– President Ramotar urges Lusignan residents during season of goodwill
PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar yesterday urged Lusignan residents to “be our brothers and sisters keepers”.  The President was attending a pre-Christmas gathering of residents, at the Lusignan Sports Club. The gathering included survivors of the Lusignan Massacre which took place in January 2009.
The President observed that the terrible event was organized by “some mindless criminal elements who were obviously being used for political purposes.”
Nevertheless, President Ramotar urged survivors and other residents to overcome their feelings, “and try to work very hard to ensure that something like that never happens again in our country.”
“For that reason, we should all be our brothers and sisters keepers. Look after each other and look out for each other. In this period of goodwill, the season of goodwill, I think it is an appropriate time for us to remember that message for all mankind,” the President posited.
He emphasised that this must be at all times, “whether in happy times or in difficult times, we must all ensure that we have solidarity with each other.”
He stressed on the particular importance of that, pointing to the fact that Guyanese live in a very multi-ethnic, multi-cultural society. President Ramotar noted that despite each person having had his or her own experiences and come from all kinds of backgrounds, all Guyanese share things that are common.
“We all share a love for this country. We all strive for the same thing, and we want a better life for ourselves. We want a better life for our children. We want a better life for our grandchildren,” he said, adding “I know all of us share those same aspirations, no matter where you come from. As long as you are a parent, as long as you are human, you have to share those common values. It is something that we must treasure.”
President Ramotar urged the gathering not to allow themselves to be used in the race game for political ends.
The gathering at the Lusignan Sports Club is an annual event that began after the Lusignan Massacre. Survivors and other residents, mainly senior citizens are treated to a lavish Christmas spread and given hampers of Christmas treats. Businesses that contributed to the event included P. Ramroop and Sons, Guyana Rice Development Board, Ricks and Sari and Budget Supercentre.
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandalall was also present at the gathering, and extended his thanks to members of the community for supporting the event. Also present was Ms. Nita Ramotar, daughter of the President who assisted with the distribution of the hampers, as well as stalwarts of the governing PPP/C Mr. Neil Kumar and Mrs. Indra Chanderpaul. (GINA)