Tributes to Janet Jagan
A Dignified Woman of Great Courage
By Odeen Ishmael
A few years ago Mrs. Janet Jagan (Comrade Janet, as she was popularly known), wrote a series of articles in the Mirror entitled “Women of Substance”. In that series she examined the struggles, setbacks and successes of some famous women of this region and beyond. Looking back, I believe she easily could have been writing her own autobiography through the qualities of determination she described of those noble women.
I can recall very clearly when I first saw Comrade Janet. It was in the late 1950s when my father and I went to visit my aunt at Dundee, Mahaicony. That afternoon when we arrived, there was a large public gathering near the public road for the opening of the new health centre. At the health centre, festooned with balloons and small Union Jacks, I saw a White lady in a white dress speaking through a loud speaker to the rapt audience. My father told me the lady was Janet, the wife of Dr. Jagan of whom I, as a little boy, had already known. I had seen photos of her and knew that she was the Minister of Labour, Health and Housing, but it was the first time I was seeing her in person. That image of her in a white dress and waving her arms as she spoke remains with me to this day as an everlasting memory.
Years later, I had the distinctive opportunity to be closely associated with her from the early 1970s when I held a leadership position in the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) and then later as a member of the Central Committee of the PPP. I found her to be an intense debater, and we had numerous discussions on issues relating to education, international affairs, social issues and ideological matters. I can easily say that she stood fast to her views but she held a healthy respect for opinions that differed from hers.
My closeness to her can be easily understood by the fact that her decisive action nearly thirty years ago actually saved my life. Back then, I suffered a serious spinal injury and my situation was deteriorating rapidly. I lost the mobility of my right arm and had become very ill, and medical treatment available in Guyana was providing no relief. When Comrade Janet heard of my situation, she quickly arranged for me to be sent to Moscow for emergency treatment. I was hospitalised there for nearly three months where a repair job was done and she ensured that I returned for check-ups on a number of occasions. This itself is just one example of the humane side of Comrade Janet, of which many others can equally vouch.
But above all, she was a modest and courageous woman. This was so vividly displayed when she sat by Comrade Cheddi’s bedside at the Walter Reed Hospital in Washington D.C. in February-March 1997. Every day I went to the hospital and talked with her. I can attest that she stood out as a beacon of dignity, grace and courage during that trying time. She never wilted under the stress that the situation presented, and she was the one who continuously inspired us with hope that, despite the odds, her comrade-at-arms would win this battle for his life. She also showed a great concern for the members of her immediate family by urging them to "get some sleep" while she herself would sit for long hours to keep the vigil over her husband. Her determined fortitude was ever present.
On many a late evening when I dropped in at the hospital I found her alone where she sat near her husband bedside. She never broke down under the pressure. But when Comrade Cheddi died, I saw in her dignified face a realisation as if her world had collapsed into pieces beside her. It was a representation of our own feelings at that time.
Comrade Janet was well known internationally, no doubt, as many would say, because people linked her with her renowned husband. I saw this clearly demonstrated when I accompanied her to Chile in 1997 where she, as President, attended the second Summit of the Americas. Ordinary Chileans saw her and shouted out her name in greeting and numerous young university students approached her for autographs. Many of the leaders attending the forum also held animated conversations and posed for numerous photographs with her.
Even here in Venezuela on a regular basis, despite the fact that she was no longer in public office, politicians continued to enquire about her. Actually, President Chavez on many an occasion asked me to convey his greetings to her, and once reminded me that she was the first President he met when he was first inaugurated.
After she resigned the presidency in 1997, I worked very closely with her in collecting historical documents and other materials relating to the life of Comrade Cheddi, and we consulted with each other by telephone and the occasional e-mail. The Cheddi Jagan Research Centre, which was so close to her heart, surely, is now a memorial for her as well.
Without a doubt, Comrade Janet was an immense international figure – a Guyanese woman of substance who stood up to the might of British colonialism and never flinched from her duty to wage the battle for independence for Guyana. And even when independence was won, she never backed down from struggling against totalitarianism and for the return of democracy to our country. Although, physically she was of small stature, she wielded immense vitality in her determination, fortitude and selflessness. Sure, she had her share of detractors, but history will remember her more for her sterling efforts in the battle for equal rights for women, her leadership role in the political evolution of Guyana, and the initiatives she took to improve the social conditions of the Guyanese people.
Caracas, 29 March 2009
(The writer is Guyana’s Ambassador to Venezuela).
Mrs. Jagan’s death a great loss to the nation
by Hydar Ally
THIS letter is in tribute to former President Mrs. Janet Jagan who passed away recently. Her death is a great loss to this nation. Mrs. Jagan, up to her final hours, was someone who continued to shape and influence public thinking and policy both by her writings and as a leading member of the ruling party.
I happen to know Mrs. Jagan quite some time ago. We were both columnists of the Mirror newspaper for over a decade and we both served on the editorial committee of the Thunder, theoretical organ of the People’s Progressive Party of which she was the Editor at the time of her death. We served on several Party Committees including the Central and Executive Committees of the Party, the PPP Education Committee and the Party’s Public Relations Committee.
She was a quite a remarkable and fascinating person. She was a people’s person, always willing to help people in times of need. She was a personal friend and mentor to several party comrades who could count on her wise counsel and support.
Mrs. Jagan was a modest and unassuming person. She came across ordinary and simple despite her greatness and her several accomplishments. Like her late husband Dr. Cheddi Jagan, she was never enticed by material things. Her Bel Air residence which she shared with her husband up the time of her death is ample testimony to this fact.
To say that her contribution to the economic, social and political development in this country was significant would be an understatement. Like her husband, she played a key and critical role in shaping the political architecture of this country. She was a founder member of the Political Affairs Committee the forerunner of the People’s Progressive Party and served in several leading capacities in the Party and Government, rising to the position as Executive President following the death of her husband in 1997. Her presidency unfortunately was shortened by failing health.
Despite her active political life, she found time to spend with her family including her children and grandchildren, as noted by her daughter Nadira in her memorial speech. She also found time to write several children’s stories. She loved the arts and at the time of her death was patron of Castellani House.
There are so many things that Mrs. Jagan did in her lifetime to enhance the quality of life of the Guyanese people which cannot be captured in this letter. Whatever she did, however, was always done with the poor in mind. I recall her saying how the National Park was once a place where only few could go because golf was the game played which only the rich could afford. It was during the period of PPP rule, and on her insistence, that the park was opened up to the public. During her stint as Minister of Labour, Health and Housing, several health centres and cottage hospitals were built throughout the country. In the area of Labour, substantial improvements were made in terms of living and working conditions of workers, in particular those in the lower-income bracket.
Mrs. Jagan always insisted on high levels of morality and integrity, both with respect to Party and government and in the conduct of personal lives. She was intolerant of corruption and corrupt practices. She herself led an exemplary life in this regard.
During the memorial services, glowing tributes were paid to her by leaders of party and government and from the political opposition. This is testimony to the high regard that Guyanese had for her from right across the political spectrum. The important thing for us all is to use this painful moment of her passing as an opportunity to forge a society in which there is peace and reconciliation and where every Guyanese, regardless of race, religion or political affiliation see themselves as an integral part of a process of national development.
I would like to take this opportunity to extend my deepest condolences to the relatives, friends and comrades of the late Mrs. Janet Jagan. Guyana is certainly poorer for her passing.
Janet Jagan was a Sports Enthusiast
Sports view by Neil KumarFormer President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana Janet Jagan was indeed an ardent supporter of sport. Her love for children and a healthy lifestyle was indeed a hallmark.
Janet Jagan gave her unflinching support for the development of sport.
The former President of Guyana was quick to recognize our young people as our country’s greatest asset.
As President of Guyana she took the opportunity to put in place a special Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport. Even before in December, 1992 she found a proper home for Guyana’s Art Collection.
Janet Jagan was very uncomfortable to know that Guyana’s rich and highly appreciated Art Collection was allowed to be scattered around in cupboards, dusty cob-webbed rooms and such places.
As a result, she identified the Castellani House as the real home for this country to treasure our Art Collection. Today, the Castellani House is recognised as a place where our people and foreigners must visit.
In 1992, National Swimming Coach Stephanie Fraser along with Mr. Collin Tappin approached her to allow them access to the Castellani and Colgraine Pools. Janet Jagan herself who was a prolific swimmer when she was young was quick to use her eminent office to make the pools available to the public.
Speaking to Fraser, she was quick to remind me that Janet Jagan sent them to me and all systems were put in place for the resuscitation of the Guyana Swimming Association. It is most pleasing for us to reflect that our young swimmers were allowed to swim alongside Dr. Cheddi Jagan - the then President of Guyana, in the same pool. Such was the humble nature of these two giants, Janet and Cheddi.
It was the personal touch and her intimacy for swimming that indeed led to the Watooka Pool opening up to the young swimmers also. It will be a great day for the swimming fraternity when the international size fifty-metre pool is completed.
With President Bharrat Jagdeo at the helm of the Government and his love and appreciation for sport, it is more than possible that the State–of–the–Art Pool at Liliendaal will be completed.
Gail Teixeira was appointed Minister in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport. This Ministry was undoubtedly Mrs. Jagan’s pet Ministry.
However, it cannot be denied that Janet turned the sod for the construction of a National Stadium at Providence. Her successor, the young President Bharrat Jagdeo with all his youthfulness, enthusiasm and will to accomplish set goals, finally got the gift of the Guyana National Stadium at Providence. Mrs. Janet Jagan lived to see that in her life time one of the best stadia in the Caribbean was built. It must have been pleasing for her to be in her home and see the young Guyanese hammering the former Colonial Masters. More so, the simple and humble Shivnarine Chanderpaul batted a magnificent century to enable West Indies to humble England.
She must have been really pleased to see her sons and daughters of the land produce the largest ever crowd at the National Stadium at Providence.
Janet Jagan, as editor of the Mirror newspaper, made genuine effort to see that her newspaper, the Mirror, covered sport.
In those difficult days when press freedom was suppressed, journalists were beaten and threatened. She allowed a sport column, “Sports by Neil”. That was the beginning of this journalist’s career which blossomed and bore fruit. She took her money from her little purse and contributed to us holding Media Domino Competitions.
Workers from Stabroek News, Chronicle and Mirror played in keen competitions to win prestigious trophies.
Janet Jagan was fully behind the Progressive Youth Organisation’s National Sports Programme. She always supported and motivated the youths to compete at group, district, regional, county and National Competitions. She was the person who reminded us that a smile could take you a mile. In those days there were very few medals and trophies to play for. However, to participate in sport was a big thing. Dr. Frank Anthony, in his appointment as Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, was quick to inform us that we must recognize the importance of sport for fitness and a healthier lifestyle.Janet Jagan, during her early years, embarked on learning to fly airplanes. During the bitter days of apartheid in
South Africa, Cde. Janet as International Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party requested the P.Y.O. hold lecture on apartheid and sport. Mrs. Jagan sat among the audience at Friendship House in Georgetown, and listened attentively to lectures delivered by the then President of the Olympic Committee, Justice Rudolph Harper and Dr. James Rose.She was indeed an internationalist, a broad mined individual who always saw the world objectively. Janet Jagan was adamant that we must have a National Sports Policy. She was a thorough person, demand that we must have system, transparency and accountability in what we do. Janet Jagan and her dear husband Cde Cheddi were two philosophers; they interrupted the world. We as a people must recognize sport for recreational, leisure, amateur and professional value of sport. Former President Janet Jagan left us a legacy that we must read, learn, be honest and patriotic. Let us, as Guyanese, bid her physically goodbye while we work to live a healthier lifestyle.