SUPPORTERS and members of the PPP celebrated the 60th anniversary of the founding of the party in New York (NY) on October 9 in Richmond Hill. I applaud the organisers. Many old time NY-based stalwarts in the anti-dictatorial struggle were present to honour those who partook in the freedom struggle. The public should recognize the contributions of those who were not present at the banquet.
The guest speakers, President Jagdeo and PPP General Secretary Donald Ramotar gave thoughtful reflections on the struggle carried out by the PPP to gain independence and to restore democratic rule during the 28 years of the dictatorship.
President Jagdeo touted the achievements of the party since its return to office in 1992.  He reminded the large audience that prior to 1992 “there was institutionalised political and religious discrimination when only those who belonged to the ruling party were given opportunities and Hindus and Muslims had to convert to Christianity in order to get government opportunities. He noted that there is now no discrimination and equal opportunities for all”. The President announced that the government plans to build a spanking new state of the art modern hospital financed by the government of India and the government plans to give every poor family a laptop computer. He also said the government will make available 10,000 house lots for sale to Guyanese in the diaspora.
It was an elegant and worthy affair and indeed the PPP, and its affiliated NY ACG group, have much to celebrate for their contributions to the independence of colonial Guyana and toppling the dictatorship.  Present were some of the individuals (Chuck Mohan among others) who I shared the picket line with from the 1970s thru the 1990s. They deserve kudos for their commitment to a free and democratic Guyana. But I missed old pals like Arjune Karshan, (former Ambassador to Suriname — no one contributed like him to the struggle and making arrangement for Jagan’s visits to NY), Mel Carpen, Joe Kanhai, Swasi Deola, who had a regular presence at protest rallies and meetings. Swasi was a key organizer in Port Mourant and a victim of Burnham’s harassment. Two other key figures I missed were Ramesh Kalicharran and Yaspal Soi who helped arranged Jagan’s visit to the US during the late 1980s putting him in touch with Washington to pressure Desmond Hoyte to hold free and fair elections. Kali, Yashpal, Pandit Ramlall, Vishnu Bisram and others helped to organise fundraisers for Dr. Jagan. Yashpal organised a professional float for the Guyana struggle at the 1991 India Day parade with a banner emblazoned on the float “Jagan – next President of Guyana”. Kali also provided accommodations and meals for almost two weeks for Dr. Jagan and Sam Hinds at one of his houses in Jamaica when they visited in the spring of 1992. (Prime Minister Hinds would remember Kali quite well).
And although Dr. Baytoram Ramharack and Vassan Ramracha, like myself, are not PPP members, they missed the lovely reception.  Tributes are also deserving to those who passed away like the late Samad Ally who was a regular at meetings and rallies in NY.
The organisers, Kawal Totaram, Bhola Ramsundar, and others of the reception deserve a special thanks allowing the NY-based freedom fighters an opportunity to reminisce about the struggle for a democratic free Guyana that the nation enjoys today.