Remembering Cheddi Jagan

Remembering Cheddi Jagan

Remembering my Grandfather
by Cheddi Berret Jagan II

According to Webster's Encyclopaedic Dictionary, experience is defined as the knowledge or practical wisdom gained from what one has observed, encountered, or undergone. With respect to this definition, an experience I have sustained in living with my grandfather, Cheddi Jagan, the former President of Guyana, South America, for a brief, however, portentous duration. During this period, I learned both persistence and discipline.

First, my grandfather's persistent manner was evident in his basic habitual manners, such as sleeping patters, availability and the custom in which he worked. His sleeping patterns and ways which he worked were linked, in that, at the latest times of night, while everyone else in the house was asleep he would be constantly working on speeches, bills and laws and other presidential related responsibilities. Although his hard work deprived him of ample time to rest, he awoke, every single day that I can recall at 6.00 am. At breakfast, my grandfather never wasted a morsel of any type of food, and at times scolded his grandchildren, myself included, for wasting anything whatsoever, as Guyana is a poor, "third-world," country, and many are mendicant. My grandfather also followed a very strict schedule, and after breakfast, he immediately left for work, and was never tardy. His discipline can be exhibited by both previous mentions.

The most persistent instance I can recall however, although it is one of great grief, is during his illness, which led to his death, in 1997. He had suffered a massive heart attack in Guyana, and was immediately sent to Washington D.C. at Walter Reed Medical Centre for hospitalisation and medical treatment. The whole time there, my grandfather struggled to survive, constantly battling and never giving up. However, he passed away very early one morning. Although he, I guess failed at his attempt, my grandfather shocked every doctor, or medically related individual, surviving for far more weeks than they had predicted.

To see someone fight for their life, and continue their natural manner (persistence) even in the toughest situations, made me look at life differently, it made me realize the importance of never giving up and to always uphold my own identity. Therefore, living with my grandfather has both influenced who I am and has been a meaningful experience to me. My grandfather lives on in my heart, and continues to be my personal "teacher". The persistence he portrayed in everything he attempted will always influence the manner I choose to view things.

A quote, which exhibit my grandfather, by an unknown source:

"Press On: Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."

He Pulled My Teeth! -
byDudley K.

In the early nineteen-fifties someone suggested that I visit Dr. Cheddi Jagan for my dental needs. His reputation as a good dentist, and that he did not charge much had become known. One of the reasons I went to him as the low fees he charged. I could not afford much as a teacher. By that time, I had heard him speak at meetings in the countryside and he quite enraptured his audiences and endeared himself to people.

On the fateful day, the waiting room was quite orderly and I did not have to wait long to see him. The office assistant, whom I later learned was Mrs. Jagan, was courteous and kind, neatly clad in white uniform. The air smelled of some cleansing fluid and I felt I was in a sanitary environment.

I looked up at the framed certificate from North-Western University with Dr. Jagan's name as a graduate and small photos of the graduates of that year. Of course I tried to spot Dr. Jagan's picture, and I wished I could go to such a school to become like him.

Once I got into the chair I felt completely at ease. Always fearful of dental work, this was an entirely different experience. He gave me the feeling I was in very capable hands. I felt the confidence he gave out. After the examination of every tooth, there was the diagnosis of an extraction. I had the extraction, I had to return later in the day, because it turned out I was a bleeder. He sutured the gums and sent me to the Public Hospital outpatient's department for a hemophiliac examination. It turned out to be negative. I suffered only from dental bleeding. After that, he always had the sutures prepared when I had an extraction. Later on, I took fellow students from my college into the surgery on Saturday evenings to discuss politics and economics.

Thank you Dr. Jagan. You were both my dentist and my teacher.

What Dr. Cheddi Jagan did to promote the Steel Band Movement
by Roy Geddes, A.A

In 1962 the late President Dr. Cheddi Jagan had mobilised a National Steelband. Players were paid by the State. However, this orchestra was disbanded by the People’s National Congress government when they took office. I feel that this has had a long-term negative effect on the Steel Band Art Form in this country.

Also in 1962 a truly National Steel Band was formed to go and perform in Trinidad and Tobago for their Independence Day.

Dr. Cheddi Jagan would never be forgotten by those who truly have a sense of patriotism – a love for one’s country.

Discipline Is Love

P.S A Black Art-form

The steelband instruments were invented by hard-working dedicated and committed black youths from the ghettos who have never gained the respect they truly deserved.

THE WIND BENEATH OUR WINGS
Reflections on Cheddi Jagan
by William Cox

On the afternoon of October 9, 1992 an old woman, a radio stuck to her left ear stood in the avenue outside of State House as Cheddi Jagan was being sworn into office. She was not among the dignitaries and privileged who were allowed inside, but nothing could have prevented her from being there. As Cheddi Jagan read his oath, tears of joy welled up in the old woman's eyes. Her hero had won. His life long struggle for democracy and freedom had been vindicated.

Cheddi Jagan joined the immortals on Thursday 6 March, 1997. During the final three weeks of his life there were from time to time occasional rumours that he had died. Many nights I received telephone calls from anxious friends enquiring whether these rumours were true. I assured them repeatedly that Cheddi Jagan was a fighter and would not go down that easy. I could hardly be deemed a knowledgeable source about the President's health and so I told many of them that if the worst occurred there was one sure way they would know - from the music played on the radio. On the night before he died, the calls came again. This time I began to worry but none the less retired in the hope that the morning would allay my fears.

It was with trembling hands that about five o'clock the following morning, I nervously turned on the radio. A slow haunting melody, its note hanging like slow motion in the air greeted me and I instantly knew that what I dreaded had occurred. Our beloved President was no more. The dark time had come.

Outpouring of Sorrow

The poet Khalil Gibran once said "Love knows not its true depths until the hour of separation". In the days that followed there was an unbelievable outpouring of sorrow and solidarity. Hundreds of thousands came out to pay their last respects to the man who had never abandoned them. It was a moving display of mass adulation and love. The procession of mourners included Heads of States, Prime Ministers, Ambassadors, but most important and by far the largest group were the ordinary folk who have always been his devout and faithful supporters. I am sure that old woman who was outside of State House the day he became President was amongst the multitudes, her heart bleeding in grief.

I was in the Berbice, his homeland and the heartland of his party's support, on the day he was originally scheduled to be cremated. I never expected to get any where near the cortege but I had to be there like many others to register my presence; it was the least I could do. Nothing could prepare me for the outpouring of grief I witnessed in the ancient county. The crowds were like rice and as fast as the vehicles picked them up from the stelling the more they came in waves. I have seen some very large funerals in my lifetime. The funerals of Sir David Rose, Winifred Gaskin and Forbes Burnham spring to mind. But never have I seen one as large as this one. Only a Cheddi Jagan could have brought out these numbers. This country will never see the likes of this again.

Personal Memories

I have never been a member of any political party in Guyana but Cheddi Jagan has had a greater impact on my political consciousness than any other. I remember as a boy reading Cheddi Jagan's " STRAIGHT TALK " which was published every Sunday in the Mirror newspaper. I got to meet him and know him much later, at least about fifteen years ago, I would think.

At the time Freedom House held video shows every Monday night. The shows were held on the top floor of the building, long before the extension to the old building was undertaken. There was a man by the name of Bishop who would be responsible for these shows and every Monday night I would trek down to Freedom House. Before each feature presentation there was always a documentary on political and social themes and it was these that interested me the most. In the early days these shows were not usually well attended. Sometimes it was only myself and now councilor Mr. Rogers and his young grand daughter who would be in attendance. On some occasions Cheddi Jagan would come upstairs and sit in. I used these opportunities to ask him the many burning questions which preoccupied my mind.

He was always willing to answer my questions and to explain events and happenings in Guyana. Cheddi Jagan was never one to dodge or evade issues. He did not employ guile, deceit or bluff when he explained things. Cheddi Jagan spoke straight to your heart from his heart with full honesty. I always looked forward to these chance encounters with Cheddi which heightened my political and social consciousness.

Remarkable Integrity

Volumes can be written about this great man. He was a politician who embodied the finest of virtues. He was a man of remarkable integrity and honesty, indefatigable courage, moral consistency and an intellect of the highest standing amongst many other things. Cheddi had boundless faith in the poor and working class and they in turn worshipped him like an icon.

Many like vultures have taken advantage of his genial personality and the fact that as a politician he was empty of malice, spite and vindictiveness.

Albert Einstein once said of Mahatma Ghandi "Generations to come will scarcely believe that one such as this in flesh and blood walked upon this earth". I have heard similar sentiments being echoed about Cheddi Jagan. A resident of Berbice put it in his own words ""He ah the greatest man deh gat, he ah the greatest."

It is very difficult to think about another politician who embodied all of the qualities Cheddi Jagan had. Guyana will never find another Cheddi Jagan. He can never be cloned.

Close to the Church

Just before the last elections, The Faith Justice and Social Action Group held discussions with a number of our political leaders including Cheddi Jagan. He willingly agreed to meet with us and even though the demands on his time must have been enormous, he spent over three hours detailing his plans and his hopes for a democratic country. Our group has as one of its objectives the dissemination of Catholic social teaching and we consider ourselves learned in these teachings. All of us were, however, utterly taken aback and astonished by Dr. Jagan's knowledge and understanding of some of the Papal encyclicals. In our own field he edified us.

At that meeting he gave us an open invitation to meet with him. Just after the elections I took him up on this offer and along with Rohan Sagar met with him in his office. There again he spoke about the need for strong moral values in the reconstruction of Guyana, a theme he echoed the very next day when he addressed the Annual Pastoral Conference of the Catholic Church.

The late Bishop Guilly told me that of all the local politicians he dealt with, he respected Cheddi the most since whenever he gave you his word you could rely on him to be faithful.

Every time Cheddi Jagan has assumed the leadership of Guyana, this country has prospered. He had that magical touch which comes from a caring heart.

Guyana Without Dr Jagan

Now that he has gone what will Guyana be like? I know it will never be the same. But Cheddi Jagan's death is not only our loss. The Third World has lost one of the leading authorities on development. This was a subject close to his heart and one that he wrote, read and spoke on extensively. He brought to the debate on development, his vast experience of over fifty years as a politician and student of Third World political economy.

Our dear departed President had a will of steel. Not the power of the British Empire, the might of imperialism, the years in which he was cheated out of power nor the anti democratic forces could weaken his commitment to the Guyanese people. His was a spirit that could never be broken.

Cheddi Jagan was committed to peaceful change. If he was a man of violence he could have moved mountains with the numbers who have stood beside him. But he was above all a man who could never contemplate such an option.

Guyana has been blessed to have had such a man born to us. His life has lifted us all from the abyss of hopelessness and will inspire future generations. In his memory we will soar to even greater heights. He is the wind beneath our wings

Printed in the Catholic Standard, Sun. March 16, 1997