A donation of five guitars to the Minister of Social Cohesion by Gaico Construction and General Services Incorporated, inspired by a similar donation made by the minister himself, will go toward preserving music and storytelling culture in indigenous communities.
The donation, handed over by Chandini and Khishan Singh, children of the company’s proprietor, Komal Singh, was accepted by Minister George Norton during a handing over ceremony at his Main Street office on Friday.
According to the Singhs, having recognized the differences in opportunities that exist between the coast and the interior regions, they are hoping that their donation, like the minister’s, will benefit a far-flung community.
A release from the ministry noted that in his address, Khishan said that the company was inspired by the minster’s recent donation of a guitar to the Village of Paruima, Region Seven, and was moved to conduct a similar exercise.
“I believe that music is quite an important part of one’s life. I can tell you from experience that playing an instrument is really beneficial to a person’s overall development. It helps to cultivate more creative minds while maintaining focus and discipline as an individual,” Khishan Singh said.
Norton expressed gratitude for the donation and made a commitment to ensure that they benefit those with limited access. He noted that the culture of storytelling is still practised in many villages, where persons gather at nights to tell stories and sing songs.
“As you know, it has been a struggle throughout the world to maintain the authenticity and richness of various cultures. Here in Guyana, our Indigenous communities are more at risk of losing precious aspects of their heritage, including language and music,” Norton stated.
“The simple donation of a guitar would go such a far way in motivating and helping those people to maintain such traditions and keep their cultures intact,” he assured.
