WEATHERING THE STORMS IN 2016

Dec 31, 2015 Editorial

It is said that the Ancient Roman god, Janus, after whom the month of January is named, is depicted as having two faces, one that looks back to the past and the other that looks forward to the future.
Janus has presided over the beginning and the ending of conflicts, hence war and peace, which in effect symbolizes change and transition over time. The Roman god symbolises the need for people to be conscious of those events in society that have altered their reality or have transformed their lives.
It should not be surprising to anyone how quickly the calendar year grows shorter the older one becomes. Looking back, it seems as though the year 2015 had just began but unfortunately for many, the passing of the last 12 months happened so quickly. Others cannot believe that eight months have gone by already since the May 11, 2015 general elections that brought change to the country with the defeat of the PPP government.
And it would not be long before the nation celebrates the first anniversary of the new government. The saying that time flies is true.
While there is little point in dwelling on the past twelve months, it should be instructive as a reference point for shaping the lives of many in the future or of taking stock and planning a new direction.
As a nation, the citizens of Guyana should look back but at the same time, look to the future in order to grasp and understand the best and the worst times of 2015, the glory and the grief the nation has experienced, the terrible loss some have endured, the incredible gains many have achieved, the extraordinary achievements of science and technology, and most important, the breathtaking change in governance.
The government should be commended for cleaning Georgetown, and surrounding areas, restoring Merriman Mall, establishing three new municipalities (Bartica, Mahdia and Lethem) and for calling Local Government Elections, which were last held twenty-one years ago.
Looking back, 2015 was a year of personal loss for many. Many lost loved ones to gun violence, traffic accidents and natural causes. It was a tough year for the nation’s transition from the general negative feelings to the state of being positive, and from hopelessness and despair to joyfulness and confidence.
Strange events have also occurred in 2015 such as the disappearance of the former president and several ex-Ministers from the limelight, the 50 percent increase in salaries for some ministers, and the election of the APNU+AFC coalition government.
In 2015 there was turbulence in the society—natural and man-made disasters such as floods, extensive women and child abuse, police brutality, shortcomings in the judicial system, and intensified criminality and gang entrenchment in several communities which are becoming like parts of Georgetown.
There is not a community in the country that is out of bounds to criminals. In Georgetown and certain areas of the country, crime is so rampant that residents, mostly the elderly, are being reduced to almost sub-human existence by being locked behind iron bars in their houses for fear of being robbed or murdered.
Despite Operation Dragnet which is hunting down the criminals, Guyana is well on its way to becoming a criminal state.
Over the years Guyana has lost some of its best and great intellectual minds due to migration to greener pastures in the Caribbean and North America. Original thinkers, of fearlessness and undying hope, who love Guyana and did much to propel it forward, but their departure, left a huge void in the public service and the public sphere of ideas and debates. Today, Guyana faces falling commodities prices, but by looking forward, the possibility exists for it to weather the storms in 2016.

Latest News

WEATHERING THE STORMS IN 2016

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 17th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

GPF arrests Presidential Guards by 48 runs as cricket action gets...

Superbet supports One Guyana 3×3 Quest

FIDE Master Drayton outclasses strong competition...

Wiltshire, Chris dominoes tourney set for March

Houston Sec’, New Central, Saints sent packing

Charles’ all-round performance helps EBDCA U23...

Features/Columnists

No immigrant should feel safe in America today

If Guyana’s President Ali is the “Zelensky of the Caribbean”, who is the Putin?

From Bharrat, the Blusterer to Howard, the Coward

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

WEATHERING THE STORMS IN 2016

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 17th, 2025

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 […]