Dear Editor,
Events I attended over the past few days renewed my faith in humanity. What with our border problems, cultural violence in schools, communities and on the streets, there is evidence of a drop in standards and bad behaviour at all levels. Editor, I ask young and old to cling tenaciously to the belief that “Hope springs eternal in the human breast; Man never is, but always to be, blest.” The events which have lifted my spirits are not in chronological order. The Remembrance Day Cere-mony at the Guyana Veterans Legion, the Welcome Remarks was done by the President of the Legion, Lt. Col (Ret’d) George Gomes. At the end of the formal ceremony, in the presence of my wife, Prime Minister Mark Phillips, a former Chief of Staff and the present Chief of Staff Brigadier Omar Khan talked about things in general. The Prime Minister and Chief of Staff were the quintessence of graciousness and from all I heard and saw symbolized propriety and rectitude.
Earlier, a Police Traffic Rank at Cari-festa Avenue we spoke with was polite and helpful. On arrival the traffic officer proudly told me he was from Hopetown, West Coast Berbice and displayed a high level of professionalism and competence as he advised us where to park our vehicle. His senior officer, Deputy Commissioner ‘Operations,’ Ravindradat Budhram was equally polite and respectful. Two things struck me then, first that the discipline which characterizes the military should be a necessary component in the upbringing of our boys and girls everywhere in Guyana. For me, this training, this type of exposure at this time should be a sine-qua-non if we are to have that faith, that spirituality, that morality to ensure victory for our people. Earlier that day, I accompanied my wife to Harvest Sunday at St. Sidwell’s Church. The presiding preacher, expressed the hope that a large turnout will characterize other days of worship.
On the preceding Thursday and Friday, at the 5th Triennial Delegates Conference, of the Guyana Trades Union Congress, in the midst of personal celebrations, I heard addresses by Carl Greenidge, Coretta Mc Donald and GHK Lall, all pointing to the need for workers to be organized if we are to obtain maximum benefits from our vast non-renewable natural resources. We hope, and indeed I have faith that the Trade Union Council will receive optimum support and cooperation from Government and the private sector in its pursuit. On Sunday and Monday, on a lighter but just an important note, thanks to the initiative of Forbes Burnham in the 1960s, in spite of Opposition from the ultra-right decreed that Phagwah, Diwali, Eid Ul Fitr and Eid-Ul Adha should be made public holidays. This was after appropriate consultations. He also ensured that prayers at the cenotaph for Armistice Day were offered by a Hindu and Muslim Leader.
On Monday, Lennox Arthur, Coach of the Football Association hosted the finals of the Inter-Ward Football Competition at the GFC Ground. The winners were Stabroek Warriors and runners up Dyna-mics from East Coast Demerara, 3rd place Bent Street and 4th place Back Circle, East Ruimveldt. We thank the major contributors to its success who are Dr. Linden Dodson and Guyanese in the diaspora. Those who contributed from Guyana will be thanked separately and later. Football is a sporting discipline easily available to the ordinary youths, everywhere in Guyana and we look forward to more support from the highest to the lowest. These recent experiences and interactions determine that if we work together, we listen to the voices of reason, if we remind our young people about the struggles and sacrifices of our noble ancestors, Guyana, all of Guyana can reach the highest plateau. Editor, let us work to make Guyana Good and Great.
Sincerely,
Hamilton Green
Elder
