Dear Editor,
I am assuming that there is a special national body that is responsible for gathering and studying data and deciding on who are eligible for national honours. Such a body should be given free scope to work autonomously in moral and austere ways so as to withstand nepotistic, political and similar types of pollution from infiltrating the sacredness of its mandate.
If perchance, it is decided that new categories of prestigious honours be issued, thus raising the bar for outstanding recognition among our sons and daughters of the soil who have distinguished themselves through sacrificing their lives for the cause by rendering exceptional service to the nation, this information should be fed to this committee. It would then research its relevance along the lines of the national criteria suggested at the time of submission and come up with the names of citizens worthy of such awards.
The introduction of an Order of Liberation as an award for outstanding achievement by Guyanese of repute was not a bad move. It is a praiseworthy act to honour those who have dedicated their lives to transforming our nation into realms where democracy, growth and prosperity are possible. In itself, it is a gesture strong enough for such an award to be established as an inspiring national goal which would create and encourage acts of lifetime patriotic service among Guyanese. The way it was introduced, however, makes it questionable. It reeks of contrivance that in some way defeats the strength of its intention. It was made to look as though it were just the convenience of a political gimmick especially created to honour Dr. Jagan. A man of Jagan’s calibre is more deserving than that. Transparency, integrity, national respect and proper process would add character to any organization that is seeking to legitimately install such high accolade to a leader who has distinguished himself as a historic figure. I am sure that Dr. Jagan himself would have felt so.
I am not debating here whether he deserves it, or not. That is not my issue. It is the way in which it was done that I am concerned about. This new category was forced upon the people. Even the sudden mention of Dr. Jagan’s name as the first recipient was unilateral and undemocratic.
There are a lot of unsung heroes who have been involved in the fight to liberate Guyana in various ways from all types of systems and ill-conceived leadership styles that have tarnished the image of our nation. Walter Rodney has ended up as an unsolved murder. If we are not careful the significance of Eden and Critchlow in the history of our Trade Union Movement will soon be forgotten. Give them their due respect, also.
I am in total agreement with Mr Vishnu Bisram for suggesting that Mr Eusi Kwayana be considered for the Order of Liberation. His magnanimous efforts to see a democratic Guyana with leaders who are clean and uncorrupt has been a life long commitment.
Of all the national examples of leadership, he is a rare breed, a true and genuine example. As Mr Bisram has observed in his letter, Kwayana may also deserve the Order of Liberation: Wednesday, January 16, 2008, “With regards to Kwayana, he played an important role with Jagan, Burnham and others in the struggle for independence. He was consistent in his demand for free and fair elections and made several trips overseas appealing for help in the struggle against the dictatorship
