Omkardath Seenauth receiving his award from President Rabindra Sookraj
…doctor inducted
By Samuel Whyte
Over the years the Rotary Club of New Amsterdam has, each year, been recognising citizens who have shown exceptional dedication to their profession or vocation. These awardees are presented with the Rotary Club’s Vocational Service awards.
This year the club honoured two people, a newspaper vendor and a farmer. It also inducted a doctor into the fold.
The two men honoured were (Kaieteur) Newspaper vendor, Omkardath Seenauth, 52, of Ankerville, Port Mourant, Corentyne. He has been in the newspaper business for over 33 years. The other awardee was farmer Durjodhan Seokaran, 59, of Mara, East Bank Berbice. Seokaran has been into farming for over 45 years.
Dorjodhan Seokran receiving his award
The two were recently recognised by the Rotary Club of New Amsterdam for their long and dedicated service in newspaper vending and farming in Guyana.
The ceremony was held at State House, in New Amsterdam. Presiding over the function was President of the New Amsterdam Rotary Club, Robindra Sookraj.
Seenauth took to the newspaper business because he wanted to be independent and have more time for himself. The father of two attended the Central Corentyne High School where he obtained passes in six subjects at the GCE O Levels in 1978.
He stated that he had many offers to work but refused. He was offered a job at Guysuco in 1980, but declined “It would have tied me down, kept me confined to this seven to four thing daily and I didn’t want that. “
He operates mainly between Williamsburg and Bloomfield on the Corentyne. He stated that he was able to maintain his family and educate his two children by selling newspapers. His daughter is currently overseas pursuing studies to become a doctor while his son is a teacher at Lower Corentyne High School.
Seokaran has been a farmer all of his life. He was born into farming. His parents were farmers. His wife’s family members are also into farming. Born at Huntley, Mahaicony, the cash crop farmer moved with his father to Berbice when he was 11 years old. He attended the Schepmoed Primary school in the Mara area.
The father of four stated that he has been with farming through the good and bad times and will continue for as long as he could go.
He established his own farm and continued with his wife. He was able to support his family from his earnings. His children are all grown and some are now into farming.
He wants more support from the government and a more structured programme to be put in place so that farmers can benefit, especially when you suffer losses.
The club also inducted eye specialist Dr. Rishi Ramharack as a member. Dr. Ramharack, who hails from West Demerara and has been living in Berbice for a number of years, has had a long and distinguished service in his field of work.
Among those gracing the auspicious occasion were Regional Chairman David Armogan a Rotary member himself; Vice Chairman Bhopal Jagroop, and New Amsterdam Deputy Mayor Harold Dabydeen.