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At Day of Appreciation … President urges national pride, healing of wounds of the past

Written by Johann Earle
Saturday, 17 September 2011 03:06
Source - Guyana Chronicle

Photo by Sonell Nelson
Guyanese from all walks of life came out in their thousands to pay homage to a President who has guided Guyana through crises and shored up the foundations of the economy through prudent fiscal management, and who has lifted the profile of Guyana on the international stage.

In their droves, they came to the ‘Day of Appreciation: A World of Thanks’, at the Providence Stadium, a special event held in honour of President Bharrat Jagdeo, a man who rose from the ranks to become this country’s Executive President. Overcast skies failed to dampen the spirit of determination of those bent on coming out to the event.

In a tribute befitting the President, members of his Cabinet escorted him to the centre of the field where a podium had been set up and this was accompanied by a special musical fanfare from the Defence Force band, not unlike medieval times.

“I am overwhelmed by this event. I wish to thank all of the people who played a part in putting this together. [It is not very often] that a President gets something like this just before he leaves office. It is a very important message for all Guyana,” the president said, saying that it speaks volumes of Guyana and its maturing democracy.

A beaming President Jagdeo surrounded by children at the Stadium yesterday. (Photos by Sonell Nelson)

He expressed the hope that future presidents will be able to get the same honour as he has.

“I never stopped believing that our better days are ahead of us, [notwithstanding all of the progress in the many areas that we have achieved],” he said. “We must believe that tomorrow will be better…it needs every one of you working hard and giving of your best,” he said.

Born in Unity, Mahaica, in 1964, President Jagdeo said that his journey from a village boy to the presidency has been a long one. He expressed thanks to all those who made it possible for him to reach the heights that he has. He spoke of his parents and his sisters, all of whom were influential on him and taught him compassion. He spoke of this compassion forming the core of his party’s principles and said that the party must never close its doors to people of different races, religions or gender. “We embrace people, even those who oppose us,” he said.

In playful mood, President Jagdeo romps with two girls at the Providence Stadium.

“I ask you to keep the faith in our country. This country could become the paradise that we all wish it to be. I ask you to feel pride in things that are Guyanese. Do not be sidetracked,” he said, cautioning persons to shun those who seek to take them down the road of the past and the path of division. “Fiercely defend the interests of this country,” he urged.
“Never allow foreign interest to become our agenda. We must always fiercely defend national interests while recognising that we are part of a global village,” he said.

Further, he urged Guyanese to heal the wounds of the past.

He urged men to take more responsibility for their children and to treat women better, so that they can have the same opportunities to advance. “Our future will be defined by how we treat our women and children,” he said.

Wrapping up his address to the nation, he said that he will always continue to serve the country in whatever way he can.

Speaking before the President, PPP/C General Secretary and Presidential Candidate Donald Ramotar said that the time that Jagdeo was born was one filled with turmoil. He believed this has helped to shape the character of the man who is president. Ramotar said that Jagdeo is sympathetic to the needs and concerns of ordinary working people because of his formative years, which saw him having intimate exchanges with persons of modest means and livelihoods.

Ramotar said that it was recognized ‘early o’clock’ that Jagdeo’s knowledge of the system was overwhelming, hence he was chosen by then President Cheddi Jagan to become Junior Finance Minister.

At the National Stadium, the evening was filled with dance, drumming and song, all enveloping the speeches and contributions of various persons who all came to say thank you to the president. Especially captivating was the aerial display of the Guyana Defence Force’s Harpy Eagles Freefall Team, whose parachute jumping left members of the audience transfixed skywards, until the jumpers’ breath-stopping descent came to a safe end in the middle of the Providence Stadium. In addition to fireworks by the GDF, there was an interesting array of colours and dances depicting various themes important to the social fabric of Guyana.

The stands were filled to capacity for the most part until people began to file out as the event came to a close. Throughout the programme, many in the stands kept waving the Golden Arrowhead they had received on their way into the venue.

The shifting panorama of the Guyana flags that filled the stadium was indeed a fitting farewell to Bharrat Jagdeo as Executive President of the Cooperative Republic.

Last Updated ( Saturday, 17 September 2011 03:57 )

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quote:
“Never allow foreign interest to become our agenda. We must always fiercely defend national interests while recognising that we are part of a global village,” he said.

Further, he urged Guyanese to heal the wounds of the past.

He urged men to take more responsibility for their children and to treat women better, so that they can have the same opportunities to advance. “Our future will be defined by how we treat our women and children,” he said.




What a friggin hypocrite eh?
cain
quote:
Originally posted by cain:
quote:
“Never allow foreign interest to become our agenda. We must always fiercely defend national interests while recognising that we are part of a global village,” he said.

Further, he urged Guyanese to heal the wounds of the past.

He urged men to take more responsibility for their children and to treat women better, so that they can have the same opportunities to advance. “Our future will be defined by how we treat our women and children,” he said.


What a friggin hypocrite eh?


He actually used 'treat women better' in the same sentance. What a dog, eh.
Tola
Huge wave of Guyanese turn out at Evening of Appreciation – I see commitment to build a new future – President

Georgetown, GINA, September 16, 2011
Source - GINA

President Bharrat Jagdeo delivering his address at the evening of appreciation at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence

Delivering an inspiring address from centre field at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, this evening President Bharrat Jagdeo told thousands of Guyanese about his admiration for the commitment Guyanese have shown to build a new future.

The President’s remarks came after a well choreographed cultural presentation coupled with accolades before the exuberant flag waving audience at the highly anticipated Evening of Appreciation.

The big screen mounted at the Stadium’s grass mound allowed all to see and hear messages of appreciation by prominent regional and international figures such as Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph Gonsalves, Sir Shridat Ramphal and Chairman of the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Nobel Prize Winner, Dr. Rajendra Kumar Pachauri.

President Jagdeo spoke with a debt of gratitude to the organizers of today’s event which he described as rare for a farewell gift to an outgoing Head of State but, which sends a strong message about Guyana as a mature nation.

President Bhrrat Jagdeo accompany the nation’s children to release balloons at the evening of appreciation at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence

His 30-minute speech centered on encouraging messages for Guyanese to always keep the faith and hold firm to things Guyanese instead of being sidetracked by detractors whose aim is to create division.

“I ask that you fiercely defend the interest of this nation. Our interests are often aligned to the interest of the rest of the world. We live in a global community, many of the things that we want here for Guyana, we have to support elsewhere; democracy, progress, absence of bigotry, fighting racism,” President Jagdeo said.

Guyana’s young generation who President Jagdeo said are not prejudiced by the past were the ones who he is depending on to “blaze the trail” in healing the wounds of the past.

A section of the large gathering at the evening of appreciation for President Bharrat Jagdeo at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence

He also issued an appeal for the protection of the nation’s women and children noting that “we have to take greater responsibility for their progress,” since “our country and its future will be defined by how we treat our women and children.”

In this regard an appeal was also made for the males of society to step forward and take more control over their roles and responsibilities in the family.

“We need more of our men taking responsibility for their children and ensuring that our women are given all the opportunities to blossom too so that they can become a very important driving force not only for change but in ensuring our family grow up in a cultured way… that is befitting this country,” President Jagdeo said.

While calling on Guyanese to recognize that Guyana is part of the global community the Head of State cautioned strongly against allowing foreign interests to influence Guyana’s agenda.

This recognition, he added should however, not prevent Guyana from lending a helping hand to others in times of need.

“I ask that when we see sorrow, when we see grief that we develop enough compassion to reach out, not to be indifferent to sorrow and grief, whether it’s here in Guyana or in Africa…or in Asia or India or other parts of the world where people face natural disasters. If we feel the pain of others it enhances our humanity,” President Jagdeo said.

A Harpy Eagle freefall parachutist lands on the field of the Guyana National Stadium after a 7,000 feet jump during the evening of appreciation at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence

He is considered the youngest Head of State in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), elevating to the helm of the ruling party in 1999 from the portfolio as junior Finance Minister to President. He later went on to serve in that post for two successive terms after the People’s Progressive Party/Civic(PPP/C) won the 2001 and 2006 national elections.

During his appreciation speech President Jagdeo used the occasion to thank his forerunners, Cheddi and Janet Jagan who were confident in him enough to hand over the mantle. He vowed to continue being a patron to the process of development long after leaving office.

Cultural presentations dominated today’s appreciation ceremony with drumming from the Wismar, Linden cultural group, a ghazal from the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana, and a thank you calypso from a prominent artiste in Moruca, Region One.

Gospel recording artiste Cherlyn Maloney performed one of her popular songs from her latest album, ‘Don’t be discouraged’ while the Guyana Defence Force Harpy Eagle free fall parachutists executed a jump from 7,000 feet.

The National Steel Orchestra played songs that are favourites of the President while the Kross Colour family performed a song specially written for President Jagdeo.

The event saw tributes by several prominent individuals including cricketer Lennox Cush who expressed thanks on behalf of the sporting fraternity for the investment in the Guyana National Stadium and President Jagdeo’s patronage to football and the Kashif and Shanghai tournament which has grown immeasurably.

Chairman of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) said Guyana is on the world map because of President Jagdeo and spoke of the many achievements Amerindians have made under his tenure, making reference to the Amerindian Act of 2006, the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) and the expansion of social services to the hinterland.

Presidential Candidate Donald Ramotar in his tribute, chronicled the President’s life from his childhood years to academia to political life.

“After he came to office, Jagdeo was one of the first who went into the ministries to start working to make our slogan ‘time for change time to rebuild a reality… Cheddi Jagan showed him first as junior finance Minister because he wanted someone whom he could trust,” Ramotar said.

Principal of the University of the West Indies (UWI) St. Augustine Campus, Professor Clement Sankat, also made a special guest appearance at the ceremony described him as a big voice for small states.

“He would put forward a very strong case at the highest global levels for more favourable attention to the special needs of small and vulnerable Caribbean states… in 2010 at the UN Headquarters in New York, President Jagdeo urged world leaders to take decisive action in realizing the Millennium Development Goals,” Professor Sankat said.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds in his remarks described President Jagdeo as a person focused on people development and an advocate for improvement in the social services for the benefit of all.

The children of Guyana paid a touching tribute to the outgoing Head of State, escorting him to centre field before thronging with balloons that were released into the air. This attracted loud cheers from the audience.
FM
The man is a hypocrite Tola. I was gonna say he is a worm but that would have degraded worms who do us a service.



Statement by Varshnie Singh
20 January 2009


I was married according to Hindu rites to Bharrat Jagdeo since 1998. In 1999 he became President and I the First Lady.
During our marriage I was not allowed to work and did not receive proper maintenance or care, financial or otherwise. The First Lady’s office is a myth that I created because of a need. It advocates on behalf of the voiceless and receives no government funding or any type of assistance.

My experience with Minister Ramsammy in 2007 left me disappointed with him and our President. The Minister told me the applications were turned down at the Cabinet level and the President instructed him not to help me or Kids first Fund. In fact the request for help came from the parents of heart patients. By not helping all they did was force me to go out to beg for money to do their job to help save the lives of Guyanese children. I did not know our health policy was guided by the egos of our leaders. If they feel like it they will help, if not you are stuck and left to die. I was foolishly under the misconception, that timely access to healthcare, is a constitutional right; especially for children, according to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. I thought it depends on availability of funds and facilities, Not the whims and fancies of individuals elected to serve.
cain
Jagdeo has made Guyana proud

By Stabroek staff | Letters |
Friday, September 16, 2011
Source - Stabroek News

Dear Editor,

I thought long and hard about this decision to voice my opinion on the matter of President Jagdeo’s Appreciation Day, not because I have reservations about his merit, but because I do not wish to add dignity to what seems to be to be a rather unnecessary and puerile discussion on this matter. I have considered the views expressed by some regarding this event, and have concluded that while some of the concerns raised by sections of the population should not be ignored, since every voice within a democracy must be given liberty if not recognition, none of the concerns represents grounds on which appreciation should not be shown to our President. First, it must be understood that the efforts being made as far as I understand are not attempts to deify President Jagdeo. My own observation has been that the President, like all of us has made mistakes, but there should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that this young man has pursued unrelentingly Guyana’s development and the betterment of all our peoples. History will show that Guyana’s fortunes changed for the significant better during his watch. Has he always done things in a manner that pleased me? Absolutely not! But that is not his responsibility. His responsibility is not to please every citizen, or to satisfy the demands of particular sections of the population. His job was to lead, and lead he did. There are things I would have liked to see done differently, and so would seven hundred thousand Guyanese.

But fortunately for our country, President Jagdeo, listened to those opinions, but at the end of the day, he made the decisions he felt were in the best interest of our country. Should he be denied a country’s appreciation because he did what he felt was the best for our country? I couldn’t disagree more.

I few months ago, I spent a few weeks in the US on an official state visit and had the opportunity of visiting many of the sites which are memorials to the great American legacy. I remarked to one of my colleagues at the time that America is a nation that honours the lives of her people, and this maybe is what gives the American people their deep sense of pride. I looked at and read of the lives of some of America’s greats, and what you may not see are the human weaknesses or mistakes in judgment which all of these great lives were susceptible to. But they are not remembered for those things; rather they are honoured for their contribution in securing a better life and future for the American people.

It would be a good day for our country, when we can make greater efforts to weave into the fabric of our national ethos the contributions of our Guyanese sons and daughters. President Jagdeo is our son, raised by our mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters. He was taught in our schools, played in our playgrounds, and drank our creek water and ate our labba. He rose from the ranks of the ordinary and gave most of his youth to a job, which while it holds much prestige, is also one of great stress and unfair criticism. But he stuck to it for twelve years and has made Guyana proud indeed.

I speak for myself and maybe the many other Guyanese who share the sentiments I expressed, when I say that President Jagdeo is deserving of a world of thanks.

Yours faithfully,

Rev Kwame Gilbert
FM
quote:
Originally posted by Demerara_Guy:
President Bhrrat Jagdeo accompany the nation’s children to release balloons at the evening of appreciation at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence


This photo shows how low the PPP will stoop to use children for political gain.
HOW DO YOU SHAME THE SHAMELESS ?
Tola
quote:
Originally posted by Demerara_Guy:
Jagdeo has made Guyana proud

By Stabroek staff | Letters |
Friday, September 16, 2011
Source - Stabroek News

Dear Editor,

I thought long and hard about this decision to voice my opinion on the matter of President Jagdeo’s Appreciation Day, not because I have reservations about his merit, but because I do not wish to add dignity to what seems to be to be a rather unnecessary and puerile discussion on this matter. I have considered the views expressed by some regarding this event, and have concluded that while some of the concerns raised by sections of the population should not be ignored, since every voice within a democracy must be given liberty if not recognition, none of the concerns represents grounds on which appreciation should not be shown to our President. First, it must be understood that the efforts being made as far as I understand are not attempts to deify President Jagdeo. My own observation has been that the President, like all of us has made mistakes, but there should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that this young man has pursued unrelentingly Guyana’s development and the betterment of all our peoples. History will show that Guyana’s fortunes changed for the significant better during his watch. Has he always done things in a manner that pleased me? Absolutely not! But that is not his responsibility. His responsibility is not to please every citizen, or to satisfy the demands of particular sections of the population. His job was to lead, and lead he did. There are things I would have liked to see done differently, and so would seven hundred thousand Guyanese.

But fortunately for our country, President Jagdeo, listened to those opinions, but at the end of the day, he made the decisions he felt were in the best interest of our country. Should he be denied a country’s appreciation because he did what he felt was the best for our country? I couldn’t disagree more.

I few months ago, I spent a few weeks in the US on an official state visit and had the opportunity of visiting many of the sites which are memorials to the great American legacy. I remarked to one of my colleagues at the time that America is a nation that honours the lives of her people, and this maybe is what gives the American people their deep sense of pride. I looked at and read of the lives of some of America’s greats, and what you may not see are the human weaknesses or mistakes in judgment which all of these great lives were susceptible to. But they are not remembered for those things; rather they are honoured for their contribution in securing a better life and future for the American people.

It would be a good day for our country, when we can make greater efforts to weave into the fabric of our national ethos the contributions of our Guyanese sons and daughters. President Jagdeo is our son, raised by our mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters. He was taught in our schools, played in our playgrounds, and drank our creek water and ate our labba. He rose from the ranks of the ordinary and gave most of his youth to a job, which while it holds much prestige, is also one of great stress and unfair criticism. But he stuck to it for twelve years and has made Guyana proud indeed.

I speak for myself and maybe the many other Guyanese who share the sentiments I expressed, when I say that President Jagdeo is deserving of a world of thanks.

Yours faithfully,

Rev Kwame Gilbert


IS THIS NOT THE SAME GILBERT WHO IS AN ADVISOR TO JAGDEO AND SHORT LISTED FOR A MINISTER POST IN THE NEXT GOVERNMENT.
Like Edghill, what is with these religious people getting into politics. Are they trying to serve two gods.
Tola
quote:
Originally posted by Demerara_Guy:
In playful mood, President Jagdeo romps with two girls at the Providence Stadium.


USING CHILDREN FOR YOUR POLITICAL GAIN, SHAME ON YOU PPP.
IS THIS GUY FOR REAL, HE TREATS WOMEN LIKE SH!T AND PLAYS WITH FEMALE CHILDREN.
Tola
quote:
Originally posted by Tola:
quote:
Originally posted by Demerara_Guy:
President Bhrrat Jagdeo accompany the nation’s children to release balloons at the evening of appreciation at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence


This photo shows how low the PPP will stoop to use children for political gain.
HOW DO YOU SHAME THE SHAMELESS ?


Does he have any children of his own?
Mitwah
quote:
Originally posted by The Judge:
Yes a world of thanks to a great individual who devoted so much towards the betterment of his country


Thats right his Excellency has done a fabulous job with health care and education in Guyana he has also brought security to this nation like no other. We are finally able to leave our doors and windows open and we can sleep forever afterwards.
J
And who are you? A DUMB, IGNORANT and ILLITERATE DONKEY!!! YOu SHAMELESS Prostitutes!!!!
quote:
Originally posted by cain:
quote:
�Never allow foreign interest to become our agenda. We must always fiercely defend national interests while recognising that we are part of a global village,� he said.

Further, he urged Guyanese to heal the wounds of the past.

He urged men to take more responsibility for their children and to treat women better, so that they can have the same opportunities to advance. �Our future will be defined by how we treat our women and children,� he said.




What a friggin hypocrite eh?
Nehru
I have been giving EVERYONE the benefit of the doubt that ther are SINCERE and looking out for the Gyuyanese People but after reading their comments after last night, I am CONFIDENT that these People are SHAMELESS POLITICAL PROSTITUTES who are full of themselves. I would not want to walk the road if I wer e these bNIMAKARAMS and we ALL know who they ARE!!!!
Nehru
Moderator what kind of behavior is this that we are allowing these chaps to attack people call persons prostitutes and other names this is a disgrace to the PPP.

Why are we allowing this kind of behavior?
J
The President held a function, the people came out in large numbers and the event was a success. There are those who are not pleased that this happened. They thought that the whole thing would backfire but this did not happen. The day belonged to Jagdeo and that is a fact.
FM
quote:
Originally posted by Alexander:
The President held a function, the people came out in large numbers and the event was a success. There are those who are not pleased that this happened. They thought that the whole thing would backfire but this did not happen. The day belonged to Jagdeo and that is a fact.


Burnham used to hail mass games and Mash as major successes every year. When he used to speak at square of the revolution all the newspaper would report big big success for the Kabaka. THUD!
J
You can't compare Jagdeo with Burnham. Jagdeo did not force or compel anyone to go yesterday. They did on their own. In Burnham's time which media was openly critical of him. Today you have newspapers, TV and and the internet that have the freedom to criticize, and yet Jagdeo is popular.
FM
quote:
Originally posted by Alexander:
You can't compare Jagdeo with Burnham. Jagdeo did not force or compel anyone to go yesterday. They did on their own. In Burnham's time which media was openly critical of him. Today you have newspapers, TV and and the internet that have the freedom to criticize, and yet Jagdeo is popular.


You should get the RCs to publish an accounting about who paid for transportation and food for the busloads of people.
Check with the Berbice PPP officials about the people who were refused to attend, because they were not considered strong PPP supporters.
Thank you Mutt and Jeff, now they are fulltime AFC supporters.
Edghill as a religious man, is one of the biggest liers in the PPP.
Tola
quote:
Originally posted by Alexander:

The President held a function, the people came out in large numbers and the event was a success.

There are those who are not pleased that this happened. They thought that the whole thing would backfire but this did not happen.

The day belonged to Jagdeo and that is a fact.


A fact which should be clear to all.
FM
A REAL PRESIDENT NOT Dem Wata Wash Snakeoil Wanna be Nogood Parasites.
quote:
Originally posted by Demerara_Guy:
A beaming President Jagdeo surrounded by children at the Stadium yesterday. (Photos by Sonell Nelson)
Nehru
But you will hear all sorts of Nonesense from the SNAKEOIL Gang who are not fit to wipe their own Baxsides!!!
quote:
Originally posted by Demerara_Guy:
quote:
Originally posted by Alexander:

Jagdeo did not force or compel anyone to go yesterday.

They did on their own.


Correct.
Nehru
quote:
Originally posted by Demerara_Guy:
A beaming President Jagdeo surrounded by children at the Stadium yesterday. (Photos by Sonell Nelson)


Using chidren for political gain, dont you people have any shame.
Tola
You too DUNCE to understand anything so I not going to even try to explain anything to you.
quote:
Originally posted by Tola:
quote:
Originally posted by Demerara_Guy:
A beaming President Jagdeo surrounded by children at the Stadium yesterday. (Photos by Sonell Nelson)


Using chidren for political gain, dont you people have any shame.
Nehru
quote:
Originally posted by Demerara_Guy:
quote:
Originally posted by Alexander:

Jagdeo did not force or compel anyone to go yesterday.

They did on their own.


Correct.


Event was held during business hours and civil servants were under duress to attend.
FM
You know this because like a cockroach you in a hole.
quote:
Originally posted by Rahmah bin Jabr:
quote:
Originally posted by Demerara_Guy:
quote:
Originally posted by Alexander:

Jagdeo did not force or compel anyone to go yesterday.

They did on their own.


Correct.


Event was held during business hours and civil servants were under duress to attend.
Nehru
You AFC guys just can't digest the good stuff. All you guys know to do is to mourn Guyana by wearing black ribbon on a happy occasion. They say if you can't beat them join them. The AFC need to work on a different strategy and stop the knit-picking.
FM

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