Former Agri Minister laid to rest

The atmosphere at Cotton Field, Essequibo Coast Region 2 was sombre as the former Minister within the Agriculture Ministry, former Region Two Chairman Alli Baksh, was laid to rest on Saturday.
Baksh died at his Cotton Field home on Wednesday last at about 13:00h.
Scores of family members, flanked by leaders of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), their supporters and other loved ones, gathered at the Baksh residence to give the former Parliamentarian a fitting send off.
The funeral service, which was conducted according to Islamic rights, commenced with the draping of Baksh’s coffin with the flag of the PPP/C in honour of his years-long service to the country through that political party.
Opposition Leader and General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party, Bharrat Jagdeo, during his remarks at the funeral, said Baksh had given most of his life towards the struggles of the PPP party. Jagdeo said Baksh had been a man with a vision, and had been part of something that had captured the ideology of the late Dr Cheddi Jagan.
“Alli Baksh’s life epitomized that of Jagan. What Alli Baksh did was admirable; he fought the colonial (authorities) for the betterment of Guyanese,” Jagdeo said.
The Opposition Leader further described the former minister as having been a true patriot who had not only fought for the PPP, but for the people. He added that many persons had admired the qualities Baksh had had, and the work he had done, especially in his position as Regional Chairman.
“Every community has a vision of Baksh,” Jagdeo stated.
Former President Donald Ramotar also reminisced on the life of Baksh, saying he had fought to improve the lives of ordinary people. According to Ramotar, Baksh had had a charming charisma and an understanding personality.
“Alli never died; everything you watched in Essequibo Coast you see Alli in it. I am very proud to know him; the relationship will forever live on,” Ramotar noted as he recalled fond memories of the camaraderie they had shared.
Regional Chairman Devanand Ramdatt said Saturday was the saddest day for the people of Region Two, since the region had lost a “good father.” Ramdatt said that under Baksh’s leadership, many transformative projects had been done in the region, such as setting up of the Guyana School of Agriculture and the Essequibo Technical Institute, among other things.
Ramdatt said Baksh had been a “people’s man”, and would have reached out to many persons throughout Guyana over the years.
Former Regional Vice Chairman and First Secretary of the PPP in Region Two, Vishnu Samaroo, also shared fond memories of Baksh, having worked alongside him for 13 years. Samaroo said Baksh had been very instrumental in changing the landscape of Region Two. He told mourners that Comrade Baksh had always wanted to see progress continue in Guyana.
Extending condolences on behalf of the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) was former Housing Minister Irfaan Ali, who said that Baksh had been a legendary, a motivator, and an example for many young people to emulate.
Also extending sympathies to Baksh’s relatives and friends was General Secretary of the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO), Sheila Veerasammy. She said Baksh had served as a mentor to many women, and had made a lot of sacrifices for the PPP.
Condolences were also extended by former General Secretary of the PPP, Clement Rohee, who also recalled the work Baksh had done over the years as a party member and as a public figure.
Tributes were also extended by representatives of the Guyana Rice Producers Association and the Guyana Workers Union.
Attending the funeral were top PPP officials, including Dr Roger Luncheon, former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Gail Teixeira, Bibi Shaddick, Anil Nandlall, Juan Edgill, Zulfikar Mustapha, Dharamkumar Seeraj and Frank Anthony.
Baksh was interred at the Anna Regina Cemetery at the end of the emotional funeral service.