Dear Editor,
It is said, “A stitch in time saves nine.” Leonora, being prime realty and a promising reality for township, is once again in a close sight through the telescope, under the lens of a microscope for transparency, under the spotlight for clarity and under the scalpel to bisect and dissect the insinuations, intimations and innuendos for the implications from a post mortem. The likes and dislikes from the exposed popularity (unnecessary?), were calls proven to be too close for comfort which irritated many but also influenced most. This village was riding on the edge of a precipice to be nicknamed ‘Sodom and Gomorrah,’ but survived in the nick of time and avoided the shame of disgrace. Corrective measures went into action in order to alleviate the residents who were suffering. Was it through the timely intervention of the wary Commander himself, the President, or his observing Field Marshal, the Home Affairs Minister, or their ever-alert Lieutenant, the Commissioner of Police? Maybe, the salient voice of the Attorney General in the background, translated an execution of justice! Perhaps, the synchrony of musicians, provided music in harmony. Many hands do make light work.
The sauce for the Goose should be good for the Gander. This week, the village of Leonora on the West Side has made the national news for several reasons due to the significant visits by three distinguished leading personalities encompassing different responsibilities and on separate occasions. This removed doubt and negativity after a passionate patience for help was summoned. Holistically, the birth place of His Excellency, the President of Guyana, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, his paternal parent and grandparents, Leonora, technically, is the component of Pasture, the New Housing Scheme, Parafield, Seafield and Seaspray. But reference is also made not to deliberately exclude Groenveldt and Shantytown as extensions of a united village to represent one community for all the residents. Regardless of location, do not attempt to distinguish or isolate its identity as a separate entity. Each villager, East, West North or South, stands tall in staking the claim that the current President is from their village, Leonora. What goes for one, goes for all. On the other hand, COVID-19 did not discriminate.
Was it the assembly of youths on Sunday to house the PYO’s Conference at Leonora’s Track and Field and the presence of the VP, Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, which prompted the presence of the Top Cop to give the marching orders for noise nuisance? After all, discipline is a main ingredient for direction and a curfew for time to turn in bed is required for a good night’s rest. We do need an equitable and compassionate society. Then again, the President’s visitation to Leonora’s Deepavali Mahotsav on Monday, necessitated the cleanliness of an uncontaminated environment for him to light the Diya. The community could not have afforded another murder in the wee hours prior to him entering the village. At the end of the day, when Good overcame Evil, it was the Commissioner of Police who presented himself as the instrumental tool at the beginning of the day, to rescue knowledge from ignorance.
There is a popular saying, “Every cow feels and cries for its own calf.” Many
villagers may not have been affected by the noise nuisance in Leonora directly because of not residing in close proximity to the Red-Light District and choose to distance themselves from this claim. Others were so disturbed and distraught that they became disappointed in the system that is supposed to protect the people and prevent such pervasiveness. Few were stranded in an isolated battle to fend for themselves but at the said time, to offend others by highlighting this problem as a Leonora issue. Some realized, Leonora was seeking a resolution not only for this village, but to broadcast a national message for the entire Guyana to face the music and act accordingly. Also, many others were sympathetic to lend support in different shapes and forms. But the President of Guyana did postulate at Leonora that the Government policies and programmes do promote principles which portray positive changes. Everything has a shelf life, so, be a good Samaritan and look out for the person who is down and in need.
Even the messengers of bad news (writers, editors, columnists) were persecuted for their annoying antagonism and constant allusions. Some chose to marginalize this writer as personalizing his problem and for him to seek redress through the legal system. Little did they knew that, there is a list of signatures attesting to this offence. It was a case of one for all and all for one. While one’s music may be sweet to the ear, it becomes unbearable to the sick and babies who need to rest quietly, especially after midnight. Let’s not discuss the quality and level of profanity with lewd lyrics for digestion. The budding attorneys were appalled, amazed and even apprehensive, when they learnt that the messenger of hope visited the village to alleviate the problem in Leonora and provided immediate relief, without the recourse of the court system. The festive season has proven that the society in Leonora can grow based on the foundation of freedom of rights, spiritual guidance and the application of the rules of law.
There is room for unity and inclusivity at the forefront if we preserve the right culture in Guyana and not taking for granted that, the prosperity of humanity comes after tirelessly working and playing together in a conducive society which shares and cares with a common understanding and desire for honesty, integrity and dignity. That will only materialize when light dispels darkness. Let’s not go cherry picking in a sugar cane orchard. The Festival of Lights is a 5-day celebration. Shukria and Shubh Diwali again from Leonora.
Yours respectfully,
Jai Lall