This book sparked my interest in Guyana's political history at a very young age. Sadly his children worked with forces in attempting to break up his party.

yuji22 posted:

This book sparked my interest in Guyana's political history at a very young age. Sadly his children worked with forces in attempting to break up his party.

Two Sundays after the 1973 general elections, Dr Jagan and I arrived at Skeldon Line Path for a public meeting. While he was speaking I was selling copies of THE WEST ON TRIAL to the gathering at G$1.50 per copy.

GOD BLESS HIS SOUL. THE GREAT LEADER OF FATHER OF OUR NATION ARE THE FEW KNOWN SAINTS THAT WE CAN BE SURE OF. HE JOINS MOTHER THERESA, NELSON MANDELA AND MAHATMA GANDHI IN HEAVEN. MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE.  JAI SHREE RAM!!!

Gilbakka posted:

yuji22 posted:

This book sparked my interest in Guyana's political history at a very young age. Sadly his children worked with forces in attempting to break up his party.

Two Sundays after the 1973 general elections, Dr Jagan and I arrived at Skeldon Line Path for a public meeting. While he was speaking I was selling copies of THE WEST ON TRIAL to the gathering at G$1.50 per copy.

That is probably where my dad bought his copy. He said that he bought it at a meeting a Line Path in 1973. The cover is identical to the picture I posted.

Small world, my dad bought a book from Gil. My dad is still alive and was a staunch PPP supporter. He once told me that Burnham was touring Skeldon Market during a sugar worker strike and he shouted to Burnham to pay the sugar workers. His bodyguard approached my dad and he did not budge and Burnham told them to leave him alone. 

One of Jagan's presidential guard from Berbice is married to my aunt (dad's sister).

My dad was always of the belief that Guyana can be a better place if the best of the PPP and PNC work together for a better Guyana. It has not happened so far.

Gilbakka posted:

Dr Cheddi Jagan died on this day 22 years ago. Not forgotten in the hearts and minds of grateful Guyanese.

Gilly,

Bless his soul...

But you know that Jagan and Burnham are responsible for the mess the country is in today.

VishMahabir posted:

Gilbakka posted:

Dr Cheddi Jagan died on this day 22 years ago. Not forgotten in the hearts and minds of grateful Guyanese.

Gilly,

Bless his soul...

But you know that Jagan and Burnham are responsible for the mess the country is in today.

How is Jagan responsible, by being Democratic, humane, compassionate and moral??????????

Leonora posted:

yuji22 posted:

...One of Jagan's presidential guard from Berbice is married to my aunt (dad's sister).

CBJ's personal bodyguard is a GNIer. 

He was not personal bodyguard but one of his Presidential Guards from Berbice. 

I remember Jagan had a personal bodyguard when he visited Berbice in the 70's. There was a guy from No. 66 Village. I don't know if he is still alive.

According to House of Israel street activists they were under strict orders from the PNC not to touch Dr Jagan but everyone else in the PPP including Gilbakka was fair game for beat up or worst on the sunny streets of Georgetown. He was the best political enemy the PNC ever had. He did more for the PNC party then any other non PNC person.

Leonora posted:

yuji22 posted:

...One of Jagan's presidential guard from Berbice is married to my aunt (dad's sister).

CBJ's personal bodyguard is a GNIer. 

That’s what he tells people.  He is really a PNC mole hanging out in the PPP soup kitchen.

Bai Prash, please leave Gil alone. He did a lot more for the PPP than many of us here at GNI. 

The hero who I choose  to remember on this sacred day is Kowsilla, who was massacred on March 6, 1964 by the PNC.

yuji22 posted:

Leonora posted:

yuji22 posted:

...One of Jagan's presidential guard from Berbice is married to my aunt (dad's sister).

CBJ's personal bodyguard is a GNIer. 

He was not personal bodyguard but one of his Presidential Guards from Berbice. 

I remember Jagan had a personal bodyguard when he visited Berbice in the 70's. There was a guy from No. 66 Village. I don't know if he is still alive.

Harold Snag was his bodyguard at one time.

yuji22 posted:

Leonora posted:

yuji22 posted:

...One of Jagan's presidential guard from Berbice is married to my aunt (dad's sister).

CBJ's personal bodyguard is a GNIer. 

He was not personal bodyguard but one of his Presidential Guards from Berbice. 

I remember Jagan had a personal bodyguard when he visited Berbice in the 70's. There was a guy from No. 66 Village. I don't know if he is still alive.

Na, I'm correct. This guy is married to CBJ's nurse whose dad had a jewel store in G'town.

I visited Dr Jagan home one evening to deliver some items to his guard for a friend of mine the guard watch the home at night. The guard was an elderly man in his 60s 

Leonora posted:

yuji22 posted:

Leonora posted:

yuji22 posted:

...One of Jagan's presidential guard from Berbice is married to my aunt (dad's sister).

CBJ's personal bodyguard is a GNIer. 

He was not personal bodyguard but one of his Presidential Guards from Berbice. 

I remember Jagan had a personal bodyguard when he visited Berbice in the 70's. There was a guy from No. 66 Village. I don't know if he is still alive.

Na, I'm correct. This guy is married to CBJ's nurse whose dad had a jewel store in G'town.

OK. 

Bibi Haniffa posted:

Leonora posted:

yuji22 posted:

...One of Jagan's presidential guard from Berbice is married to my aunt (dad's sister).

CBJ's personal bodyguard is a GNIer. 

That’s what he tells people.  He is really a PNC mole hanging out in the PPP soup kitchen.

Who is this "mysterious" person that many of GNI members know about ?

Everyone here has a nick/avatar. Please help us newbies out.

Nehru posted:

VishMahabir posted:

Gilbakka posted:

Dr Cheddi Jagan died on this day 22 years ago. Not forgotten in the hearts and minds of grateful Guyanese.

Gilly,

Bless his soul...

But you know that Jagan and Burnham are responsible for the mess the country is in today.

How is Jagan responsible, by being Democratic, humane, compassionate and moral??????????

He introduced Stalinist communism and socialism to Guyana and misread the American concerns during the Cold War...and he was outwitted by Burnham.

Stalinist Communism? Why dont you try to understand what that is , compare with the way the Honorable Dr Jagan ruled and then come back from your Cave school!

@ Vish

Being a student, you should first read The West on Trial and then pass full judgement on Jagan. No politician is perfect.

In fact, you will get a very good lesson on Guyanese history. No communism or any such doctrine in that book.

Be a good student and read it. It is available on Amazon.

Yuji, buy him the book for the good of humanity

I will send him an Amazon Christmas gift if he does not but it by then. He must be on a very tight budget as a student.

yuji22 posted:

@ Vish

Being a student, you should first read The West on Trial and then pass full judgement on Jagan. No politician is perfect.

In fact, you will get a very good lesson on Guyanese history. No communism or any such doctrine in that book.

Be a good student and read it. It is available on Amazon.

Banna...y’all need to stop living in the past and think about the future.

Jagan, like Priya, was cussin the Americans and he told Kennedy he was a Marxist. This same anti-Americanism will come back to hurt the current PPP during this election. The ABC comfortable with the coalition. Read the letter by the Professor in Demerara Waves yesterday.

Jagan blindly supported Cuba and the Russians (Stalin) when they invaded Hungary and Czech... to crush a rebellion in those countries....at a time the Americans were  concerned about containing communism.

Jagan was powerless for 28 years...while his supporters were scattered all over the world.

Your HERO was flawed...

Vish, do you know Russia is America best friend currently?? I think you ARE living in the past or possible in a cave!!!

@ Vish

Bai, you immaturity is showing. Did you actually read what I posted before responding ? You kept asking about Guyana, its culture and history. This book has a wealth of knowledge on Guyanese history especially early Indo Indentureship.

Anyway, you sound like an immature student. Maturity will come with time.

Your professors might have have been giving you lots of duck eggs for not reading before responding, I stated that no politician is perfect. 

VishMahabir posted:

yuji22 posted:

@ Vish

Being a student, you should first read The West on Trial and then pass full judgement on Jagan. No politician is perfect.

In fact, you will get a very good lesson on Guyanese history. No communism or any such doctrine in that book.

Be a good student and read it. It is available on Amazon.

Banna...y’all need to stop living in the past and think about the future.

Jagan, like Priya, was cussin the Americans and he told Kennedy he was a Marxist. This same anti-Americanism will come back to hurt the current PPP during this election. The ABC comfortable with the coalition. Read the letter by the Professor in Demerara Waves yesterday.

Jagan blindly supported Cuba and the Russians (Stalin) when they invaded Hungary and Czech... to crush a rebellion in those countries....at a time the Americans were  concerned about containing communism.

Jagan was powerless for 28 years...while his supporters were scattered all over the world.

Your HERO was flawed...

 

 

Some how you forgot how hard the people fought for their independence from the British and  today you want us to subject ourselves to the Americans. Freedom of speech is a given right, more so within your homeland. With one of the largest oil reserve in the world, the people of Guyana has the power to make demands and others to listen. That's why the country needs strong leadership that can command world attention.

Please look at the ABC countries today, they all have domestic turmoil , America with Trump investigation, Britain with Brexit failure and Canada  with two recent cabinet resignations. They have to solve their own problems first.

kp posted:

VishMahabir posted:

yuji22 posted:

@ Vish

Being a student, you should first read The West on Trial and then pass full judgement on Jagan. No politician is perfect.

In fact, you will get a very good lesson on Guyanese history. No communism or any such doctrine in that book.

Be a good student and read it. It is available on Amazon.

Banna...y’all need to stop living in the past and think about the future.

Jagan, like Priya, was cussin the Americans and he told Kennedy he was a Marxist. This same anti-Americanism will come back to hurt the current PPP during this election. The ABC comfortable with the coalition. Read the letter by the Professor in Demerara Waves yesterday.

Jagan blindly supported Cuba and the Russians (Stalin) when they invaded Hungary and Czech... to crush a rebellion in those countries....at a time the Americans were  concerned about containing communism.

Jagan was powerless for 28 years...while his supporters were scattered all over the world.

Your HERO was flawed...

 

 

Some how you forgot how hard the people fought for their independence from the British and  today you want us to subject ourselves to the Americans. Freedom of speech is a given right, more so within your homeland. With one of the largest oil reserve in the world, the people of Guyana has the power to make demands and others to listen. That's why the country needs strong leadership that can command world attention.

Please look at the ABC countries today, they all have domestic turmoil , America with Trump investigation, Britain with Brexit failure and Canada  with two recent cabinet resignations. They have to solve their own problems first.

Banna...you are a bigger knucklehead than YUGI and Princess.

Is there anything between your 2 big ears?

This is America's backyard...Guyanese will subject themselves one way or another...they already drove jagan out of office, and now an American company gon run this banana republic for a country.

Yes, the country needs strong leadership...SUH we gon get this from Fat Boy Irfaan asking for $100 per plate (I hear he coming to Queens soon and people planning to protest). His bibble burst before his racing car took off...he still looking for dat BA certificate...remember...the one he supposedly gat after he completed his MA?

So, you must be the only one here think that because of domestic turmoil in the US and other countries...they will not pay close attention to Guyana...economics dictate that they do.

yuji22 posted:

@ Vish

Bai, you immaturity is showing. Did you actually read what I posted before responding ? You kept asking about Guyana, its culture and history. This book has a wealth of knowledge on Guyanese history especially early Indo Indentureship.

Anyway, you sound like an immature student. Maturity will come with time.

Your professors might have have been giving you lots of duck eggs for not reading before responding, I stated that no politician is perfect. 

Immaturity... and belittling the messenger  has nothing to do with being able to apply simple logic to understand a political problem.

Bibi Haniffa posted:

The hero who I choose  to remember on this sacred day is Kowsilla, who was massacred on March 6, 1964 by the PNC.

False.

I can see that Vish is derailing a thread dedicated to Jagan. I have said that Jagan is not without fault. He pretends to be a student but seems to carry and anti PPP axe.

As a good student, he should start another intelligent thread and let posters comment there. He can be critical of Jagan and the entire PPP and let us have a debate there.

Man, is this what they are teaching him in school ? 

SMH

yuji22 posted:

I can see that Vish is derailing a thread dedicated to Jagan. I have said that Jagan is not without fault. He pretends to be a student but seems to carry and anti PPP axe.

As a good student, he should start another intelligent thread and let posters comment there. He can be critical of Jagan and the entire PPP and let us have a debate there.

Man, is this what they are teaching him in school ? 

SMH

OK...not into derailing. So I will leave.

VishMahabir posted:

kp posted:

VishMahabir posted:

yuji22 posted:

@ Vish

Being a student, you should first read The West on Trial and then pass full judgement on Jagan. No politician is perfect.

In fact, you will get a very good lesson on Guyanese history. No communism or any such doctrine in that book.

Be a good student and read it. It is available on Amazon.

Banna...y’all need to stop living in the past and think about the future.

Jagan, like Priya, was cussin the Americans and he told Kennedy he was a Marxist. This same anti-Americanism will come back to hurt the current PPP during this election. The ABC comfortable with the coalition. Read the letter by the Professor in Demerara Waves yesterday.

Jagan blindly supported Cuba and the Russians (Stalin) when they invaded Hungary and Czech... to crush a rebellion in those countries....at a time the Americans were  concerned about containing communism.

Jagan was powerless for 28 years...while his supporters were scattered all over the world.

Your HERO was flawed...

 

 

Some how you forgot how hard the people fought for their independence from the British and  today you want us to subject ourselves to the Americans. Freedom of speech is a given right, more so within your homeland. With one of the largest oil reserve in the world, the people of Guyana has the power to make demands and others to listen. That's why the country needs strong leadership that can command world attention.

Please look at the ABC countries today, they all have domestic turmoil , America with Trump investigation, Britain with Brexit failure and Canada  with two recent cabinet resignations. They have to solve their own problems first.

Banna...you are a bigger knucklehead than YUGI and Princess.

Is there anything between your 2 big ears?

This is America's backyard...Guyanese will subject themselves one way or another...they already drove jagan out of office, and now an American company gon run this banana republic for a country.

Yes, the country needs strong leadership...SUH we gon get this from Fat Boy Irfaan asking for $100 per plate (I hear he coming to Queens soon and people planning to protest). His bibble burst before his racing car took off...he still looking for dat BA certificate...remember...the one he supposedly gat after he completed his MA?

So, you must be the only one here think that because of domestic turmoil in the US and other countries...they will not pay close attention to Guyana...economics dictate that they do.

Why the name calling. For a young man with limited knowledge of Guyana you should move a few benches to the front of the class and listen to freedom fighters talk. You have contributed  nothing to Guyana so enjoy your freedom of speech within the Trump Walls.

VishMahabir posted:

yuji22 posted:

I can see that Vish is derailing a thread dedicated to Jagan. I have said that Jagan is not without fault. He pretends to be a student but seems to carry and anti PPP axe.

As a good student, he should start another intelligent thread and let posters comment there. He can be critical of Jagan and the entire PPP and let us have a debate there.

Man, is this what they are teaching him in school ? 

SMH

OK...not into derailing. So I will leave.

Thank you. No hard feelings.

Gilbakka posted:

Dr Cheddi Jagan died on this day 22 years ago. Not forgotten in the hearts and minds of grateful Guyanese.

For 50% of the population he is no hero.  And it might even be more given that both he and his buddy Burnham took Guyana down a communist path from which it has yet to recover.

A DAAG THAT DESTROY GUYANA CAN NEVER BE CONSIDERED A HERO THAT IS WHY I PISS ON HIS GRAVE YEARLY!!!! BOTANICAL GARDEN HAS NOT BEEN THE SAME SINCE HE WAS LAID THERE!!!!

yuji22 posted:

My dad was always of the belief that Guyana can be a better place if the best of the PPP and PNC work together for a better Guyana. It has not happened so far.

My belief also; which was stated numerous times on GNI.

Indeed, individuals from both parties would not like such a merger so they would leave, merge with other parties, retire from political issues, etc..

Django posted:

Bibi Haniffa posted:

The hero who I choose  to remember on this sacred day is Kowsilla, who was massacred on March 6, 1964 by the PNC.

False.

Kowsilla – an ordinary woman who made an extraordinary sacrifice for her fellow humans

Above: Three women who were injured in the protest that day

EVENTS would prove that the pandit chose an appropriate name for her – Kowsilla, whose namesake was Lord Rama’s mother, revered for upholding what Hindus call Dharm – a principled way of life and supporting her husband’s quest for discharging his duty and honouring his given word; even though it meant the banishment to the jungle of her beloved son and his gently-bred wife, Sita for fourteen years.

Kowsilla – an ordinary woman who made an extraordinary sacrifice for her fellow human

Kowsilla, also known as Alice, was involved in the sugar workers’ struggle for better working and living conditions and she paid the ultimate price for upholding her convictions and her principles.

On March 6th 1964 during an industrial strike at Plantation Leonora she and several other women stood resolutely, shoulder to shoulder, on a bridge and faced-off a PNC scab driving a tractor inexorably toward them under the direction of the colonial managers.

She, along with fourteen other sugar workers were mown down by the scab, Felix Ross. Kowsilla’s body was cut in two, while several other women were severely injured, with some being crippled for life.

As Rakesh Rampersaud describes it, this was an extraordinary act by ordinary women; who nevertheless were agents of change in the labour movement, because their supreme sacrifice catalysed the recognition of the bargaining agent for sugar workers – The Man Power Citizens’ Association (MPCA) which, although it subsequently proved a disappointment for the sugar workers, because it later degenerated into a supporter of the oppressive PNC regime, paved the way for the emergence of the GAWU; but not without years-long, unrelenting struggle, spearheaded by Dr. Cheddi Jagan and the PPP, with the WPO giving optimum support to the cause.

Left, Alice Street (note sign), dedicated to Kowsilla. Right, not the original house but place where Kowsilla lived in Leonora

t was this struggle that precipitated the strike of 1964 and culminated in the murder of Kowsilla. However the sacrifice of these indomitable women did not go in vain, because GAWU gained recognition by the Booker Tate sugar plantations in 1973.

Kowsilla lost her life, succumbing on her way to the Georgetown Hospital, and two other women – Jagdai and Daisy Sookram suffered broken spines, remaining crippled for the rest of their lives; while several other workers received severe injuries to various parts of their bodies. Some never recovered from those injuries, suffering one kind of disability or another, which precipitated their demise. Although they did not die directly from their injuries, their quality of live and lifespans were severely diminished, which was indirectly attributable to Felix Ross’s murderous act, for which he was acquitted.

Kowsilla was born in 1920 in Seafield, Leonora, West Coast Demerara. Her parents were very poor and, although little is known of her married life, reports indicated that she became a single mother of four children whom she worked as a huckster to provide for.

She was enamoured by charismatic leader fighting for social and political change, Dr. Cheddi Jagan and became an activist for improving the lives of women in then British Guyana. She joined the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO), formed in 1953 by Mrs. Janet Jagan the wife of Dr. Cheddi Jagan, and became leader of the Leonora branch and executive member of the organization.

Alice Street in Seafield, Leonora, West Coast Demerarathat was named in honour of Kowsilla a.k.a. Alice

Kowsilla was forty-four years old when she paid the supreme price for her convictions on that fateful Friday morning on March 6th 1964. Along with her fellow workers she stood immovable, unheeding of the scab’s shouts as he continued to drive the tractor directly at them: “You-all ain’t hear what the Boss-man say? Get off the blasted bridge.” Before he ruthlessly ran them down.

An eyewitness recalled Kowsilla telling the other women “Don’t budge.We can’t let the rich man thief we children-them future ” before she fell, along with the others, scythed down in the prime of their lives like so much chaff by a murderous tool of evil men.

Of the fourteen who were mown down by the tractor, receiving serious injuries, two of them, Jagdai and Daisee Sookram suffered broken backs and were crippled for life. Another, Kisson Dai, lost one kidney and had broken hips.

Gravesite of Kowsilla at CI, West Coast Demerara. (Rakesh Rampertab photos)

The unyielding stance of these ordinary workers heralded a sea change and a new dynamic in the labour movement, and the results of their sacrifices are today being enjoyed by all workers in the nation.

Yesterday, as the world observes International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women 2014, the sacrifices of our female forebears need to be commemorated; especially the ultimate sacrifice by Kowsilla fifty years ago.

Left, high bridge where the protest was held,from south (or back dam) end. Right, elevation to high bridge from
the village end, or north

Last Sunday the WPO held a remembrance day activity at the Leonora Secondary School to reflect on the 50th death anniversary of Kowsilla.

(By ParvatiPersaud-Edwards)

Politics is not that all rosy as we would like to see it. It's nice to dream that you're living in Disneyland, when you woke up you found yourself with the same thought as yesterday. Politics is power and greed to have honest people within.  

Demerara_Guy posted:

Django posted:

Bibi Haniffa posted:

The hero who I choose  to remember on this sacred day is Kowsilla, who was massacred on March 6, 1964 by the PNC.

False.

 

On March 6th 1964 during an industrial strike at Plantation Leonora she and several other women stood resolutely, shoulder to shoulder, on a bridge and faced-off a PNC scab driving a tractor inexorably toward them under the direction of the colonial managers.

She, along with fourteen other sugar workers were mown down by the scab, Felix Ross. Kowsilla’s body was cut in two, while several other women were severely injured, with some being crippled for life.

As Rakesh Rampersaud describes it, this was an extraordinary act by ordinary women; who nevertheless were agents of change in the labour movement, because their supreme sacrifice catalysed the recognition of the bargaining agent for sugar workers – The Man Power Citizens’ Association (MPCA) which, although it subsequently proved a disappointment for the sugar workers, because it later degenerated into a supporter of the oppressive PNC regime, paved the way for the emergence of the GAWU; but not without years-long, unrelenting struggle, spearheaded by Dr. Cheddi Jagan and the PPP, with the WPO giving optimum support to the cause.

Left, Alice Street (note sign), dedicated to Kowsilla. Right, not the original house but place where Kowsilla lived in Leonora

t was this struggle that precipitated the strike of 1964 and culminated in the murder of Kowsilla. However the sacrifice of these indomitable women did not go in vain, because GAWU gained recognition by the Booker Tate sugar plantations in 1973.

Kowsilla lost her life, succumbing on her way to the Georgetown Hospital, and two other women – Jagdai and Daisy Sookram suffered broken spines, remaining crippled for the rest of their lives; while several other workers received severe injuries to various parts of their bodies. Some never recovered from those injuries, suffering one kind of disability or another, which precipitated their demise. Although they did not die directly from their injuries, their quality of live and lifespans were severely diminished, which was indirectly attributable to Felix Ross’s murderous act, for which he was acquitted.

 

 

 

 

DG, quick question. Not that it really matters nor does it subtract from her sacrifice. One part of the article says she was cut in half and another says she succumbed to her injuries on the way to the hospital. Which is correct or more accurate?