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Former Member

Hundreds turn out to celebrate work, life of Dr. Jagan at State House

Written by , Published in News, Georgetown, GINA, March 15, 2015, Source - GINA

 

As has been the tradition, hundreds of persons turned up at State House to be a part of the fun day, today, which allowed families and friends to celebrate the life and work of the late president, Dr. Cheddi Jagan.

 

Those who attended the event were treated to live performances from the Shakti String Orchestra and several dance groups. In all corners of the State House lawns children were seen enjoying the different rides, including, the bouncy castle, and the merry go-round.  

 

Meanwhile Head of State, Donald Ramotar and First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar took time out interact with the gathering.

 

Head of State Donald Ramotar and Former President Bharrat Jagdeo with some patrons of the State House fun day

Head of State Donald Ramotar and Former President Bharrat Jagdeo with some patrons of the State House fun day

 

Among other dignitaries who attended the event were, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, General Secretary of the PPP/C Clement Rohee, Prime Ministerial Candidate of the PPP/C Mrs. Elisabeth Harper   and several other Cabinet members.

 

On the occasion, President Ramotar offered a few words of encouragement to the gathering as he called on them to take this current period seriously. He noted that as Guyanese celebrate the life and work of Dr. Jagan, they should remain cognisant of the fact that it is a very important time in Guyana’s history.

 

“The election that we are about to have on May 11 will be one of the most important elections every fought in this country. It is so because over the last three years you’ve seen the attempts by the opposition to stymie every project, every developmental effort of the government.”

 

Speaking on some of the critical projects which the opposition stood in the way of, mention was made of the cuts to the national budget, the Amaila Falls Hydro project, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion and the specialty hospital.

 

These, the president said, show clearly that they do not have the country’s, and its people’s interest at heart because many of these projects would have created highly paid jobs for thousands of Guyanese.

 

President Ramotar pointed out, that in spite of these frustrating moves by the opposition, the country’s economy grew by almost 5% every year for the past three years.

 

 

President Donald Ramotar, First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar and PPPC Prime Ministerial candidate Mrs Elisabeth Harper and patrons

 

It is for these reasons he said that this election would determine a lot for the country and its people as it was a similar coalition, which was formed in 1964 that caused total destruction for Guyana.  

 

“On May 11 you have an important duty to ensure that our country will not go back, that our country will move forward, every single vote must be counted.”

 

The Head of State reminded the large gathering that this upcoming election is about the country’s future, the future of every citizen, and their children.

 

He also urged the constituents to play their role and be educated on every aspect of voting so as to ensure that this time around the incumbent government is returned to power as a majority government.   

 

Other speakers included PPP/C General Secretary, Clement Rohee and the party's Prime Ministerial Candidate, Mrs. Elisabeth Harper.

 

This year marks the 18th death anniversary of the founder of the PPP/C Dr.  Jagan and the State House fun day has for years been one of activities held in the month of March to celebrate his life.

 

President Donald Ramotar taking a photo opportunity with patrons of the State House fun day

 

President Donald Ramotar addressing the large gathering on the lawns of State House

 

The large gathering at State House

 

President Donald Ramotar looks at some of the late Dr Cheddi Jagan's work on display

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President tells ‘Fun Day’ guests… Winning the presidency not enough! –‘We must regain the majority!’

 

President Donald Ramotar was visibly smitten with this months-old baby girl during one of the many instances where members of the public had a chance to interact with the Party’s leadership [Photo by Adrian Narine)
President Donald Ramotar was visibly smitten with this months-old baby girl during one of the many instances where members of the public had a chance to interact with the Party’s leadership (Photo by Adrian Narine)

 

THE atmosphere at a usually quite State House on scenic Main Street, was transformed into one tinged by children’s laughter and delighted screams, singing and the sound of feet moving to the pulsating vibes of live bands and cultural performances.The undertones of seriousness were brought to the fore by President Donald Ramotar, who, in welcoming hundreds to the annual fun day organised in honour of the late Dr Cheddi Jagan, reminded that the incumbent Party remains a Party of the people.

 

First Lady, Madame Deolatchmee Ramotar and President Donald Ramotar with one of the several families at yesterday’s fun day [Photos by Adrian Narine)

First Lady, Madame Deolatchmee Ramotar

and President Donald Ramotar with one of

the several families at yesterday’s fun day

(Photos by Adrian Narine)

 

“The PPP (People’s Progressive Party) has always stood with the people; the workers; the farmers; ordinary people, everyone,” he said, repeating his call for the people to stand with him and the ruling Party come May 11, when the nation returns to the polls.


His call was met with thunderous applause, cheers and whistles from the hundreds who had an opportunity to interact, air their views and be photographed with the Party’s leadership. In time for the formal cultural programme and speeches, many took advantage of the seating arrangements on the lawns of State House, with many others standing on the sidelines to catch a glimpse of the Head of State, while others yet opted for the comfort of the lawns itself.


Mr Ramotar, also the presidential candidate for the ruling Party, noted that the celebration of Dr Jagan’s life and work comes at a critical juncture in the history; the lead-up to one of the most consequential General and Regional elections since 1992.


The choice, come May 11, he explained, is a clear one; a choice between a Party with a proven track record of delivering a better quality of living to the Guyanese people and a party that sees the upcoming polls as a means to only one end: Grabbing the reins of power.


The President stressed the importance of every vote. “Every vote must be counted,” he said.


Mr Ramotar reiterated his call for the Guyanese people to stand with the PPP, in the same way the Party has stood with them, and ensure that progress, peace and prosperity continue, via a majority win at the polls.


“We must not only win the Presidency, we must win the majority… the choice is clear…we must move Guyana forward,” he charged.


THE YOUTH VOTE
The Party’s prime ministerial candidate, Elisabeth Harper, reiterated similar sentiments, and, taking advantage of the large number of youths at yesterday’s fun day, she urged that they recognise their role in determining the future of Guyana.

 

A section of the hundreds who turned out for Dr Cheddi Jagan’s memorial fun day

A section of the hundreds who

turned out for Dr Cheddi Jagan’s

memorial fun day

 

“Everyone has a stake in our development,” she said, adding that the efforts to consolidate the gains made in the last two decades must not be lost.


“You must build on the foundation that has already been laid,” Harper urged.


The many families at the Dr Jagan’s memorial fun day also received the attention of the Party’s prime ministerial candidate.


She underscored the importance of families, calling them the “bedrock” of social and, by extension, economic progress that benefits all Guyanese.


“Go out and vote for the right Party, the PPP/C (People’s Progressive Party/ Civic),” she urged, with specific focus on the youths.


Her calls engendered wider smiles from hundreds of young faces painted with flowers, butterflies and a host of animated images.

 

STAYING THE PATH
Adding to the undeniable optimism and enthusiasm that marked yesterday’s event were comments from the PPP General Secretary, Clement Rohee, who hailed Dr Jagan as one of the greatest men who walked Guyana’s soil.


The ideals of Dr Jagan, he reminded, still guide the PPP, which he founded decades ago.


On that note, he called for the support of the Guyanese people to ensure that the ruling Party is reelected to office.

 

Fun, frolic and tons of laughter characterised the atmosphere of yesterday’ fun day

Fun, frolic and tons of laughter

characterised the atmosphere of

yesterday’ fun day

 

“This is no time to go backwards…PPP is battle ready. We are ready for the battle, not only ready for the road…the battle lines have been drawn and Guyana is at a crossroad. We must go forward not backward,” Rohee said.


The PPP General Secretary added that the Party remains a strong one and remains committed to all Guyanese people.


“We are a Party that has stood the test of time,” he said, adding that while the naysayers want to “turn back the clock” the PPP will continue to march forward in sync with the beats of peace, progress and prosperity.


His reminders and assurances were welcomed by the massive crowd, that also took advantage of the assortment of food, drinks, craft stands, games, a ferris wheel, a merry-go-round, trampolines, inflated castles, the offer of henna designs, toys, paintball shooting competitions and prizes – a combination that added to the excitement that that tangibly felt in the air.


In addition to members of the public, Party members, representatives of the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO), government ministers and officials and prominent private sector figures were present at Dr Cheddi Jagan’s memorial fun day, which was organised by the Party he founded.

FM

Dr Cheddi Jagan remembered as strong development advocate — Gov’t continues to be guided by his philosophy, says Dr Jagdeo

 

March 16, 2015. Source

 

 

Late President, Dr Cheddi Jagan

Late President,

Dr Cheddi Jagan

 

THE Late President, Dr Cheddi Jagan was hailed as a patriot, strong advocate of development and global reformer when the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) hosted “A Night of Reflection” on the lawns of State House on Friday.The event organised by the PYO and attended by scores of activists, focused on the life and work of Dr Jagan and how it contributed to change both locally and globally.

 

Addressing a packed gathering, former President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo said Dr Jagan realised that with globalisation, there will be cross-border issues beyond the control of individual states that would require collective solutions.


These, he said, include human trafficking, drug trafficking and money laundering, noting that the New Human Global Order recognised these challenges and called for global action to have them addressed.

 

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo addressing the State House gathering on Friday
Former President Bharrat Jagdeo addressing the State House gathering on Friday


The New Human Global Order aims at promoting a new and enlightened partnership for peace and development, involving all actors of the world community, based on mutual respect, democratic governance and popular participation to deal with the challenges of development, poverty eradication and to address the growing disparities, among and within countries.


The visionary document tabled by Guyana before the United Nations General Assembly on November 24, 2000 was adopted by consensus.


Dr Jagdeo also noted that when the former President first spoke about debt relief, the ideal was viewed by some in the international community as a bit “wacko”, but Guyana under the early 1992 PPP Administration succeed in getting both bilateral and multilateral debt write-offs.


Guyana benefitted from US$1.8 billion in debt relief while it paid $1.5 billion, and today, many countries have also benefitted from the idea which is now a global policy.


Dr Jagdeo also told his audience that today, climate change is a big issue, contending that the planet is hurling towards a catastrophe. This matter, he said was also recognised by the founding PPP leader, who was cognisant of the likely devastating impact it would have on poor and vulnerable populations if not addressed by a global response.


Passionate advocate
Today, he pointed out Guyana is at the forefront in the global arena in advocating for a safer planet and for collective action to tackle climate change.


According to Dr Jagdeo, unlike what the People’s National Congress (PNC) Desmond Hoyte Government claims, the Economic Recovery Programme (ERP) was not the work of the party, but rather an imposition by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) due to the poor state of the economy at the time.


He recalled as a young Junior Finance Minister, Dr Jagan advising his Cabinet to “Walk between the raindrops”.


He said what the late President meant was that the PPP Administration cannot escape the fact that it inherited the IMF imposition from the PNC Government, and will have to accept it, but would not do so wholly, as some maneuvering will be made.


He said Dr Jagan instead of slashing jobs in the public service as called for by the IMF; he adjusted expenditure, allocating more money to vital sectors such as health and education.


And through prudent management of the economy, he said Guyana eventually worked its way out of IMF management.


But he pointed out the road was not an easy one, noting that many hurdles had to be crossed. The bureaucracy, he said was overwhelming, recalling that persons had to get permit to import simple vital goods. This, he said was changed and the process is far much simpler today.


However, he said it was just one of the challenges to development, and it was these hurdles that led the Government to craft the National Development Strategy, outlining its developmental agenda and the direction of the country.


The process included inputs from civil society, and even though the PNC was invited to contribute to the plan, they refused, Dr Jagdeo said.


But he told the gathering that with or without the contribution of the Opposition, development under the PPP Government will continue as it is and will always be the duty of any PPP Government. This, he said is the vision and guiding philosophy of Dr Jagan.

FM
Originally Posted by seignet:

For APNU+AFC to win, they have to put everything into the other 5 races. Indoes are like Irish people to the English. Can't be trusted.  

What an ABSOLUTE STUPID statement. Do you know the meaning of trust and please tell us who Indians should trust.

Nehru

So what, they had about 1,000 person there.

 

Come visit me and come vote for me is not the same thing.

 

Plus on either side - 80 % of Guyanese are DEAD racist.

 

40% for the blackman party and 40% for the kruliman party.

 

So what, PPP will get solid about 140,000 votes in this 2015 elections, all most all of them dead racist.  But that does not win an elections.

 

 

 

FM
Originally Posted by Nehru:
Originally Posted by seignet:

For APNU+AFC to win, they have to put everything into the other 5 races. Indoes are like Irish people to the English. Can't be trusted.  

What an ABSOLUTE STUPID statement. Do you know the meaning of trust and please tell us who Indians should trust.

Baldeo and Ahmad

FM

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