PARMANAND Balgobind has a lot to look forward to, including celebrating his 60th birth anniversary, but living in the quiet rural village of Unity, East Bank Essequibo, is quite satisfying.

The 59-year-old is a farmer and minibus driver who plies the route 32 Parika to Georgetown.

Balgobind told the Pepperpot Magazine that he likes the simple way of life in Unity Village where most people are related, and they live side by side and the place is very safe.

“My wife was away for five months, and I did not lock the doors and nothing went missing,” he said.

He related that he used to live at Laluni, Soesdyke/Linden Highway, but relocated to Unity Village where he settled.

He likes the quietness, but some parts sometimes get noisy, due to the large vehicles traversing and the many sawmills along that road.

Balgobind added that Unity Village is a good place to live because the people are good at heart, and they would assist each other in whatever way they can by sharing fruits and vegetables from their farms.

“From 07:00hrs to 14:00hrs, most people don’t be at home; during this time they would be at their farms tending to crops. The people here are hardworking,” he said.

He stated that if there is any kind of function, the people would come together to help, and they would come out to lend support, as well.

Balgobind added that he would also use his minibus to do special hires and would go out to work early, take a break and then return in the afternoon for the peak hours.

He has a plot of farmlands, and he would tend to his crops of ground provisions, citrus, coconuts and cash crops.

Due to the heavy rainfall, he had ceased planting and will return to farming as soon as the land is prepared.

His wife, Swarsattie Balgobind called “Finey,” is a poultry farmer and she had hundreds of meat birds, but as a result of the chicken shortage, she had to put that business on hold for a bit.

The 56-year-old is the mother of two and grandmother of five.

This is a very hospitable family, and they are doing a lot to earn, instead of sitting around idly.

The security guard/carpenter
Also in the same village is the home of Rajendra Kumar, 56, a security guard who is attached to the Bhola Sawmill at Hubu.

He is a carpenter by trade, but due to not having steady work, he had to resort to being a security guard.

Kumar used to reside in Suriname and was a carpenter for 25 years. Today, he continues to do jobs, making furniture, and is in the process of renovating his house.

He told the Pepperpot Magazine that he goes to work from 16:00hrs to 08:00hrs shift and would return home to prepare meals and do chores.

If there is time he would take a nap.

At the time of the visit, Kumar was preparing a meal of curried fish and rice.

He returned to Guyana when his parents’ health began failing and his mother passed away recently. His father died three years ago.

Kumar would use his bicycle to get to and from work and has a simple way of life.

“I would use my skills to make things for the home, such as tables with wheels and other things when I have the time,” he said.

Kumar stated that he likes the village because it is safe and quiet, and it is a place of families, so there are no outsiders.

He reported that life is simple, but one must work to enjoy a good quality of life.

Ukesh Bipat, the entertainer/singer
Ukesh Bipat is a very cheerful kind of person who loves singing, and he is part of a group called Shakti Melody.

The group performs at religious functions and other events.

There are four members in the group: a drummer, a harmonica player, and an octopod player. Collectively, they would host practice sessions before they perform.

The father of two is also a farmer, and he is part of the family business.

Bipat has been singing as long as he can remember for 40 years and is versed in film, chutney and religious songs.

The 50-year-old is also a talented dancer and performer on stage, and he is a resident of Unity Village, East Bank Essequibo.