They are no longer with us, two backbone figures: Dr. Cheddi Jagan and Mrs. Janet Jagan O. E; but they are set apart as crowned figures in the history of the nation. Jagan–a name that is woven intrinsically into the history of Guyana and with the beginning of March the country reflects on the loss of two great people: Dr. Cheddi Jagan and his wife, Mrs. Janet Jagan O. E.

Dr. Jagan died on March 6, 1997 and his wife died on March 29, 2009.

In this light, a series of activities are scheduled for this month to commemorate the lives and contributions of two people who shaped Guyana and the essence of being a Guyanese.

At Freedom House, Robb Street, Wednesday evening a night of reflection was held.  In attendance were People Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) supporters, the majority of whom were younger persons.

Several delivered addresses including Mr. Navin Chanderpaul and General Secretary of the PPP, Mr. Donald Ramotar.

The latter asserted that reflections are of utmost importance for one to keep in mind where Guyana came from and where we stand now.

Speaking of Dr. Jagan, Ramotar said the influences on the man extended to Guyana’s development.

Point in reference was Dr. Jagan’s youth, a time during which he was a close eyewitness to the exploitation.

Ramotar said, “Comrade Cheddi witnessed things that would remain with him throughout his life.”

According to him these influences, and more, were what helped to shape a better Guyana. A united Guyana, Ramotar opine was the dream of Dr. Jagan.

He made clear that that unity will be attained when in defining themselves, Guyanese say ‘I am Guyanese’ not differentiating between Afro-Guyanese, Indo-Guyanese or make reference to other racial divides.

The General Secretary posited that the onus is on each Guyanese to work to advance the nation and said united Guyana can be one of the most progressive and prosperous countries in the Region.

“This is the dream of Comrade Cheddi,” he said.

Ramotar observed that the history of Guyana is intricately linked to the history of the PPP and the life of Dr. Cheddi Jagan – the legacy of the Jagans Which will be celebrated throughout this month.

Among others, the activities to honour the lives and work of the Jagans include a tribute at Babu John on March 7th, a tribute for Mrs. Janet Jagan O. E, at Freedom House on March 8th, a Fun Day at Red House on March 21st, as well as a Fitness Walk on the same day at the National Park, a lecture at Red House on March 23rd and a wreath laying ceremony at Babu John on March 28th.

Regardless their measure, the influences of Dr. Cheddi Jagan and Mrs. Janet Jagan O. E, contained social, cultural and psychological resonances that sound long after the book of their lives were closed.

Dr. Cheddi Jagan
Born on March 22,1918 at Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice, Dr. Jagan was the son of indentured plantation workers; mother (Bachaoni) and father (Jagan) along with two grand mothers and an uncle came to the then British Guiana from Uttar Pradesh, India.

He married in August 5, 1943, to Janet Rosenberg of Chicago, Illinois USA and shared two children: Cheddi (Joey) and Nadira; with her.

In 1933, his education started at Queen’s College, Georgetown, and in 1936 he spends two years at Howard University, Washington, D.C. USA. From 1938 to 1942 Dr. Jagan was at Northwestern University. In the same time he was at Central YMCA College, USA, earning a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) degree.

His Trade Union and Political Career began in 1946 with the organisation of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) which her spearheaded. Advancing in the same field he was elected, in 1947, as a Member of the Legislative Council and served until 1953.

From 1952 to 1953 he served as President of the Rice Producers’ Association.

During that time, in 1950, Dr. Jagan Founded the People’s Progressive Party.

In 1953, from April to October, he headed PPP elected government and was Minister of Agriculture.

Trouble with colonial powers saw him spending six months in jail for breaking movement restrictions order in 1954. Between 1957 and 1961 he headed the second elected PPP government and was Minister of Trade and Industry. From 1961 to 1964, Dr. Jagan headed the third elected PPP government as Premier and Minister of Development and Planning.

Years of struggle saw him in the same position between 1964 and 1973; as well as from 1976-1992, as Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition.

1970 and 1997 saw him as Honorary President, Guyana Agricultural General Worker’s Union and General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party.

From Oct. 9, 1992 until his death in March 6, 1997, Dr, Jagan was the President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.

His wife, Mrs. Janet Jagan O. E, stepped in then. In March 1997 when President Jagan died, she became the country’s first woman Prime Minister and First Vice-President.

On December 19, 1997, she was sworn in as President and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, when the PPP won the elections. She resigned due to ill health in 1999.

Janet Jagan O. E.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, USA on October 20, 1920, she was to become Guyana’s first woman Deputy Speaker, first woman to be elected in the Georgetown City Council, first woman cabinet minister under self-government, later first woman Prime Minister and then the nation’s first woman President.

She was educated at the University of Detroit; Wayne University; Michigan State College and Cook County School of Nursing.

She married Cheddi Jagan on August 5, 1943, then studying dentistry and travelled with him to then British Guiana shortly after to become involved in a lifetime of politics.

Within three years of her arrival with her husband in the colony of British Guiana in 1943, she was instrumental in the formation of a Women’s Political and Economic Organisation and later a co-founder of the Political Affairs Committee that was the forerunner to the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

She worked with the country’s legendary labour hero, Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, particularly in organising domestics, and was also a leading figure in organising of strikes by sugar workers in 1948, a period when a group of workers were shot by the police and came to be known as the ‘Enmore Martyrs’.

In 1950 she became a co-founder of the PPP, along with her husband, the trade union expert and lawyer, Ashton Chase and the late Jocelyn Hubbard, another trade union figure, Ram Karran, Sydney King and others.

Also in that year she was elected General Secretary of the PPP, a post she was to retain for two decades until 1970; and became the first woman elected to the Georgetown City Council.

She entered the House of Assembly for the first time in 1953, when she was elected Deputy Speaker.

She was among the political prisoners of that year – others included her husband and the late national poet, Martin Carter – following the suspension of the Constitution by the British Government on allegations of a “communist conspiracy”.

In 1957, when fresh elections were held and the PPP returned to office, she was appointed Minister of Labour, Health and Housing. In 1963/64 she served as Minister of Home Affairs and Senator, following the death of Minister Claude Christian. She quit as Home Affairs Minister declaring non-cooperation from the then British-controlled Police Force, and subversion of her government.

Splitting her time and energy between party headquarters, Freedom House and as editor of the PPP-backed “Mirror” newspaper, she was t
o return to parliament at successive elections in 1973, 1980, 1985 and 1992

She became First Lady of the Republic with her husband’s inauguration as Executive President in October 1992, and then served for a six-month period as Guyana’s Ambassador to the United Nations.

Mrs. Jagan, who has been Editor of “Mirror” for about 24 years, has written a number of publications, largely children’s books, including stories of Guyana’s struggle for independence.

She is the recipient of the country’s highest honour; Order of Excellence (OE), the Woman of Achievement award from the University of Guyana, and in 1997 the Gandhi Gold Medal for Peace, Democracy and Women’s Rights by UNECSO.( Source: The Cheddi Jagan Research Centre)