Despite not being brought up with a deep knowledge about his ethnic and cultural backgrounds as a Guyanese of East Indian descent, owner of C. Persaud Dental Lab and Clinic believes that the preservation of one’s historic background is necessary for current and future generations to understand the struggle of their ancestors who paved the way for a better livelihood in today’s society.
Persaud said that as a young man, he had taken it upon himself to seek knowledge about his past, which he said has allowed him to have a better sense of pride and appreciation for his heritage.
As the head of the house, Persaud, who is Hindu, deemed it important to instill in his family the traditions of his Indian ancestors.
While he grew up in the Hindu faith, Persaud was never taught the importance of his roots and culture, but after gaining a better understanding of this, he said he now deeply appreciates the core values and norms of being an East Indian and Hindu.
According to his daughter, Vashti Persaud, Manager at the Dental Clinic, her father made it compulsory for them to uphold certain values of the Indian tradition, especially when it came to religion.
These included attending the mandir, fasting when necessary, partaking in pujas and maintaining the Indian dialect among the household.
Vashti added that her father “grew up in a poverty stricken home; he followed five sisters and two brothers and they were all living with his mother, a single parent, at his grandparents’ home in Peter’s Hall, which is predominantly an East Indian community.”
Additionally, to ensure that they were well involved in upholding their culture, Vashti noted that her father insisted that she and her two sisters attend Hindi classes and other activities at the Indian Cultural Centre, while her brother was sent to learn how to play the tabla (an Indian pair of drums).
As a businessman, Persaud said it is always his pleasure the throw his support behind the maintenance of his culture, through the activities hosted by various organisations, such as the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, the Indian Arrival Committee and numerous Mandirs all around Guyana, that seek to create national awareness.
It is Persaud’s belief that when the corporate community withholds financial or other support needed to create awareness, a breakdown in culture and heritage is created with their lack of willingness.
As such, the C. Persaud Dental Lab and Clinic has over the years sponsored a number of cultural activities that sought to highlight the significance of our fore parents who came to Guyana as indentured labourers in 1838.
This, he views as his corporate responsibility to give back to the Indian community and sustaining Guyana’s heritage as a whole.
As head of a successful business in dentistry, Anand said that he did not have a role model. Rather, his drive and determination came from within.
Vashti added, “Knowing what it is to have nothing and working hard to earn and establish everything on his own, he strived to give his children and grandchildren what he never had. He believes that along with his hard work and the richest blessings from Lord Shiva, he was able to achieve this”.
Persaud now sees it necessary to nourish and maintain his culture and religion, since it is his belief there are times you need to know where you came from before you can decide where you’re headed.
C. Persaud Dental Lab and Clinic is a family business that has been providing expertise in complete and partial dentures, gold caps and crowns, bridges as well as restorations for over 85 years.
It also specializes in cleaning and polishing, white and silver fillings, root canals and more.
According to Persaud, the company’s main aim is to provide superior quality dentistry at an affordable cost.