FORMER President, PPP, PYO and WPO founder member Janet Jagan, OE, was lauded by Dharamkumar Seeraj, M.P., General-Secretary of the Guyana Rice Producers’ Association.
He said thusly: “If married women can today work in public institutions, we have to thank Janet Jagan; if Guyana’s women have a voice against abuse, in all its myriad forms, we have to thank Janet Jagan; if women can vote today, we have to thank Janet Jagan; if women can stand today in equal partnership with male counterparts in the highest law-making and policy-making forum in the land – the Legislative Assembly, we have to thank Janet Jagan.”

In his address at the launch of a Commemorative Centenary Stamp in honour of the birth anniversary of former President Janet Jagan, His Excellency, President Irfaan Ali said, inter alia:
“She built a party that stands today as strong as ever; one that has delivered so many Presidents and leaders to Guyana. And her legacy; her output is so many leaders. That is part of her legacy she built in the PPP; she left behind a legacy which immortalises her in history.

“Janet Jagan was a torch-bearer for freedom and democracy; she dedicated almost her entire adult life to struggling for Guyana’s freedom, and the restoration of democracy. Despite the daunting challenges she and her party faced during those struggles, she was never fazed or discouraged; she believed in the righteousness and justness of her cause… Janet Jagan imbued her party with her fighting spirit.”

Alluding to the challenges faced by the party post elections 2020, the President asserted: “It was her example of resilience and resistance that her party used during the period from March to August of this year, when there was a criminal conspiracy to steal our elections. Inspired by her tenacious spirit, her party resisted attempts to deny the democratic will of our people.”
Dr. Cheddi Jagan, writing in ‘The West on Trial’, professed: “She influenced me with a deep and abiding faith and caring for the poor, the disadvantaged and the handicapped, the oppressed and the marginalised, and she has a very deep commitment to honesty in politics. As a result, I do not worry about anything. I work together with her very closely, and we debate soundly without anything to worry about or anything to hide. She has given me peace of mind.”

Ms. Sheila Mathura, General-Secretary of the WPO, related that the women’s empowerment branch of the PPP that Mrs Jagan had founded, the WPO, intends to commemorate her life until March the following year with activities that are open to all; and these include, but are not limited to a visit today to Babu Jaan to take fresh flowers, and hold a small programme, from 13:00hrs, to celebrate Mrs. Janet Jagan’s 100th Birth Anniversary, subsequent to which the WPO will be planning a series of activities, primarily visits countrywide, from village to village, to have discussions on her life and works.

In the address by His Excellency, President Bharrat Jagdeo, on the occasion of his inauguration as President of the Republic of Guyana, at State House, he said, inter alia: “In this world, there are those who resign themselves to accepting history as it is, and there are others who make history. The Jagans, Cheddi and Janet, you will agree with me, are associated with the latter variety. We have just witnessed the making of history; a few moments ago, we witnessed the strength of character only few can boast. We have witnessed humility born out of courage. I want to pay tribute to a heroine of our land; one who is undoubtedly the Woman of the Century in our land: I pay tribute to Madame President, Mrs. Janet Jagan. She will always be my President.
“She has done what very few people would have done. After receiving a mandate from the people only 20 months ago to be Guyana’s first woman Executive President, the most powerful position in the country, she has decided to call it a day.  The only other person with such wisdom, courage and humility who comes to mind right now is Nelson Mandela: But this is not farewell; rather, this is a celebration of her great sacrifices and struggles on behalf of all of Guyana for the past fifty years.  This is also recognition of the contributions of the women in our society.”
Voicing what could very well be the sentiments of every member of the WPO, Ms. Mathura averred: “Janet Jagan is my inspiration. I will forever be grateful to God for sending Janet Jagan to this little corner of the world to awaken our consciousness, and to teach us that we were living in subjugation and poverty, without rights. Janet opened the political door, and taught us to walk through it with pride and dignity. She advocated for us to be educated, so that we can participate and influence decisions that affect our lives and those of others.
“Janet Jagan will continue to live on forever in our history. Every time a woman excels in the socio-economic or political landscape of our country, her work and vision will come alive.”