Dear Editor,
In one of the early election campaigns, the PPP under the leadership of Dr CB Jagan came to the Providence Cricket Ground located in Islington, East Bank, Berbice. This site provided a very curious and interesting backdrop in that it served and linked three different communities of different backgrounds.
Dr Jagan addressed the issues that the people came to hear about. He outlined what a PPP government would do for them.
He specifically addressed the educational issues raised by the villagers of Islington. He promised that education (and health care) would be a priority of the PPP government. He pointed out that for this country to move forward our citizens must be properly educated. He shared his vision of having our own university right here in British Guiana, where we would train our own technical and professional people – engineers, doctors, agricultural specialists, foresters, and scientists, etc. He particularly stressed that science and engineering would be the cornerstones of our economic development. He noted that we would place no limits on the abilities and imaginations of our scientists, and the intellectual potential of our people. He added that those who excelled will find room here at home, and that we cannot afford to lose our finest minds. He further stated that we must invite those already abroad to come home. We will work to create conditions to attract and retain our scientists.
He emphasized the need for imaginative scientists. He said that education was like giving our children wings to fly. Who knows, he said, that maybe one day we will produce a Nobel Prize-winning scientist.
That was the first time I heard anyone articulate a defining and essential role for science and technology in the development of this country. The audience cheered Dr C Jagan.
That was the mystique of Dr C Jagan. He was able to connect with the ordinary people, empathize with their sufferings, and identify and share their dreams.
I returned to Guyana (2001) thinking that such a vision was still in vogue. I thought that I could contribute towards the reconstruction of the country for the benefit of all of our people.
I found that there is/was no such bright and imaginative vision in place. In fact, I found that no one in government really cared. I guess that identification with the people went with the death of Dr Jagan. His vision and dreams for the people and this country were also shelved at his passing.
Yours faithfully,
Seelochan Beharry
