Reminiscences of Cheddi Jagan - The Man
by Janet Jagan
Cheddi Jagan liked to consult a wide range of people on important matters. That was the pattern he established during his long years in the opposition as well as the years he spent heading his PPP Governments.
He faced criticism frequently for taking too long, in some people’s opinion, to come to a decision. However, he always sought a wide variety of opinions so that he could sift through them and, as he hoped, come to a realistic, practical and correct decision.
I can recall becoming the victim of this practice. In the PPP’s Executive Committee, he would sometimes put forward an idea or proposal, sometimes arising out of a point someone made. This would be debated and sometimes, at the same meeting, a conclusion arrived at.
When the Executive Committee met the next week, he would sometimes – but of course not always – re-discuss the matter and come up with a different point of view.
I was frequently blamed for this change or shift and it would be said, behind the scenes, that I influenced him and succeeded in changing his opinions.
But they did not understand how he operated. Once the idea was conceived, he thought it out carefully and consulted a wide range of people, to hear their views. He was the direct opposite of "rigid." His ideas could flow in all directions until the point at which he felt he had sufficient ventilation of the idea to come to a conclusion.
I used to tell him that I was the official scapegoat and I would be blamed for just about anything that went wrong or did not please whosoever was involved. And he used to laugh and say that I had a persecution complex.
Even now, at the slightest excuse, there is a tendency to blame me for things really impossible for me to have been involved in. But that is its own story.
Cheddi Jagan was very easy to live with. His needs or requirements were small. He ate small amounts of food and never over ate. He loved to garden and plant fruit trees. One of his greatest enjoyments was to eat the fruit from the trees he had planted and cared for. He exercised daily, usually while listening to the news. Every day, at least twice a day, he had to hear the news and his greatest possession was a small radio he could carry about and listen to when he had time.
He used his time carefully and rarely wasted it. He sat at his desk for long hours, in and out of government. The Cheddi Jagan Research Center which houses his many papers, can testify to his output.
But, at the same time, he always looked forward to going out in the country or walking about Georgetown, meeting people. He told me that he felt "refreshed" when he met people at public meetings, just stopping off when people gathered, at social functions like weddings, or Party fund-raising activities. And, of course, people loved to be with him.
I can recall some of the hard times when stones and rotten eggs were thrown at him and others. When we would go into friendlier areas the women and children would come out and smother him with flowers. He accepted both kinds of treatment as part of the struggle.
© 2001 Janet Jagan
I can only guess that a person's worth after death will, to some extent say something of his worth while alive.
I remain, as I have since 1950, a member of the Central Committee (formerly General Council) and Executive Committee of the People's Progressive Party. These two committees are the governing bodies of the PPP in between Congress, which is the highest authority of the Party and which elects, on a delegate basis, in our Party's democratic elections for the Central Committee.
Since Cheddi Jagan's demise in 1997, I have missed only a few of these meetings. What I find remarkable and significant is that at most of these meetings (Executive Committee meets weekly and the Central Committee quarterly) Cheddi Jagan's name comes up frequently. For example, we may be discussing a matter like race relations and the setting up of a Race Relations Council. Members will remember what he said on the subject and the manner in which he would deal with the matter.
We might be discussing financial matters and the specific item of debt relief. Dr. Jagan's views on this would be recalled and we would be guided by his views and experience.
His ideas and thoughts continue to influence the PPP. But not in any dogmatic or slavish way. He always sought the widest opinions on vital matters and was never afraid or reluctant to ask the views of those least expected to be consulted by him. His mind was never closed to new ideas and this attitude has pervaded the thinking of the Party's leading members.
On moral issues, the Party leadership is constantly reminded of his solid standing and unwavering adherence to the principles of honesty and integrity.
At the more personal level, can I but remember him when I eat a mango from the tree he lovingly planted or when I pet the same dog he petted the very night he took ill at State House?
© 2002 Janet Jagan
Cheddi - A Unique Leader
by Janet Jagan
(Taped address by Janet Jagan at the Cremation Site, Babu John, March 9, 2003)
I regret being unable to attend this ceremony due to health problems, but take this opportunity to thank everyone here for paying tribute to our late President and Father of the Nation.
Not far from where you are today, he was born to sugar workers of Port Mourant, Jagan and Bachaoni, both born in India and who arrived in the then British Guiana with their parents who were indentured labourers. From this humble beginning, Cheddi reached the highest position in the land of his birth, the Presidency.
But, it is to his everlasting credit that he never forgot his roots. His whole life was dedicated to the betterment of humankind, both in his country of birth and everywhere that people lived and suffered.
Through his many years of active life in the service of humanity, his contributions to society in general were enormous. He led the anti-colonial struggle in Guyana and in the historical sense is related to all the leaders of these struggles - Nehru, Nkrumah, Julius Nyerere, Mandela and others. He actively fought for and led working people in their struggles for a better life, never giving an inch or making compromises that endangered their rights.
Perhaps, one of the most remarkable aspects of Cheddi Jagan's life was his consistent struggle for justice, never compromising his beliefs and always advocating equality, unity and struggle. Unlike many before him and after, he never sold out the people. His honesty and integrity made him unique in the realms of leadership. Even those who hated him the most, never doubted his honesty or his intentions.
What we can learn from the life of Cheddi Jagan is never to give up, once you know that you are doing what is right. In the face of the most difficult situations and the most dangerous period, as in the 60's, Cheddi never gave up and in the face of terrible attacks, still called for national unity, as he knew how important this was. At the height of the combined forces which had one objective - the removal of the PPP from office and the aim that it would never again gain office - in 1965 he said:
"Regardless o f race or ethnic origin, let us consolidate our, forces, win new support and march forward to victory ... Racism is the greatest curse of our land... anyone who .spreads racial propaganda must be severely dealt with. Such a person is an enemy to himself and his country.
" Unity of the working class regardless of race is vital. If we are to go, forward, the party must have the backing not of one race, but of all races. We must take the offensive. We must combat racism mercilessly and build a disciplined party .... " (1967)
Today, as we pay tribute to the Father of Independence, let us remember this man who was our brother, our father and who gave our country the unique leadership of a man who truly cared about the people. Long may his name be kept alive!
© 2003 Janet Jagan