A Caribbean’s taste with Guyana’s touch

Jan 10, 2024 Letters

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Dear Editor,

Argentina, known for Che Guevara and Pope Francis and called “Land of Silver,” is not famous for cricket but soccer, having produced such great footballers like Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. In 1996, Madonna performed and sang “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina,” starring in the movie “Evita,” which depicts the life of Eva Peron who became Argentina’s First Lady when she married President Juan Peron. Eva died on 26^th July, 1952 from cancer at the young age of 33 but not before rising to become a star entertainer after starting from a humble beginning.

Argentina’s favourite daughter was revered and loved because in her short life span, she championed workers’ rights and those of the poor, especially women. Often mistaken for a patriotic song, the song was sung at the beginning and end of the musical drama, “to evoke the generosity of Evita’s spirit in death by asking the public not to mourn her.” Before she died, she was given the title, “Spiritual leader of the nation” and was honoured with a state funeral, typically reserved for heads of state. PPP stalwarts, former President, Janet Jagan along with the late paternal grandmother of President Ali, were also champions of the poor and women’s rights, being in the vanguard for democracy and independence for Guyana.

Known as “The Land of the Humming Bird,” Trinidad and Tobago will give their fifth Prime Minister (1995-2001) a state funeral on Tuesday January 9^th, having departed at age 90 on January 1^st, 2024, for the great beyond. Being the first Prime Minister of Indian descent for the carnival island famous for Calypso Rose, Mighty Sparrow, Brian Lara, V.S. Naipaul, curried duck, oil, etc., Basdeo Panday founded the United National Congress and remained political leader until 2010. The champion for workers’ rights known for his wits, humour and dramatic skills, the honorary doctor was a lawyer, politician, trade unionist, economist, actor, and civil servant who reached the top of the ladder by climbing from the bottom and registering and relating with the poor. A watchdog for “religious pluralism,” Panday changed “Arrival Day” to Indian Arrival Day after 1996. In 1996, he was responsible for writing off hundreds of millions of US dollars from Guyana’s debts, racked up by the Burnham’s administration. Trinidad and Tobago have much to celebrate instead of mourning, as they reminisce the life in the death of a movie, theater and TV actor who started working in the sugar factory as a sugarcane weigher before becoming a school teacher.

Barbados, “The Land of the Flying Fish,” stole the honour of hosting the final of this year’s International Cricket Council Men’s Twenty20 World Cup. Prime Minister Mia Mottley praised her country’s “high level of organization” for this cricketing feat. The birth place for world famous cricket hero, Sir Garfield Sobers and international superstar entertainer Rihanna, the small island is also known as “Little England,” because of its “strong connection and staunchly British attitude.” Mottley proudly claimed that cricket is Barbadians’ DNA. The first semifinal will be played at the Guyana National Stadium (Providence Stadium) as the luscious greenery of the once famous Bourda Oval was not sustained. Regarded as the oldest cricket ground in the West Indies, Bourda Green came into fruition in 1884. England is the reigning champion.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, found himself in hot water after he was exposed posing with Venezuela’s President, Nicolas Maduro and a national flag depicting Essequibo as part of Venezuela. Known as “the Jewels of the Caribbean” and once called “Hairouna” by the early Carib settlers, “Kalinas,” this tourist attractive island’s name is translated as “Land of the Blessed,” after Saint Vincent. The beautiful island for flora and fauna, is home to former CARICOM’s Secretary General (1992-2010) Edwin Carrington, known for his diplomacy. Dr. Ralph Gonsalves was prominent for his proactive role in defending democracy in Guyana’s 2020 General Election and again supportive in hosting the venue for the “Argyle Declaration,” signed by Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro and Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali which binds them to maintaining peace in the Latin/South America and Caribbean Zone.

The popular tourist resort and bauxite land, Jamaica, was referred to as “Xaymaca” by the Indigenous people, the Taino, meaning “Land of Wood and Water” or “the Land of Springs.” The 2022 CPL Champion, the Jamaica Tallawahs, is no longer owned by Guyanese businessman, Kris Persaud, and will not be featured in this year’s tournament. The island, famous for cricket legend Michael Holding and Chris Gayle, the reggae king, Bob Marley and sprint athlete, Usain Bolt, also helped to sensationalize the island’s fame and fortune.

As can be seen, Guyana’s political, social and economic affairs certainly play an integral part in the Caribbean’s business. Guyana’s performance in its developing oil and gas industry, has added an additional interest to attract participation for investment. Guyana now provides numerous opportunities and Caribbean nationals are hammering on her door for employment. The country’s administration by the PPP/C Party is also responsible for increasing closer and trustworthy relationship among the Caricom Heads of Government. Guyana now enjoys the Chairmanship under the astute President Irfaan Ali who was recently awarded with Barbados highest honour.

Guyana’s Government, led by a young and vibrant President Ali, is blazing a trail of unprecedented achievements to catapult the nation into the 21^st century with innovative ideas secured with modern technology to educate and promote a foundation for economic stability, not only locally but regionally. President Ali finds himself in a most favourable and formidable position as he is being welcomed with open arms nationally, regionally and globally. As Guyana prepares for General Election next year, CARICOM will again unhesitatingly participate as observers, ensuring that free and fair election takes place in a transparent manner and democracy is sustained and will survive from any attacks by insurgents of the State. As demonstrated by the people of Linden recently, their love and affection for President Ali is untarnished by naysayers and they will not cry over spilled milk by the former administration.

Yours respectfully,

Jai Lall

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• Argentina, Caribbean, entertainer, Jai Lall., Touch

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