Dear Editor,
I refer to Dr Joey Jagan’s letter of July 14, 2008 in SN captioned, ‘Where is Dr Jagan’s legacy?’ In the words of Dr James Rose, Dr Jagan’s “life was a compelling struggle, first as a child; then as a student; as a nationalist and finally as the esteemed elder statesman.”
As a result of his struggles he made us the most politically conscious nation in the Caribbean and he won such a preponderance of victories that, today, Guyanese can stand tall anywhere in the world. That is Dr Jagan’s legacy.
Cheddi Jagan was a brilliant young professional married to a beautiful American woman. He could easily have stayed in Chicago but he decided to return to Guyana with his wife. He would encourage a number of us to return to serve our country throughout his life. So you see Joey, remigration is also a Jagan legacy.
Even then he could have lived a life of luxury in Georgetown but he dedicated, “his entire life to the cause of the struggle of the Guyanese people against bondage and exploitation.” He lived a life of near poverty, paid for the education of others and raised the standard of living of almost all of the workers of Guyana. The ability to work for positive changes is a Jagan legacy.
In the course of his work, he touched the lives of many people and made their lives easier. He gave them hope, inspiration and the courage to struggle.
Those who know can explain to Joey where the legacy is, if only he would take time to talk to the people, a practice which in itself is a Jagan legacy.
I can try to give him the benefit of my personal experience. When I was very small my mother took me to a Catholic school which required her to agree to change my religion and my name to ensure admittance for my primary education. No child in Guyana is faced with that situation today. That is Jagan’s legacy.
Once again when I was barely able to understand what was happening I sat in the mud and watched my parents participate in a self-help housing scheme which became our home way into my teenage years. That housing scheme was started by Janet Jagan as Minister of Housing in Jagan’s government. My father was able to survive in the darkest of times knowing that his family would have a roof over their heads. That is Jagan’s legacy.
My father would ride his Honda motorcycle from Essequibo to Crabwood Creek as a field worker for the RPA. He was involved in the establishment of the MMA water management scheme which brought thousands of acres of farmland under cultivation for poor farmers. These workers were able to feed their families and send them to school to qualify as professionals. The agricultural sector is still the largest poverty alleviation project conceived and implemented by a leader in this country. That is Jagan’s legacy.
I recall being invited by the Guyana Bridge Assoc-iation to a dinner where Dr Jagan was the guest of honour.
I was seated to his left and a woman was seated facing me on his right. To my utter astonishment the lady proceeded to say,“Cheddi, look how you old. Just now you going to dead and gone and you have not even named a successor.” Dr Jagan made a visible effort to compose himself and when he spoke it was in a quiet but firm tone which reflected his unique ability to think through the issue rapidly and fashion an honest response. What he said will remain imprinted on my mind.
He said with a trace of sadness in his voice, “I do not believe in dynasties and I do not have to name a successor. What I will leave behind is a party structure which is strong. Out of the ranks of the party a leader will emerge and life will go on.” Those who emerged and will continue to emerge are Jagan’s legacies.
When a student graduates from the University of Guyana, whenever a child is treated by a doctor who could not have become a doctor had it not been for a Jagan scholarship, that is Jagan’s legacy. When the New Global Human Order is discussed at the UN, that is Jagan’s legacy. When a Guyanese woman votes that is a Jagan legacy.
When men who are not proprietors or landlords or people between the ages of 18-21 years vote that is a Jagan legacy. When a party group is formed, when the group meets and gets involved in community activities and when the PPP/C wins an election that is a Jagan legacy.
I could go on, but the legacy of Jagan is out there for all of us to see. It resides in our ability to stand tall and be counted as Guyanese, equal to all and fully liberated in the land of our birth. We have never been freer, as a people.
We must, however, remember not to become complacent and give in to the negative elements as according to Dr Jagan the struggle goes on each and every day.
I close with a quotation by Dr Jagan. He said, “I first wanted to be a doctor. Didn’t want to be merely a specialist and craftsman and cure individual aches and ills. I wanted to cure the ills of society. I want to know that I have served humanity as a human being.
All of us want recognition – I am not interested in recognition conferred on the basis of my bankroll. When I would have passed away, I would like it recorded that Jagan did his bit in the service of humanity.” We can all say that he did more than a bit and as long as the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre exists, we will continue to say loudly, clearly and for all who are willing to listen, Dr Jagan’s legacy is alive and well.
Yours faithfully,
Mohamed Sattaur
