Nationalism comes before partisan politics

Nov 08, 2010 Letters

Dear Editor,
From time to time I see letters in the press ascribed to a Rishee Thakur. I believe this is the Rishee Thakur who was a doctoral student at York University, Toronto, Canada, in 1993.
I note with interest that Mr. Thakur is now a staunch critic of the PPP Government. I can vividly recall the agony and distress he caused the executive members of the Ontario Chapter of the University of Guyana Guild of Graduates in 1993 when, as a diehard PPP supporter, he threatened to picket and disrupt the inaugural dinner and dance of the group because he considered the keynote speaker for the event “a PNC” person.
The event was planned to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the University of Guyana (UG) and to raise funds to be contributed to UG’s Endowment Fund that was recently established and being chaired by Mr. Yesu Persaud.
The keynote speaker for the event was an outstanding Guyanese academic, who at one time held the position of Head of UG‘s History Department and later served as Guyana‘s High Commissioner to Ottawa.
From the time the event was publicized, Mr. Thakur started calling members of the executive whose phone numbers were advertized, harassing them and threatening to disrupt the event unless the speaker was changed.
The executives of the organisation were so concerned over the threats that the police were alerted and asked to be ready to intervene should the need arise.
I am glad to say we did not accede to the threats. The event went on as planned and was quite successful.
As a result of our efforts on that occasion, C$3,000 dollars were raised and donated to the Endowment Fund in Guyana. I am also proud to note that our Chapter has existed continuously from 1993. On September 25, 2010, we held our 18th annual reunion dinner and dance.
Over the years we have always stressed that our Chapter is non partisan and we have featured outstanding Guyanese of various racial background as keynote speakers.
I have always been wary of partisan political activists who only see matters from their narrow political perspective and who do not understand that there are dedicated Guyanese who are non partisan that are prepared to serve their country in the national interest, irrespective of which party is in power.
From his letters to the press these days I am tempted to conclude that Mr. Thakur has changed his political stripes. I hope he now realises that nationalism comes before partisan politics.
Harry Hergash

Latest News

Nationalism comes before partisan politics

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Seven Regional Champions to vie for direct promotion single spot in...

Kennard Memorial Turf Club expresses sincere...

Canada-based Guyanese Umpire Suresh Budhoo...

Anil Beharry Real Estate and Related Services...

Alarm in West Indies over radical two-division...

After 18 years hiatus, West Indies arrive in...

Features/Columnists

Jagdeo’s policies were a disaster

Forget Begging Rich Nations: Caribbean Countries Should Act to Save Themselves

John Hess speaks, Guyanese should listen

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Nationalism comes before partisan politics

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]