FORMER President of Guyana, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo reminded thousands of East Indians at the Anna Regina mela last Saturday night that the father of the nation and founder of the PPP and President of Guyana, the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan led the struggle to free Guyana from British colonial rule.Dr. Jagdeo in an address to thousands at the mela to celebrate the 177 years since East Indians arrived in Guyana from India said those who left India and came to Guyana have made significant contributions to the changes in Guyana.

The former President said the journey of our ancestors from India was not an easy one. He said they left India in unknown circumstances and travelled to an unknown land where they lived on plantations in slave like conditions.

Dr. Jagdeo said many could not leave the plantations because they were in bondage but they persevered because they were an industrious and hard working people who participated in the struggle to bring freedom to this country.

Dr. Jagdeo pointed out Dr. Jagan as one significant figure who led that struggle for freedom of Guyana from British colonial yoke only to see that freedom snatched again by rigged elections.

He said our people continued that struggle, especially the older folks, where blood was shed, people were prosecuted and jailed. He said people became a criminal for what they ate and for speaking out against the then PNC Government.

According to the former President it was a situation where there was no freedom and children grew up in that environment.
Dr. Jagdeo said we fought together and changed the circumstances and brought freedom to this land in 1992.

He said many people thought at that time that the struggle had ended but according to the former President the struggle continued to change Guyana and bring a better life for the people. He said at every stage of that struggle the PPP/C Government was faced with forces of darkness, whether street protest, bullying people or cutting the national budget in Parliament but the Government persevered because the people are made of sterner stock.

Dr. Jagdeo said on May 11, a few days from now, the PPP/C will be confronted with a watershed event to continue that struggle so as to make sure that what our ancestors fought for and protected through our entire history of our presence here in Guyana is not snatched away again from us because if that freedom is lost from us, our children will never forgive us.

According to the former President they will never be able to dream dreams of freedom in this land because where there is no freedom no dreams can survive. He said every person’s life will be affected.

 
EAST INDIANS SHOULD BE PROUD

Dr. Jagdeo said East Indians should be proud of who they are and the role their ancestors played in changing Guyana. He said they must be proud of their culture, music, poetry and dance.

The former President brought greetings to all at the mela on behalf of the PPP.

The crowd was entrained by several beautiful dances performed by Guyanese trained dancers from Georgetown and the Essequibo Coast. Artistes from Trinidad and Tobago also entertained the large crowd.

By Rajendra Prabhulall