Tributes to Janet Jagan

 

For Janet - A True Heroine of Guyana by Krishna Rampersaud

For over fifty long years you stood hand in hand
When you both made a patriotic vow to defend our motherland.
We did not know then, how prophetic those words will be
When you swore to all of us that you’re now a Guyanese.

For over fifty glorious years you stood behind the man
Who made a promise to the people to take back our native land…
From the colonial masters who with greed and might..
Trampled on our dignity and did not expect us to fight.
And like the flame you lit inside his heart with love
Proceed to show your mettle and your own true worth.

You’ve come a long way since those eventful days
When you stood up for love of freedom in many ways.
The trials and tribulations you faced, did not daunt your grace
As you steadfastly stood beside the one in whom you put your faith.

Marches, processions and peaceful demonstrations all lead you to jail
But somehow through it all with his support, your will and strength prevail.
You never gave up although they tried to bend you to their will…
Instead suffered for all of us and for that we love you still.

The faith and love of family can take one through hell and back
And with yours behind you, you never looked back.
Through all the hard times and grief and the turmoil in our land
You never turned your back on us but continued the struggle in your stand..
For Peace, Progress and Prosperity…
That Cheddi and Janet brought to our dear and native land.

Now that your partner in life is no more there with you,
There is a sense of satisfaction that his imprint on our history is linked with you.
For it was with you beside him… that made all our dreams so real
As you continue to champion our cause with charm, dedication and zeal.

© Krishna Rampersaud

 

 

Lady of Guiana
by Antonis Silva (written many years ago and dedicated to Cde. Janet Jagan)

Lady of Guiana
You nursed us like a child
and guarded our growth
From a speck of light
To a living Flame.

In the darkest days of our struggle
Your people stood side by side
To forge a mighty Guiana
Out of our city of slaves.

Now a serpent has found a place
In the hearts of our people
Licking his tongue of treachery
Silent and unknown.

In the midst of our lambs
The Sheperd of corruption
Streaches their hands
For thirty pieces of Silver.

Now our people become strange in many ways
Not like the flesh of our flesh
But like a plague of sorrow
That thrives only for a while.

Forgive this spark of ingratitude
For they that worship Cowards
Will some day wake out of their slumber of deceit
Like an angry tide of regret
Flowing with the mighty current of Freedom.

  © Antonis Silva

 

Blue -Eyed Bhowgie
by Peter Jailall (From "This Healing Place and other Poems")

The real Bhowgie
Is the blue-eyed Bhowgie
Who came from America
To join the struggle
With the comrades
At Freedom House

The real Bhowgie
Is the blue-eyed Bhowgie
Who walks down canal dam
Hand-in hand with the people
Asking them
"A wa a yu a du gal?

The real Bhowgie
Is the blue-eyed Bhowgie
Who taught women
About exploitation
And sexism
Long before women's lib

The real Bhowgie
Is now the First Lady.

© Peter Jailall

 

Comrade Janet
by unknown author - Member of WPO (Women's Progressive Organisation)

Dear Comrade Janet!
Daughter of all America,
Mother and Sister of its citizens,
Bouquets bloom for you
in the hearts of the liberated and oppressed.

Dear Comrade Janet!
'Tis twenty-five years;
Yet you gallantly fetch the torch of struggle.
Your virtues glitter across the Caribbean
inspiring and enthusing our dark off-springs.

Dear Comrade Janet!
Cowardice is alien in your existence:
Your presence radiates confidence in us.
You're the ideal woman:
You're the pride of International Women's Year.

Dear Comrade Janet!
The W.P.O. salutes you -
indefatigable, immortal leader and fighter.
The cries of Hurah! Hurah!
echo from Roraima to Corentyne,
filled with affection and admiration
for the most outstanding Guyanese woman.

 

 

Janet Jagan - A Woman of Substance
by Sandra Ann Baptiste

An American from Chicago was born
it was Guyana that she devoted her life to reform

The backbone, stalwart and matriarch of the PPP
she devoted her life to Cheddi and bringing Guyana prosperity

Her political journey was laced with hardships, the worse being in a cell
perseverance, grit and fortitude saw her through this trying spell

A champion for educating girls and pressing for women's rights
the poor like domestics and cane cutters, Janet rescued from their plights

In the struggle for independence and end to dictatorship she was at the forefront an indelible mark she left as one of those who bore the brunt

Janet fought for democracy and spreading the country's wealth
she's still regarded by many as Guyana's best ever Minister of Health

Steadfast in her beliefs, calling a spade a spade was her trait
she minced no words when it came to a debate

Janet dwelled not on church and religion
but morals, integrity and justice were hallmarks of her dominion

A veteran journalist, J.J. used her pen to expose oppression
fearless and like a battle axe, she was a tough cookie in opposition

Her ascension to the Presidency was the first the Caribbean had seen
but opposing forces vulgarly tried to crush her dream

A humble person from her early beginnings
even as Her Excellency, she shunned the trimmings

A kind and loving mother and grandmother, Janet treated her kin like gold
she also made time to listen to everyone's woes - both young and old

She helped lure me back to set up Go-Invest
her continued support aided me to give of my best

An inspiration to Guyanese from all walks of life, she was never a quitter
the woman with the common touch had no time to be bitter

A political icon, Guyana and its people have undoubtedly lost
never forget the value this woman of substance brought and at what cost

© Sandra Ann Baptiste

 

 

Lady Janet
by Stephanie Bowry

 

We first met

Lady Janet and me

Face to face

On a night of poetry.

I read.

 

She listened

And said to me

"I really like your poetry."

She thought I was wonderful.

 

I thought she was kind.

I left Hotel Tower

With nice thoughts in my mind.

 

And between nights of poetry

Our thoughts

Mine and the Lady's

Communicated silently.

And on every night of poetry

My verse celebrated her company.

 

For she was a Jewel as in  J
Definitely Admirable as in A

      Altogether Noble as in N

 Positively Enriching as in E and

   Sweetly Thoughtful as inT.

 

But she had labored sufficiently

Had done her tasks efficiently

And God rewarded her Eternity.

 

Now she sits with the stars of the Galaxy

While Angels read their poetry.

© Stephanie Bowry

 

                               

 

Fighter
by Rooplall Monar

 

Your heart was pierced
by the arrow of compassion
           bidding your time
           in your northern clime
young and green as you were
 

Brows knitted in a sight
           of reckless torture
decapitation and innocent death…….
bludgeoned by the blades of history
…….craze and mania for Empires
tangling the web in your feet
sleep tossed by broken bodies
stench of blood…
              draining your own blood
 

And your breath of compassion
was stamped with a noble vision
as you flung your country aside
and with Cheddi in your stride
flew to this mutilated captive land

 
lure for plunder and auction
lascivious bidders weaving a tapestry
             of evening lechery
cries of slaves and immigrants
sugared the wine of their surfeit
            incest and greed
clouding their offspring’ feet….
 

With Cheddi in your stride
Enmore ’48 was the auspicious tide
that powered your raft
           the shaft of light……
 

drawing in your fold
disenfranchised faces
         ruptured laces deflowered
by ruthless carnivores
          on beds of sugarcanes ….
 

You kneaded moulded, planting
           a hope of bridges….
bridges of creeks and rivers
stepping with your disenfranchised
         the dispossessed
into a realm of filled bellies
land cropped at its brim
in which rightful dignity
           social equality
are euphoric metaphors
lulled in their dreams
 

Sturdy in fortitude.
          swift as a panther
with your padres alongside
banners draped high in red
you kept marching
          squatting knocking,
knocking by the gates of freedom:
‘equality for one and all….’
 

acts of brutality
           bullets and bars
brewed in the pit of your stomach
Governor’s rod atop your head
but relentlessly you persisted in your vision
         pounding shaking, shattering
         the stubborn gate:
gait of our own prison
 

And it had to open
(this gate of freedom)
but ingloriously
and not in sympathy
with your burning ideals
 

So with your marks imprinted here
(with Cheddi stallion in your fair)
which text in its deliberation
could dare say your steeps
are not ennobled
          calligraphed in stones:
         stanchion that shapes
the conscience
of this Nation

 © Rooplall Monar

                              

 

The other side of an icon 

by Sadie Amin

Last Thursday, October 20, former President Janet Jagan celebrated her 85th birthday. It was certainly a milestone in every sense of the word. President Bharrat Jadgeo hosted a dinner at State House in honour of “Cde. Janet” as she is popularly known within the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and well-wishers shared a toast to this icon of the Guyanese landscape. Among the guests were close party associates, friends and relatives including both Mrs. Jagan’s children, Nadira Brancier-Jagan and Cheddi Jagan, Jr. (Joey). It was a simple, no-fuss affair, just the way Mrs. Jagan likes things. Brief speeches were made by President Jagdeo, PPP’s General Secretary Donald Ramotar, Nadira, Joey and a few members of the Jagan family. It was a time to show appreciation for the woman who has been in the leadership of the PPP from its inception and who is still active at all levels of the party.

Good, bad or indifferent, every Guyanese has to admit that Mrs. Jagan has had a tremendous impact and influence on our nation. She has been around and active in a variety of social and political struggles since she first came to Guyana in 1943. Her public life and achievements are well documented and known nationally and internationally. That is the public persona. What most Guyanese don’t know much about is the private side of Janet Jagan - her kindness, loyalty, generosity of spirit, care and consideration for those less fortunate and most of all her upbeat attitude to life in general.

I’ve only known Cde. Janet for a short period, about eight years (some of her friendships go back over fifty years). I’ve worked for her and enjoyed every moment of it. She was and still is a hard but rewarding taskmistress, short on patience for slackers and chronic complainers but high in praise for hard work and commitment. This woman is a stickler for punctuality, meeting deadlines and keeping her word once she gives it yet she rarely openly complains or criticizes when others show weakness or failure. If she holds herself out to do something for a member of the public she will doggedly call every public official until the job is completed. With regard to being punctual, I remember one time having to meet her to attend a function. I was ten minutes late and she left me. It was a wake-up call either to be five minutes early or right on time.

Some of the still lesser known facts about Janet Jagan is her love of reading and keeping up with current events worldwide. She has a voracious appetite for books, magazines and anything in print form. With her hectic schedule it’s amazing that she finds time to read as much as she does. Her favourite television channels are the BBC and CNN. Once when her television couldn’t access the BBC she was highly annoyed and almost cancelled her contract with the cable company. Mrs. Jagan is an avid patron of the arts and has a substantial collection of paintings and artifacts. In her zeal to support the “poor, starving artist” she will occasionally purchase pieces she isn’t too fond of in order to help out. There is one artist who habitually brings around his artworks whenever he is broke and Mrs. Jagan is often too kind to turn him away. She justifies her kindness as an investment towards a future gift for someone.

This is a woman who does not like people to fuss over her. She will send flowers, a note or visit a sick friend but when it comes to her, she brushes off attention to any of her ills or woes. She won’t seek medical attention for herself but will send a doctor to look in on one of her co-workers or to someone who is house-bound.

Her generosity is manifest in many ways. Anyone working at Freedom House will attest to the fact of certain indigent persons going there on a weekly basis and Janet giving them money in privacy, never letting the person lose his or her dignity. On days she can’t show up and a person is scheduled to collect money, Mrs. Jagan will send the money in a packet with her driver for that person. Whenever she goes anywhere and others are in the company she will always ensure that they’re taken care of. Many times she will send her driver to pick up someone or if a set of persons has to get a ride she will squish her and them like sardines in the car and drop everyone off to their doors. She did this even when she was president.

Cde. Janet has a memory like clockwork for remembering birthdays. A telephone call, card or an appropriate gift always arrives on that special day. And believe me when I say, her birthday list is quite lengthy. In particular, she shops in advance for her five grandchildren’s gifts. Once while we were holidaying in St. Kitts, Mrs. Jagan bought some prints and an antique pen for two of her grandchildren even though their birthdays were months away.

Janet Jagan may be eighty-five but her wits and faculty are sharply intact. She has a few medical conditions like most people her age but that doesn’t cause her to be grouchy or behave as if helplessly. Her independence and zest for life makes one marvel at her ability to keep going. One time I mentioned helping out some “little, old ladies” and her quick reply was “I hope I’m not a little, old lady.” That is definitely not her category, not when she can out-swim me any day or stay up late at coffee shops. Her category is unique to her alone. She is an icon who has left a tangible and indelibly positive imprint on all who have known her. Once again, Happy Birthday and Long Live!

 

 

 

Happy Birthday Janet

 by Dale A. Bisnauth

I wanted to insert a number before “birthday”, but I am not too certain about Janet’s age, so I decided to be cautious, because I am aware of how sensitive some people are over their ages. Not that I believe that Mrs Jagan falls in that category. Speaking about age, you have noticed that I speak full-mouthedly of the former President as Janet. Two things may be responsible for this. One is the fact that the status of being senior citizens does develop in those of us who enjoy that status, a sense of camaraderie (and comraderie) that transcends the boundaries of formal salutations. Secondly, and more important, Janet Jagan herself does not stand on ceremonies. This makes it so easy to relate to her as a person, and not as a person occupying an office, or a rank, or a status. I am sure that on her birthday many persons would have paid her handsome tributes which she deserves, and would have praised her fulsomely on her work and achievements. I would want to add my applause to those tributes. But, I want to comment on some personal glimpses that I have had of this remarkable woman, whose husband was the late great President Cheddi Jagan. I am stating it like that because I want to indicate that she was a special person in her own right. To be sure, quite in keeping with her own character, she has given the impression of almost playing second fiddle to the man for whom she defied her parents - an act which speaks of the strength of her character.

All kinds of myths and folk stories have grown up around Janet. That in itself is a tribute to her, however good or misleading these myths may be, since myths do not grow up around ordinary, everyday persons. A UG student once approached me to arrange a meeting between herself and Janet Jagan. The student was working on an assignment for her lecturer. I arranged the interview. When the student came back from the interview, she said in great surprise: “Gosh! She is so human!” What did you expect, I asked. The twenty-five-year-old told me that she had heard and believed so many stories from her parents and their friends that she had concluded that Janet Jagan was something of an ogress with a mean streak who had a built-in hatred for people of a certain colour. The meeting was a revelation which completely changed her.

I went to a particular church once. An older woman came over to me after the service and we became engaged in a conversation. She remarked on the greatness and goodness of Cheddi Jagan, and then began to blame all that she felt was wrong about him, on that “wicked witch of a communist woman” Janet Jagan. I have heard a few persons explain their ambivalence towards CJ, in like fashion in different words. These persons could not have known Cheddi Jagan. Nobody could influence him against his will. Janet Jagan could not have. I knew that Dr Jagan changed his position on this or that issue, but only if you could rationally state why he should.

I have no memory of her on the campaign trail in 1953 when I first heard CJ and Forbes Burnham and the rest. But I do have a distant memory of her at my grand-father’s house. (I even recall with great vividness, the framed pictures on the walls and the abir-stained almanac). While Dr Jagan was, in his usual style, giving his spiel to an enraptured collection of men who were being entertained by my grand-father in his usual style, Janet was engaging the women folk in a conversation about things domestic and house-wifery in a casual and most non-condescending manner imaginable. Children gawked at her probably having never seen a white person that close before. That night she battled mosquitoes and inadequate lighting as she presented her case why people should vote for her. But she need not have tried so hard. She was speaking to the converted. She had won their hearts already.

Janet Jagan is an avid connoisseur of the arts way beyond the stage of the dilettante. While it was I who made the formal move to transform the former residence of President Forbes Burnham into Castellani House, the “home” of the national arts collection, it was she who was the prime mover behind the transformation. I remember so well the occasion of the formal opening of Castellani House. She came with an arm in cast causing me to quip that I hoped that forcing President Jagan to come to the event did not cause her the injury. Poets, writers, dancers, sculptors, painters and playwrights can testify to her influence on them in both encouraging them and providing them with the opportunity to pursue their special interests.

She even got me to read poetry in public and to do book reviews. Hey! I like to think that I have a flair for these things, but I’d rather practise them in private. Once three of us went to a book launch, Janet, Sadie Amin and myself. None of us liked the book, but none of us wanted to say so in public. We hit upon a strategy on how to deal with our dilemma. Janet gave a tremendous off-the-cuff talk on literature in general and Latin American writings in particular!

There are so many things that I could say, but I have to at least mention the time we went on an official visit to Jamaica. Kofi Annan was visiting UWI. Without her knowing it she almost drove the security guards up the wall! She insisted on behaving her natural style, that is, like an ordinary person. But she was a Head of State! And Heads of State do not go down to the lobby to pay their hotel bills or to browse in the hotel shops.

I wish this wonderful lady many more happy birthdays to come. Peace!

 

© 1999 Cheddi Jagan Research Centre.  All rights reserved.