The Indian Diaspora Council International (IDC) joins in solidarity with organizations, institutions, agencies, and individuals in USA, Guyana and other countries in mourning the passing of renowned community advocate, businessman and philanthropist Ramesh Dalchand Kalicharran who passed away on Sunday, December 3, 2017 in New York. We express deepest sympathies and condolences to his surviving spouse Judy, his children Jagdesh, Nadesh and Romanee, his grandchildren, his siblings, extended family, friends and associates.

IDC statement: “Ramesh Kalicharran was an outstanding community stalwart. He was a prominent and well recognized cornerstone of the community, having pioneered several programs and events which promoted the interests of Indo-Caribbean people in New York and the Caribbean. He is widely recognized for his advocacy, philanthropy and exemplary contributions to charitable and community causes. Ramesh D. Kalicharran was an active member of IDC and recognized for his exemplary contributions to his community and the promotion of Indian culture and heritage. He was an icon among Indo-Caribbean people with a long lasting legacy of selfless service. He will be greatly missed”.

Kali was born on April 7, 1949 in Guyana. He is the eldest of eleven children born to Ramdayal and Mangani Kalicharran, second generation Indians of Guyana who trace their roots to the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. Though of Indian origin, Kali sees himself beyond such limits as he continuously and relentlessly to promote the welfare of his Indo-Caribbean community, as well as others.

Kali has excelled in every field of endeavour since his boyhood days in Guyana when he served as an outstanding role model for our youth. He excelled academically, and in extra-curricular activities since his teenage days. Kali emigrated to the United States in 1970. Kali and Judy were married in 1974 and they have three talented children and 2 grandchildren.

Kali entered the real estate business, started a driving school and then launched an innovative concept, the Kali Bharat Yatra Tours (KBY) for people of Indian origin to discover and re-connection with their roots in India. Kali was owner and president of the Kali Group Kali of Companies. Throughout it all, he contributed substantially to community and humanitarian causes.

Ramesh D. Kalicharran, popularly known as Kali, is an extraordinary community leader who led by example. In recognition of his tremendous contribution to the Guyana diaspora, he has received several citations and awards Asian-Indian, the Indo-Caribbean, and Other Ethnic American communities in New York. Kali is a proud ambassador for Guyana in particular, and the Caribbean, in general.

A citation to Ramesh Kalicharran from Queens Borough President best encapsulates his achievements.” As an outstanding business and civic leader of the Guyanese community in Queens, you have generously given time, talent, and resources toward the betterment of your community and the preservation of its cultural heritage. I, President Shulman, wish to express my sincere gratitude for your valuable contribution to the cultural richness and vitality of our borough”.