Ramy El-Batrawi who was the highest bidder for the Marriott Hotel recently passed away at the age of 62. El-Batrawi through his company X LLC had submitted a bid of US$90 million. It has since been reported that the government might consider the second highest bidder or decide not to sell the hotel.
The death of a billionaire while he was in negotiations with the government to leave his mark in Guyana, might not be significant to some, but I believe that lessons can be absorbed from his death. The spirits of those departed arrive in the ancestral realm every second and still many of us do not think about the mark we will leave on this Earth. What would the trees that will outlive us whisper about us? How long will our energies linger? How would our goodness or evil penetrate the Earth leaving it in a better or worse state?
A time is set for all of us. Some fear their time while some wait patiently thinking that perhaps peace will be found when they are no more in this place where hell and heaven can be experienced.
Shortly before his death there was a video message of El-Batrawi speaking about death. He spoke about one of our greatest fears being death, but he did not fear death. He reminded us that death is inevitable. He spoke about overcoming fears and about the limited time we have on Earth and not wasting it. The importance of being happy was emphasised during his message. He also spoke about the purpose of life and knowing that it is not to just exist and die.
It was obvious that this man had plans even after everything he would have achieved, but like a fleeting wind he was suddenly no more. Being the highest bidder for a hotel such as the Marriott that was built in controversy and which many may view as a symbol of oppression, is significant.
Like a mantra it kept repeating in my head “We are not just here to exist and die.”
It resonated with me because I thought about my struggles. There are times I would have felt like I was just going through the motions of life, feeling unfulfilled, unseen and even unheard. However, for me hope always is. I would never allow myself to sink into an abyss with no way of escaping or seeking the light.
However, for many getting out of the motion of simply existing and not living is not easy. There are many people hiding even though they may be smiling in our faces, shrinking even though they may seem tall, crying in silence and fighting that condition of simply existing and not living.
Many will agree that living in Guyana is stressful. It is a global reality. Many will agree that the demands of life steal moments of happiness, peace, and joy for many people. It is a reality that many Guyanese are existing and not living. Some spend their time watching the lives of others who seem to have found the key to happiness. Many believe that the key to happiness is having enough money to create their version of the good life. Many believe that money will solve their problems.
There are those in this society who feel empowered because they have money. There are those who are arrogant, who detest the poor and blame them for their hopeless condition even when the odds are against them, and obstacles are deliberately placed in the way for them to keep stumbling. It is the reason why many Guyanese are not paid living wages and efforts to subdue them continue.
However, everyone who has money does not detest the poor. Some silently enjoy their wealth, engage in charity and are constantly finding new ways of living. Though they may be worlds apart from the poor they can empathise and support the efforts to empower the poor.
In Guyana we are living in a time when there are those who are looking at others, basking in what we are being told is an economic boom and they are left wondering when they will get their piece of the pie. Some of these people are good citizens of this country, who work hard, are honest and still, they are stuck in a condition of simply existing and not really living.
Most Guyanese may never become billionaires or even millionaires. Most Guyanese will never be able to bid to purchase a hotel like the Marriott. However, what most Guyanese deserve is enough to create their version of a good life. A good life is being comfortable. It does not mean that one must be rich but that one has found the secret to happiness which is becoming one with oneself by being connected to the Divine, not constantly being in a state of worry or stress but being at peace and showing compassion and love to our fellow human beings.
One would hope that the sudden death of someone who was preparing to invest in Guyana would leave lessons for those who were in negotiations with him. One would hope that instead of fighting the people they will begin to fight for the people.
The case of the Guyana Teachers’ Union is one example of how the people are fought by those who should be fighting for them. The union won the case against the government. The strike was legal, and the government was prohibited from deducting the salaries of teachers who participated in the strike. Immediately the government said they would appeal.
Sections of the ruling were deemed as presumptuous by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo. When words like ‘presumptuous’ can be used to describe rulings or judges can be publicly questioned, the will of those who are simply existing and not living, whose lights are dimmed and who choose to sit silently and endure, is further diminished.
One would hope that the constant reminders about the fleeting nature of life would cause people to stop, think and question the root of their need to oppress. However, it seems the journey on the course of destruction continues even with the knowledge that at any time anything existing or living can be no more.
