Large Babu John gathering pay homage to 'revered Dr. Jagan'
by Chamanlall Naipaul in Berbice
Guyana Chronicle
March 6, 2004
A WIDE cross-section of Guyanese and members of the diplomatic community yesterday gathered at Babu John, Port Mourant, at the cremation site of the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan to pay homage to the revered Guyanese leader.
President Bharrat Jagdeo, addressing a large gathering, reiterated that any government headed by him would remain committed to the legacy and ideas of Dr. Jagan.
"Nothing here can adequately reflect the life and achievement of Dr. Jagan," the President asserted.
Reminiscing on his association with Dr. Jagan, Mr. Jagdeo recollected that the most cherished and memorable moment of his life was when he was requested to serve in the late Leader's Cabinet.
"The chance to serve the person who was and is an institution in Guyana was most cherished," President Jadgeo declared.
Dr. Jagan unflinchingly remained committed to racial and national unity and that is why the doors of the People's Progressive Party (PPP) remain open to all races and religions, he said.
He threw a challenge to the other political parties to publicly make a similar claim.
Alluding to the charisma of Dr Jagan, President Jagdedo recalled that any one who had even a little contact with him (Jagan) would "fall in love" with him, adding that the late President was a man genuinely committed to his people and struggled relentlessly to improve their lives.
Former President and widow of Dr Jagan, Ms. Janet Jagan, stressed that her late husband "was a man who gave purpose to our lives" and provided leadership in the struggle against oppression and suffering.
His honesty and integrity were unique, she added. He was a brother and father who truly believed in his people.
Being born and growing up on the sugar plantation of Port Mourant, Dr. Jagan knew of the suffering and oppression the working class faced and, consequently, he struggled throughout his life to reduce poverty and narrow the gap between the haves and the have-nots.
Mrs. Jagan stressed that her late husband worked tirelessly for a strong and united party because he knew that was the only way independence and national liberation would have been achieved.
Mrs. Jagan, a veteran woman politician herself, cautioned against attempts by those who are now trying to disunite the party to serve the greedy intentions, and are hypocritically using Dr. Jagan's name to follow their sinister goals.
She urged members and supporters of the party to remain firmly committed to the sincere ideals of Dr Jagan and not allow the unity and strength of the party to be destroyed by those who have selfish objectives.
Dr. Jagan died on March 6, 1997 at Walter Reid Memorial Hospital in Washington USA while being treated for heart ailment.
A gathering of mostly family members of expelled executive party member Khemraj Ramjattan sought to highlight their disagreement with Mr. Ramjattan's expulsion and reiterate support for his decision not to resign from Parliament.