Dear Editor,
President Ali’s impassioned delivery at Babu Jaan, Port Mourant, to commemorate the 27th death anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Dr Cheddi Jagan, took his 2023 speech to another level.
In 2023, he made it clear that the APNU/AFC was attempting, as it did over the years, to convert our greatest asset – our people -into destructive weapons to achieve its political ambition at any cost.
However, this year, President Ali’s speech at Babu Jaan can be categorised as among the best speeches ever delivered. It was a speech so inspirational and clear in its message that the massive crowd kept on cheering throughout the duration. The speech was delivered with deep humanity, candour, and raw emotions which resonated with the people. The President ignited the political consciousness of the people to attain new heights.
What is equally remarkable is the fact that it was the most multi-racial and multi-ethnic crowd I have ever seen in any part of this country on any occasion past and present, and that speaks volumes of the achievements of the PPP/C Government. The “One Guyana” vision is materialising rapidly, and the rapid transformation has taken a firm hold on the ‘soul’ of the people.
This year, the President highlighted to the massive crowd at Babu Jaan that the PNC had attempted to destroy the ‘soul’ of the Guyanese nation, which Dr Jagan, through hard work, sacrifice and perseverance, had painstakingly crafted during the darkest period in Guyana’s history, when the PNC – the evil and dark force – was utterly bent on destroying the fundamental values of this nation. Dr Jagan was the beacon of hope for the oppressed masses, and that hope kept the soul of the people alive, for without hope men become beasts.
‘Man is diminished if he lives without knowledge of his past; without hope of a future, he becomes a beast’-P.D James.
At Babu Jaan, the Guyanese people are reminded of what the reality of the past was, since it is easy to lose sight of this, as had happened in 2015, and in so doing embrace the ‘evil and dark forces’ which have again raised their ugly head to devour the ‘soul’ of this nation. We must not allow any of the ‘evil and dark forces’, some masked as intellectuals, to drag us down the dark abyss of socio-economic deprivations.
History will bear testimony to the fact that from the 1960s to 1992, and as recent as 2015 to 2020, the PNC, disguised as APNU/AFC, wreaked havoc on this nation, severely disintegrating racial unity as its leaders preached perceived marginalization by the PPP and inciting some of its members and followers to attack, rob, rape and kill innocent Indo-Guyanese during violent street protests. These acts were meant to destabilize the PPC/C Government at different times during the period mentioned.
Their supporters have now realized how much they were lied to, and used to further the political ambitions of their leaders. The Guyanese people of all races have endured untold hardships under the PNC, and then under the guise of the Coalition, but they have now come to full political consciousness and maturity, and will no longer be used and abused.
The PPP under the late Dr Cheddi Jagan has always preached racial unity, but the PNC was always successful in derailing this process; but after Dr Jagan’s demise, his Party shouldered and embraced fully his legacy, and continued the quest to unite the races, affording equal opportunity to all, regardless of colour, class or creed.
Today the PNC has become impotent against this avalanche of unified goodwill, which the PPP/C has extended to each and every Guyanese. The words of the President rang true when he declared that ‘the soul of the nation is its identity, its values and aspirations then you know by now, that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic has consistently stood on a value system that protects the rights of people, that fights for democracy and freedom, that upholds the oppressed, and that lead in the revolution of thinking and advancement of our country…the soul of our country, though tested, is alive and well….’
The General Secretary, Dr Jagdeo, in his own inimitable style, made it pellucid that the PPP/C is the only Party which can offer sustainable progress, whilst the APNU ‘is fighting for themselves’ only. He gave a stark reminder to beware of empty promises of ‘moon and stars’, and Guyanese must peruse and compare the programmes (manifestos) and track records of political parties.
The period 2015 to 2020 is not such a distant memory.
When a country has leaders like Dr Irfaan Ali and Dr Jadgeo, Guyanese can be assured of a bright future. Dr Jagan’s Party is in good hands and his ideals and legacy are alive and thriving with each passing moment.
Yours sincerely,
Haseef Yusuf
