President urges Berbicians to work towards another PPP/C victory

- to continue Dr. Cheddi Jagan’s legacy

 

“I want to urge all of you to leave here with a commitment in your hearts that we will work toward winning the next election and continuing Cheddi Jagan’s legacy.”

This urge came from President Bharrat Jagdeo today when he addressed the Ninth Memorial Ceremony for former President and son of the soil, the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan at the Babu John Crematorium, Port Mourant, Berbice, Region Six today.

The President noted that it is only through elections that Cheddi Jagan’s legacy could be kept alive.

Addressing more than five thousand persons gathered to pay tribute to the fallen hero, the Head of State noted that tribute is being paid to a man who made the difference in the lives of Guyanese. He urged that strength and conviction be drawn to move forward with his (Dr. Jagan’s) ideas and legacy.

President Jagdeo alluded to the importance of this legacy, particularly in 2006, in the context of the pending polls.

In this context, he urged all Guyanese to ensure that they are registered and ready for the election.

Mr. Jagdeo expressed concern that several persons have not registered or had their transfers done.

“How are we going to continue? Are we living up to his legacy? I hope that we all leave here with that in mind. The way Cheddi Jagan’s legacy is going to survive is if the Party survives, because some people are hell-bent, if they get back into office, to bring his name down.”

Reflecting on the legacy of Dr. Jagan to the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), the Head of State noted that words such as honesty, cooperation and hard work come to mind. Notably also, he cited the legacy to government.

That is why, President Jagdeo pointed out, government is in constant contact with the grassroots.

He observed that even though the regular government outreaches are criticised, it is one way of ensuring that people’s concerns are addressed and the PPP has always been a people’s Party.

The President also noted that Cheddi Jagan promoted intense views on racial harmony in Guyana and this is why the PPP is the only National Party.

He explained that the PPP has party groups in every section of Guyana and the groups work to ensure that the standard of living of Guyanese is improved.

“Our Government is working to share the cake of development among all the people of this country because we can’t fight the People’s National Congress’ (PNC’s) discrimination against our people and not give them access to many facilities by doing the same thing that they did now that we are in office.”

President Jagdeo noted that during the PNC reign, Black Bush Polder was deprived of electricity because the residents of the area had voted for the PPP.

He alluded to Cheddi Jagan’s belief that the Party must always be fair-minded in the allocation of its resources.

“And because people of the country see this, we have a chance of winning the elections by a greater victory than we did before,” Mr. Jagdeo said.

The Head of State also urged party supporters to be wary of people who propagate falsehood against government and the PPP/C, noting that this would be particularly common as it is an election year.

“We have the task of fulfilling the dream and legacy that Cheddi Jagan left with us…he worked hard and made sacrifices to ensure a better future, and we must capitalise on that.”

President Jagdeo also pointed to Dr. Jagan’s legacy in the international arena and his efforts to change the harsh conditions of the unfair trading system.

He also noted that Dr. Jagan also played an integral role in obtaining debt relief for Guyana’s development as he recalled the late President advocating strong, social policies.

The President urged the gathering to ensure they utilise the benefits of the social services being provided, including health care, housing and education.

Reflecting on the life of Dr. Jagan, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds said that it is important to note that this year’s celebrations coincide with the 40 th Independence Anniversary, a call for which Cheddi Jagan struggled.

“We must continue to work in the spirit of Cheddi Jagan to achieve his objectives,” the Prime Minister stated.

He urged that elders in the Party educate the young about the struggle to achieve independence.

He urged too that as Cheddi Jagan is remembered, “we strive to leap across race, religions and regions of Guyana and do more for each other to build our country.”

Meanwhile, daughter of the late Dr. Jagan, Nadira Bracier apologised for her mother’s absence, which she noted is due to ill health. She, however, read a message that urged racial unity and remembrance of his struggle.

Nadira remembered him as a father, a professional and a leader.

Also reflecting on his legacy were Minister of Fisheries, Crops and Livestock, Satyadeow Sawh and General Secretary of the PPP, Donald Ramotar.

There were also cultural items as part of the programme, including excerpts of Dr. Jagan’s work, poems and songs in his honour.

The Memorial ceremony is the ninth held since the death of Dr. Cheddi Jagan, founder of the PPP, to celebrate his life and struggles. Dr. Jagan died on March 6, 1997 in the USA, after a brief period of illness.

Born on March 22, 1918 at Port Mourant, Corentyne, Region Six, Dr. Jagan was the son of indentured plantation workers.

His mother and father, along with two grandmothers and an uncle came to the then British Guiana from Uttar Pradesh, India.

During his childhood, Cheddi attended the Port Mourant Primary School at which he excelled and was granted a place to attend the prestigious Queen’s College, Georgetown during the years 1933 – 1935.

A year later, he furthered his studies at the Howard University, Washington D. C., USA for two years. He then went on to the Northwestern University Dental School, Chicago, USA, between 1938–1942, where he qualified as a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS). During that time, he also attended the Central YMCA College, USA. There he attained his Bachelors of Science (B. Sc.).

The following year, on August 5, he married a nurse, Janet Rosenberg of Chicago, Illinois, USA, a union which yielded two children, Nadira and Joey Jagan.

The remarkable political career of this great founding father of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) began in 1946 when he organised and spearheaded the formation of the Political Affairs Committee and the PAC Bulletin. In 1947, he was elected a member of the Legislative Council on which he served until 1953. Three years earlier, he founded the People’s Progressive Party.

He served as President of the Rice Producer’s Association for one year (1952-3). During the latter year from April to October, Dr. Jagan headed the PPP-elected Government and was Minister of Agriculture.

In 1954, he and his wife spent six months in jail for breaking a movement restriction order by assembling at a public gathering. After a split in the PPP in 1955 and the forceful removal from Office, he headed the second PPP-elected Government and was Minister of Trade and Industry in 1957-61 and them from 1961-1964 the third elected PPP Government as Premier and Minister of Development and Planning.

He held the post of Opposition Leader during the years 1964 -1992.

Dr. Jagan, who had always represented the working class, played a vital role in the trade union development in Guyana. From 1970–1997, he served as Honorary President of the Guyana Agricultural General Worker’s Union (GAWU) and General Secretary of the PPP.

After 28 years in Opposition, Dr. Jagan emerged victorious on October 9, 1992, as the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.