Frankly Speaking…
How fares our Republic after forty years? Don’t, please don’t, expect lecture or analysis from me, even though I’ve raised the issue.
But from a purely human perspective in which context we must consider quality of life, standard of living and the current and future prospects, we could either review or reminisce upon our status as proud (?) citizens of the Republic. I mean those of us who have remained within the borders of our State, especially.
To begin with, Forbes Burnham’s intent with regard to being or becoming a “co-operative” Republic never flourished or became institutionalized. Frankly Speaking, the country’s cooperative movement floundered badly before succumbing to its present “half-dead” status. Even that might be indicative of our state of things – a co-operative movement boasting scores of marketing, consumer and credit union co-operative societies – to mention but a few – just collapsed. All manner of reasons could be advanced but so much for Forbes’ “Co-operative” Republic. The spirit and practical benefits of the collective have long bowed to the more capitalistic approach of the individual.
To me the state and health of this nation has only a little to do with its description as an independent Republic, forty-four years old. Independence and Republicanism could not stop massive migration. Republican status did not result in continuous, uninterrupted electricity supply in this country, or in getting the provision of water pressure and water to my top flat. Why?
Because People and Systems, through well-thought out policies and programmes which attract popular, effective support, are what determine the success or failure of an organized entity, whether private company or a country. As I’ve said I won’t preach about the reasons for the country’s less than-developed status at this time. I can however, share my view that there can be no one guilty party for our parlous state of affairs. To me the gigantic rot that set in began under the watch of the People’s National Congress administrations. Some of those destructive legacies could not be reversed during the first five years of the post – 92 PPP/C governments.
However, despite the destabilization periods of 1998/99 and 2002 to 2005, the last two PPP/C administrations must be accountable for much of what has gone horribly wrong over the past decade. My take in terms of economic development is simple (hopefully not simplistic). Political unrest did discourage new investors in trooping down to post-1997 Guyana. But any enabling environment was also sullied and compromised by the current perceptions of corrupt and suspicious practices which seem to have developed cancerous sub-culture status both in and out of officialdom.
As I’ve opted to spend all my life here, I can only wish my Republic a pleasant, reflective 40th anniversary. Its survival and success are mine also.
The parties…
Well it’s Mashramani time 2010 when the therapy of music, song, dance, costume and pageantry is welcomed to celebrate the constitutional anniversary and relieve the stress.
The parties will be varied and many. What parties? Which parties? Well there are the House parties the Bar-be-Ques, the colour-coded events where specific colours are worn and the now usual influx of Caribbean artistes for the large open-air sessions replete with the pyrotechnics popular these days. Advertisement bombards us to entice those interested, to attend, to participate, and to “represent”.
But guess what? Informed rumour has it that the People’s Progressive Party (“Civic” or not) is taking to the Mashramani Road on Tuesday! I can’t ever remember seeing that organization – as a party – on Georgetown’s Mash Day.
Will they really be there?
Oh how I’d love to witness and experience the spectacle of PNC, PPP, AFC, GAP, TUF, WPA (?) and the other dozen “parties” we have on the road on Mash Day. Together! Can’t I dream? But not a nightmare like the occurrence in 1997/1999 when the PNC used to participate but branch off to Sophia, boycotting the thousands at the National Park. (And I trust I’m wrongly informed when hearing of two Flag-Raisings on the West Coast, Berbice Region Five.)
It’s Mashramani again
My advice to the seventy-plus calypso genius, Lord Canary that he should bask now only in the long glorious shadow of retirement always meets with his long cold stare, then a quiet determined outburst that he’ll “always complete”.
Yes, Malcolm Corrica has decided that he will continue to enter calypso competitions contesting against the youngest of the current exponents when and if necessary. What can I do but accept his position. Canary is still my choice as Guyana’s best ever calypsonian – and we can deliberate that over a beverage. But I usually use his “old” Mash calypso on my programmes. “Well, is Masharamani again, we go Mash whether sun, whether rain…” he sings. And so it is between now and this month-end.
Trinidad’s Carnival ended on Tuesday night. (Imagine I forgot Carnival and its calypsos this year!) So will some tourists slip across to Georgetown for Mash? There is no clash! I won’t fool myself as it is precisely Mash which I want to spare a few thoughts on right now.
The celebratory festival of the fortieth Republic Anniversary should be grand. Four decades constitute a good period for review and reflection. But we have to inculcate and receive the Spirit and intent of the celebrations. Even as many of us question, just what is there to celebrate. I’ll spare you my list, but my reason would be “meaningful stress relief”. We need the collective – therapy of Mashramani.
The costume band and float parade, I’m told, represents the climax of most of the nation-wide activities for Mash. Too often, however, it is considered, by itself, as “Mashramani” – like some regard Christmas Day as “Christmas”. If thousands don’t take to the road on Mash Day in the capital, “it wasn’t a good Mashramani”. That’s the conventional wisdom that I don’t share.
Anyhow the Carnival of floats and revelers does provide expression for our costumers, dancers, musicians, designers, singers, vendors et al. Spectacles, glitter and moving bands do add to the therapy.
So on Mash Day in Georgetown, look for the bands and the floats. Look for the Church groups leading off the ‘mas. Then check for the usual revelers, the PPP politicians and the Brazilians (?).
Happy Mash Day 2010!
‘Til Next Week!
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