Remembering Cheddi Jagan
Massive Babu John Gathering Celebrate Dr Jagan’s Life
Dr.Jagan'sCremation Site at Babu John, Port Mourant, Berbice, Guyana (photos above)
A large gathering marched in scorching afternoon sun last Saturday, March 6, 1999 to celebrate the life and work of late President Cheddi Jagan.
Joining the thousands at Babu John Shrine, Port Mourant - birthplace of the Father of the Nation — were President Janet Jagan, Prime Minister Sam Hinds, PPP General Secretary Donald Ramotar, two brothers and a sister and other relatives of the late Dr Jagan, and government ministers.
The tribute in poems, songs and speeches, was held under the theme: Sharing Cheddi Jagan’s Vision With The New Millennium. There were also delegations from Linden and the hinterland regions at the Babu John ceremony.
The observances were held overlooking the recently-constructed Shrine, which was decorated with flowers by the crowd, President Jagan, relatives of Dr Jagan, government ministers and representatives of various organisations.
The event was dominated by students and young people, a symbol of Dr Jagan’s legacy.
Earl Bousquet, a St Lucian journalist and former Editor of the Mirror, Prime Minister Sam Hinds and President Jagan delivered speeches.
Mr. Bousquet, in paying tribute to the late Guyanese leader, said Dr Jagan was an "internationalist by name and nature" who attended the formation of every progressive movement in the Caribbean.
He also pointed to some of Dr Jagan’s contributions to the development of Caribbean and Third World states.
President Jagan, in her address, told the large gathering that the late leader’s policy and programmes are being used as guidelines for the PPP/Civic administration.
She said Dr Jagan’s greatest creation was the People’s Progressive Party, which will continue to champion the rights of all Guyanese.
The President also condemned PNC Leader Desmond Hoyte for attempting to destroy national unity and harmony, which the late Dr Jagan fought for relentlessly.
She noted that the 1992-97 period saw Guyanese coming together to build a brighter and better Guyana.
President Jagan, Derek and Oditt Jagan and Barbara Jagan-Fries, brothers and sister, respectively, of the late Leader, participated in the planting of two fruit saplings at the Babu John Shrine, which will be developed into a fruit orchard in recognition of the late Guyanese leader’s love for fruits.
Throughout the country, various events were held to celebrate the late Guyanese Leader’s life on the occasion of his second death anniversary.
(Printed in the March 10, 1999 issue of Mirror Newspaper)
Honouring the memory of Dr Cheddi Jagan:
Hundreds attend wreath-laying ceremony at Babu John March 3, 2002
By Calvin Marshall
THE Cheddi Jagan Research Centre will soon launch a two-year scholarship tenable at the Berbice Campus of the University of Guyana.
Former President Janet Jagan made this announcement yesterday during a ceremony at the Babu John Cemetery on the Corentyne, where hundreds congregated to pay tribute to the memory of her husband, the late President Cheddi Jagan on the occasion of his fifth death anniversary.
The crowd began assembling long before the scheduled start of one of the most enterprising cultural events witnessed on the Corentyne in recent time. The programme included songs, poems, African drumming, and readings of excerpts from Dr Jagan’s book, "The West on Trial.’
The ceremony began with the traditional laying of wreaths at the shrine where Dr Jagan’s remains are interred. Mrs. Jagan led this phase of the programme. She was followed by Prime Minister Sam Hinds, who is acting as President in the absence of President Bharrat Jagdeo. Then came Ministers of the Government and members of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C).
Addressing the gathering at the beautifully decorated Babu John site, Mr Hinds described the late founder and leader of the PPP as an internationalist and a man who was action-oriented.
"Dr Jagan took a lonely stance against conventional wisdom. His long-held tradition is as relevant today and has paved the way for social justice in the world," Mr Hinds said.
It was Dr Jagan, he said, who, in the late 70s, launched the campaign for debt relief from which many countries are now benefiting. Key to Dr Jagan’s struggle, he said, were issues pertaining to the establishment of a regional development fund and non-reciprocal trade agreement so that the less-developed nations can develop their economies and reduce the tendency of their peoples to migrate.
"He led the way for tax for investment and his call for a New Human Global Order has dominated discussions at the United Nations," Mr Hinds said.
Mrs. Jagan, who addressed the gathering as said that though fraught with difficulties, her husband’s life was a successful one.
She went on to describe him as a loving brother, a caring family man, and a humane person whose interest in the poor conflicted with that of others in his profession, who sought to profit from the poor.
"He was an idealist; a man of peace; an academic; a great writer and teacher; and a visionary, whose political interests laid the foundation for an independent Guyana," she said.
Mrs. Jagan also saw him as a genuine hero who not only liberated Guyana from colonialism and PNC (People’s National Congress) dictatorship, but also reduced "the horrific debt burden" left by that regime.
Such was the humility and versatility of the man, she said, he could meet with the most prominent of world leaders yet interact with the rank and file of his countrymen.
Party General Secretary, Mr Donald Ramotar, noted that Dr Jagan had during his lifetime, made an impact on all aspects of life in this country. He lived by the theory that it was not enough to interpret the world, but to interpret the world to change it, Ramotar said.
"He remained loyal to the working people and the pledge of his life," he said, adding: "Dr Jagan was a reservoir of new ideas; a man who never allowed emotions to cloud his judgement."
The afternoon’s proceedings were chaired by Region Six Chairman, Mr Rohit Persaud, who also hailed the qualities of Dr Jagan as something lacking in many of today’s leaders.
(Printed in March 4, 2002 issue of the Guyana Chronicle)
Babu John ceremony - March 9, 2003
HUNDREDS of persons converged at Babu John, Port Mourant to pay homage to the late President Cheddi Jagan, who died in March, 1997.
Born on March 22, 1918, to Indian national parents who once served as indentured labourers on the sugar plantation, Dr Jagan, though from a humble beginning, rose to the nation’s highest position, that of being the country’s first democratic president.
Babu
John Cremation Site
He was a truly people’s president, one who did not forget his roots, but made tremendous contributions as they struggled for freedom, justice and social progress.
At yesterday afternoon’s ceremony, flags bearing the party colours decorated the roadway leading to the site of the death anniversary celebrations. A specially erected stage also bore photographs of the "man of the working class" whose memory remains fresh with us, as reflected by the sea of persons who attended the two-hour ceremony chaired by Region Six Chairman Kumkarran Ramdass . President Bharrat Jadeo in his feature address, reminded the crowd that the ideas of the now deceased President is very much alive. He recalled that Dr Jagan was concerned about persons and hated racialism, but nevertheless, dealt fairly in every position he took.
He noted that despite efforts to de-stabilise the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) during 1957 to 1964 through bombing and strikes, and even after the party won in 1992 through racialism and protests, the Government has continued to make strides.
"The business community made the greatest stride under the PPP which directs development. We have recognised that the country had to flourish for the poor," the Head of State said and reiterated that although the PPP are duly elected, the struggle is not over.
The President remembered Dr Jagan as a person who had tremendous faith in collective efforts which are reflective in his writings and teachings. He assured the throng that the Government will continue its fight to maintain the regime so as to keep the legacy of Dr Jagan alive.
Continuing he said, "Dr Jagan’s commitment to the working class has caused the Government to fight to maintain the regime, so that there is development in the industries. The sugar industry is vital to our country, restructuring will take place in addition to the construction of a refinery and distillery at Skeldon. We are also addressing the needs of the gold and bauxite industries."
President Jagdeo also called on the gathering to be watchful and supportive in order for the government to carry out its mandate, despite threats, so that the vision of Dr Cheddi Jagan can remain.
Earlier, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds said in his brief presentation at the remembrance rally which was punctuated by cultural presentations, that the death anniversary comes at a time when all should reflect on the life of Dr Jagan and discern some guidance.
The PM recalled that Dr Jagan’s major task as he entered politics was to make a people and build a country.
"If we reflect on his life-long commitments, how he kept the faith, we can observe and make a difference. At this ceremony we must leave with a new commitment to establish a common brotherhood, which will not shrink from leading the way in developing new relationship with people around the world.
Earlier following the singing of the national anthem and the commencement of the ceremony, President Jagdeo, Prime Minister Samuel and Mrs Yvonne Hinds and PPP General Secretary Donald Ramotar and other Ministers of the Government, took turns at laying wreaths at the monument erected in Dr Jagan’s honour.
The monument has the inscription of the extract from a national broadcast " I have no personal ambition, except what I can achieve for Guyana and the Guyanese people."
Notably absent was widow and former President Janet Jagan, who due to ill health was unavoidably absent.
However, in a pre-recorded message which was played, she reminded the gathering of her husband’s enormous contributions to the nation and compared his struggle for nation building, as those of Mandela and Neru.
Mr Jagan described her husband as a non-compromiser whose honesty and integrity made him a unique leader.
She urged the crowd which listened to the pre-recorded speech from the speaker boxes which were strategically placed for them to hear the entire proceedings, to never give up, even in the most difficult circumstances.
Mr Ramotar said that the late President had put Guyana on the path of democracy and described him as non-racist. He condemned certain sections of the media which promote racial propaganda.
Quoting an excerpt of Dr Jagan’s statement after he was cheated from office in 1965, Ramotar said, "racism is the greatest curse of the land. Such a person is an enemy of the country".
He recalled that it was unity that allowed the PPP to retain office in 1997 and 2001, and further stated that those who incited racialism did not reveal the statistics of the various regions which the PPP dominated.
The PPP General Secretary was confident that the PPP will cross the racial barrier and bring national support.
"There is much development in every sector, schools, hospitals and water among others, are put in place without any discrimination. While others are discouraging investors, giving moral support to criminals and while glorifying them by desecrating the national flag, remarkable developmental works are on going for the betterment of the nation. Dr Jagan has already blazed the trail and we will follow," he remarked.
Among others in attendance were Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Mayors, Regional Chairmen and other members of the PPP Executive.
