My parents did not use their position for personal gains

Dear Editor,
I am extremely disappointed that Bharrat Jagdeo would try to compare his lifestyle to that of my parents, former Presidents Dr. Cheddi Jagan and Mrs. Janet Jagan, and defend his opulent lifestyle by pathetically claiming that my parents also lived in a large house in an affluent community. Nothing could be further from the truth.
I would like to thank Ralph Ramkarran for writing about the matter in his recent article “Discordant Notes”. What Ralph wrotea bout my parent’s lifestyle and their house is all true and to the point. He wrote “In the 1960s, Plantation Bel Air, as it was then known, where Cheddi Jagan’s house is located and where my parents were born, was a poor community of mainly small artisans, farm and city labourers and subsistence cattle and vegetable farmers. Cheddi Jagan’s land, next door to where I was born, grew up and still live, was acquired for $2,000 in the early 1960s. Around that time Belvoir Court was empty land in the 1960s when Cheddi Jagan got his land… In any event, the house that he constructed consisted of only an upper flat of three bedrooms, a tiny study, a small living room and kitchen, modest by the standards of that time or any standards. It is there for anyone to see. The impression given by Dr. Jagdeo that Cheddi Jagan built a mansion, at the time comparable to his own, in an existing exclusive area is completely false and disingenuous.”
This simple, modest but comfortable house was designed by my father and built in 1966. You can visit and see for yourself. At that time there were only a few houses in this area. All the homes that were built much later in this area were much larger and more elaborate, so that the current area is now considered an affluent neighborhood.
My parents, as is well known, devoted and sacrificed their lives for the betterment of the people of Guyana. They did not use their position for personal gains, which would have been very easy to do. Instead, due primarily to their high moral and ethical standards, they chose to live a very simple and comfortable lifestyle. They did not lead an extravagant life. Even when they were both Presidents of Guyana they maintained the same simple lifestyle they had always lived before.
It is sad that no one, especially in the PPP leadership has come forward to challenge these false and misleading claims that Bharrat Jagdeo has made against my parents, except for an old and dear comrade and friend of my parents’– Ralph Ramkarran.
Nadira Jagan-Brancier

Dem boys seh…Ramkarran seh Jagdeo nah got shame

Since Jagdeo li’l he was smart, scampish and always vindictive. People who wuk over him and under him, know that, but some of dem get frighten to talk when he became president. Now that he gone some people talking because he ain’t got control over dem mouth. Dem boys always use to talk because dem never did and would never frighten that idiot. He does always try fuh justify everything he seh and he do. Every scampish deal, every rattish agreement he sign and whatever he seh he does try fuh justify. He build a house in Pradoville One on state land wha he get fuh next to nutten. Then he seh he sell to some Rass fuh nuff money. He go and build a mansion in Pradoville Two again pun state land. Dem boys believe that is de biggest, fanciest and most expensive house in de country. When dem question him, he seh that he wuk fuh 20 years and he was president fuh 12. Well Ramkarran seh that Cheddi wuk fuh more than 50 years. He was premier, and he was president. His wife also wuk for 50 years, and was president too. Yet de two of dem couldn’t build wha Jagdeo build. De simple house wha de two of dem build still stands de same way so that everybody can compare to Jagdeo mansion. Dem never drive wha Jagdeo drive, never eat some of de things wha Jagdeo eat. Dem boys know that Cheddi had a heart problem but he never hire private jet. He use to wait fuh a state visit come up and then use de opportunity to see his doctor. Ramkarran seh that it is a sin fuh Jagdeo to use Cheddi as an example fuh justify he mansion, his pension and his Cadillac lifestyle. But dem boys seh that sin is fuh people wid a heart. Jagdeo ain’t got a heart or nutten closer to that.  And in any case animals don’t commit sin. His monthly pension can pay all de teachers in 10 school, yet he never give he wife nutten. And he comparing heself to Cheddi and Janet. What a shame and disgrace. De police does shame you by putting you photograph in de paper when you drink and drive. Sunday Chronicle had six photo of Jagdeo and Ramotar only had five. Talk half and watch how he gun run and hide.

Disappointed that Jagdeo would try to compare his lifestyle to that of my parents

March 16, 2015

Dear Editor,

I am extremely disappointed that Bharrat Jagdeo would try to compare his lifestyle to that of my parents, former Presidents Dr. Cheddi Jagan and Mrs. Janet Jagan, and defend his opulent lifestyle by pathetically claiming that my parents also lived in a large house in an affluent community. Nothing could be further from the truth.

I would like to thank Ralph Ramkarran for writing about the matter in his recent article “Discordant Notes”. What Ralph wrote about my parents’ lifestyle and their house is all true and to the point. He wrote “In the 1960s, Plantation Bel Air, as it was then known, where Cheddi Jagan’s house is located and where my parents were born, was a poor community of mainly small artisans, farm and city labourers and subsistence cattle and vegetable farmers. Cheddi Jagan’s land, next door to where I was born, grew up and still live, was acquired for $2,000 in the early 1960s. Around that time Belvoir Court was empty land in the 1960s when Cheddi Jagan got his land… In any event, the house that he constructed consisted of only an upper flat of three bedrooms, a tiny study, a small living room and kitchen, modest by the standards of that time or any standards. It is there for anyone to see.

The impression given by Dr. Jagdeo that Cheddi Jagan built a mansion, at the time comparable to his own, in an existing exclusive area is completely false and disingenuous.” This simple, modest but comfortable house was designed by my father and built in 1966. You can visit and see for yourself. At that time there were only a few houses in this area. All the homes that were built much later in this area were much larger and more elaborate, so that the current area is now considered an affluent neighbourhood.

My parents, as is well known, devoted and sacrificed their lives for the betterment of the people of Guyana. They did not use their position for personal gains, which would have been very easy to do.

Instead, due primarily to their high moral and ethical standards, they chose to live a very simple and comfortable lifestyle. They did not lead an extravagant life. Even when they were both Presidents of Guyana they maintained the same simple lifestyle they had always lived before.

It is sad that no one, especially in the PPP leadership has come forward to challenge these false and misleading claims that Bharrat Jagdeo has made against my parents, except for an old and dear comrade and friend of my parents’– Ralph Ramkarran.

Yours faithfully,

Nadira Jagan-Brancier

http://www.stabroeknews.com/20...-that-of-my-parents/

I have always wanted to live well. I got my inspiration from watching American films and walking and looking at the yards and houses at Blairmont Estate Senior Staff Compound. It wasn't covet or greed or envy of the whites. I aspire to a comfortable life style as young as I was. And living at Fatman Logie in Rosignol.

CBJ always wanted to tear down the white people standard of living. The man was the destroyer of dreams.

Ram Karran can sey what he wants, CBJ stopped pulling teeth soon after he returned to BG. Yet, he provided well for his siblings. Nothing wrong with all of that. But when people claiming he lived a frugal life style, that is a whole lot of crap. Even in the opposition benches he traveled the the world.

I have no problem with Jagdeo Mansion. The man has a class life style. I admire him in that respect. However. I wished he had used some of that desire to live well and encourage and promote classic infra-structure programs and proper housing developments for the less fortunate.

Men like Moses Nagamootoo and Ram Karran kept feeding Jagan this crap of how good and simple he is/was. Had CBJ been 10% like Jagdeo, the electorate would have been freer in mind and spirit. That should be the tesatment-not the house he lived in.

President Bharrat Jagdeo with all his Doctorates IS CORRECT, "Cheddie Jagan din live in a logie."

Ram Karran can sey wah de azz he wants-these fools just sat down and let Jagdeo steam roller dem. Jagdeo din destroy Guyana. Is the spineless leadership of the Jagans, Moses and Ram Karran allowed it to happe.

Leave the man be in his big house.

Big houses generate jobs. May be he lets the economist part of his brain jump in over drive. Don't be hating Ralphey boy. 

The time has passed for the Opposition to criticize the former president for his inconsistencies. His lifestyle now is nobody's business.

The coolie crabs in the PNC will get what they deserve from the very daags they now serve.

I totally AGREE with Ramkarran.  Jagdeo is losing his marbles!!!!!!!!!!!!!

jagdeo is a forgone conclusion.

Siggy, you are entitled to your longstanding dislike of the Jagans but not to spread untruths or distortions of their lives.

I have highlighted two of your statements above.

It is not true that Cheddi Jagan "stopped pulling teeth soon after he returned to BG." He had his dental surgery in Main Street a door or two north of Hotel Tower. After he was removed from government in 1964 he practised his dentistry part-time in Charlotte Street, sharing a surgery with his brother Sirpaul. I visited him there a few times.

It is true, as you say, "Even in the opposition benches he traveled the the world." Let it be known that more than 80 percent of those trips were financed by the people who invited him, such as the Soviet and Cuban and East European governments and organizations like the World Peace Council and the World Federation of Trade Unions. As a rule, invitations were accompanied by plane tickets and guaranteed accommodation.

Dr. J was a great man. My chicken coup is bigger than his house. I saw Jagdeo's will, he is leaving everything to charity. I am disappointed. Ralphey by is pissed that he was not hired to make the will and have a peak into ...

I agree again to an extent.  Why is he on the Campaign Trail??/

DR JAGAN IS THE BEST AND GREATEST GUYANESE EVER LIVED!!!!!!!

He is gives the PPP the black vote.

Poor Ralphey's comments has bigger implementations for the up comming elections (J & J life long commitments) something he is blind to and his sour grape responses are questionable.

It is claimed that CBJ did dental work for people who couldn't pay him.

Jagdeo also claims that Foreigners pays him handsomely-he claims his 22 years in public office has made him alot of friends. 

Suh, y the complainers complaining. The man ain't do anything different from CBJ. 

Cheddie permitted stealing as reward for his comrades services. Jagdeo do the same thing. Before Jagdeo attained his status in the PPP, old PPP faithfuls built big houses claiming people send barrels for them. A lot CIVIC members got wealthy right under Cheddie. Maybe Jagdeo sey, if dey can do it, he can too.

Boysie Ram Karran had opportunities which gave his children privilege.

The Jagans gat privilege too. Only stupid people would not seize the opportunity when it avails itself.

honest is your name interesting  

Aw laad, gyam wan brain cell nah!

the ppp dogs do not need a brain cell they need a priest 

You have a point Sig.  Comrade Boysie was a friend to both Burnham and Jagan. In a sense, Ralph was like maybe a Prince in the Guyana sense as far as these two men were concerned. He could do no wrong.