Latest update April 5th, 2025 5:50 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Politicians and statesmen

Sep 29, 2013 Letters

 

Dear Editor,  
The days of chivalry are gone; so also are the days when citizens looked upon their politicians as statesmen. True, a politician and a statesman are not the same thing, but today, like honest politician, it’s an oxymoron.
A statesman differs from a politician in that he is guided by a moral compass of strong unchanging principles fashioned by absolute values which do not change even though buffeted by the storms of popular opposition. He has a vision for his people, and he builds a consensus to achieve that vision.
Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandella, Alexander Bustamante, Norman Manley, Eric Williams, Errol Barrow and Cheddi Jagan easily come to my mind. To this list, in the context of Guyana, I could squeeze in Desmond Hoyte and Donald Ramotar.
I still vividly recall Cheddi Jagan embracing Forbes Burnham on the eve of our Independence in May 1966, forgetting on that momentous occasion, Burnham’s earlier opposition to Guyana’s independence and his X-13 Plan that catapulted the PPP from office. Jagan’s gesture, to me, was the zenith of statesmanship.
When Desmond Hoyte resisted Hamilton Green and almost the entire Executive of the PNC, and opened up the country to free and fair elections, that, to my mind, was also statesmanship.
And when the Don emphatically exclaimed last night at the Fairfield Hall in Queens that Amaila will materialize, come what may, he declared his unchanging principle would not be affected by any storms kicked up by the popular opposition, and that he will pursue a consensus to achieve his vision.
I do not believe there is any single Guyanese who does not wish for Guyana to have hydropower. Any opposition comes from politicians pursuing their own agenda, or other individuals with personal axes to grind. These are the people who would bury Guyana only to reign over the grave.
Having listened to Donald Ramotar and his high profile entourage last night I begin to smell elections in the air. And what a good Christmas gift it would be.
Amaila means more to Guyana than political independence. Burnham resisted Independence because he did not want it to be given to a PPP government. Today it’s deja vu all over. The campaign slogan will not be “Highway to Heaven” or “Feed, Clothe and House the Nation”. This time it would be “Power to the People”.
Granger and Ramjattan will be relegated to the waste basket of history as mere politicians, because this time the people will win.
Gokarran Sukhdeo

 

 

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| April, 4th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

 

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

‘One Guyana’ 3×3 Quest tips off today

‘One Guyana’ 3×3 Quest tips off today

Apr 05, 2025

…19 teams to vie for top honours Kaieteur Sports- Basketball teams from around the world will be in action this weekend, when the ‘One Guyana’ 3×3 Quest gets underway. Competing for a...
Read More
Twin tons from Anderson, Imlach steer Eagles back on course

Twin tons from Anderson, Imlach steer Eagles back...

Apr 05, 2025

Race for quarterfinal spots commence today at MoE ground

Race for quarterfinal spots commence today at MoE...

Apr 05, 2025

Marsh sets up Lucknow’s comfortable win over Mumbai

Marsh sets up Lucknow’s comfortable win...

Apr 05, 2025

Saints and GTI dominate as YBG Georgetown Regional Conference continues

Saints and GTI dominate as YBG Georgetown...

Apr 04, 2025

Carty misses ton, Hamilton (80) sets up tense battle as Harpy Eagles speed ace Alimohamed bags 5

Carty misses ton, Hamilton (80) sets up tense...

Apr 04, 2025

Features/Columnists

  • The One-Man Republic

    Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- There exists, tucked away on the margin of maps and minds, a country that has perfected... more

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]