Dear Editor,
The global forum in New Delhi where Guyanese are participants has relevance and application for Guyana and an effort should be made by the government to obtain copies of papers presented especially those relating to development. The seminar session dealing with the “Challenges of Development in the Global Context” will probably be most beneficial to Guyana. Presenters will speak on the global challenges impacting on development not only on India but on the Third World in general. The focus will be on interdependency and the use of appropriate technology to promote development. I don’t know if the government has sent any official to the conference. But a government representative should be there to gather information that would benefit the country.
Guyana faces serious developmental challenges that can no longer be ignored. The high incidence of unemployment and poverty and increasing racial tensions – all of which lead to rising crime and a feeling of hopelessness – can only be addressed through expedited development. India has been experiencing rapid growth of almost 8% a year over the last ten years and many areas of the country are being modernized. The government should look at what India has to offer and especially at what the conference has to offer.
I should note that the conference also has bearings on Guyana in other respects, especially those sessions dealing with cultural, educational, investment links and tracing roots. The Guyanese contingent at PBD assures me they plan to propose a framework to help increase trade between India, Guyana and the rest of the Caribbean as well as to promote investment in Guyana. The
Guyanese contingent will also request government of India assistance to help to trace their roots. The government of India has promised to establish institutions that would facilitate tracing one’s roots as well as promoting culture between India and the host countries. The government also promised to increase cultural exchange – sending more delegations to Guyana and to increase scholarships. The government had also agreed to expand the long distance degree program in India to include the Caribbean and to establish the university that would allow diaspora children to study in India; Guyanese can study at the university almost for free. And there is much to be gained from investment. There is a market (in business, finance, health, insurance, trade, education, etc.) waiting to be tapped in Guyana and the Caribbean.
Investment would benefit both India and Guyana leading to wealth and job creation and economic growth.
So overall, the diaspora meeting in Delhi will be beneficial to all Guyanese and we should applaud our brethren who are attending the conference and who will share their experiences with us.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
