Restore a sense of patriotism in our youths

Aug 30, 2008 Letters

DEAR MR. EDITOR,
As a young Guyanese living in Guyana, one wonders where this country is heading. One would recall attending primary school and having to sing national songs and say the National Pledge every morning.

These days, school children sing the National Anthem and say the National Pledge probably once or twice a week.

The teachers are forgetting that not only do school children have to focus on their education, but they also have to learn more about their culture and history.

As a young child growing up, one always made sure that one looked and listened to the various newscasts.
Looking at the news today is very important, but it can become a headache most of the time.

The television news anchors need to be taught how to present the news properly. They jump from one item to the next, without pausing sometimes.

I am quite certain that when they are presenting the news on live television, it is the first time that they are seeing what they are presenting.

They should listen to the manner in which Mr. Franklin Langhorne and Mr. Rovin Deodat speak and read. Apparently, few people these days care about the proper pronunciations and spellings of words.

No wonder the illiteracy rate is so high in Guyana. Media persons are supposed to help educate and inform the general public, but can the blind lead the blind?

Michael Younge, Petal De Santos and Khemchand Ramsaroop are three news anchors who are doing a good job, but the same cannot be said for the others. Kudos go out to the morning show hosts on the radio stations.

DJ’s are dee-jaying on the radio instead of hosting the programmes. Please, if one wants to hear that, one would attend a ‘show or lime,’ or join a ‘top bus’. Come on, people, less talk, more music!

One attended the Youth Village and concert at the National Park on August 27, 2008 and was shocked.
The master of ceremonies asked the audience to stand for Guyana’s National Anthem.

At first, one was given the impression that a death announcement was about to be played, or that the person in charge of the music played the wrong song.

Apparently the National Anthem has a new tune, but the public was not informed. One felt disrespected and ashamed.

The same goes for the new folk songs released, especially for CARIFESTA X. Why call it a folk song if it is not one? The National Anthem and folk songs should be sung to the original music written, or rename the songs in question.

When Annandale Secondary sang some folk songs at the venue on the evening in question, one could not have been prouder.

However, please remember to be short and sweet the next time. To the parents of the young man who did the opening act, congratulations.

To the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports and the CARIFESTA X officials, one must say the job of hosting CARIFESTA X could have been better executed, but hey, you tried and made Guyana proud.
Valisha Arjune.