says President Jagdeo
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo, addressing  hundreds of Guyanese from all walks of life at a grand family fun day and cultural show last evening on the lawns of State House, Main Street, Georgetown, to celebrate the life and work of the late President Dr. Cheddi Jagan, insisted that the contribution that the great Father of the Nation made to this country is unmatched.
Welcoming the audience, the President said, “Thank you for coming once again to enjoy yourselves, and also to participate in something that is very dear to all of us – that is the celebration of the life and works of Dr. Cheddi Jagan.”
He reminded that Dr. Jagan played a “very important role in the development of Guyana from its inception to the return of democracy, and he was also the founder member of the People’s Progressive Party.”
“A party that has been in every single major act for people’s freedom and rights in this country,” he added.
“So it is very important that as celebrate, as we enjoy ourselves every year, and as our country progresses, that we remember those people who made a unique contribution to our history and to our lives – and the contribution, you would all agree with me, that Cheddi Jagan made is unmatched,” he stated.
“Because he is probably the only person who has made that kind of contribution in that particular period in our history,” the Head of State noted.
He urged the gathering to remember Dr. Jagan’s life and works, adding, “And make sure that the young people particularly, that they have a chance to learn of him because much of what he has done in the past has influenced where we are today and where we will be tomorrow”.
The crowd was entertained by the Shakti Strings Orchestra, with dancing and singing by various artistes including Shalita’s Dance Troupe, while the children indulged themselves in face painting and other games and fun.
Displaying some of the works of Dr. Jagan was the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre booth,  and there was also an exhibition by the Government Information Agency.
Among those present were Ministers of the Government and party members.
Dr. Jagan was born on March 22, 1918, in the rural village of Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice, and changed the course of the country’s history by first struggling to liberate it from British colonial domination, then by waging a 28-year-long struggle for the restoration of freedom and democracy, and finally by ascending to the Presidency as Guyana’s first democratically elected Head-of-State.
Dr. Jagan, who passed away on March 6, 1997, and his wife, the late Mrs. Janet Jagan, were the founders of the country’s first mass political movement and unquestionably the leading political figures in the history of Guyana for over the last 66 years.