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INDRA Chandarpal is a name synonymous with the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO) almost as much as co-founder and first General-Secretary, Mrs. Janet Jagan.
Today, after serving as General-Secretary and current President of that primary organisation that has consistently battled for human rights in general; and women’s and children’s rights in particular, as well as a frontline freedom fighter since as a little girl in the People’s Progressive Party, there is little that Indra does not know about the socio-political dynamics of Guyana’s struggles for freedom on the various fronts from which the PPP and WPO have engaged various elements of tyranny and anarchy – from colonial to current times; so when, on the occasion of the 30th Congress of the PPP, she describes that Party as “…a party that has a glorious past filled with periods of heroism, sacrifice and commitment to the struggles of the Guyanese people,” she speaks from a position of someone who has experienced the terror of the times, and the ethos of freedom that elections of 1992 heralded in this country.
Indra describes the PPP thus: “It is a party that has nurtured tens of thousands of cadres; has witnessed periods of intense struggle against the enemies of the people, has experienced strong disagreements and even defections from the party, but like the proverbial Phoenix keeps rising again and again.
“It is a party that has brought about the transformation of Guyana from an impoverished state to one that all Guyanese can be proud of.”
In her address at the opening ceremony of the 30th Congress of the PPP last Friday at the JC Chandisingh Secondary School in Port Mourant, she describes as apt to the ethos and the moment the theme, “Strengthen the Party, Build Unity; Advance Democracy,” which she says “… speaks to a set of crucial tasks for all of us who are members of the PPP, WPO and PYO.”
With the resilience of a party stalwart who imbibed the resonances of political struggle from Dr. Jagan himself she observed, “We have had some challenging moments within recent times, but these are expected in the ebb and flow of political life. Those of us who use dialectics as a tool, understand fully that everything is in motion, and there is no certainty about anything… occasions such as this Congress serve to remind us of the commitment we have made to our party, and the ideals we believe in.”
She urged party members to use the occasion to recognise the indomitable contributions of leaders who not only built a party which is still the only progressive political party in the country, but who have instilled in its members the revolutionary zeal and fervour that has kept them going. Resounding in the hearts of her comrades was her rallying call: “Long live the memory of Cheddi & Janet Jagan: Their lives and example must serve to inspire us all, especially in the challenging times.”
Indra noted that the history of the PPP is one that is grounded in the struggles of the working class and the masses of people and reminded her audience that on June 16th “…we observed the 65th anniversary of the Enmore Martyrs; on the 16th July the 40th anniversary of the killing of the Ballot Box Martyrs, and on July 17th we observed the 49th anniversary of the deaths of Michael Forde and our very own Kowsillia who was killed in 1964.” According to the WPO President, all the tragic events that she referred to are events in which “…those brave comrades paid the ultimate price with their lives for the noble cause championed by our party.”
Continuing, she rallied “The actions of those comrades at those times represent the type of response to the oppressors which should continue to be the standard requirement in the building of our revolutionary consciousness and actions of our members based on a cause and a purpose to live and die for.
“The theme of this Congress “Strengthen the Party, Build Unity: Advance Democracy recognises the reality in which we operate. Without a strong and united party we will not be able to provide the leadership which is required to advance democracy and to continue to improve the lives of the Guyanese people.”
She urged her audience to recall the sentiments of PPP’s and the nation’s leader, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, when he addressed the Congress in 1994, the last before he died, and quoted Guyana’s liberator:
“Our National Democratic State is based on the partnership of all classes and strata committed to political democracy and social justice. It unites the workers, peasants/farmers, businessmen, professionals and intelligentsia in a broad alliance which allows for the satisfaction of the interests of these various groups. It prevents the dominance of any class or strata and in turn protects each from being crushed.
“The rebuilding of Guyana requires that all the human resources within the country be allowed to flourish and make their varied contributions. Our policy of national democracy re-emphasizes our party’s commitment to protect the working people and the broad masses of Guyanese. It allows for the healthy growth of the capitalist sector, but aims to prevent an unbridled private sector development in which the interests and welfare of people in general, and the local businessmen in particular, are stifled by monopolistic sectors.”
She posited that while some may question the relevance, Party members, and even non-party citizens must always look to the future, which she described as a future of great promise that can be created only with redoubled revolutionary fervour, and encouraged “It is the passion and commitment to the cause which requires us to remove negative attitudes of complacency and lethargy and to work with great vigour, dedication and commitment.
“Our country is on the verge of a great take-off,” she continued, “and it is our responsibility to do all that is required to advance the process.”
Indra asserted that the recent position of the joint opposition in blocking the much needed support for the modernisation of the country is indeed a travesty, as hydro power has a genesis going back to nearly 50 years ago, noting that never before was it as achievable as it is now. She opined that it is tragic for the joint opposition to adopt what she termed an unpatriotic stance.
The party stalwart urged, “Comrades and friends, we in the WPO in this year of our 60th anniversary wish to reaffirm our commitment to the Party. We applaud the achievements made by Government in carrying out the Manifesto promises made by the Party in its quest to improve and advance the conditions under which the people of Guyana live. We are proud of the very many achievements made by the Government to promote equality and development of women.
“We stand ready at all times to provide the necessary support in our party as we had done in the past and will continue to do so in the future.”
Acknowledging the valuable contributions of women to all aspects of party life and work, she extolled the women’s arm as a vital pillar that sustains the party. “We take this opportunity in saluting our women and applaud their continuing dedication and discipline,” she said, and stated, “… this Congress will rekindle once again fond memories of those of us who have had the pleasure and opportunity in participating at previous congresses and other activities of our party. These are the treasured moments we have etched in our individual and collective memories. These are moments that we often find lifelong friends and comrades.
“Let us ensure that these days we spend together will remind us of the PPP family which has motivated and sustained us since we became a part of it, she encouraged, continuing: “We hope all our comrades here today will use this occasion to re-commit themselves to the great cause of the PPP.”
She urged. “Let us redouble our efforts to make our party stronger and always remember our comrades who have helped to bring us to where we are today; and let us work harder to resolve all differences in a way that seek to unify rather than divide.
“Let a thousand flowers bloom!
She concluded her presentation with a rallying call: “Long live the memory and legacy of Comrades Cheddi and Janet Jagan.
“May our present leaders continue along the course they have charted with the fortitude and commitment to make our party even stronger.
“Long live the unshakable unity of the PPP, WPO and PYO.”
Today, after serving as General-Secretary and current President of that primary organisation that has consistently battled for human rights in general; and women’s and children’s rights in particular, as well as a frontline freedom fighter since as a little girl in the People’s Progressive Party, there is little that Indra does not know about the socio-political dynamics of Guyana’s struggles for freedom on the various fronts from which the PPP and WPO have engaged various elements of tyranny and anarchy – from colonial to current times; so when, on the occasion of the 30th Congress of the PPP, she describes that Party as “…a party that has a glorious past filled with periods of heroism, sacrifice and commitment to the struggles of the Guyanese people,” she speaks from a position of someone who has experienced the terror of the times, and the ethos of freedom that elections of 1992 heralded in this country.
Indra describes the PPP thus: “It is a party that has nurtured tens of thousands of cadres; has witnessed periods of intense struggle against the enemies of the people, has experienced strong disagreements and even defections from the party, but like the proverbial Phoenix keeps rising again and again.
“It is a party that has brought about the transformation of Guyana from an impoverished state to one that all Guyanese can be proud of.”
In her address at the opening ceremony of the 30th Congress of the PPP last Friday at the JC Chandisingh Secondary School in Port Mourant, she describes as apt to the ethos and the moment the theme, “Strengthen the Party, Build Unity; Advance Democracy,” which she says “… speaks to a set of crucial tasks for all of us who are members of the PPP, WPO and PYO.”
With the resilience of a party stalwart who imbibed the resonances of political struggle from Dr. Jagan himself she observed, “We have had some challenging moments within recent times, but these are expected in the ebb and flow of political life. Those of us who use dialectics as a tool, understand fully that everything is in motion, and there is no certainty about anything… occasions such as this Congress serve to remind us of the commitment we have made to our party, and the ideals we believe in.”
She urged party members to use the occasion to recognise the indomitable contributions of leaders who not only built a party which is still the only progressive political party in the country, but who have instilled in its members the revolutionary zeal and fervour that has kept them going. Resounding in the hearts of her comrades was her rallying call: “Long live the memory of Cheddi & Janet Jagan: Their lives and example must serve to inspire us all, especially in the challenging times.”
Indra noted that the history of the PPP is one that is grounded in the struggles of the working class and the masses of people and reminded her audience that on June 16th “…we observed the 65th anniversary of the Enmore Martyrs; on the 16th July the 40th anniversary of the killing of the Ballot Box Martyrs, and on July 17th we observed the 49th anniversary of the deaths of Michael Forde and our very own Kowsillia who was killed in 1964.” According to the WPO President, all the tragic events that she referred to are events in which “…those brave comrades paid the ultimate price with their lives for the noble cause championed by our party.”
Continuing, she rallied “The actions of those comrades at those times represent the type of response to the oppressors which should continue to be the standard requirement in the building of our revolutionary consciousness and actions of our members based on a cause and a purpose to live and die for.
“The theme of this Congress “Strengthen the Party, Build Unity: Advance Democracy recognises the reality in which we operate. Without a strong and united party we will not be able to provide the leadership which is required to advance democracy and to continue to improve the lives of the Guyanese people.”
She urged her audience to recall the sentiments of PPP’s and the nation’s leader, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, when he addressed the Congress in 1994, the last before he died, and quoted Guyana’s liberator:
“Our National Democratic State is based on the partnership of all classes and strata committed to political democracy and social justice. It unites the workers, peasants/farmers, businessmen, professionals and intelligentsia in a broad alliance which allows for the satisfaction of the interests of these various groups. It prevents the dominance of any class or strata and in turn protects each from being crushed.
“The rebuilding of Guyana requires that all the human resources within the country be allowed to flourish and make their varied contributions. Our policy of national democracy re-emphasizes our party’s commitment to protect the working people and the broad masses of Guyanese. It allows for the healthy growth of the capitalist sector, but aims to prevent an unbridled private sector development in which the interests and welfare of people in general, and the local businessmen in particular, are stifled by monopolistic sectors.”
She posited that while some may question the relevance, Party members, and even non-party citizens must always look to the future, which she described as a future of great promise that can be created only with redoubled revolutionary fervour, and encouraged “It is the passion and commitment to the cause which requires us to remove negative attitudes of complacency and lethargy and to work with great vigour, dedication and commitment.
“Our country is on the verge of a great take-off,” she continued, “and it is our responsibility to do all that is required to advance the process.”
Indra asserted that the recent position of the joint opposition in blocking the much needed support for the modernisation of the country is indeed a travesty, as hydro power has a genesis going back to nearly 50 years ago, noting that never before was it as achievable as it is now. She opined that it is tragic for the joint opposition to adopt what she termed an unpatriotic stance.
The party stalwart urged, “Comrades and friends, we in the WPO in this year of our 60th anniversary wish to reaffirm our commitment to the Party. We applaud the achievements made by Government in carrying out the Manifesto promises made by the Party in its quest to improve and advance the conditions under which the people of Guyana live. We are proud of the very many achievements made by the Government to promote equality and development of women.
“We stand ready at all times to provide the necessary support in our party as we had done in the past and will continue to do so in the future.”
Acknowledging the valuable contributions of women to all aspects of party life and work, she extolled the women’s arm as a vital pillar that sustains the party. “We take this opportunity in saluting our women and applaud their continuing dedication and discipline,” she said, and stated, “… this Congress will rekindle once again fond memories of those of us who have had the pleasure and opportunity in participating at previous congresses and other activities of our party. These are the treasured moments we have etched in our individual and collective memories. These are moments that we often find lifelong friends and comrades.
“Let us ensure that these days we spend together will remind us of the PPP family which has motivated and sustained us since we became a part of it, she encouraged, continuing: “We hope all our comrades here today will use this occasion to re-commit themselves to the great cause of the PPP.”
She urged. “Let us redouble our efforts to make our party stronger and always remember our comrades who have helped to bring us to where we are today; and let us work harder to resolve all differences in a way that seek to unify rather than divide.
“Let a thousand flowers bloom!
She concluded her presentation with a rallying call: “Long live the memory and legacy of Comrades Cheddi and Janet Jagan.
“May our present leaders continue along the course they have charted with the fortitude and commitment to make our party even stronger.
“Long live the unshakable unity of the PPP, WPO and PYO.”
