THE month of March has rightly been celebrated with a significant number of calendar events as Guyanese observe the birth anniversary of the Liberator of Guyana, the Father of the nation, a man called the Mahatma of the Western Hemisphere – Dr. Cheddi Jagan; and the death anniversaries of the Patriarch and Matriarch of the Nation, Dr. Jagan and Mrs. Janet Jagan; two exceptional human beings whose love for and sacrifices for, and dedication to Guyana and the Guyanese people knew no boundaries.The greatest of human beings are known for their simplicity; and these two exceptional people served this nation their entire adult lives and, even though they reached the pinnacle of leadership in the country, they still served the Guyanese people with great passion and equal humility. Their greatest rewards for their tireless service to this nation were seeing the joy in the faces of the ordinary people when their lives had been uplifted in some way or another through their indefatigable efforts.

What impels a man or woman to give so much to their fellow human beings? What motivates some persons to a spectrum of generous acts that defy bullies, tyrants, colonizers, dictators, rascals of the meanest kind, murderers, the worst type of evildoers who have no qualms about oppressing their fellow humans to the point of subjectivity and servility that their lives become mere daily existence and a purgatory from birth to death?

The immense compassion, the absolute merciful souls, the all-encompassing hearts full of beneficence, and minds gifted with visions to build rather than destroy were exemplified by the iconic Jagans. The achievements of this couple, so disparate in backgrounds, so perfectly melded as a couple, is a saga in the nation’s landscape of events that can never again be replicated.

Today the cadre of leaders and supporters they have left to continue their work would be gathering at their last place of abode that they shared together – State House, to celebrate the lives of the mother and father of this nation. The legacy they left is an enduring ode to their many gifts to Guyana and its people – not least is all the freedoms that prevail in the nation.

The month of March is a poignant reminder that once on this slice of earth a great, good man took birth in extremely humble surroundings and carved a way, not with a sword and war drums, but with boundless love for humanity, immeasurable patriotism, and a commitment to national integration, peace, progress and prosperity, to take the Guyanese people on a journey that he dreamt would eventually lead this nation to a wealth of happiness and a fulfilling destiny that every man, woman and child – not only of Guyana, but the entire world would never again live in want or poverty.

The Board of Directors, management and staff of the Guyana Chronicle extends condolences to Steve Backer and the children of Mrs. Debra Backer; and to the People’s National Congress Reform for the loss of the indomitable fighter whose loyalty to her party remained steadfast until she drew her last breath.