GUYANA today boasts greater cultural freedom and national unity – the shaping of which began 47 years ago when the nation achieved Republican status. The significance of the observance of the country’s 47th Republic Anniversary is indeed too monumental an occasion for President David Granger not to emphasise that it is a happy occasion to celebrate the uniqueness of the country’s nationhood.
More than four decades later, the eighth executive President was proud to share his sentiments with thousands of nationalists at the recently-erected D’Urban Park where they gathered on the eve of Republic Day to witness yet another historic hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead. The President highlighted that the establishment of the Cooperative Republic on February 23, 1970, intensified Guyana’s efforts to unite its peoples into a plural nation under the inspirational motto – One people, One nation, One destiny.
As descendants of indigenous Amerindians and of those who were brought here from Africa, Asia and Europe, he said that Guyanese have welded the country, irreversibly, into a plural society.
He reminded Guyanese that the Republic guarantees greater cultural freedom, encourages diverse beliefs, respects differences of creed, culture, race and religion, and entrenched constitutional protection to proscribe discrimination.
A historian, the Head-of-State reflected on the fact that the Republic started the task of “shaping a society that was culturally plural,” by promoting the unhindered celebration of the Christian, Islamic and Hindu festivals.
“The Republic aspired to ensure that we would live together in harmony, free from racial and religious conflict,” he said.
Fast forward 47 years later, the President believes that the Republic is becoming a more “socially cohesive” country; one that works towards the well-being of all its members, fights exclusion and marginalisation, creates a sense of belonging and promotes trust.
Possessing a culturally diverse nature, he said that Guyana’s various cultural threads have been interwoven into the tapestry of nationhood.
“We celebrate, today, our republicanism and our pluralism” he said, adding that “We have achieved unity by our diversity.”
Weighing in on the social construct of this plural society, the Head-of-State was keen to note that the Republic is committed to eliminating extreme poverty, eradicating inequalities; expanding the space for cultural diversity and enhancing the sense of national belonging.
Coinciding with this year’s Republic Anniversary too, is the 100th anniversary of the abolition of Indian indentureship. And according to the President, this provides an opportunity for the nation to celebrate the contributions of the Indian community.
Indian indentured immigration was introduced into British Guiana in 1838 and endured for nearly eight decades. During this time, President Granger said that almost 240,000 persons were transported to these shores as immigrants, mainly to work on the sugar plantations, during this period.
He reminded Guyanese that most of the indentured immigrants remained to make this country their home at the end of their contracts of service. He offered that this ethnic group “invigorated our cultural life” with devotional festivals, colourful dress, tasty foods, vivacious dance, vibrant music, two great world religions – Hinduism and Islam – and other cultural retentions.
Additionally, he pointed out that Indian indentured immigration reshaped Guyana’s economic landscape by making an indelible mark on the cattle, coconut, fishing, rice and sugar industries.
“The Indian impact is visible on every aspect of national life – the arts, business, diplomacy, education, engineering, industry, jewellery, law, media, medicine, politics, the public service and trade unionism,” he told the gathering.
The Head-of-State’s historical reflection was succeeded by him extending greetings to all Guyanese, at home across the 10 administrative regions and in the diaspora on this 47th anniversary of the Republic.
“Long live our plural Republic! Long live the Guyanese people!” he ended with, to thunderous applause.