Why was President Jagdeo not at this funeral?

Jun 22, 2009 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

Last Thursday, many Guyanese living in the Tri State area made the sacrifice to attend the funeral of the late Sri Prakash Gossai. The funeral took place not on a weekend, but on a workday and therefore arrangements would have had to be made, time-off secured and transportation had for those wishing to be part of the final ceremonies for Pandit Gossai.

A great many persons attended the final religious ceremony and the cremation. The turnout was larger than expected, more especially considering that it took place on a workday.

Many were unable to enter the funeral home because of the limited space and the large amount of persons who preferred to remain within to listen to the dignitaries who had arrived from Guyana.

The President of Guyana was not among those attending the funeral, but had he been there the crowds would not have been much different. The turnout was a reflection of the huge popularity of Pandit Gossai.

Many expected the President of Guyana, since Pandit Gossai worked arduously for him. Many were hoping for a glimpse of the Guyanese leader.

The President was however not the drawing card. However, Guyanese living in New York look forward to these visiting dignitaries and would come out in their numbers to hear what they have to say. Many were hoping that the President would have said a few words.

The organizers of the funeral did their best, given the situation. The funeral home could not accommodate all within. A great many waited outside while the proceedings were taking place.

It was not easy because of the weather. But all felt it was their duty to be there because of what the deceased meant to them.

The sacrifice was willingly made by those in attendance because of what Pandit Gossai meant to them and because he was an important spiritual leader. They wanted to be there to show their appreciation and to sympathize with all those who were mourning his death.

Since his cremation, I have spoken to some Guyanese living in New York and the subject of the Pandit’s passing came up. All of those with whom I have spoken to have quietly indicated their disappointment that President Jagdeo did not attend the funeral of Pandit Gossai.

Those that I spoke to expressed disappointment, but they did not make a major issue out of this. They will know that it has been made public that President Jagdeo was right next door, in Canada, attending festivities organized by the Guyana Embassy in that country. Among the activities that would feature as part of those festivities is a duck curry competition, a cultural show and a cricket match.

People will ask how come the President could attend festivities in Canada just days after the funeral of Gossai, but could not find the time to come to New York to pay his final respects to someone who worked with him in his office.

I know that this will not become a major issue within the Guyanese community in New York. You may find some reference to it on the blogs now that it is being publicized that the President of Guyana is in Canada, but it will not become another storm in a teacup.

However, I am sure that it will upset a great deal of the supporters of the PPP and the government of Guyana, as well as some of the followers of Pandit Gossai.

They will also question how it is that the President was not present at this funeral, and they will question this privately more so when they consider the sacrifices that so many had to make in hard economic times to attend the cremation. But they will not make a fuss; this is not their style; they will opt to express their disappointment in private.

In fairness to the President of Guyana, he cannot be expected to attend every funeral of every noted person in New York.

He is known to have quite a few friends in the Tri- State area and of course his party has a huge following within New York State and especially in South Ozone and Richmond Hill areas. During election time, PPP leaders are very conspicuous in New York because this is where they raise the most money for their re-election campaign.

Again, it may be unfair, but people will ask how it is that the PPP can come each time there is election to beg for money, but did not insist to the President of Guyana that he come to New York for the funeral of Sri Prakash Gossai.

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