The people of Guyana: "He
was the Mahatma Gandhi of Guyana."
"He left us with hope and inspiration."
"He was the brightest gem in the land."
"He has gone but can never be forgotten.
"He showed by example what can be achieved through honesty, integrity, dedication and
commitment."
The people of Berbice (the birthplace of Cheddi
Jagan) reacted with shock as the news was announced early Thursday morning. On the
Corentyne, hundreds of sugar workers attached to the Albion sugar estate, downed tools for
the day and marched to the home where the late President was born. They said it was as a
"sympathy watch." On lookers, lined the more than four-mile route to watch the
sombre workers, some carrying black flags.
Janet Jagan (former President of Guyana and Cheddi Jagan's wife) said: "I can testify to
his goodness, to his honesty and integrity, to the lack of concern for the material things
in life, to his remarkable intellect, always seeking answers, always examining all aspects
of a matter, always seeking the truth. Those who have stood by him faithfully all these
trying years, struggling for the people’s rights, know his wishes, his dreams, his
plans. All of us will carry the torch he lit so many years ago."
Prime Minister of Guyana, Sam Hinds, who was
later to be sworn in as President, in an address to the nation said: "…that
extraordinary light that shone in the world for nearly 79 years has been extinguished. The
greatest son and patriot that has ever walked this dear land has departed.. President
Jagan has left us a proud legacy and has placed our country irreversibly on the road to
progress. That was why he exhorted us from his hospital bed, "‘Don’t worry,
everything will be alright.’"
Moses Nagamootoo wrote: "That extraordinary light
that shone in this country for almost 79 years has been extinguished; that life of epic
proportions that graced this land has been eclipsed by sudden illness and death, but his
legacy lives on. His life was characterized by an incalculable breath and depth and height
of devotion and service to his country and to his countrymen and women. He was, indeed, a
giant – indomitable in courage unflagging in zeal, steadfast in purpose, total in
commitment, clear-sighted in vision,
irreproachable in character, and yet simple in manner,
and scented with the sweat and soiled by the toil of the ordinary folk whose world was
always his. Cheddi Jagan was a great Guyanese; indeed the greatest that has ever walked
this land of ours. In a real sense, much of the history of this land over the last half a
century is what Cheddi Jagan endured, did and achieved."
Jean Chrétien, Prime Minister of Canada, wrote :"Dr. Jagan was a
true pioneer in the cause of independence, democracy and social justice for the developing
world. He was an inspiration for those who dared to dream that a new human order could be
created in the world, based on mutual respect and partnership.
More than that, he was a
born leader, a tireless fighter for his people, as well as a gentle, courteous man who
combined charisma with compassion. I count it a privilege to have know him, to have worked
with him and to have been his friend."
United States President, Bill Clinton wrote: "President Jagan was
a champion of the poor who devoted himself to alleviating poverty in his country and
throughout the Caribbean."
India’s Prime Minister, H.D. Gowda wrote: "We in India have
always had the highest regard for Dr. Jagan. Few have done as much as he did to nurture
the age-old ties of family and friendship between Guyana and India.
Natasha Jagan Brancier (Cheddi
Jagan's granddaughter).
My Grandpa Cheddi, he had a dream that came true in his life.
And it was to help other people and the animals on the land.
He had another dream, that came true, to bring unity to the land,
And it came true and the people all loved him and
He became the Father of the land.
And all the children, that followed for many years would understand,
He’s not only a hero but a legend, who I will love forever more.
Ian McDonald (Guyanese poet) wrote: "I feel particularly sad the
Dr. Jagan did not have at least some time to rest, reflect on the struggles and
achievements of a great life, and write down for us and succeeding generations the
experiences and lessons of an extraordinary lifetime… He deserved a few quiet years
in the bosom of his family, his party and the nation. Of course he would have scoffed at
such suggestions… He would have wanted to work hard to the end.… He was not cut
to be a bystander… Still those years of peace and writing he might have had are a
loss to the rest of us. His voice would have been heard on the side of reconciliation and
national unity. His presence would have been a stabilizing anchor in whatever storms might
blow. His memories written down, and reflections refined by deeper thought, would have
provided an absolutely unique picture of Guyana and its history in a long and abundantly
filled life."
Barbadian author, George Lamming wrote: "The name Cheddi Jagan
has acquired for more than one generation, the feel of permanence and awe which time
confers on certain historical monuments; and there was something monumental in the
consistence of purpose and the unique kind of dedication which he brought to the public
life of the people of Guyana. There is no Caribbean leader who has been so frequently
cheated of office; none who has been so grossly misrepresented, and no one who, in spite
of such adversity, was his equal in certainty of purpose and the capacity to go on and on
until his time had come to take leave of us. And in my own personal experience, I know no
other Caribbean leader with whom sharp and wide disagreement could also be the occasion
for warm and fraternal embrace."
Director of COHA, Mr. Larry Birns, wrote: ‘The death of Cheddi
Jagan is not just a grievous personal loss to myself and my colleagues at the Council on
Hemispheric Affairs. It also will leave a particularly broad void in the ranks of world
class leadership among the English-speaking Caricom Nations ,as well as the rest of the
hemisphere. In the category of Latin American presidents, he was as indisputable giant
among pygmies...It is no overstatement to say that Jagan was one of Latin America’s
towering figures of the twentieth century, and one of the region’s few authentic
contemporary democratic figures, both in deed and in exhortation....A philosophical
Marxist (as distinct from the Stalinist form, which he came to abhor), he was one of the
few world leaders (and maybe the only one) of the political belief that fusing democracy
with a distinct public role is a practical basis for policy. In fact his presidency was
guided by pragmatism, melded with humanness, and helped preserve a vital germ plasma for a
future flowering of a uniquely Latin American form of government aimed at serving all of
its population – not just a small minority of well-to-do.... Perhaps, the single-most
noteworthy aspect of his personality was that he was free of any meanness or narrowness of
vision."
Prime Minister of Mauritius, Dr. Navinchaandra Ramgoolam, wrote:
"He won the hearts and affections of the people of our nation, and will be mourned by
millions overseas."
Secretary-General of Caricom, Edwin Carrington wrote: "…He
was not afraid to employ his considerable talents to forge innovative ideas and approaches
in coming to grips with the problems of the region, particularly those imposed by debt and
poverty. Indeed Dr. Jagan, may well have left for us a blueprint for enhancing the human
condition, in his several viable proposals, the wisdom of which will certainly help to
guide the region in the immediate future and beyond… In all his
endeavours, Dr.
Jagan’s unparalleled humility and humanity saw no issue as being too large or too
small when advancing the cause of the common folk… As a people , we are all the
richer for the wisdom and contribution of Dr. Jagan."
Cuba’s President Fidel Castro said in his message that he was
"deeply grieved by the sad news." He went on to say he had "very close
bonds of friendship" with Cheddi Jagan. And that Guyanese and Caribbean People have
lost "one of their most outstanding figures."
The Cuban Federation of Women wrote: "the Cuban
people and particularly the women will always remember Cheddi Jagan as an untireable
struggler for social justice and independence.."
Cuba paid tribute to Cheddi Jagan by declaring March 7-9, as three
official days of mourning for him.
Caricom Chairman, Lester Bird said in his message that Cheddi Jagan
was no "colonial stooge.... No man did more to set his country free. Dr. Jagan can
rest comfortably in the secure knowledge that he fulfilled for his country and the region
much more than could be expected from a single human being even one as exceptional as
he."
Edward Seaga, Leader of the Opposition in Jamaica wrote: "His
integrity and deep commitment to principles in which he believed made him an outstanding
figure in the political spectrum."
Prime Minister of Barbados, Owen Arthur, remembered him as a
"…quiet, warn, dignified and charismatic person …He was a true champion of
Third World Solidarity and development… I shall surely miss his wise and sober
counsel… I will direct that all flags be flown at half-mast in Barbados on the day of
his funeral…"
Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell said: "He
showed genuine love for all Caribbean peoples and was the champion for the working class
in the country and has been consistently so throughout his entire life. I don’t think
there is any politician that has shown that longevity in terms of standing for principles
despite the difficulties which he had to face in Guyana in the 70’s and the 60’s
and so on."
Chief Minister of the British Virgin Islands, Ralph O’Neal wrote:
"I will always treasure our fine relationship and his very sage advice given,
especially during our regional meetings. The Caribbean has indeed lost a political
stalwart, a leader and a voice for the people of Guyana."
President of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Mr. Enrique Iglesias
wrote: "President Jagan was one of the most lucid leaders of the Americas and the
Caribbean, a man of thought and deep convictions, who followed up his ideas with great
political vigor all his life."
Dominica Prime Minister, Edison James said: "All of us as Caricom
Heads will remember one of the major contributions that Dr. Jagan continued to make and
that was to urge all of us as to the need for a Regional Development Fund, later named the
Regional Integration Fund – something which Dr. Jagan saw as a crucial and
indispensable tool in taking this region to a higher level of development."
The Women’s Progressive Organisation (Guyana) the women’s
section of the People's Progressive Party wrote: "The WPO in this sorrowful period,
wishes to acknowledge the great contribution our great and beloved leader made towards the
Guyanese nation. He served the Guyanese people with dedication, commitment and integrity.
These attributes became the sustaining factor of his life’s work during the long
battles for an independent Guyana. Therefore it is heart-wrenching to begin to accept the
loss of such a dedicated patriot of Guyana…"
The Guyana Private Sector Commission wrote: "…He struggled
for the working class but never lost sight of the role that the private sector played in
helping him to achieve his goal. His humility and sincerity and his willingness to always
consult with the private sector will always be remembered by the business community."
Guyana's Bishop Randolph George wrote: "He was one of
nature’s own noblemen. Of irreproachable life he was first and foremost a family man.
He was sincere and earnest. What he believed he believed with heart and soul. It will be
difficult to find another Guyanese who will embody all his traits; his dedication, his
courage, his integrity, his genial personality and genuine instincts. His passing leaves a
void which will not easily be filled."
The Editorial of the Catholic Standard, March 9, 1997 wrote:
"There can be no doubt that Cheddi Jagan is in a class of the great, extraordinary
inimitable figures that the twentieth century has produced… One only has to examine
the career of this brilliant humanist and the picture of who he truly was, not only gets
clearer but more fascinating… Few people around the globe have matched this
astonishing energy and indomitable spirit… He did not come within the category of
temperamental, impatient, nervously aggressive chauvinistic politicians… He avoided
vindictiveness and malice in his relations with all people… He not only avoided the
temptations which power brings but also avoided its corruption of wealth…"
Manzoor Nadir, Leader of the United Force wrote: "None can deny
that Dr. Jagan is the Father of the State of Guyana… While we held different
political beliefs we count ourselves fortunate to have lived, worked and struggled in
Guyana with him during this era…"
Feroze Mohamed, Guyana's Minister of Home Affairs said:
"Once in a while, history provides a people with a leader who is truly outstanding,
Dr. Cheddi Jagan was such a leader. What distinguished him from others was that special
ability to understand the central contradiction of the times, to grasp the most critical
question of the day and ably articulate them in a simple and understandable way. He was
able, thus, to inspire and lead masses into struggle. Dr. Jagan has repeatedly
demonstrated this quality and it was this, among others, that endeared him to his people
and sustained his popularity among the masses for five decades."
