FORMER President of Guyana and founder of the Women’s Progressive Organisation [WPO] the late Mrs. Janet Jagan was remembered as the mother of the nation at a moving wreath laying ceremony on Saturday at the Cheddi Jagan children’s play park at Anna Regina on the Essequibo Coast.Speaking at the ceremony to mark the 6th death anniversary of the President, member of the Central Executive Committee of the PPP, Mr. Alli Baksh, said the late Janet Jagan who served Guyana as President fought alongside her husband Cheddi for the freedom of Guyana from colonial masters. According to Baksh, he first met her in 1968 when he was introduced to her at their home at Cotton Field, Essequibo Coast by his father. Mr Baksh said at that time the Michael Forde book shop was being set up at their place.Mr. Baksh said he remembered the late Janet getting the nick name “Blue eyes Bow-gee”at a Yaag at Land of Plenty on the Essequibo Coast. He said she attended the Hindu function and spent the entire day and while addressing the large gathering of devotees, she got the name “blue eyes bowgee”.According to the Minister, Janet came from a Jewish family and dedicated her entire life to the struggle and freedom of Guyana. He said the late President was charged many times along with her husband, Cheddi Jagan, who was also President of Guyana, for fighting for workers’ rights. Mr. Baksh said Janet was very instrumental and a close political colleague to her husband Cheddi. He said they both formed the People’s Progressive Party [PPP] on the 1st January, 1950, and also the Rice Producers Association [RPA] to represent farmers’ interests. Mr. Baksh said Janet also formed the Women Progressive Organisation [WPO] to fight for women rights.
Minister of Human Services, Ms. Jennifer Webster, in her address to the gathering at the park said Janet was a great woman and a great example as to how women should be. The Minister said Janet came to Guyana during the colonial days and the freedom Guyanese now enjoy came out of the struggles of the late Janet and her husband Cheddi.
She said because of the struggles of the late Janet and Cheddi, today women is recognised in Guyana and have a right to vote at elections. They are owners of their own homes and have opportunities to study and develop themselves.
(Rajendra Prabhulall in Essequibo)