Janet Jagan's legacy to Guyana An appreciation to the former President of Guyana By Krishna Persaud Guyana Chronicle October 3, 1999 WITH characteristic selflessness, Mrs. Janet Jagan has passed the torch. The diminished vigour she cited as the reason for her resignation has prompted few statesmen to relinquish power at the height of their popularity. The only other notable example of this magnanimous gesture, is of course, Nelson Mandela, who like the Jagans, fought for decades to win democracy for his country. It is inevitable that the end of the era of the Jagans would be tinged with sadness and nostalgia. The resignation of Mrs. Jagan as President of Guyana has ended more than five decades of political struggle by Cheddi Jagan and Janet Jagan; their political careers having spanned the postwar colonial era, the Burnham and Hoyte dictatorship, and the period from the restoration of democracy in 1992 to her resignation on August 8, 1999. With the fullness and added perspective of time, historians will be able to measure the national, regional, and indeed, international impact of these rare and remarkable individuals. But even at present, their legacy is beginning to emerge. Such was their moral authority, that unsolicited apologies were proffered by the Americans (through Arthur Schlesinger), and by the British by the way the press, for destabilising Dr. Cheddi Jagan's democratically-elected government. There could be no greater vindication than one's opponents freely admitting, by way of an apology, that they were forced to compromise themselves morally. Although cheated of power for 28 years, and having had to witness the inexorable degradation of their country during that time, the Jagan's harboured no rancor or bitterness in or out of office. They simple bent their wills to the task of rebuilding Guyana and creating a society in which all Guyanese could pursue their freedoms as they saw fit. Simply put, in 1992, they started where they left off in 1964. Perhaps most important of all, it should not be overlooked that the Jagan's saved Guyana from a blood bath. With the largest and best organised party in Guyana, and enjoying majority support, they did not exhort their supporters to violently overthrow the PNC regime, as lesser leaders would have done, but instead fought to democratise Guyana. And similarly, Mrs. Jagan exercised considerable restraint when Mr. Hoyte incited his more unruly supporters to riot in order to "make the country ungovernable", as he callously put it. The repressive machinery of the state, honed under Messrs. Burnham and Hoyte, lay at her disposal, but she declined to use it. And her selfless dedication to the national interest was further demonstrated when she agreed to forgo two years of her mandate in order to give the Herdmanston Accord a chance to bring about peace. Mrs. Jagan's entire life has been a class act. One notes that from an early age she was instrumental in shaping the political future of Guyana. She was a founding member of the Political Affairs Committee (1964) and the People's Progressive Party (1950). Her contribution to public life and service included being in cabinet as well as having a parliamentary career that spanned 50 years. Moreover, she was a source of courage and inspiration to a grief-stricken nation when her husband, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, died; having stepped into the breech to fill the void created by his passing. In office, her Presidency was defined by a sense of vision and wider purpose. While consolidating on the gains made by Dr. Jagan in the fields of health, education, rural electrification, housing and the provision of potable water, Mrs. Jagan boldly pursued a policy of continentalism, fostering ties with Brazil and Venezuela, making overtures towards members of the Mercusor and Andean Pacts, while maintaining Guyana's traditional links with the Caribbean Community. Abstemious in her habits, she remains indefatigable in the pursuit of a better life for her people. Essentially, she is a true humanitarian. While Mother Teresa, (another great and noble soul), saw human suffering as bringing one closer to God, Janet Jagan saw suffering as a blight, on the human landscape, which should be eradicated. Her successors, indeed, those on both sides of the political divide, will be measured by the exemplary standards she espoused and practiced. Her integrity, altruism, and dedication to Guyana's working masses will be a source of inspiration forever. That she embodies all that is best and most enlightened in Guyanese life may be her most enduring legacy. The nation is grateful comrade. And happy retirement. A © page from: Guyana: Land of Six Peoples