Who should be Guyana's Man of the Century
WHAT THE PEOPLE SAY ABOUT
This week we asked the man/woman-in-the-street who would they choose as `Guyana's Man of the Century'. Following are their choices. Next week we shall be asking for views on the women of the century.
SN Bacchus - self-employed: `I don't have one choice but I would choose from these people, former presidents Dr Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham who have made their mark in Guyanese politics, (and for women) Guyana's first female Chief Justice in the Caribbean, Desiree Bernard, and music teacher, Lynette Dolphin, who is an institution bringing music and instilling cultural values to the majority of Guyanese through her works. Both gentlemen, Dr Jagan and Mr Burnham fought colonialism but their split years ago is still the biggest problem facing the country today. They both were determined and had admirable traits and achieved much for this country even though one could say that Burnham did some wrong things, too.' Christopher Dean - court reporter: `The late President Cheddi Jagan is my choice because he has done lots of good things for this country. He has brought this nation together as one people and his idea of a New Global Human Order which calls for a better world in which poverty should be reduced with the wealthy nations helping the poorer, is achievable. He has also worked hard to bring this nation together. I suggest Dr Jagan because the media itself has promoted him as the `Father of the Nation'.' Malcolm Lawson - taxi-driver: `The late LFS Burnham because of the struggles he fought in the pre and post independence era of this country. He, more than any other Guyanese fought at all levels, both at the national, Caribbean and international levels to put Guyana on the map. He is the only Guyanese to see Guyana move from independence to a republican status. Others who followed Burnham have tried but are breaking up institutions he built. Burnham taught us to be patriotic and stand on our on two feet. Many people would want to condemn him for errors made but errors are only human. In addition to facing challenges internationally, he faced challenges internally and triumphed always showing his opponents that he was one level above.' Gilbert Gomes - private sector employee: `Dr Cheddi Jagan and Mr Forbes Burnham because of their contribution to the Guyanese politics and Peter d'Aguiar for his contribution to politics and the country's economy. Jagan, Burnham and d'Aguiar had vision for this country. They were great sons of Guyana. While Jagan and Burnham are recognised for their contribution to the independence struggle, d'Aguiar was a pioneer in the field of business and manufacture in this country. He built a private business into a company which is now a household name and which shareholders are proud of.' Naina Latchman - seamstress/housewife: `My choice is the late Dr Cheddi Jagan. My history teaches me that Dr Jagan fought the colonial masters for independence against all odds although he was not the one to receive the instruments of independence. He then had to fight an institution that kept him out of office illegally for 28 years. He triumphed. In spite of achieving the highest office in the land he was humble. I admired his simplicity and the ease with which he went about meeting people.' Jonelle Wiggins - private sector employee: `I would choose Mr CN Sharma as my Man of the Century. I admire his pluck to challenge the establishment. I know that he helps a lot of people in spite of the bad things people say about him. I remember the floods in Mahaica where Mr Sharma exposed government's uncaring attitude in not trying to move earlier to bring relief to the people. Mr Sharma was on the scene before others. Simple as his `Justice For All' programme may appear, it helps a lot of people. He does things with a good heart.' Sherril Nikon - housewife: `There are many Guyanese worthy of mention. Mr Forbes Burnham, Dr Cheddi Jagan are among highly recognised Guyanese in the Caribbean and in the world but Mr Hoyte is my choice for Guyana's Man of the Century. At the moment he is going through a struggle to bring this country back on an even keel or we will all go down. Mr Hoyte had a plan for Guyana but now there is none. Everything is going downhill with the economy. People cannot exist working with government anymore unless they have a back up source of income or unless they are government contract workers. The struggle now is big and that is why there is need for a strong opposition using all its power to bring about a change in government or in the style governing the country to ensure that all Guyanese benefit.' Malvern Glenn - contractor: `Without any hesitation, Forbes Burnham. Look at the changes that took place during his time in government. Those were exciting times. You felt that things were being done in the interest of the nation whether good or bad. Frankly speaking I have not seen any other Guyanese leader do as much for this nation as Burnham. What he has done at all levels will take volumes.' Juliet An - businesswoman: `Mr Hoyte is a good leader. I think he is an honest politician who has good ways. His honesty cost him the elections but his honesty will win out once more. When he was in office this country was a better one. In his time this country was freer than now. Taxation is now higher than at any other time in the history of this country. Some may say the salary is higher but the taxes are higher as well. My husband had to leave his government job because we could not make ends meet. We had to get involved in business and now it is also very difficult especially with the systems in place and the duty one has to pay to get goods into the country. With the returns we are getting we are still finding it hard to build a house of our own.' Rudolph Edwards - self-employed: `My choice is Forbes Burnham. I think that with Burnham's background for being innovative and meeting challenges head-on the situation the country now finds itself in would have been totally different. In some respects I think that he and Dr Jagan would have reconciled their differences. They were on the road to doing that when Burnham died. The five years I personally knew Burnham has left an indelible impression on me. I think the negative things people say about Burnham are baseless.'
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