Dear Editor,
The New York Guyanese community of the Greater Richmond Hill area honoured several prominent Guyanese at a function last month for their contributions to the nation as well as to the diaspora. The event was held on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of Guyana becoming an independent nation. Several individuals were honoured posthumously for fighting for Guyana’s independence as well as for participating in the struggle for the restoration of democracy. The focus was on honouring those who were never honoured for their invaluable contributions and service to the nation. The theme of the event was ‘Reflections on Guyana’s 50th Independence’.
Among those honoured were the Enmore, Ruimveldt and Leonora martyrs, the 1973 election martyrs, and some of the WPA martyrs.
Organizers, under the banner of the Y50IndGroup, honoured individuals under three broad categories, namely, those who struggled for independence (pre-1966); those who struggled for the restoration of democracy (1966-1992); and those who rendered exemplary community service (all periods) in the diaspora.
For each category, nominees had to meet minimum standards. For example, for a person to receive an award in either of the first two categories, he/she must have had several years of service in that area, while those receiving awards in the third category must have had at least 15 years of service.
Candidates who met these minimum requirements were vetted by the planning committee and then identified for an award under the appropriate category. The organizers said the list of awardees was not exhaustive. The process was designed primarily to recognize “unsung heroes.” The committee could only bestow awards on those individuals who were nominated, met minimum requirements, and duly vetted. The committee thanked the nominees and honorees for their important contribution to the nation.
In planning the Reflections programme, the committee decided to give awardees a medal that has been patterned along the India 50th Independence medal. The committee therefore prepared a special 50th anniversary medal for each of the 3 categories; each medal was different.
The Reflections programme commenced with the Guyana National Anthem and included prayers as well as songs, speeches and dances. Among the honorees was Paul Nehru Tennassee who came from Washington. The mother of Ralph Ramkarran as well as WPA martyrs Ohene Koama and Edward Dublin were honoured, while Cyril Belgrave, Dr Fenton Ramsahoye, Cedric Joe, Pandit Ramlall, Michael Forde, and Yash Paul Soi were recognized for their struggle to help liberate Guyana. In attendance was former MP Cyril Belgrave.
The Chair of Y50IndGroup, Dr Tara Singh, stated that there was no need for a celebration; that’s why “this event is a reflection on our struggles and challenges.” He continued; “there is nothing to celebrate; thousands of people have been fired, Wales and LBI sugar estates are being closed with the livelihood of over 28,000 in jeopardy.” In addition, the rice industry is choked because of government’s indifference. Furthermore, Guyana has become a country “where a criminal decides whether you live or die and not God.” He asked rhetorically: “How, under these circumstances, could anyone with conscience, celebrate or party? What is there to celebrate?”
Former parliamentarian Cyril Belgrave, presented the GEML (Guyana Enmore Martyrs Liberation) awards for those intimately involved in the Independence movement. Professor Paul Tennassee presented the GEMROD (Guyana Elections-Restorer of Democracy) awards. Robert Mohamed with the assistance of Annette Seecharran presented the Community Exemplary Service (AES) awards for community, cultural and humanitarian service.
The sizzling medley of dances, in tribute to the honorees, thrilled the audience with their fine array of artistic expressions and symbolism.
The Y50IndGroup expresses its deepest gratitude to all performers, all honorees and all supporters. It was indeed an historic occasion of a kind that has never been held inside or outside Guyana in which unsung heroes have been honoured. Gratitude goes to the many donors of food and the offsetting of expenses to rent the hall in Richmond Hill.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
