Dear Editor,
Omar Khayyam, the l2th century renowned Persian philosopher, poet, astronomer and mathematician in his glorious ‘Rubaiyat’ wrote the following beautiful quatrain:-
“T’is all a Chequer Board of Nights and Days
Where Destiny with Men for Pieces plays;
Hither and thither moves and mates and slays
And one by one back in the closet lays.”
As I reflect on the words of wisdom enshrined in that golden thought pertaining to the ongoing battle between Destiny and Men for supremacy in this transient life where the dictates of the former will always prevail over the affairs of the latter, I am reminded again of the stark
reality relating to the brevity of life and the certainty of death.
As a matter of fact, it was only two days ago that I read in the media including Kaieteur News of the passing in Guyana on September 01,2022 of the Hon. Rashleigh Jackson, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York.
On behalf of my family and self I would like to convey our deepest condolence to his family, siblings, other relatives, friends and acquaintances on such an irreparable and monumental loss.
I had the honour and privilege of meeting the iconic diplomat and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guyana when I joined the Staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in September, 1984. I was very fascinated by his pleasant disposition and effervescent charisma. He was a superstar
in the diplomatic galaxy, a brilliant statesman, the epitome of humility and had an amazing rectitude in discerning the aptitudes and talents of his staff. I shall forever be grateful to him for honouring my family and me with our first overseas posting to the Embassy of the Republic of
Guyana in the People’s Republic of China in 1987.
Moreover, I observed that though he was an accomplished mathematician and a dynamic orator he had a special interest in and love for poetry and philosophy and displayed great appreciation for extemporaneous verbal presentations of which during his tenure at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guyana I was one of the contributors at various social functions held at the Ministry.
Furthermore, he sported an exceptional sense of humour and was very much admired and respected both locally and internationally by everyone who was fortunate to have met him.
I recall a very interesting and unforgettable anecdote with the late Hon. Minister when I was posted to the Guyana Embassy in Beijing, China. I think that it was in the late eighties or early nineties when at the invitation of the Government of the People’s Republic of China he paid an official State Visit to that country accompanied by other top officials of Guyana including the then Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Tyrone Ferguson.
During a brief encounter with these gentlemen in the Chancery, Minister Jackson introduced me as “this is Comrade Zamal, our philosopher.” Before I could have responded to that complimentary remark, Dr. Ferguson looking at me said, “What do you think of him?”
The question was unexpected but being a student of poetry and philosophy I had a swift response. I replied,”Dr. Ferguson, Confucius the celebrated Chinese philosopher once posited that the relationship between a superior officer and his subordinate is likened unto that between the wind and the tree; when the wind blows the tree must bow”. “In this case, I am the tree and he is the wind.” I glanced at the Minister and he was beaming appreciatively.
Minister Jackson loved social gatherings, good music and delighted in seeing his staff exuding happiness which was always conspicuous during “After Lunches” held in the precincts of the Ministry on some Saturdays and particularly after the Annual May Day Parades which were commemorated with great pomp and ceremony.
This distinguished son of Guyana will never be forgotten for in the words of the Roman philosopher and senator, Marcus Tullius Cicero, “the life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living.” His name will be emblazoned in our hearts.
In closing this tribute I would like to say “Farewell Dear Minister, may your sweet soul rest in peace in the bosom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ until that Glorious Morning of the Resurrection when we shall meet again at His feet.”
Yours faithfully,
Andrew Zamal
Canada
