‘Everything will not be alright if we don’t struggle for it’-President tells gathering at Babu John 

Georgetown, GINA, March 2, 2008

Addressing a large gathering of persons today at Babu John, Port Mourant, including Government officials, other members of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Regional officials and residents of Berbice, President Bharrat Jagdeo, alluding to the famous Bob Marley words ‘everything will be alright’ said that everything will not be alright if Guyanese do not struggle for this to be so.
            The occasion was the annual wreath-laying ceremony in memory of the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan, founder of the ruling party and former President. This year marked eleven years since the former President died on March 6, 1997.  
            Dr. Jagan was noted for using the words of the late Bob Marley that ‘everything will be alright’ before he passed away.
             “Last year when we met here, we had just off come off the high of hosting the Rio group meeting. It was the largest gathering of Latin American Heads of State and CARICOM (Caribbean Community) countries, and we were teeming with the decision of hosting World Cup Cricket. Today, meeting here, we do so with a dark cloud hanging over our country. We have to work aggressively and in a sustained way, and spare no effort to ensure that this dark cloud is dissipated from our nation,” the President told the gathering.
              The Head of State pointed out that the late leader’s life was an embodiment of struggle and he committed himself to freeing Guyana.
            “He walked a difficult and dangerous path but he never swerved. He stood, he walked that path and he achieved for the people of this land. He had good times and he had bad times. The path was wide sometimes and it was narrow sometimes but he never lost faith,” the President added, noting that Guyana is now facing a tough time, but that like the late leader, people should not lose faith.
            “We have much more to do until we hang our hats up, until the day we can rest because the day when we can rest is the day when all of the people of this country have a decent standard of living, when they live in harmony with each other, when no child goes to bed hungry and when every child has the best quality of education and health care, and when people can live securely in their homes. Only then will the struggle end,” President Jagdeo said.
            The Head of State reiterated that Guyanese need to prepare themselves for the struggle too, underscoring that it makes no sense every year that they speak about democracy and how Cheddi Jagan is loved and they are not prepared to face hard times in the country when they come.
            “This struggle will go on for many, many years to come. It will not end with this generation but it’s a struggle that is essential. It is a struggle that has to be waged. It is a struggle that we all must commit ourselves to because only with that struggle will the people of this land achieve their real potential.”
            Turning his attention to the international arena and reminding the gathering of struggles of other nations to gain independence and to fight against inhumane systems, President Jagdeo pointed to the difference between the generations in those days and the generation currently which does not seem to have any strong ideals.
              “I see people, young people waiting for the next hundred dollars coming from the States, not wanting to work. The work ethic is gone, drinking every single day, domestic violence, beating up their women in the family and then we say we are ready for this struggle? How can we say that we will respect others, if we can’t respect ourselves,” he queried.
            The Head of State urged that when Guyanese gather to reminisce on Cheddi Jagan, that they should remember his ideals and share his memories, reminiscing on his works and learn from his strength and resilience.
            “What is our ideal today? Where is the ideal of this generation? Every time someone threatens us, we’re prepared to cower in our homes and not prepare to respond. We have to commit ourselves. This generation has to do so if this country is going to continue to achieve the progress that it deserves,” he underscored.

            The remembrance ceremony saw the Head of State, other Government officials and citizens laying wreaths at his gravesite and also included recital of quotes from some of his works by school children from Region Six and a memorable song by calypso singer Sweet Kendingo.

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