Dear Editor,
There was the death anniversary this week of my hero, Dr Cheddi B Jagan who died on March 6, 1997. I was in Guyana, employed as the Director of the Primary Education Improvement Program (PEIP) and was at the Stabroek Market area and I saw people of African descent crying non-stop. I stopped in the middle of the road and was told that Dr Jagan passed away. Although we knew the end was nigh, our hearts could not accept the reality. I was in a state of what I do not know, but I did not hear the horns of the line of cars behind me. I also remember that I was fired on March 7,1997, the day after the President died. His death was probably a boon to others.
I recall in late 1996 on a Saturday, Dr Jagan was touring Wakenaam and we recommissioned the extensive repairs to the Sans Souci primary school. I was going to return to Georgetown soon after and he asked me to stay over until Sunday. Of course, I could not say no.
On Sunday morning there was a bottom house meeting at one Roopchand’s 3 bedroom house, which had a flushing toilet, where some members of the team slept, including Fazal Alli(now deceased) and Pariag Sukhai. Fazal, Pariag, Dr Jagan and myself were at the head table sitting with approximately 300 persons in the audience. As the meeting was about to start, Dr Jagan got up and said “Joe I will be right back, keep things going” and he started to walk west toward the seashore for about half a mile. I did not know what to do, the security and everyone was guessing on his motive.
Dr Jagan returned with a fair-skinned guy, whose head did not have much hair and placed him to sit in front of him on a chair then he took his seat. I later learned that this guy’s name was Thani or Tani. Dr Jagan said loudly before the meeting officially started and I quote, “for 18 years when I visited Wakenaam , I slept on the floor at Thani’s house and ate whatever he offered me with great love and used his latrine, and today Jagan tun President you all bring me to a flush toilet house and without my best contributor, Thani.” I saw grief in Dr Jagan, it was not a political act. Is this not a Godlike act? Dr Jagan was a fearless man and only truthful and good-intentioned people are fearless.
Yours faithfully,
Joe Persaud (Canada)
