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The “unknown” Caribbean – Guyana

Guyana is like a familiar soft aroma that anchors you to a nostalgic period of time. However in this case, those memories are peppered with a tapestry of emotions that range from wanderlust and awe through to damn right frustration!

For me, Guyana is a swinging pendulum that precariously oscillates between incredible culture and political madness. It is also one of the only countries I have been to that has more Singhs than what feels like in the whole of Punjab, (albeit the surname has a different meaning in the country).

Today I am joined by Baytoram, a renowned Guyanese author and social science professor who guides me through some of the neglected history of the country and helps me understand more about how politics became so divisive in a country that is poised for economic stardom with the world's largest oil find.

 

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About  Baytoram Ramharack

Baytoram Ramharack was born in Berbice, Guyana.

He completed his BA in political science at CUNY's City College, NY. He received both his MA and PhD degrees from New York University. He has taught political science at New York University, Dowling College and at Nassau Community College in New York, where he is currently an Adjunct Associate Professor of Political Science. He has written numerous articles for various academic journals. His major publications include the Centenary Celebration of the Arrival of Indians to British Guiana (1838-1938); Against the Grain: Balram Singh Rai and the Politics of Guyana; and Jung Bahadur Singh of Guyana (1886-1956): Politician, ship doctor, labor leader and protector of Indians.

He is currently working on a biography of Cheddi Jagan, as well as a forthcoming publication on Alice Bhagwandai Singh, wife of Jung Bahadur Singh.

He actively campaigned for the restoration of democracy to Guyana in 1992.

He currently lives in New York with his wife and three children. He used to be a great cricketer.

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Special thank you to TAIZU for the music

Episode: 115

Presenter – Rajan Nazran

Producer –Global Indian Series/NazranRoth

Guests in order: Baytoram Ramharack

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