Remembering Cheddi Jagan
Remembering Cheddi - National Unity
Should be the Watch WordMarch 5, 2003 Guyana Chronicle
The world over, people campaign to change unjust systems or to support a cause that they feel strongly about. In Guyana, Cheddi Jagan was one such person. Throughout his life he fought to create a better world for each and every Guyanese and, in so doing, he made a very significant contribution to this nation’s history.
It is the supreme test of man’s character to overcome the trials of adversity and disaster. This, Dr. Jagan understood only too well, for his life was an exquisite statement of struggle, first as a child; then as a student; as a nationalist; a political leader and finally, as Guyana esteemed statesman.
In the hostile colonial environment in which the natural progression of his country was first frustrated and subsequently truncated by the Anglo-American Alliance, to the cruel travesty of twenty eight years in the political opposition, Dr. Jagan confronted unquestionable adversity yet he was forever optimistic, convinced that history and time were always on the side of the just.
Six years after his death there are undoubtedly many things on which we might choose to dwell. There was firstly the man himself- committed, honest, and compassionate. Then there was the contemplative scholar and reflective leader, forever thoughtful and analytical, discussing, advocating and, of course, writing. There was also the anti-colonial firebrand and nationalist political leader, ever championing the twin causes of the anti-colonial struggle and the national liberation process. There was, as well, the compassionate internationalist stridently advocating the cause of the dispossessed the world over.
Dr Jagan’s philosophical ideas and political actions constituted the foundation on which this nation was originally conceptualized. They were the well spring, the very seminal essence of the great man. Every Guyanese, great or small, understood where Dr Jagan stood. They knew that he felt their pain and their hunger. That he shared their hopes and aspirations and that he was committed to creating a better Guyana for them, their children and their children’s children. A society in which all were equal and were treated as equals. A society in which there was a place for the fullest development of their peculiar attributes. In Guyana, Dr Jagan was the most powerful voice for the poor, the dispossessed and ‘the wretched of the earth’.
Dr Jagan, has made a distinguished contribution, in theory and practice, to the transformation of the political culture, the termination of British imperial hegemony and the beginnings of the development of a modern independent state in Guyana. While there are other roles and contributions for which he will be revered, it is truly through his political leadership and for the formation of the Guyana state that he will be remembered by future generations in his own country and the world far beyond it.
It is apposite that we also remember his preoccupation with creating, facilitating and sustaining the process of national unity. It was his belief that unity was the primary means of attaining peace, progress and prosperity and he never stopped searching for ways and means of molding the classes and races into a strong and united Guyana. It is a sad but necessary commentary that with his passing this nation has been plunged into the abyss of ethic rancour and civil unrest.
The issue here must be the continuing quest for national unity. Certainly if we are truly convinced that Dr Jagan deserves the respect of this nation, and there will be few to deny that he does, then certainly Guyana owes it to his memory to redouble our efforts to ensure that national unity once again enjoys the type of priority he would have preferred.
by Hydar Ally
Guyana will be host to the Rio Summit in the latter part of this month which will bring together hemispheric leaders to the capital city of Georgetown. The Summit will take place immediately after the conclusion of the Mashramani celebrations, which has now become something of a national cultural institution.
And before the dust of Mashramani and the Rio Summit dust will have settled, there would be ‘the mother’ of all sporting activities- World Cup Cricket- which the country would be host to. Already the profile of the city and its environs are undergoing changes with the emergence of several new hotels and restaurants. Streets and avenues are being resurfaced and drains and canals are made free of vegetation and overgrowth.
Apart from World Cup Cricket which will obviously take centre stage especially as we come closer to the World Cup matches in the latter part of March and the first week of April, there will be yet another set of activities which are no less significant in the political calendar of Guyana and that is the commemoration of the life and death of the Father of the Guyanese nation, the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan, undoubtedly the greatest of all political leaders that the country has ever seen.
The PPP has already set up a Committee headed by Mr. Navin Chanderpal to plan activities in observance of this historic occasion. March this year would mark the 10th anniversary since the passing of this great leader, one who has dedicated almost his entire life to the service of the Guyanese people and for that matter the wider international community.
This year will also mark the 60th anniversary since the entry of Dr. Jagan to the Legislative Assembly. Dr. Jagan, at age 29, became the youngest member of the Legislative Assembly and has consistently been a member of the Assembly for two brief periods when the PPP was removed from government during the 1953-1957 periods and again during the late 1973-1975 period when the PPP boycotted the National Assembly after the PNC regime massively rigged the elections of 1973.
It was the resilience and fortitude of Dr. Jagan to combat injustice and oppression that distinguished him from other politicians of his period. Immediately upon his entry into the legislature, Dr. Jagan took a class position on issues and was never afraid to lend his voice on their behalf. As he mentioned in his book “The West on Trial,” he brought a “new dimension to politics, one in which the streets were taken to the legislature, and the legislature to the streets.” For the first time the working people had a genuine voice and a true friend in the highest decision-making forum of the colony.
Because of the preponderance of pro-business interests in the Legislature he did not manage to get his way on many issues he represented on behalf of the working class. But he did not give up. He continued to oppose and expose the intrigues of the Colonial Office and the plutocracy to deny the working people a decent and dignified life.
Convinced that his efforts to win concessions for the working people could not be achieved without a strong political constituency, he was instrumental in forming the People’s Progressive Party which this year will observe its 57th year since its formation on January 1950.
The PPP has never departed from its class positions. It has consistently defended the working people during its years in the political opposition and promoting their class interests during its tenure in office. This is why the PPP has been so successful at the polls. It has demonstrated over the years that it has the capacity to deliver on its Manifesto promises.
The strength of the PPP is due in no small measure to the exemplary qualities of Dr. Jagan and his commitment and dedication to the cause of the ordinary people. Dr. Jagan was able to influence and win over men and women of character and resolve who were united in their desire to see a democratic and prosperous Guyana. Foremost among these was his wife Janet Jagan who was also a guiding light in the formation and development of the PPP.
There are other outstanding leaders as well. Among these are Ashton Chase, HJM Hubbard, Reepu Daman Persaud, Brindley Benn, Boysie Ramkarran among others. Janet Jagan, Ralph Ramkarran, Brindley Benn and Reepu Daman Persaud are still around today, having given decades of selfless and dedicated struggles to the cause of a better Guyana.
Interestingly, there are now second and third generation leaders who are today serving in leadership positions in the Party and government. Ralph Ramkarran, the current Speaker of the National Assembly is the son of Boysie Ramkarran and is a leading member of the PPP. He is a member of the Central and Executive member of the PPP. Robeson Benn, Minister of Public Works and Communications are the son of Brindley and Patricia Benn, both of whom were leading members of the Party especially during the 1960’s.
I would like to take the opportunity of this column to extend profound condolescences to the family, relatives and friends of Comrade Monica Benn who passed on a few days ago. Monica, like her father, mother, and brother was an ardent member and supporter of the PPP.
Guyanese are indeed fortunate to have had leaders of the caliber of Dr. Cheddi Jagan and Janet Jagan, people who have given of their entire lives in service to the cause of the country and its people.Printed in Mirror Feb 24, 2007
