Dear Editor,
Amidst a euphoric celebration attended by family, friends, associates and elected officials, Ashook Ramsaran’s autobiography was launched on Sunday, November 23, 2025 at the Douglaston Manor in Queens, New York.
This publication is a well-organized and chronologically compiled book that is titled ‘BEYOND EXPECTATIONS: The Odyssey of a Village Boy from Guyana[1]”. It chronicles the long journey of Ashook Ramsaran whose great grandparents, Poorye and Radhah, left India as indentured laborers and arrived in then British Guiana (now Guyana) in 1853 and 1857 respectively.
The book begins with 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articles, Kolkata and other memorials, obituaries and tributes, recognition awards, US Congressional Record and other historical documents.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 foreword is eloquently written by renowned Guyanese born Professor David Dabydeen, University of Cambridge, UK. 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.
Complimentary, autographed copies were shared among the attendees who were enthusiastic about the historical significance of the book and its place among the Guyanese who have achieved at such an extraordinary level in the USA and the global Indian diaspora.
Excerpts from the book were read by: Professor David Dabydeen (read by Sylvia Ramgadoo-Marimuthu); Ben Jacob, formerly at Cambridge University, presently at Rutgers University, USA (read by Arnold Ramsaran); former Fulbright Scholar to India, professor emerita at William Paterson University, writer Marina Budhos whose father grew up in letter Kenny Village as Ramsaran; as well as grandsons Jaden and Gavin Ramsaran.
US Congress Member Grace Meng was the chief guest and shared Ramsaran’s professional success, as well as his enormous contributions to his community and beyond. Rep. Meng read Ramsaran’s biography into the US Congressional Record in June 2025. New York State Senator Roxanne Persaud, of Guyanese origin, spoke about Ramsaran’s commitment to civic engagement and presented Ramsaran with a Citation.
Dr. Sudhir Parikh, Chairman & Publisher-Parikh World Wide Media; Chairman-ITV Gold (24/7 TV Channel) spoke honourably about Ramsaran’s many contributions to the Indian Diaspora and organized an interview on ITV. Guyana’s Consul General in New York, Amb. Michael Brotherson, issued a letter of congratulations to Ramsaran, and that was read by Consul Nacifa Watson. Queens District Leader Richard David congratulated Ramsaran and expects that the book will be huge success.
In the concluding remarks, Ramsaran stated that: “As I reflect on this chapter, I am aware that the journey continues — perhaps not in me, but through those I have loved, taught, and beside whom I have walked. This record speaks about my travels, but above that, it speaks about what I have tried to hold on to along the way: family, purpose, and memory. I am hopeful that it helps someone find a sense of purpose, whoever he/she is or from where he/she originated. Then it would certainly be worth it.”
Several attendees made remarks extolling the virtues and significance of the book. Thanks, and appreciated were given by Rachel Ramsaran after the sharing of the cake “BEYOND EXPECTATIONS.”