IN a telephone conversation to the Chronicle, former secretary to Mahatma Karamchand Gandhi, the world’s greatest proponent of peace of all times, extended to the Government and people of Guyana his congratulations on this landmark occasion. Twenty-five-year-old Shri V. Kalyanaam was sitting at Gandhiji’s left when the assassin’s shot felled the most venerated peace-lover in the world, and he kept vigil with the slain leader until his cremation.
Now 91 years of age and the only one of Gandhiji’s close associates still alive, Shri Kalyanaam conveyed, via a telephone message from India, “…best wishes.  May your beautiful country prosper always with peace and non-violence.  May all Guyanese live and work in peace and brotherhood, This is my hope for your country and the world.  There is much war and hatred in the world, but only peace and love for each other is good for humanity.”
He continued, “There should be no enmity in your country, only love, and I once again congratulate the government and people of Guyana on this happy occasion of your 42nd Republic anniversary.”
His son, Sri Durai Vaiyapuri, who is currently in Guyana as technical advisor on agronomic best practices in efforts to increase cane yields, echoed his father’s sentiments and lauded the government of Guyana for its fight to save the world through its many initiatives contained in its Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), as well as driving the modern Guyana into economic strength so that the people of Guyana can continue to benefit from all the many people empowerment initiatives, which is not possible in many of the greatest economies in the world because of the severe global recession.
He also conveyed his best wishes to the government and people of Guyana on this occasion of Guyana’s 42nd Republic anniversary.