Dear Editor,
I have just read Ravi Dev‘s piece on Phagwah, Chutney and the Rum Syndrome in the March 20, 2011 Kaieteur News. What an expert analysis of how rum was “deliberately introduced to the indentured Indians as a means of immiserisation and controlling them on the sugar plantations” and how it has been converted to a situation where Indo-Guyanese under the PPP, with rum, “can possible exterminate themselves with their own hands”. So all this false racial fear that Jagdeo is spouting with “blood on your hands” and “they will give guns to their supporters…“ is all theatrics with no substance. The guns that will kill many Indo-Guyanese and the other youths of Guyana is “rum till ah die syndrome” and nothing else.
If there is anything we can do in Guyana is organizing a mass day of protest by civil society against alcohol – a no alcohol day and hopefully it will be sponsored by Bank DIH and DDL. (My close friends tell me mere wishful thinking). If civil society can advocate for getting the youths who are on the booze, off the booze for one day, it would be a historical feat that can redefine the social construct in Guyana. Why not the Government introducing a dry law and having shops closed on Sunday, helping to make it a day of prayer and family to help curtail bad habits. Now this is not an AFC policy since before something like this is done, we must consult with the private sector and the religious community.
The AFC is however committed as a party to rebuilding the moral fabric of our
society for the sake of the future generations and we know this is a tall order.
However, at a minimum the AFC will start the process. Of note, the PPP continues to ignore the process to help our young people save their lives. This “drinka man” attitude adopted by many in Guyana especially the young male is their clear expression of despair and hopelessness as wages stagnate under the PPP and prices continue to rise leaving them with little to save, to take care of a family when the time comes. What hope is there for these young people under the PPP?
The only hope they have is if they become a member of that little cabal closely connected to “Donald Ramotar and his political sponsor in New Garden Street” and what hope is that. But there is a deeper undercurrent under this PPP Government. They are destroying the moral fabric of our nation as a result of poor governance (corruption, poor project conception and execution, bribery en masse). The end result is a much weakened society with the “rum bottle” becoming more important in the life of an increasing number of people in Guyana.
The AFC recognises without moral strength, the benefits flowing from political stability and an improving economic environment will trickle rather than flow.
Recognising this challenge we have decided to deal with this moral issue frontally.
The AFC has committed to do the following:
1. Work closely with faith-based and other organisations to promote effective
parenting and stable family life and general respect;
2. Include moral education in our school curriculum;
3. Have Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and other Local Government organs
work at the community level to raise moral awareness;
4. Broaden the scope and empower the National Integrity Commission to deal with public officers who use such office to commit acts of immorality such as drinking rum at Police stations, not dealing professionally with someone who was domestically abused etc.
Thank you Ravi for further enlightening me. What a waste that such a mind like your was left in the political wilderness by the PPP. Unfortunately they see you as a threat to their intellectual bankruptcy and that is why Donald Ramotar went after you in previous elections with grossly frivolous personal attacks. We had our dose of his personal abuse with the use of the word “cack eye’ in New York. What he does not know is it is better to be a `cack eye’ man than a blind man.
I clearly remember that event near your home, I was in the crowd brother. I deeply apologize to you for being there my brother and I seek atonement from you for being in that crowd. Never again! I truly hope you reconsider your sabbatical from Guyana politics and join the AFC as we clean up this mess left behind by the PPP.
Please remember, the next AFC Government will always have space for such great minds like Ravi Dev, Carl Greenidge, Faith Harding, Clarissa Riehl, Navin Chanderpal, Moses Nagamootoo and many others who truly believe and want to make Guyana the Singapore of the Americas.
Yours faithfully,
Sasenarine Singh
