Guyana today is a proud nation where there is ethnic harmony

Feb 21, 2014 Letters

Dear Editor,
February 23 will be forty-four years since Guyana attained Republican status after some one hundred and fifty years of British colonial rule. This was preceded by the granting of political independence on May 26, 1966.
The story of our independence is fraught with all manner of intrigues and political machinations, a detailed exposition of which would not be possible in this short presentation. Suffice it to say however that after a prolonged period of internal political wrangling and Anglo-American interference in our domestic politics, independence was finally granted to the colony in 1966 but only after the PPP was engineered out of office and replaced by a PNC-UF coalition government.
The granting of Republican status for the country was merely ceremonial as it brought a formal end to British colonial rule. The Governor, henceforth ceased to be Her Majesty the Queen’s representative in the country.
Despite the political schism which characterized the body politic of the newly founded nation, the mere fact that the country was declared a free and independent nation was enough to bring the diverse political and ethnic configurations into a celebratory mood.
It is important to note that at the time of the attainment of independence the country had not experienced any form of electoral fraud even though the electoral system was changed in 1964 from first past the post to proportional representation with the aim of giving the opposition parties an electoral advantage.
By 1970 the PNC had already rigged itself into political power but not after it booted out its junior coalition partner the United Force from the coalition government which paved the way for fresh ‘elections’ in 1968.
The above is not intended to detract from the Mashramani celebrations which have now become something of a cultural institution with a life on its own. People from all walks of life thronged the city on Mashramani day to get a glimpse of the several floats which never fail to amaze and dazzle.
There can be no doubt that Mashramani has evolved over the years into something that is uniquely and distinctively Guyanese. It brings out in full measure the resourcefulness, creativity and ingenuity of the Guyanese people.
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports must be commended for keeping alive the Mashramani spirit and for the tremendous work they have been doing in making the celebrations bigger and better with each passing year.
We have every reason to celebrate. Guyana today is a proud nation where there is ethnic harmony and respect for diversity.
Let us celebrate and cherish our multiculturalism and Guyanese nationhood and identity.
A happy Mashramani to all Guyanese!
Hydar Ally

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