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Dr. Dheeraj Bansal, Dean of the College of Medicine, took part in a virtual symposium hosted by the University of Guyana and the High Commission of India in Guyana on 29th April 2021. The theme of the event was “Perspectives on Guyana-India relations from 1838 to 2021”. The event’s guest speakers were Dr. K. J. Srinivasa, High Commissioner of India to Guyana, and Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin, Vice-Chancellor, XI, University of Guyana.
Before the panels began, Dr. K. J. Srinivasa delivered a remarkable speech on how Guyana and India have cooperated in various domains like education, oil, culture, language, etc. Professor Paloma’s speech followed his speech. She noted how in times of a global crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential for the nations to stick together in the battle against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
The symposium consisted of two panels. The first panel was academic and focused on the “Historical and Economic Relations between Guyana and India.” The following were the speakers of the first panel.
- Honorable Dr. Vindhya Persaud, Minister of Human Services and Social Security.
- Dr. Gobind Ganga, Governor, Bank of Guyana.
- Mr. Alim Hosein, Lecturer, University of Guyana.
- Mr. Tota Mangar, Historian.
- Mr. Ravi Dev, Media Consultant.
The second panel engaged in discussing the experiences of Guyanese nationals who spent their time studying and working in India and Indians studying and working in Guyana. The following were the speakers of the second panel.
- Mr. Vikash Ramkissoon, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture.
- Mr. R. K. Sharma, CEO, NICIL.
- Dr. Dheeraj Bansal, Dean, College of Medicine, Texila American University.
- Dr. Taijrani Rampersaud, Lecturer, University of Guyana
- Mr. Jainarine Deonauth, Director, Department of Events, Conferences and Communications, University of Guyana.
During the second panel, each panelist spoke in detail about their experiences in Guyana and India. The Guyanese nationals spoke about India and its diversity and how their time in India was something they will cherish forever. Dr. Dheeraj Bansal, an Indian national who has spent his life working in countries worldwide, currently lives and works in Guyana. He shared his experience of how Guyana made him feel the most at home among the countries he has worked and lived in. A question-and-answer session followed the second panel. The audience was provided the opportunity to question the panelists.
The event took place over two hours and was moderated by Ms. Narda Mohmed. She is the Administrative Officer of the High Commission of India.
