By Mohanlall Suelall
For the world, the quality of a father can be judged by the goals he sets and by how much he accomplishes. But for a child, a father is the man that protects him or her even when they do not need that protection. A father is a man who holds down the proverbial fort and is stern yet the most tender man.
One man who embodies those qualities is Rajendra Persaud as he not only provides but he cares for his family in every possible way. Popularly known as “Uncle Fur”, Rajendra is a man with a very tender heart and a soft touch.
Coming from humble beginnings, he knows the value of hard work. He is the fourth of 11 children and knows as well the value of having a stable household and has been trying to provide that for his family ever since.
During his formative years, Rajendra attended Anna Regina Primary, now CV Nunes Primary, and then the Anna Regina Community High, which is now called Cotton Field Secondary School. However, like many of the people his age, Rajendra was forced to drop out of school and take up work to contribute to the family.
He was employed as a contracted worker at the Guyana Rice Board (GRB) in Anna Regina, where he served for three years, then moved on to the Guyana Electricity Corporation (GEC), now the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) where he was contracted to distribute “light bills” along the Essequibo Coast.
During his stint as a bill distributor, Rajendra would walk house to house along the 36 miles long Essequibo Coast to ensure that he performed his job effectively. He believes that with determination, honesty and integrity, all things are possible and those traits allowed him to execute his functions. Additionally, his time as a bill distributor allowed him to meet, interact, and make friends with people across the Essequibo Coast.
After serving GEC for three and a half years; in 1983, the system changed and GEC started to use the service of the Guyana Post Office Corporation and he was left without a job for over a year during which time he assisted his parents in the rice fields.
He later saw a vacancy for a labourer at GEC in Anna Regina and applied. His application was successful and he was once again employed, but this time as a labourer with the Transmission and Distribution Department.
Rajendra said that with determination, dedication and hard work, you can achieve your goals. He stood his ground during hard and difficult times and worked rain or sun, night and day, obeyed all instructions, abided by all rules and regulations, and, most of all, was honest and served with pride which earned him today the title of Line Superintendent.
In 1986, while he was just 23 years old, Rajendra got married to Sarojanee and they had two children. When asked about being a father, he said that the feeling by itself is an indescribable one. He tries to be the role model of his children and have them tread a path that will be fulfilling to them.
This father – a tower of strength to his family, friends and loved ones – is always there, side by side with his wife to prepare meals for the family and takes the kids to school before going to work on a daily basis. On weekends, he will help with the chores at home, so his family can have some time for themselves.
However, just last year, he lost his wife which shattered the family, but being the strong person he is, Rajendra picked himself up and further cemented himself as the rock for the family.
“Fathers should be the gatekeepers of their family and must be strong enough to hold the family unit together, especially when the tide is rough and the ship is being tossed about. Fathers should take hold of the steering wheel and guide the ship to safety.
A father is a special person sent by God to be a role model for his children and all other children whom he might have met during his lifetime,” he said.
Rajendra encourages all fathers, young and old, to be responsible and live by example, to take up their responsibilities as fathers and help to mould their children so we can have a closer family unit.
Presently, Rajendra is giving his spare time to educating children in the path of Dharma and is enjoying visiting mandirs along the Essequibo Coast and sharing his fatherly love to all.
He said that it was not too late for those fathers who neglected their children, or for those children who neglected their fathers to repair that broken relationship.
