DR RUPERT ROOPNARINE, WPA  EXECUTIVE MEMBER AND TOWERING POLITICAL FIGURE LAID TO REST ON SUNDAY

By| Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News |

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — The nation bade a final, poignant farewell to Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, a towering figure in Guyana’s intellectual, cultural, and political history, on Sunday, March 1, 2026. Dr. Roopnaraine, who passed away on February 23 at the age of 83, was honored in a ceremony at the Memorial Gardens in Georgetown that brought together leaders, scholars, and citizens from all walks of life.

The service was a reflection of a life that bridged the gap between the classroom and the political platform, defined by a “oneness of being” and an incorruptible commitment to racial harmony and social justice.

A Life of Scholarship and Resistance

Dr. Roopnaraine’s impact on the Guyanese consciousness began long before his tenure in high office. An internationally respected scholar of Comparative Literature, he was a leading voice on the works of national poet Martin Carter.

• “Terror and the Time”: In 1976, he resigned his professorship at Cornell University to return home and co-create this seminal documentary. The film, which chronicles the anti-colonial struggle of 1953 through the lens of Carter’s poetry, remains a cornerstone of Guyanese cinema and is currently being restored in 4K format.
• Literary Contributions: His acclaimed collection of essays, “The Sky’s Wild Noise”, won the 2013 OCM Bocas Prize for Non-Fiction. His other works, including “Web of October” and “Primacy of the Eye”, showcased his ability to dissect authoritarianism and art with equal precision.
• Academic Leadership: As a former lecturer at the University of Guyana, he mentored generations of thinkers, instilling a “habit of thinking” that he believed was essential for true liberation.

The Political Patriot

A co-founder and long-time executive of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Dr. Roopnaraine was the close comrade of the late Dr. Walter Rodney.

• The Coalition Builder: He played a pivotal role in the formation of the APNU coalition and served as its Prime Ministerial candidate in 2011.
• Ministerial Service: Following the 2015 elections, he served as Minister of Education and later as Minister responsible for the Public Service. He was remembered by colleagues as a “gentle yet firm servant-leader” who prioritized national unity over partisan venom.
• Moral Clarity: Tributes from President Dr. Irfaan Ali and former colleagues highlighted his courage during periods of political repression, where he famously escaped attempts on his life with the help of local sugar workers.

A Poignant Farewell

The funeral service was a rich tapestry of Guyanese culture, mirroring Dr. Roopnaraine’s own diverse interests—from first-class cricket (where he was a Cambridge “Blue”) to the arts.

• Cultural Tributes: The air at Memorial Gardens was filled with the sounds of tassa drumming, soulful steel pan renditions by Ras Camo, and moving recitals of Martin Carter’s “Poems of Resistance.”
• Personal Tributes: His son, Dr. Terry Roopnaraine, shared intimate stories of his father’s humility and the difficult decisions he made to ensure his family’s safety during dangerous political times.
• Cricket Legend’s Words: Former West Indies captain Sir Clive Lloyd, a lifelong friend, described him as a “natural” who dealt with every matter with “style and depth of thought.”

Key Milestones in the Life of Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine

Following the service, Dr. Roopnaraine’s remains were cremated at the Le Repentir Cemetery, marking the end of a remarkable journey for a man who famously believed that identity and endeavor are all linked—”black with Indian, city with countryside.”