Something to be Proud of by Janet Jagan

Dr Jagan believed democracy was the life blood of human development by Nadia Ganesh

This essay won the second prize in the competition to observe the 60th anniversary of the entry of Dr Cheddi Jagan into Parliament and was sponsored by the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre.

Dr Cheddi Jagan was born on March 22, 1918, at Port Mourant in the county of Berbice, Guyana. On August 5, 1943, he married Janet Rosenberg and had two adorable children, Joey and Nadira. Leaving behind his legacy and his vision for a better Guyana for the future generations of the country, Dr Jagan passed away on March 6, 1997.
       In 1947, Dr Jagan won a seat in the Legislative Council and in 1950 he founded the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), the first modern mass party in Guyana.
       The PPP won the elections in 1957 and fought for welfare programmes in health, education and housing. These programmes were highly popular and they had an immediate effect on improving the standard of living of the people of Guyana.
       Being the first Premier of Guyana, Dr Jagan believed that the British government would honour a commitment to allow the winner to lead the country to independence. However, this was shattered as the PPP was described as a communist party and anti-Jagan forces were not keen on the idea of Dr Jagan leading the country to independence. This resulted in riots and murderous political and ethnic conflict between Guyanese. This led to a major change designed to shut the PPP out of office in which the electoral system was changed from first-past-the-post to proportional representation. Despite this dramatic change and despite a coalition with the PNC and the United Force, the PPP won the elections with the highest proportion of votes.
        Dr Jagan never gave up and on October 5, 1992, he was elected President of Guyana in the country’s first free and fair elections since 1964. He returned to office in a country demoralized by years of misgovernment, its population depleted by massive emigration, a huge international debt with consequent Monetary Fund/World Bank restructuring policies in place and an education system, once among the best in the Commonwealth Caribbean, in ruins. Nevertheless, things got better and debts were cancelled, the infrastructure rebuilt, new and newly rehabilitated schools and health centres went up nationwide and agriculture, long depressed, began to boom again.
       Being the minority leader until October 1992, Dr Jagan maintained his stature as an international figure of renown. He established himself as a world statesman and his ideas for a New Global Human Order are winning support in all corners of the world. His proposal for a regional Integration Fund for the smaller economies of the Americas has already won the total support of the CARICOM and Central American nations.    
         Dr Jagan came under attack from many in the Caribbean for pulling back financial support for the University of the West Indies and for establishing the University of Guyana in 1963. However, Dr Jagan showed that because of the high expenses involved, only relatively few Guyanese were being educated at UWI, despite the substantial funds the Government of Guyana was giving to the institution. He pointed out that a much greater number of Guyanese would have the opportunity of obtaining their degrees at UG at very little cost. This has proven to be so, and, interestingly, other Caribbean countries have been benefiting immensely from the University of Guyana since a great many of its graduates dispense their skills and knowledge in all parts of the sub-region.
         Dr Jagan is the author of Forbidden Freedom, The West on Trial, Caribbean Revolution and the Caribbean – Whose Backyard? He also wrote many articles and letters to leaders of political parties, trade unions and various organizations all over the world soliciting support for and solidarity with Guyana’s fight for independence as well as other social, economic and political issues.
       Dr Jagan introduced to Guyana the true meaning and value of independence, the importance of one human being to another and the significance of what it is to struggle to achieve what one desires. He is a shining example of Guyanese politics, endeavouring to provide education and struggling for economic and social dignity, and for democracy. He was devoted to the affairs of government; he was never disloyal to the aspirations of the Guyanese people for dignity and a better way of life for over fifty years. His words of political wisdom spread throughout the Caribbean and many intellectuals would testify as to how much their ideology and values have been shaped by the ideas and ideals of Dr Jagan.
        Even those who disagreed with him admired his tenacity, his endurance, his incorruptibility and his patience. He demonstrated that he was not merely interested in political power; service to the people was more important, and he waged a relentless struggle on their behalf in Parliament and at the grass-root level.
        Cheddi Jagan has left behind an unblemished political career. He earned a reputation as a man of honour and decency. He fought the imperialists with great vigour and sought to form global alliances that he thought would make life better for all Guyanese. Because of his political dominance and fiery rhetoric, his spirit will continue to be with all Guyanese for a long time to come. No Guyanese can claim that they were not touched by this master politician and true son of Guyana. he will forever remain the Father of the Nation.
         In 1965, DR Jagan said: “Regardless of race or ethnic origin, let us consolidate our forces, win new support and march toward 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).
    Dr Jagan felt that a new world order which he refers to as then New Global Human Order could be established on the basis on mutual respect, equal opportunity for all peoples, the consolidation of democracy and human development.
         Dr Jagan believed that the government of a developing economy must exercise strong leadership. In his opening remarks at a meeting on Guyana’s National Development Strategy (NDC) held at the Carter Centre on June 6, 1996, Dr Jagan stated: “The State must constantly be alert to represent the interests of the population at large, and it must be an effective steward of our rich endowment of natural resources. This is a powerful role. But it is best exercised through instruments of policy and specialized programmes to complement the efforts of the private sector. The Strategy takes a long-term view of our country’s growth prospects and requirements, and the special needs of less favoured groups in society, and on that basis it establishes firm foundations for continuing improvements in the standard of living of all Guyanese.” He believed that the National Development Strategy would be regarded as a historic document for our country, and for that reason it was necessary for it to be viewed in light of Guyana’s history. “Guyana’s first decades of independence have been its crucible of nationhood in political, social and economic respects. They have been intense and difficult years in many respects, yet out of the struggles and self-examination a sense of self-identity and a modern nation are emerging, in measured steps, but assuredly.”
       Democracy to Dr Jagan was the life-blood of human development: a democracy which is representative, consultative and participatory and embraces the political, economic, industrial, social and cultural spheres.
        He continued: “In the last four years, Guyana has experienced a turnaround in its economic performance that is remarkable by any standard. After a decade in which real growth rates were on average negative, the economy has registered real growth averaging about seven percent per year for the past years. These positive developments have led to a diminution of unemployment rates and a lessening of poverty, although both those issues remain matters of considerable national concern. Our strategy is geared to attaining high sustainable economic growth with equity – growth with social justice and ecological preservation. At the same time that the economy was taking off, the government budget deficit and the balance of payments deficits were reduced, inflation was brought down sharply, and the arrears on external accounts were diminished very substantially.
         While no policy planning document achieves all its aims, this strategy and its policies are strong and sure enough to carry forward our rapid economic expansion for another ten years, is not more, and make our citizens measurably better off whilst assuring that our priceless heritage of natural resources has proper stewardship.”
      The draft NDS was launched on Monday, January 6, 1997 by the late President, His Excellency, Dr Cheddi Jagan. Soon after this, the NDS Secretariat was established to manage the public consultation phase and, in the near future, the Secretariat will be organizing public consultation workshops in various regions of the country. A website has also been dedicated to this strategy. This website has been established to allow wider access to the NDS and to encourage comments on the draft document.
              On December 18, 2007, Dr Cheddi Jagan was awarded posthumously with the Order of Liberation, the foremost highest national award that can be presented to a person, who, by a lifetime of honourable achievements, bestowed one’s life on the improvement of his fellow humankind. Had it not been for his selfless, consistent and courageous struggle for independence of the Guyanese people and his great pioneering contribution to a free and democratic Guyana, this award to him would not have been possible.

Changing Dynamics in the Labour Movement by Hydar Ally

Guyana History Notebook How machinery of state being used against workers Compiled
by Odeen Ishmael

In colonial Guyana, the security forces were under the control of the British governor and they were used on a regular basis to suppress the struggle of the people in the campaign for political independence. This article carried by the June 1963 issue of Thunder examines the role of the security forces in those days and shows how they were used by the controlling authorities to put pressure on the working people supporting the pro independence movement. It was written by George David, then a senior member of the PYO.

The state machinery is being used to the full against the working class in Guiana. As it stands, the state in its entirety is always against workers, but because of a progressive Government led by the PPP, it is committed one hundred percent to assist the workers, and to transfer their country from a backward colonial one to an independent state with a socialist economy.
      The Government has been using its powers to prevent the state machinery from emasculating the genuine working class movement.
      At this stage it is necessary to examine the state and what it is.
      The state is an instrument which is used by the ruling class to oppress the working people. But, many people confuse the state with parliament.
      The main object of the state is to keep the ruling class in power. This is done by the ruling class, who, in our case predominantly lives in the UK, usurping the power of control of the armed forces, Police, Volunteer Force, constables, SP, etc., to maintain their own class rule.
      In Guiana, a close look at the machinery of the state would reflect the open tentacles of the ruling group controlling the Armed Forces.

Example
Let us take the Police Force, for example. This organisation is not under the control of the elected government. The British Governor and the Commissioner of Police are controlling this very important branch of the state machinery, not to assist the workers in any way, but to maintain the rotten capitalist system from crumbling.
      This is a typical example of the police and their operations in all colonial countries. The state machinery is reflected as a power standing above society but it is very much an integral part of it. For example, it has been reported that the Commissioner of Police said that he is holding the ring while the politicians fight it out.
      What in fact the Commissioner of Police and his subordinates are really doing is persecuting the militant section of the working class of our national liberation movement, and giving covert and overt support to the reactionary politicians and TUC leaders, and helping to maintain British colonialism and capitalism in Guiana
      A brief look at the tactics that have been adopted by the opposition in our legislature would disclose that they have been using their position in the legislature to frustrate the will of the people. They heckle government supporters and filibuster at every opportunity.
      Now, if we examine for a minute our constitution we would see the British colonial intrigue. The constitution does not provide for the removal of a Speaker who, if he wishes, could act as perversely as he likes, and the elected representatives of the people could do very little about it.

Change needed
Since he cannot be removed by a majority moving a vote of no confidence against him, this device was deliberately put in the constitution because the British Government knew that the local merchant capitalist class would he opposed to any form of political or economic change, and they would always be relied upon to obstruct the wishes of the majority of people.
      This is one of the reasons why the state machinery should be changed very quickly to serve the interest of the working people as a whole.
      The police are certainly abusing their power. For example, on the East Coast they are persecuting PPP supporters, whereas the opposition are allowed to break the law with impunity.
      During the PR demonstrations at the Public Buildings, at Government House and all over the city, the police stood by and allowed the opposition to create confusion in the city, whereas, peaceful citizens were harassed when they went about their lawful business.

Abuse of power
These actions deliberately reflect an unenthusiastic attitude on the part of the police in the discharge of their duty. Their actions demonstrate that instead of the state machinery being used to preserve law and order, and to avoid unnecessary injury to peaceful citizens, this branch of the state machinery continues to be used indiscriminately against the progressive section of the working people.
      The state machinery reflects the class antagonisms which developed here in Guiana like any other capitalist country, because the rich and the privileged few are able to eat and drink whatever they like, whereas the working people are victims of poverty, misery and unemployment.
      Therefore, the working people have a vested interest to fight to end exploitation. Because of this economic fact, the class antagonisms have heightened recently in our country.
      It is necessary for workers to see the struggle that is going on in our country, not as a racial conflict but as a class conflict. But the British colonialists, in alliance with the local business section, have been to some extent successful in dividing the workers of our country into racial groups.
      They realise that if the two major race groups fight each other, it would be easier for the local and foreign capitalists to exploit both sections of the working class. This is the old British tactic of divide and rule. And the British Government has used the state machinery to its advantage over the past few months.

Divisive tactics
By clever divisive tactics, the reactionary and opportunist politicians have created a deep division of the workers in Guiana.
      All progressive Guianese must use their power and influence to heal this artificial breach, because without unity of the working class our country would not be able to move on to political independence and to establish socialism.
      Guianese of varying political opinion must be resolute and make every effort to unite the workers of our country. We must make determined efforts to bring back the entire working class on the progressive road to freedom and independence.

Review on Arts Guyanese laureates gain recognition awards by Eddi Rodney

Gold, The newsletter of the Anthony N Sabga Caribbean Awards for Excellence (ANSCAFE) www.ansacaribbeanawards.com in its very first edition (Vol No 1 Jan-Mar 2008), comprehensively describes what is considered to equate Caribbean Excellence.
       Having read of the selection of two eminent Guyanese, who are proficient and committed to the concept of Service,  for the ANSCAFE 2007-2008 in the local mainstream, it was a pleasant surprise because the pressures of contemporary life tends to obscure and mar these very important cultural elements.
       The Anthony N Sabga, or Ansa McCal group of companies have clearly identified knowledge with success and a national structure constituting in each country (Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States or OECS) a visionary component with regional Recognition.
        But what does such an institution provide for the broad masses of Caribbean people, the majority of whom are of the working proletariat and poor?
What long term (25 – 35 years) socio-cultural results can be derived by the cultural sub-elite and growing number of culturologists, writers, dramatists, theatrical support people, musicians and so on? The answers to these queries and concerns can be ascertained. One only has to look at Haiti and its art (despite the fact that the country remains poor), or Trinidad &Tobago for its production of films and pop culture, or Jamaican reggae and Sunsplash, not to mention Guyana with its strong heritage resource, to appreciate how diverse is the cultural potential in the Caribbean.
       Two Guyanese, Dr David Dabydeen, who is well known and highly respected in Britain, as well as the Diaspora, and Ms Annette Arjoon, who is founding secretary and project coordinator of the Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation Society, were laureate and joint-laureate award nominees and awardees.

Guyana Shell Beach protection for turtles
Not very much is generally known of the work, the contribution and the excellence associated with Annette Arjoon nee Mazarally. Guyanese citizens however are cognizant of the environmentalist culture that has developed over the decades since the establishment of the Environment Protection agency (EPA). Annette has emerged as one of the more successful local businesswomen. Scores of people have benefited directly from her accumulated experience and knowledge.
        In its write up and brief Gold notes that Arjoon has been “instrumental in protecting Shell Beach, a 100 mile ecosystem in the northwest coastal region of Guyana.”
       At another perhaps ‘abstract’ level however, Guyanese both at home and overseas know Annette launched out on her working life as a timber merchant/manager. She gained important working experience at each of the (then) three Mazarally & Sons timber mills – Supenaam, Skull Point and Kwebanna. For 12 months at each of these locations she accumulated the know-how and acquired practical supervisory skills at the middle management level.
         Thereafter, she transferred to the position of airline Manager at Air Services Ltd (ASL) based at Ogle, East Coast Demerara. In the process she acquired her private pilot’s licence. Sometime during1995 Annette launched her own business. She established an eco-tourism company and became the managing director of Adventures. In this position and area of social interaction Arjoon has successfully served the needs of eco-tourists, both Guyanese and non-Guyanese over the years.
        The Guyanese branch or group of ANSCAFE could not have made a better selection in nominating her for Recognition.

Dabydeen as Literary courier
and benefactor 
Professor David Dabydeen is part of that generation of Guyanese who graduated and excelled at the most prestigious higher level manpower institutions in the United Kingdom. He gained a scholarship to study at Cambridge University where he engaged in English and History. Subsequently he went on to Oxford, London and Warwick Universities.
        As a product of English pedagogy he is outstanding. He has pioneered efforts successfully to have other aspirant authors have their works published. Working with the Leeds based Peepal Tree publication outlet  he has done a marvelous job. Guyanese should note that Dabydeen ventured into the politics of art and literature not as a dillante but as a well versed and committed intellectual. Amongst the contributions he has made are to embark on projects to have works of Guyana‘s Dr Cheddi Jagan published.
       He edited Dr Jagan’s Selected Speeches as well as The USA in South America and Other Essays (the latter in collaboration with Hansib Publications, London).
        Almost certainly his intimate grasp of British colonial history, India and the West Indies as well as Africa has enabled David Dabydeen to become a highly accomplished literary courier and benefactor.
                Prof David Dabydeen was born in the same county of Berbice as Cheddi Jagan it could be that given that affinity plus the fact that he is an art historian, he has managed to bring to bear on the indigenous Caribbean a unique focus.
                He was appointed as a Regional representative for the English speaking Caribbean, speaking on matters of interest to the entire subregion at the United Nations Economic, Social and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as early as mid 1993 (see Mirror, PPP, 12/9/1993).
                Subsequently, and due to his extraordinary zeal, he was appointed as Caribbean Director. He then became Guyana’s Ambassador-at-large whilst maintaining his contract with UNESCO.
                His collaboration with writers such as Jim Rushton, Marjorie Davis, Clem Shiheran, Jeremy Payting (who is associated with Peepal Tree) as well as research academics from various parts of the Third World, has contributed immensely to his innate skills and attributes.
                Dr David Dabydeen was amongst the first UK based intellectuals to organize the Walter Rodney lecture as a major public forum (1984) outside of the Caribbean and political Africa. He remains almost certainly, the most prominent Cheddi Jagan scholar on both sides of the Atlantic.
                He and Annette Arjoon have done Guyana proud.