“NOW is the time when we must all give a little more for our freedom, we must care a little more for our people, we must sacrifice a little more for the greater good of our nation and her future,”   was the clarion call to the several thousand persons who flocked last Sunday to the annual  Cheddi Jagan memorial celebrations  at Babu John, Port Mourant, Berbice.

At this 16th remembrance service to pay homage to the late President Jagan’s legacy and contributions to the nation and world at large were  President Donald Ramotar,  currently  the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP),  his wife Deolatchmee Ramotar, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Nadira Jagan-Brancier, the only daughter of the late leader,  as well as key members of the Cabinet, among others.

Introduced as the Master of Ceremonies and greeted to a rapturous urging: “Speak Rohee speak,” was Minister of Home of Affairs, Clement Rohee.

Greatly enlivened by spirited drumming, stirring dance poetry and rousing song it was an afternoon that saw the father of the nation being regaled by all and sundry. Black and yellow dotted the entrance as the party’s flag could be seen everywhere and inside the sea of red shirts, skirts and every kind of apparel imaginable flooded the venue.

Those who could not find seating had no problem accommodating themselves on the ground with true Jagan humility, to be a part of the annual activity.

“Welcome home, the place where we come every year to pay homage to the leader, the founder of the PPP, the party that has always stood with the poor the working people of this country and the party that will never, ever betray like some have done, the working people…I will always be faithful to the legacy of Cheddi Jagan,” were the first words of one of Jagan’s acknowledged protégés, Rohee.

Highlighting activities to be held across the country at both the regional and national levels, Rohee declared that regardless of what the detractors would say “about those of us who remain in the PPP, we remain in this party because we believe in Dr Jagan’s vision, we believe in what he stood for.”

The Atlantic breeze wafted through the tightly huddled thousands   seated and standing,  young and old, walking or in wheelchairs, who were like true supporters or, as Rohee labelled them, political soldiers.

According to Rohee, “today marks a re-dedication to this commitment that we the leaders and supporters of the PPP will always remain connected with the poor and working class.  We have no other mandate…no other mandate has been given to us.”

“An icon, a role model,” was the description attached to Dr Jagan as glowing tributes poured in from groups such as the Progressive Youth Organisation, the Women’s Progressive Organisation and the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union, among others.  

The PYO representative told those gathered that “we are here to celebrate the life of an icon, a role model, the father of the nation, a visionary who was far ahead of his peers.”

He spoke of Dr Jagan’s contribution and voice on the critical issue of  climate change,  saying that had the world heeded the calls of the late leader, countries such as Guyana would have been in a better position to effect mitigation.

The WPO representative said that Jagan was among the first to link equality for women with the struggles of the nation at large, but   “on March 6, 1997, Guyana lost the physical form of its greatest hero and patriot.”