Side-by-side, they walked together and the moment her husband signed the oath of office, Deolatchmee Ramotar became the First Lady of Guyana.
During the brief first speech made by President Donald Ramotar, she sat in the front row, listening attentively and afterwards while her husband received dozens of congratulations and well-wishes, the First Lady stood not far away, mingling with friends and receiving some well-wishes of her own. A petite woman, she laughed, hugged and posed for photos, appearing comfortable in her role.
It has been a while since Guyana has had a First Lady. Speaking briefly with reporters, Mrs Ramotar said that it is time that the three parties represented in the National Assembly work together. “This is a very important time in our history. All the time we had majority parliaments so with the government being the minority, it brings the other two parties there so they have to work together and I hope we can work together, that would be excellent,” she said.
“We can bring our nation together. I think this is the right time to do that,” the First Lady stated pointing out that no party has won a majority and she believes the nation can be united. “It’s an exciting moment and I think we can look forward for positive development,” she said.
As inaugurations go, the ceremony for Guyana’s seventh executive president was relatively quiet and brief. The fact that Donald Rabindranauth Ramotar recited the oath of office of the President of Guyana without using a religious text was a talking point for some as well as his thanking of “Madame Master of Ceremonies”. One of Guyana’s premier diplomats, Ambassador Elisabeth Harper chaired the ceremony.
Government officials, diplomats, special invitees and others were present with many decked in their best. A number of persons had to stand because there were no more seats available. The police band played national songs shaded from the sweltering sun by the branches of a huge tree. Dr Steve Surujbally, the man in the spotlight over the past few days, strolled around greeting acquaintances, no longer the man of the moment.
Outside State House, the police barricaded the block, maybe as a precaution against possible protests. There was one. An elderly, slovenly-looking man, a human billboard with an almost illegible sign “Asking the PPP and PNC, after 22 years mercenary effort who pay…for moving Guyana forward.” He was like the nursery-rhyme cheese; standing alone.
In his inaugural address, President Ramotar was brief and to the point. “Regardless of the results (of the elections) we are all winners,” he said.
He pledged to work tirelessly to improve the lot of Guyanese and expressed thanks to former president Bharrat Jagdeo (who smiled) for his “exemplary service” to the people of Guyana. He also urged cooperation and said he will continue to engage with the other political parties. Cheers at times interspersed his speech.
Ramotar thanked his parents, Sam Ramotar and Olive Constantine and also singled out the Jagans and Reepu Daman Persaud. “I promise to be a fair and just president; to govern in the interests of all; to ensure that the legitimate aspirations of our people are respected and the resources of this Great land of Guyana benefit all of our people,” he pledged. Afterwards, for over an hour the new President was mobbed and unable to move from under the tent as dozens and dozens of well-wishers converged to offer congratulations and take photos.
The media quizzed Jagdeo for a while then sought a few minutes with Ramotar. Afterwards, Jagdeo, now a private citizen, mingled as the crowd partook in the reception on the lawns of State House. Ramotar continued to receive well-wishers.
December 3, 2011, the era of Jagdeo has ended; the era of Ramotar begins.
