Dr Jagan would be ashamed that

Guyana Today has seen its political

and judicial infrastructure impacted by narco-influence,

while its economy has become

increasingly affected by narco-dollars

Under a PPP Govt

Easy lesson good for DUNCE. The US and England gets Trillions of dollars from Narco Trade.

Dr Jagan would have been ashamed of these two thieves.

90 Million Dollar disappear.......Roheee say dat is dem private business.

http://www.kaieteurnewsonline....%e2%80%99s-outburst/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?f...ge&v=5xemx6zR5Sw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?f...ge&v=6WEW7kZ0Ygg

these ppp thief have jagan turning in his grave.what a bunch of shameless dogs

Jagan was a jackass and Burnham a jenny ass , both misunderstood power and how to apply / use power . Idiots ! and as for janet ...no comment ! she was far worse ! someone come up with a name for her .

de wan pun de left size alone tell yuh he ah tief ! watch he size ra55!

Komal Chand's Speech at Babu John

Comrades, once again we gather here to pay homage to Cde Cheddi Jagan, an exceptional leader who has earned a respectable place in our history, in our memory and whose legacy continues to have relevance today.

His accomplishments as a consummate politician and his stature as a statesman sometimes overshadow his role as a Trade Unionist. One of Cde Cheddi Jagan’s outstanding attributes was his ability to link the struggles for Guyana’s freedom from colonialism to the struggle for political power while, at the same time, organizing and inspiring the working people in their day-to-day actions for increasing wages and improvement in their living conditions. On the Trade Union front, in the early years of his involvement, he was close to the Sawmill and Forest Workers Union and to workers’ struggles in the sugar industry. At the same time, he established relationships with leaders of other trade unions, as well as of the farmers’ interests was neither neglected. He played a major role in the work of the Rice Producers’ Association and assisted with the formation and work of other farmers’ organisations. And to his credit, due to his persistent efforts, landlordism in the countryside was dislodged from its prominent position, and we saw increasingly, land was given to the real tillers.

But, I believe, any remembrance of Cde Cheddi’s life cannot be completed if we do not recognise his pivotal role in the foundation of GAWU and the history-making struggles in which sugar workers were involved.

Cde Cheddi Jagan embraced the sugar workers’ struggles for over forty-five (45) years. That association brought to the workers formidable leadership, led to great militancy and their growing class awareness. Cde Cheddi rose in GAWU, the Union he founded, to the high position of Honorary President. But, as we know, he was never carried away by the attainment of high offices in the Trade Union field or in Government. His primary goals, though not the only ones, were freedom, the consistent improvement of the working people’s lives, establishing in a sustainable way, economic and social progress for our country.

In his years of his association with sugar workers’ struggles much was accomplished. The plantocracy was challenged and that brought on the wrath of the owners and rulers and their support agencies; company unionism was exposed; living conditions and the lives of the people steadily improved; the atrocious logie schemes gave way to housing schemes with tolerable infrastructure; a system of community centres for workers was established; dispensaries attached to estates to cater for workers and their families were set up. These are among the accomplishments that workers led by their Union and Dr Jagan fought for stoutly and selflessly and won.

In reference to Cde Cheddi Jagan’s advocacy in the Legislative Council, Cde Ashton Chase, Senior Counsel and outstanding Trade Unionist wrote in his book a “History of Trade Unionism in Guyana” as follows:-

“In Dr. Jagan, the workers found an outstanding champion of their rights. The solemnity of the Legislative Council was rudely shaken by his vigorous advocacy of the cause of workers. He had a passion for statistics. He used these in his pungent and forceful arguments to expose reaction and to lay bare before the workers, the vicious system that exploited them. At sitting after sitting, he assaulted the vaunted privileges of the capitalists. On many occasions, single handedly, but nevertheless most heroically and inspiringly he fought for the workers’ rights”

Cde Jagan’s was a strong voice, an ardent advocate for “Nationalization of the commanding heights of the Economy”. For him and the organisations he headed, the rich resources of Guyana belonged to the people and should be developed and worked to their well-being and the country’s benefit. Thus, back in 1970′s, when the sugar, as with the bauxite industry became state-owned and foreign ownership drew to a close, Cde Cheddi advocated and supported the act but called, at the same time, for a deepening of the process where workers would have a say in the industry’s management and decision-making.

His life as a politician and trade unionist, we should remember, was not all smooth-sailing. The colonialists and their local collaborationist’s props were certainly angry by his advocacy, the demands he made and the struggles he guided and led. He had to face the wrath of the forces of reaction which helped to defend and perpetuate colonial oppression and exploitation of our country’s resources. He paid a heavy price for his stance, but he did not waver from the course, in the face of such adversity. For that he has earned our lasting respect and an honoured place in our memory.

Cde Cheddi Jagan’s vision has only been potentially realized. Many of his ideas are still applicable today. They must serve as an inspiration and around which to mobilise as we continue the journey to a brighter, happier future. We must be mindful too that there are still persons and groups who serve anti-working people’s ends just as in the time of Cde Cheddi. They have different names and faces now-a-days. They wear different masks and the methods used may vary. Some even use, glibly and conveniently, the name of Cde Cheddi to disguise their true intentions. But their objectives are clear. They seek to weaken the workers’ genuine organization; they encourage division in the ranks of the working-class and put workers against workers. Occasionally, they may use their manipulative trickery with the help of a few misguided workers. But GAWU’s experiences over the years show that such fly-by-night groups are not motivated by the working-class overall interests but only as its self-promotion furthering an individual or group’s political or trade union ambitions. Workers should not be duped. As Cde Cheddi would often say – in our unity lies our strength.

In our fond memories of Cde Cheddi Jagan, we would often think of him as a teacher of the people, rightly so, that is one of his attributes. And the important question to ask is: What did he teach? His speeches and writings are filled with lessons than can guide us as we face up to new challenges and continue in our various struggles. However, some things stand out. His fight for democracy and arguing that it is a condition for development is still applicable today not just to Guyana but other countries too. He subscribed, in words and deeds to international solidarity, believing correctly that we must give support to just struggles of others as we expect to receive support in our struggles. Class struggles, he held, was inevitable in a society divided by hostile classes and it is this struggle that will determine the future of the working people. He brought to our attention the practices, machinations and dangers of imperialism in Guyana and the world and further showed that capitalism, a system that puts profits before people breeds inhumanity, poverty, injustice and exploitation.

Today, we note the capitalist system is engulfed in crisis – a crisis which began since September, 2008. One of its consequences is the sharpening of the class struggles in almost all of Europe and in the US and other parts of North America, in the mid-East and South Asia, in Latin America and in Africa. Working people and youth are fighting back against their ruling elites and against the capitalist/imperialist system that dominates the world. And it is in these pitched workers’ struggles worldwide for an alternative system and a New International Order that Cde Cheddi’s teachings are, once again, put to the test and, once again, find continuation.

In the vault of rich memories of Cde Cheddi Jagan, we find another gem. He was a fighter for World Peace. He was Vice-President of the World Peace Council, a body that conducted activities throughout the world in opposition to unjust imperialist war-mongering, a body that championed world peace in the face of the threat of nuclear conflagration of our planet. He stood for peace, even though, he was no pacifist. Today, world peace has again become a central question before mankind. Wars and threat of wars have become commonplace. Military might, it seems, has replaced diplomacy. Instead of gunboats of yesteryear we have now-a-days, aircraft carriers, unmanned drones, and uranium tipped bombs, missile systems and bunker busters dubbed the Mother of all Bombs. Atrocities, crimes and vast destruction, are committed on millions of our fellow citizens, their cities and villages, our planet and still more, wars are hatched. More than ever the question of world peace must engage our attention. We cannot quietly watch our world and our existence at risk whether militarily or naturally. Cde Cheddi did not keep quiet. The fight to safeguard the world is a noble cause and an urgent requirement. Let us walk in the footsteps of our celebrated leader.

Fifteen (15) years have gone by since Cde Cheddi took leave of us. We will remember today those qualities that have made him an outstanding leader. In our complicated times and confronting unusual challenges, he is gravely missed. But, we take comfort in the thought that he left us a legacy which, if creatively followed in these dynamic times will serve as a guiding compass.
We in GAWU pay homage to his great leader of our country.

Extracted from the Mirror Newspaper..................the people's paper