When I look back on my life from the time I can remember, which was when I was a little less than two years of age, born to parents of Indian immigrants, to the present, in my ninety-seventh year, and see how checkered and carefree it had been, not focused on any dream, but garnering knowledge along the way from whatever and wherever I found interest, knowledge that could not have been found in text books within the walls of a school or in a church building, and doing sometimes what was considered menial so as to be able to subsist, I cannot help but think that there must have been a beneficent Providence watching over me, protecting me, guiding me into salutary situations and good relationships, without which I could not have realized so much of my potential in the areas of my diverse interest.. I owe a deep debt of gratitude to those heads and hearts that helped to provide the means for fashioning my outlook in life and my philosophy.
My life was not planned. I followed wherever the current led. Those who have read My Story will have observed that. I found interest in whatever shore I was cast on by the waves of chance, and performed with interest and enthusiasm. My chief interests were health and strength of body and freedom of mind. I learnt many lessons along the way. Very early in my life, a lad about ten, self-motivated, I picked up my slate and pencil and went to an old Hindu immigrant to teach me Hindi. That was the beginning of an interest which would pay off in life, leading to my success at the Teachers’ Certificate Examination and an award by the Guyana Hindi Prachar Sabha for my contribution to Hindi in Guyana.
I learnt a little tailoring by associating with a neighbour who was a tailor. I was able to teach the subject as a craft in school. I learnt to knit a castnet for fishing from a boyhood friend. This came in very useful as it helped in supplying fish to supplement the family’s diet. I learnt to play the ukelele and to do photography from a friend who was my classmate in school. There began my interest in music which I developed late in my life. Now I can play the recorder with a fair degree of proficiency. I learnt typewriting from an in-law relative. I also learnt Sign Painting, shoe and umbrella repairs and some carpentry by observing others at work.
Marriage and a family kept me stable in the field of Education as I had to earn to feed my family. For my contribution to Education, I received the CIMBUX AWARD from fellow Buxtonians living in the U.S.A.; but I kept pursuing other interests. At school, I learnt needlework and embroidery from the female teachers. One female teacher used to tease me by calling me Miss Butisingh, but I told her I was Mrs as I was married. I was able to substitute as Sewing teacher in the absence of a female, securing a pass for a pupil at the Primary School Leaving Examination.
I got involved in social activities while in school. I acted as part time Welfare Officer at the Lusignan Community Centre for eighteen months. I trained for the military during World War II and used that training as an interesting part of the Physical Training in School. I also tried a little business while teaching, but it was a bad time during the war and business was not my line, so I closed shop. I did some kitchen gardening. I played third class cricket. I never missed a catch except for one that went very high up by a powerful hitter. I went under it, but I could not hold it and was hit on the chin. I practised boxing and sprained my thumb. I swam a lot as it was the best all round exercise
I tell you these things to let you know that even when I was not gainfully employed, I had periods of useful idleness. I learnt Shorthand and passed the seventy-word a minute test. I studied some Book Keeping and passed the Elementary Test. I practiced Art, and during the Second World War, I made Christmas cards to raise funds for the school.
Today, with the experience I have gained, I am equipped to teach something of interest to any of my many friends or their children whenever I get the opportunity. Now in the deep winter of my life, a noble colleague whom I have not seen for nearly half a century, and have not seen yet, projected me into an area of activity which has brought me recognition and an opportunity to be of greater service to humanity. He set up a Weblog for me that has won me the Graypow Award.
Up till now, I have followed no dream, but I have tried to do my best, many times blundering, with whatever came my way. I was pupil, fisher, crab catcher, labourer, pork knocker, teacher, lay reader, third class country cricketer, swimmer, acrobat, Welfare Officer, member and delegate of a Literary Institute, Chairman of an Indian Literary Institute, Hindi teacher, poet, journalist, Magazine editor and student of religion and philosophy. And now, nearing my sojourn of my earthly existence, I am still seeking, still learning. My happiest moments are when I can help someone, when I can put a smile on someone’s face or give someone hope. I always bear this little poem in mind which I learned as a youth:
Kindness and love to all I owe,
No other debt doth God allow;
Kindness and love then I must pay
To everybody, every day.
— Randall Butisingh
