Dear Editor,
THE passing of Arai Thantoni brings memories to the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and particularly the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO).
Comrade Arai was a former General-Secretary of the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO) and a militant activist of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). She was indeed very vocal and active during the three trials of Arnold Rampersaud. However, in the struggle for free and fair elections she was very passionate and vociferous in the protest as Guyanese protested the brutal killing of the Ballot Box Martyrs, Bholanauth Permanand and Jagan Ramessar.
Arai was indeed a source of inspiration and a fighter in the 70s and 80s for free and fair elections. Comrade Arai was also a militant activist in the struggle for the recognition of the most powerful trade union in Guyana, the GAWU.
Yours sincerely,
Neil Kumar