“From the small grocery in California to the shores of Las Cuevas, my life has taught me this—success is not measured by titles or wealth, but by the roots we honor, the family we cherish, and the legacy we leave behind.”
Introduction
The story of Dr. Unanan Persad is the story of a boy from a small town in Trinidad who grew up with simple beginnings, but with dreams that carried him across the world and back again. Born on 11 May 1948 in California, Trinidad, his childhood was shaped by the values of hard work, honesty, and faith in education. His father, Sookram Persad, ran a small grocery shop, and his mother, Dayah Persad, cared for the family. From them he learned that life may be humble, but it can be meaningful if it is guided by effort and discipline.
As a child, he was curious and eager to learn. School came naturally to him, but it was never just about grades—it was about the joy of discovery. When he won a Government Exhibition Scholarship, he earned a place at Presentation College, one of the best schools in the country. There, he completed his Cambridge Certificate, marking the first big step on his path of learning. For his father, who valued education deeply despite not being highly educated himself, this was proof that his sacrifices were not in vain.
Marriage to his wife, Mintra, marked a turning point. Together, they left their home country and moved to the United States in search of better opportunities. It was not an easy move—life in a new land came with struggles—but their bond and shared determination carried them through. At the University of Illinois, Chicago, Unanan completed his Bachelor’s in Economics and later his Master’s in Economics with Honors and Distinction. His thesis, an Econometric Model of the Economy of Trinidad and Tobago, 1960–1971, was later published by the University of the West Indies (ISER, Mona, Jamaica). This early work showed how committed he was to using his education for the good of his homeland.
His studies continued at Texas A&M University, College Station, where he earned an MBA in Finance and Accounting with a focus on the oil and gas industry. These years gave him not only knowledge but also confidence—confidence to know that someone from a small town in Trinidad could excel among the best.
After a few years in the United States, he made the decision to return home. Many would have stayed abroad to build comfortable lives, but he chose to bring his skills back to Trinidad and Tobago. His career began at AMOCO Trinidad Oil Company as a Contracts and Projects Analyst, where he worked on compliance, contracts, and operations. He combined financial knowledge with practical experience, gaining a reputation for being thorough, fair, and forward-thinking.
In time, his expertise took him into leadership roles that influenced the country’s growth. He served as Chairman of Trinidad Nitrogen, Director of the National Gas Company, Director of the National Energy Corporation, and Board Member of the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex. His most notable work was as Deputy Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, where he helped transform the organization from a loss-making entity, costing the government almost $80 million a year, into one that made a profit of $400 million annually. This was achieved through careful negotiation, discipline, and a focus on results.
Even while serving the nation, he had the heart of an entrepreneur. He founded Pacesetters Sales and Services International Ltd., managed a restaurant, and travelled to China to import goods for trade. Eventually, he bought land at Las Cuevas on the north coast of Trinidad, where he built the Las Cuevas Beach Lodge. Today, the lodge is not only a business but also a legacy—forty acres of coastline that he and his wife developed with vision and hard work. His wife, Mintra, became the manager of their ventures, handling finances and operations with strength and dedication.
“The strength of a tree is not in how tall it stands, but in how deep its roots run.”
Phase 1: Roots and Rising of Childhood
The story of Dr. Unanan Persad begins not in a grand city or in a home of privilege, but in the quiet town of California, Trinidad, where life was modest and simple. He was born on 11 May 1948, into a family that carried within it the memories and struggles of generations who had come before. His parents, Sookram Persad and Dayah Persad, were not wealthy people, but they gave their children something far greater than riches—they gave them values, lessons, and an example of resilience that would become the foundation of their lives.
California, as a small town, was not the bustling California of America that many imagine, but a working community in Trinidad where families lived close to one another and survival depended on both hard work and shared responsibility. It was here that young Unanan’s earliest memories were formed. His father, Sookram, ran a small grocery shop. It was not a large store with shelves of plenty, but a modest shop where every coin counted, and every customer’s loyalty mattered. The grocery became more than a livelihood; it was a classroom for the young boy.
As a child, Unanan watched his father carefully measure rice or sugar, write down figures in worn notebooks, and greet customers with respect. He noticed that his father, though not formally educated to a high level, carried himself with quiet discipline. Sookram was strict, sometimes even hard on his son, but as Unanan grew older, he would understand why. His father saw something in him—potential, ability, and the spark of ambition—and he wanted to make sure that his son never wasted it. At times, the young boy wondered why his father demanded more from him than from his siblings, but later he realized it was because his father believed he could go further.
His mother, Dayah, came from a family steeped in stories of survival. She was gentle but firm, a woman who balanced the household with grace. Much of what young Unanan came to know about his ancestry was through her family, especially his grandmother, Jamunit. She often told him stories of the ships that carried their ancestors from India to Trinidad under the system of indenture. To a child, these tales sounded confusing—even strange. His grandmother would describe how the ships were “broken down and rebuilt,” a phrase that puzzled him for years. Only later, after deep research, did he understand that she had been describing, in her own words, how British ships were reconfigured to carry cargo like locomotives one way, and then human beings another way, on the long voyage from India to the Caribbean.
These stories planted seeds in the young boy’s mind. They were not just tales of hardship but lessons in resilience—proof that the blood in his veins came from people who endured unthinkable journeys and still managed to build lives in new lands. His grandfather, Mathura, was another steady presence, teaching him the importance of roots, family, and dignity.
Life in California was not easy. Money was limited, opportunities were few, and every day was a reminder that nothing would come without effort. But even in this environment, young Unanan showed signs of unusual determination. He was bright, curious, and eager to learn. School became a place where he not only excelled but also found joy. His teachers saw his ability, and his parents, despite their modest means, encouraged him to continue.
“Education is not only about opening books; it is about opening doors that once seemed locked.”
Phase 2: Opening Doors: The Scholarship and Beyond
When we look at the early path of Dr. Unanan Persad, it becomes clear that his journey was built step by step, each step carefully laid upon the lessons of his childhood. The small town of California, Trinidad, had given him roots—discipline, respect for work, and the stories of his family’s past. But the next part of his journey gave him wings. It was here, in the transition from boyhood to young manhood, that education became the doorway to a larger world.
From a young age, Unanan showed a natural love for learning. He was not the type of student who learned only for grades; he had a genuine curiosity about how the world worked. He would often sit quietly, absorbing lessons, reflecting on stories his grandmother told, and wondering how knowledge could change lives. His teachers noticed his discipline and sharpness, and his parents, especially his father, pushed him to give his best. His father was strict, often demanding more from him than the others, but beneath the sternness was belief—belief that his son could reach places far beyond the little grocery in California.
This belief began to take shape when young Unanan sat for the Government Exhibition Scholarship examination. For many families in Trinidad at that time, scholarships were the golden ticket. They were rare, highly competitive, and life-changing. Winning one meant not only access to better schools but also a recognition of one’s potential. For the Persad family, with limited resources but high hopes, it was the kind of opportunity that could redefine a future.
When the results came in and Unanan had earned the scholarship, it was a moment of celebration not only for his family but for the community. His father, who had often been hard on him, felt pride swelling in his chest. His mother, always supportive in her quiet way, knew her son’s path was opening wider than ever before. For young Unanan himself, it was both a joy and a responsibility. He understood even then that this was not only his achievement but also a trust placed upon him by his family and by those who believed in him.
The scholarship led him to Presentation College, one of the finest schools in the country. Moving from a small-town environment to such a prestigious institution was both exciting and intimidating. Presentation College was a place where discipline was firm, expectations were high, and the competition was intense. But instead of being overwhelmed, Unanan found himself motivated. Surrounded by some of the brightest minds of his generation, he learned to push himself harder, to stay focused, and to embrace challenges rather than fear them.
At Presentation College, he prepared for and completed his Cambridge Certificate. This was more than just an academic qualification—it was a symbol that he could stand shoulder to shoulder with the best. It proved that a boy from a small grocery in California could excel in the same league as children from more privileged backgrounds. It also gave him confidence: confidence that education was truly the path forward, and that doors which once seemed far out of reach could now be opened.
During these years, the influence of his family remained strong. His father’s strictness, though sometimes difficult to understand, became a guiding force. It instilled in him the discipline to study late into the night, to complete every task, and to keep his focus sharp. His mother’s warmth gave him balance, reminding him that hard work needed to be paired with compassion. And his grandmother’s stories kept echoing in his mind, telling him that the journey of his ancestors was not one of defeat but of resilience.
“When two hearts walk together, even the longest journey feels possible.”
Phase 3: Crossing Oceans: Love, Marriage, and New Beginnings
Every journey has a turning point, a moment when life expands beyond familiar borders and pushes us into the unknown. For Dr. Unanan Persad, that moment came with marriage and the decision to leave the comfort of his homeland to begin a new life abroad. This was not just a physical move—it was an emotional leap, a choice to embrace uncertainty with courage, faith, and the support of a partner by his side.
By the time he reached young adulthood, Unanan had already proven himself as a scholar. From his early beginnings in California, Trinidad, to the doors opened by the Government Exhibition Scholarship, and his success at Presentation College, he had walked a path built on discipline and determination. But academic achievement was only one part of his story. The next chapter of his life would be shaped as much by the bond of family as by the pursuit of education.
His marriage to Mintra was a defining moment. She was not only his life partner but also a companion who shared his dreams, his burdens, and his hopes for the future. Marriage, for them, was more than an arrangement—it was a partnership built on love, respect, and the belief that together they could face whatever life placed before them.
Soon after their marriage, the couple made a bold decision: to move to the United States of America. For many young couples in Trinidad during that time, leaving the Caribbean for opportunities abroad was both a dream and a daunting challenge. The United States promised education, exposure, and possibilities, but it also meant leaving behind family, familiarity, and the safety of known ground. For Unanan and Mintra, the choice was not easy, but it was necessary. They knew that if they wanted to build a better future, they had to step beyond the horizon.
The move itself was filled with mixed emotions. On the one hand, there was excitement—the thrill of new beginnings, the promise of world-class education, and the chance to prove that someone from a small town could stand tall on the global stage. On the other hand, there was the heaviness of leaving behind loved ones, the uncertainty of adapting to a new culture, and the reality of starting from scratch in a foreign land.
Arriving in the United States, the couple had to adjust quickly. Life there was different from Trinidad in every possible way—the climate, the pace, the culture, and even the food. The hustle and competition of America could easily overwhelm newcomers, but for Unanan, it became an environment that sharpened his resolve. He knew why he was there: to study, to grow, and to lay the foundation for a future of service and leadership.
A Note of Thanks
This biography of Dr. Unanan Persad is not only a record of his life but also a tribute to the many hands and hearts that helped shape his journey. It reflects not just his own determination, but the support, love, and guidance of those who walked alongside him.
He extends his deepest gratitude to his beloved wife, Mintra, whose strength, patience, and unwavering support became the foundation of his life’s work. Through every stage—whether during his studies abroad, his professional service, or the ventures they built together—she stood as his anchor, turning challenges into possibilities and dreams into reality.
To his children—Neetu, Saanjaav, and Saanjeet—he gives thanks for being his pride and inspiration. Watching them grow into their own paths has been one of his greatest joys, a reminder that each generation must carry forward the values of the last while discovering their own destinies.
He remembers with profound love his parents, Dayah and Sookram Persad, whose sacrifices and values formed the roots of his character. He also honors the memory of his grandparents, Jamunit and Mathura, whose stories of struggle and resilience inspired his own journey back to India and his book, Ancestral Ghosts.
Dr. Persad also acknowledges the many colleagues, mentors, and friends who shared their wisdom and companionship—whether in universities in Illinois and Texas, in the offices and boardrooms of Trinidad and Tobago, or during his travels across the world. Each left a lasting imprint, each taught a lesson, and each shaped the man he became.
Finally, he offers gratitude to every reader of this biography. His hope is that his story will be more than just a record of one man’s achievements. May it serve as a reminder of the strength of resilience, the value of service, and the importance of honoring one’s roots. If these pages inspire even one soul to live with courage and gratitude, then his journey has truly found its purpose.
Thanks
Dr. Unanan Persad