A DAUGHTER’S GIFT OF
LOVE TO THE NATION
BY PARVATI PERSAUD-EDWARDS
DESIGNED by Dr. Cheddi Jagan
and constructed in 1966, this simple edifice that encapsulates the
essences of two iconic figures in the landscape of Guyana’s history
was gifted to the National Trust by only daughter of Dr. and Mrs
Jagan, Nadira Jagan-Brancier, during a simple handing-over ceremony
held on the lawns and presided over by Presidential Advisor Navin
Chanderpal at 17.00 hrs yesterday afternoon.
Mr. Chanderpal said the event marked a historic moment in memory of
two great patriots, and that the Jagans were two idols who, despite
extraordinary public lives, lived very simple private lives.
Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture Dr. Frank Anthony, lauded the
act of donating to the nation the home where Dr. and Mrs. Jagan spent
most of their adult lives, which will enable the public to have
insights into the private lives of two national leaders who have made
landmark contributions to the development of the nation and create a
heritage site for all Guyanese to understand the historic proceedings
of the nation.
Nadira, who has always been the most dutiful and supportive
daughter, spoke movingly of the simple lifestyles of her dearly
beloved parents and the great love and happiness shared by the small
family in this simple home built by a man who retained his simplicity
all his life despite reaching great heights in public life.
She said that, except for a few minor changes she had made when her
mom returned to live in her home, the house was exactly the same as
when her father first built it.
In the study of the home, two photographs displayed capture a
picture of a leader sharing moments of happiness with his
grandchildren ensconced within his arms in a hammock, which Nadira
describes as the one essential comfort zone in his life, and which
could be found wherever he spent any length of time.
Nadira said that the eclectic literary tastes of both her parents
are reflected in the diversity of the reading material in their
library, with every genre of literature collected over a lifetime on
display, but that the paintings and Objets D’Art reflect her mother’s
love for things cultural and beautiful.
However, things green and beautiful in her father’s garden reflect
his love for plants and growing things, because the towering mango and
other fruit trees, as well as the flowers and rare orchids that he
cultivated are a testimony of his grounding with his roots in the
agricultural belt in Berbice.
She said that the logistics of times for public showings are still
being fine-tuned, but that provision will be made for those who cannot
visit during weekdays.
President Bharrat Jagdeo, in a brief address, said that he endorsed
the sentiments expressed and thanked Nadira for what he described as
her tremendous act of generosity.
He said that Guyanese would have been otherwise deprived of the
rare opportunity of understanding the outstanding persons that Dr. and
Mrs. Jagan were. He described Nadira’s prodigious efforts at
cataloguing and preparing the books, documents and artifacts left by
Dr. and Mrs. Jagan as a tremendous contribution to the Cheddi Jagan
Reading and Research Centre.
The President said that the things the Jagans had believed in are
enshrined in just a short walk through their simple home and expressed
the hope that children who would not have experienced these amazing
personalities in their lifetimes would, from this monument to their
private lives, be enabled an understanding of the role they had played
in the formation of Guyana and its progress.
A tour of the house after the formalities unveiled the soul of a
home which encapsulates the quintessential spirit of two monumental
human beings with hearts large enough to cradle the entire family of
humanity.
Note: The home of Dr. & Mrs Jagan was not
donated to the National Trust by Nadira Jagan-Brancier, but is open to
the public under the administration of the Cheddi Jagan Research
Centre.