Dear Editor,
Enmore Day in Toronto reminds us that it’s time Enmore be included among the five towns of Guyana. While much happens in Guyana to keep the culture alive, the diaspora struggles daily to fly their hometown’s flag high. Enmore Day in Toronto was a uniquely organized event that helped us reflect on this reality.
Hats off to the organizers, who laboured selflessly over the past three years to bring entertainment and socializing to Enmoreans here! Families enjoyed a sunny picnic in colourful camaraderie, while memories were tested constantly, as old school mates and friends from Newton, Haslington, Blossom Scheme, Logwood, Foulis, Enmore Pasture, etc, bounced into each other, at times putting a face to Facebook! One visitor from New York commented that this event was simply outstanding as it provided non-stop entertainment.
Enmore is more than a place in Guyana. It can be a town of great value, since it boasts of a history plus the many amenities and geo-political position many others don’t have.
People always come here shopping, using the post office, doing business, seeking jobs, schooling, attending places of worship, etc. Maybe start with a bank, since Enmoreans have enjoyed coveted security for a long time.
It’s time this famous sugar estate received increased government support, which could enhance the productivity of its residents and give due to its contribution – notwithstanding the fact that other villages have played their role very well.
Enmore is the site of the Enmore martyrs, whence the struggle of independence arose like a phoenix, creating the inspiration for Guyana’s multiple political leaders. The plantation was once the destination of Guyana’s races and has evolved into a beautiful mix of past and present residents. This hometown truly produced scholars, who not only attended the coveted town schools and won scholarships abroad, but are even international scientists.
Do you remember Roy Fergusson and Jug Singh? Literary maestros walked this land in the form of Peter Jailal and others. Selfless philanthropists patted the heads of the needy and sheltered the homeless like Manman, Sugrim Ramdular and others.
Religious gurus like Hyderalli, Father, the Bhawan family and others are known beyond the Enmore seawall! National cricketer Sheik Mohamed and many other sports people are sons of this popular East Coast stop. At present ministers from Enmore and lawyers are known personalities that have something tangible for the next generation to venerate.
Strong willed and loving – so goes the epithet Enmore people have received gracefully.
In music, the famous Vidyarthi orchestra was the household name for many, and until today continues in Toronto, with legendary Bhim Singh, the man who makes strings resonate the language of love anywhere!
Indeed the political, economic, social and spiritual contributions of Enmoreans are way beyond this brief letter. This doesn’t make us anything but humble servants of God in quest of a better life for Enmore-townsfolk. One of the things Enmore Day celebrations do anywhere is to remit bursaries to the children at home. Teachers like Gulcharan and Misir cannot be left in oblivion for their masterful teaching of some of Guyana’s best scholars.
This is in no way an insult to the other villages and the contributions of others. It’s a simple act of reminding the visionaries to make something good of an endowed historical place which our children can be proud of. You can say Enmore ‘got talent’ but you have to make it a town, otherwise growth of this giant will like be a dwarf. After all is only knife know wah deh in pumpkin belly.
Yours faithfully,
Habeeb Alli
