Remembering Cheddi Jagan
Remembering Cheddi
by Janet Jagan
Cheddi the politician, the prolific writer, the commanding and eloquent orator, the statesman and the grass roots leader is well known to most Guyanese, both here and abroad.However, on this, his birth Anniversary (March 22) I would like you to join me in remembering Cheddi Jagan, the warm- hearted husband, father, grandfather and family man.
He was a man who believed completely in women's rights, and at many times in my life, when I preferred a back seat, he would urge me to the front, as he did when I became a candidate in the 1947 elections and those thereafter. Even though he spent all his time writing, speaking and organising, he would help in the kitchen, wash dishes, carry out the garbage, etc. Unlike most Guyanese men, he accepted whatever meals and household arrangements were made without a grumble or a demand.
He loved working in the yard and planted many fruit trees. He got great satisfaction in watching the trees and plants grow and produce. How he enjoyed his home grown mangoes! It was a pleasure to watch him eating his mangoes. He had a favourite dungs tree and used to delight in picking the dungs which he took to Freedom House and gave the workers there, along with sugar cane he had cut.
He loved children and adored his five grandchildren. When three of them lived with us for a while at State House, he used to encourage them to eat local fruits and foods.
Each year during his presidency, on his birthday, at his request, the gates of State House were opened and a celebration took place, mainly aimed at children to which anyone could attend. The fair on the lawns of State House. This become an annual event to which hundreds of children attended and had a great time.
He used to appreciate immensely the hospitality shown to him when he moved around the country side. Homes were opened to him as he travelled and meals, which he greatly enjoyed, were in profusion. He never liked going to restaurants, always preferred home- cooked meals.
My grandson kept his lunch bag after he died. He must have been one of the few presidents in this world who carried his lunch to work. I used to prepare a snack, fruit and a flask of juice or coffee and put these in his lunch bag.
As to coffee, he remarked once -- and as I said earlier, he was rarely critical of meals -- that "Sis" at Freedom House made the best coffee. Mine couldn't match hers. I think he was right!
All five grandchildren used to love to go to his office at home (Bel Air) or the one at State House and swing in his hammock. He loved hammocks. The children used to play while he sat at his desk, and later they would "fight".
He used to play-fight with them and they loved the "roughing -up".
Cheddi was a well beloved man and played his role in national events as well as having a warm homelife. I think one of the most pleasant times was when we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary in 1993 with some 60 members of his family.
© Janet Jagan- 2001
CDCs - Cheddi's Idea Living On
by Bhoj Tharay
When the PPP/Civic took office in 1992, the entire country was in a state of disrepair. The treasury was in dire need. No money was available to conduct the process of rebuilding the destroyed infrastructure in the various communities.The late President Cheddi Jagan recognizing the need to uplift the lives of the common man and woman, came up with the brilliant idea of organizing the citizens into Community Development Councils (CDCs).
Each village or in some cases set of villages elected their residents into bodies to overlook the specific needs of the locality, in terms of roads, drains, schools, health centres etc. Fund-raising events were carried out and the money was spent on projects. It was and still is a system, whereby residents cooperated together to help themselves by building their communities.
Since the formation of these bodies, Ms Philomena Sahoye-Shury aka "Fireball", has been actively involved in bringing together people in their communities to jointly put their efforts in development. In 1997 Ms Shury was appointed Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and as Director of CDCs.
In an interview with the 'Fireball' lady, she told me of her efforts, successes and difficulties she underwent in achieving the high standards set by the CDCs in spearheading the huge numbers of projects, countrywide.
Phil, as she is also popularly called, said she had no problems convincing residents in the various urban and rural locations that their participation was vital in fostering the development of the environs in which they live. People irrespective of race, colour, class or political affiliation willingly by presented themselves to cooperate with each other to execute plans that determine their upliftment in all the ten Regions, she visited.
Her personal commitment to help people made her listen to their pains and suffering, assisting them in many ways to overcome their ails.
A number of projects were facilitated through co-ordination by 'Philo's' office. Apart from roads, bridges, schools, health centres and sports- halls in the different neighbourhoods throughout Guyana, residents of West Watooka, Linden were organized into an agricultural group so as to open a venture to cater for the needs of the community. A sector of forest was cleared and cultivation of ground provision and cash crops were embarked upon.
This successful enterprise has seen the upward movement in the standard of living for West 'Watookans', so much so that the Ministry of Crops, Livestock and Fisheries was impressed. The Ministry presented the participants with a tractor to further enhance their productivity. Seedlings were also made available. The locality is now progressing through this tangible assistance.
Ms Shury made it clear that the intention of the PPP/C government who she represents is not bent on giving out handouts, but is genuinely interested in making concrete, material contribution to the CDCs.
"The involvement of a broad cross section of the people is guaranteed with the establishment of CDCs", Ms Shury noted. "This is what we mean when we say, we are a government of inclusiveness", she further explained.
Political opponents who claim that this idea of Cheddi Jagan is simply for political mobilization, are mistaken. The Director of CDCs said she invites those who utter this nonsense to visit the CDCs to see for themselves, the broad cross-section of people taking part in these activities.
In conclusion ,Ms Philomena 'Fireball' Shury alluded to the large turn out at the 3 conferences on CDCs she organized in Regions 2, 5, and 10 as an indication of the support this idea of Dr Cheddi Jagan is receiving.
"I and all of us in the PPP/Civic are committed in our own way to carry out the legacy of Dr Cheddi Jagan - to bring prosperity to our Nation," the Member of parliament remarked.
