Dear Editor,
Some citizens have shared their observations that I am ratcheting up scrutiny on the government. For the interested, this is merely warming up, a prelude of things to come. I believe it is timely and appropriate. Also, if there is genuine receptivity to citizen participation, and good governance, then it ought to be welcomed by those who so promised.
In my vigilance, and to present in pure business terms, I see myself as an investor in a promise, a shareholder in the possible, and an involved party in the journey of an experiment. In all these capacities, the expectation is for progress and recognizable, measurable deliverables; and for differentiation from the earlier. I abhor any thought that I gambled upon the bad to thwart the worse.
Continuing with the corporate illustration, the expectation is a return on investment (precious to me) in an enhanced physical environment, an encompassing political mindset, and probing intellectual curiosity. This translates further to rehabilitation of fractured political factories, and the growing confidence that follows from reform: reform of a frail (from the people’s perspective) constitution; a renaissance of ideas; and a rebirth of dreams and visions. In other words, it must be a brave new world for the governors of Guyana. They must not choke. I plan on reaching to exhort and to encourage; to commend the constructive; and to condemn departures. I am present, too, to appreciate what is sacred, but what has long been profaned in the brooding sinister Gothic atmospherics of local politics.
Editor, permit me a brief digression. At the AGMs of iconic American corporations, there is usually a little old lady (literally), amidst the powerful portfolio and pension funds managers, who would challenge and haul over the coals powerful captains of industry, and make them cringe. They had to answer properly, and in full public view. Label it corporate democracy in action; and there it is: the holding of feet to the fire and the responsibility that is part and parcel of leadership. Through my own writings and postures, I must be like those small shareholder-little old ladies in seeking answers, extending peripheries of probing, and calling out leadership. All are made better; all have an opportunity to contribute to the greater good.
Separately, and in the vernacular of the track, this governing group manifests some streaks of a champion thoroughbred. Even champion thoroughbreds have to be urged and spurred sometimes to bring out the best. It is my intention to do the urging and spurring, if only to keep all honest. Some are already whispering “anti-government.” I am delighted to hear from these newly courageous and suddenly vociferous pro-government people. It is the same people who had blended inseparably with the woodwork and developed chronic laryngitis up to May of last year. It is good to welcome them back to the land of the living, and that they are capable of smiling and kicking.
Now the rest of Guyana is free to rest on its laurels, bask in group think and association, and gambol in the cul-de-sacs of blind loyalty. Not me! I know and am different. The vision is for a better Guyana; even it has to be squeezed relentlessly out of the powers.
As I write, there is always hovering in my mind: from here to where? If it is not this group, then which other is there? Perhaps, things are best summed up this way for me: there is no education in the second kick of a mule.
Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall
