.

His wife, Jaio died in 2010. He is survived by their children: Rohini (Michael), Rabindranath, Amrita, Mahendranath (Savitrie) and grandchildren Divya and Sanjana. He also leaves behind his six sisters and two brothers and many nieces and nephews.

Rampersaud Tiwari, public servant, researcher and writer, born 27 November 1932 in Guyana; died 18 September 2022 in Canada.

            “For certain is death for the born

            And certain is birth for the dead

            Therefore over the inevitable

            There should be no grief”

            (Lord Krishna to Arjuna. Bhagavad Gita)