I regret being unable to attend this ceremony due to health problems, but take this
opportunity to thank everyone here for paying tribute to our late President and Father of
the Nation.
Not far from where you are today, he was born to sugar workers of Port Mourant, Jagan
and Bachaoni, both born in India and who arrived in the then British Guiana with their
parents who were indentured labourers. From this humble beginning, Cheddi reached the
highest position in the land of his birth, the Presidency.
But, it is to his everlasting credit that he never forgot his roots. His whole life was
dedicated to the betterment of humankind, both in his country of birth and everywhere that
people lived and suffered.
Through his many years of active life in the service of humanity, his contributions to
society in general were enormous. He led the anti-colonial struggle in Guyana and in the
historical sense is related to all the leaders of these struggles - Nehru, Nkrumah, Julius
Nyerere, Mandela and others. He actively fought for and led working people in their
struggles for a better life, never giving an inch or making compromises that endangered
their rights.
Perhaps, one of the most remarkable aspects of Cheddi Jagan's life was his consistent
struggle for justice, never compromising his beliefs and always advocating equality, unity
and struggle. Unlike many before him and after, he never sold out the people. His honesty
and integrity made him unique in the realms of leadership. Even those who hated him the
most, never doubted his honesty or his intentions.
What we can learn from the life of Cheddi Jagan is never to give up, once you know that
you are doing what is right. In the face of the most difficult situations and the most
dangerous period, as in the 60's, Cheddi never gave up and in the face of terrible
attacks, still called for national unity, as he knew how important this was. At the height
of the combined forces which had one objective - the removal of the PPP from office and
the aim that it would never again gain office - in 1965 he said:
"Regardless o f race or ethnic origin, let us consolidate our, forces, win new
support and march forward to victory ... Racism is the greatest curse of our land...
anyone who .spreads racial propaganda must be severely dealt with. Such a person is an
enemy to himself and his country.
" Unity of the working class regardless of race is vital. If we are to go,
forward, the party must have the backing not of one race, but of all races. We must take
the offensive. We must combat racism mercilessly and build a disciplined party .... "
(1967)
Today, as we pay tribute to the Father of Independence, let us remember this man who
was our brother, our father and who gave our country the unique leadership of a man who
truly cared about the people. Long may his name be kept alive!
© 2004 Janet Jagan
List
of Activities to Commemorate the Death and Birth Anniversary of Dr. Cheddi Jagan - March
2003 - in Guyana
March 6-Wreath Laying at Anna Regina, Essequibo
March 6- Night of Reflection, Freedom House, Georgetown
March 9-Babu John Memorial Service
March 10- Lecture at Charity, Essequibo
March 10- Photographic Exhibition at Cheddi Jagan Research Centre
March 15-Cycle Race, Berbice
March 16-Fitness Walk at the National Park
March 20- Lecture on Cheddi Jagan at Cheddi Jagan Research Centre
March 22- Family Fun Day at State House. Similar activities planned for No. 63 Beach,
Wakenaam and Leguan
March 22- Fundraising Dinner at Parkway Hotel,New Amsterdam
March 22-BBQ at Reliance, Essequibo
March 22-Wreath laying at Karasabai
March 24- Night of Reflection at Ogle, East Coast Demerara
March 29-Fund Raising Dinner at Pegasus
March 29-Drawing of Raffle sponsored by Cheddi Jagan Research Centre.
ACTIVITIES PLANNED FOR MARCH 2004 TO COMMEMORATE THE LIFE
OF DR. CHEDDI JAGAN
4th March,
2004 - 5pm - Night of Reflection to be held at Freedom House.
5th March,
2004 - 3 pm – Wreath laying ceremony at Babu John
14th March,
2004 - Cycle race on Corentyne
21st March,
2004 - 3 pm – Family Fun Day at State House
22nd March,
2004 - 5 pm – Lecture at the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre
(Speaker Dr. Odeen Ishmael)
28th March,
2004 - Cheddi Jagan Fitness Walk at National Park.
ACTIVITIES PLANNED FOR MARCH 2005 TO COMMEMORATE THE LIFE
OF DR. CHEDDI JAGAN
The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has organized a
series of events and activities to celebrate the life and work of our late
General Secretary and
Guyana’s former
President, Dr. Cheddi Jagan in March 2005
The activities held annually honour the life of the founder-leader the late
Dr. Cheddi Jagan the foremost political leader of the country.
The events and various activities are listed below:
| March 4 |
Night of Reflection |
Freedom House |
| March 6 |
Wreath Laying |
Karasabai |
| March 6 |
Wreath Laying |
Kopinang |
| March 6 |
Wreath Laying |
Play Park, Anna Regina
|
| March 6 |
Cycle Race |
New Amsterdam |
| March 6 |
Remembering Cheddi |
Babu John |
| March 6 |
Soft Ball competition
|
Helena #2 Ground |
| March 19 |
Bar-B-Que Fun Day |
Lima, Essequibo |
| March 20 |
Family Fun-Day |
New Road Sports Ground, Essequibo
|
| March 20 |
Fitness Walk |
National Park |
| March 20 |
Family Fun Day |
State House |
These activities will be complemented by a series of
media and community-related activities in all ten regions.
The PPP invitees all Guyanese to join in the reflection on the life of the
late President.
The late President Jagan died on March 6, 1997.