Scores of Georgetown residents lined the streets and even more gathered outside of Parliament Buildings yesterday, braving the intense morning heat as the nation bid farewell to its first female Head of State, Mrs Janet Jagan.
For some, their presence was open appreciation for the various contributions of Mrs Jagan to Guyana’s history, while for others it was an act borne out of curiosity. It was not an overwhelming turnout by any means but the diversity of the crowd spoke volumes, as both the young and old and persons of different ethnic backgrounds assembled.
And even as they gathered outside of Parliament Buildings, several people could be heard discussing the life of the former President, with many holding the view that Mrs. Jagan did a lot for Guyana.
A student of the Tutorial High School David Goodridge told this newspaper that he had attended the ceremony because he had wanted the experience of witnessing a state funeral first hand. According to him, he was happy that he came because he was able to learn a lot about the contributions of Mrs Jagan to the country, something which he opined should be taught in schools.
He also attended the funeral because he is connected to the daughter-in-law of Mrs Jagan, Nadia Jagan who is his dance teacher. The young man explained that his presence was a show of support for his teacher.
Another man told this newspaper that he just came to “have a look at what going on.” After the almost hour and a half ceremony at Parliament Buildings concluded, the coffin (which was draped with the Golden Arrowhead) was placed on a truck that was decorated in the national colours (red, gold, green, black and white) and with photographs of the former President.
After departing from Parliament Buildings, the cortege stopped briefly at Freedom House, the headquarters of the PPP located in Robb Street. Here a sizeable crowd gathered and General Secretary of the party Donald Ramotar briefly addressed the crowd and the party’s theme song was sung. Ramotar remarked that it was only fitting that they came here since this was a place where Mrs. Jagan visited almost daily, whenever she was in the country. Soon after, the cortege continued its journey to Babu John.
Earlier in the morning at about 7:20 a.m. a procession comprising police outriders, a blue hearse and vehicles transporting family members and friends left the former President’s home at New Haven, Bel Air to go to Castellani House on Vlissengen Road.
From here, a military procession began. The procession continued south along Vlissengen Road and turned west into Brickdam and continued until it reached Parliament Buildings. As the procession moved along Brickdam, several employees from the various agencies along that route came onto the road and others were seen peering through windows. These included workers from the Ministry of Health, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, GT&T and other entities. Many were putting their digital cameras and cellular phones to use, as they snapped pictures as the cortege moved steadily by. Residents and staff of the Palms Geriatric Home were also out in their numbers as the cortege passed. Several school children were also on the road with some clearly intrigued by the stylishness of the procession.
The procession eventually arrived at the Parliament Buildings just about 8:30 a.m. where the State Funeral commenced.
