Ow! Meh toe hurting

Feb 25, 2009 Features / Columnists

The Parrot was out viewing the parade on Mash Day. Oh what a tedious task! The entire route was overcrowded. Thousands upon thousands converged on the designated streets making it impossible to traverse. Efforts to forcefully squeeze my way through were futile. I eventually gave up and settled for a spot that others, well plenty others, were vying for.
After the initial mashing of toes as the spot was being marked, some level of comfort was attained.
This was short-lived, not only because of the sweltering heat, but because every time a big float approached my spot, the revellers, who were in constant competition with the onlookers and walkers, in their energetic displays were forced to push the non-revellers aside; that “aside” was where I was standing with the rest of my Parrot family. This resulted in more toe-mashing; this time painful. I abruptly joined the others; the walkers that is; I walked back to my mode of transportation destined for home.
This scenario is a recurrent one; every year huge crowds. Every year more people gravitate to the Mash route. Those who peddled doubts in the minds of the citizenry that this year Mash would fizzle were wrong. Oh they were so wrong! What is Mash? It’s not just floats and revellers in costume; it’s the voluntary participation of the multitude in celebration of the nation’s status as a Republic. This celebration is not confined to the participating bands but also to the larger bands; bands of people.
The fact that thousands, some leaving their homes very early to get vantage points along the route, were out in the Park and on the streets demonstrate the importance of not only the festival but also their presence. The success must not only be measured by the number of floats, but by the overwhelming response of the citizens.
By the way, I am reliably informed that some twenty-four bands/floats participated. This outnumbers the number in the time of the last administration. Further, bands then were from government entities; private sector participation was limited, if not absent, for most of those years. Research will show that under this administration, there was more private sector participation in Mash.
Remember under the Kabaka and Uncle Desi there were the Guy This, Guy That and Guy The Other bands? Eh? Memories are back? Right. So those who harped about the non-participation of some private companies in the parade, despite these companies sponsoring Mash events prior to Mash Day, were just trying to paint a negative picture of the organisers.
So if the Ministries participated in large numbers, then that’s not an issue. The large crowds drawn from all walks of society are indicative of the vibrancy of Mash.
As a reminder, government employees during the time of the last administration were not afforded a choice in their mandatory participation. Oh how have times changed! And yet there are some who facilitate and articulate the position of anti-government elements in suggesting that the administration may be undemocratic. Oh how they fail to see reality! The glamour, glitter, colour, vibrancy and the party atmosphere are not only testimony to a growing democracy, but to the level of attraction Mash provides. I am sure that some who grip were forced to Mash by the Kabaka. Anyway, that’s history. I am going to Mrs. Parrot to “noint” my aching toes.
Squawk Squawk!

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Ow! Meh toe hurting

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