Dear Editor,
The Kaieteur News editorial of November 16 entitled ‘Men are celebrated in death more than in life’ focuses on a truism that happens for any number of reasons. However, one way to ensure that more balance is established is for the media to highlight the achievements of individuals while they are alive. And for those among us whose lives are a continual journey of triumph over obstacles and noted accomplishments the media should continually highlight these triumphs and accomplishments.
Additionally it might behove the media to establish regular columns analyzing these lives while the subjects still breathe, focusing on balance and objectivity rather than partisanship and bias. A point in case is that of artist Philip Moore. At 87 years of age this Guyanese treasure is in the autumn of his life. So why not a series of articles on his life, struggles, accomplishments and body of work, warts and all? Ditto for so many others still alive: Yesu Persaud, Janet Jagan, Sir Shridath Ramphal, Eusi Kwayana et al. The idea is to go beyond what is already public knowledge and to bring to light the kind of accolades and analyses that have been pouring forth with regards to David de Caires, even put on record the perspectives and experiences of the individuals themselves – sort of like recording history via primary sources.
Incidentally, while we are on the subject of achievements and accolades, there has been a lot of positive ink on the recent work of the security forces, and rightly so. But missing in all of this is mention of the role of Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee, whose portfolio includes security. Surely the Honourable Minister deserves a pat on the back for having directed, supported and placed confidence in the work of security forces? Kudos to you too Minister Rohee!
Yours faithfully,
Annan Boodram
The Caribbean Voice
New York City
KN, a most wonderful IDEA from Annan, for both PRESENT and PAST Outstanding Guyanese, in a WEEKEND column, will ADD VALUE to your publication’s honoured position with your readers, Globally, in both print and web editions.
HISTORY not written, is easily forgotten.
Some of my PRESENT Persons’ Suggestions:
1. Roy Geddes ( Steelpan Stalwart)
2. A. Sattaur Gafoor Gafoor ( Industrialist, Philanthropist, Lions)
3. Paul Chan A Sue ( Bookers, Ansal, GCC, Jaycees, Toastmasters)
4. Winston Oudkerk ( Chronicle, Photographer )
5. Cecil Ramsingh ( Mirror, Businessperson, Cricket)
6. Hemraj & Lilah Kissoon ( Industrialists, Central Demerara Lions)
7. Yakub Mazarally ( Timber)
8. Toolsie Persaud ( Timber)
9. Dr. Rudy Insanally ( Diplomacy)
10. Vic Insanally ( Public Relations)
11. Raphiq Khan,( Radio Demerara)
12. Shafiq Khan, ( CCWU, Lithographic)
13. Hajji Ayube Khan,( Radio Demerara)
14. Clifford Reis ( Banks DIH, Central Demerara Lions )
15. Hans Barrow ( Insurance Brokers, Lions, Hon Cosul of Japan, Central Demerara Lions)
16. Chetram Singh ( Cricket, Central Demerara Lions)
17. Harold Davis ( Guysuco, UG, Kuru Kuru Co-op College, Georgetown Rotary)
18. Carmen Jarvis ( Bishops High, and UNESCO)
19. Compton Mendonca ( Gold & Diamionds)
20. Eddie Boyer ( Industrialist)
21. Bernard DeSantos ( Law)
22. Moen McDoom ( Law, NBS, Central Demerara Lions)
23. K.A. Juman-Yasin ( Law, Sports, Central Demerara LionsLions)
24. Eddie Muneshwer ( Industrialist, Georgetown Lions)
25. Lance Atherly ( Inland Revenue, Public Accounting)
26. Leonard Alli (Public Accounting, GPL, Guysuco)
27. S. M. V. Nasseer ( Businessperson, Philanthropist, Georgetown & Bel Air Lions)
28. Cammie Ramsaroop ( Attorney , Past Speaker of Parliament, Central Demerara Lions)
29. Eileen Cox ( Cosumer Advocate, Georgetown Toastmistress)
30. General Norman Mclean ( GDF, National Service, Omai, Georgetown Lions)
31. Maurice Amres ( GEB Security, Eco Tourism)
32. Laurie Lewis ( GDF)
33. Kit and Gem Nascimento ( Politics, Business, Public Relations, Sports, Arts)
34. Doreen DeCaires ( Stabroek News)
35. Ameena Gafoor ( The Arts Journal, Industralist, Philanthropist)
36. Habibullas ( McDoom Village and Berbice Horse Racing)
37. Owen Khan ( Bagotstown, NY & FL Entrepreneur, Wodbury NY Lions, and Palm Beach, Florida)
38. Malcolm Alli ( Ministry of Works & Hydraulics; Engineer, Toronto, Canada)
39. Judge Mohamed Shahabuddin ( Law, International Court of Justice)
40. Malcolm Giles ( Cooperatives, Economic Development, and New York)
41. George Hoyte ( Cooperatives, and New York)
42. Shakira Baksh ( Miss World, Mrs. Michael Caine, England)
43. Pat Thomson ( Demba, Bookers, Barbados)
44. George DePeana (CCWU, ILO, Barbados)
45. Ricky Singh ( Chronicle, Barbados)
46. Rohan Kanhai (Cricket)
47. Joe Solomon ( Bookers, Cricket)
48. Basil Butcher ( Bookers, Cricket)
49. Faoud Bacchus ( Cricket)
50. Clive Lloyd ( Cricket)
51. Lance Gibbs ( Cricket)
52. Eric Rodrigues ( Ricks & Sari Spices, Ruimveldt ; and Toronto, Canada)
Some of my PAST Persons’ Suggestions, for those who died:
1. Rahman Bacchus Gajraj ( Lord Mayor Georgetown & Speaker of Parliament)
2. Sardar Mohamed, Danielstown, Essequibo ( Businessperson)
3. Omar Yassin ( Regent Street Businessperson)
4. Big Chief Yassin ( Lyson’s Knitwear )
5. Clement Randolph Josiah Jarvis ( Cooperatives, Office of President Chung, Embassy in Brazil).
6. President Arthur Chung
7.President Desmond Hoyte
8. Hugh Wilson Tyrrell ( Lithographic & Ruimveldt Leader)
9. Azam Mazarally ( Timber)
10. Majeed Gafoor ( Businessperson)
11. Shahabuddin McDoom ( Solicitor, Elections Commission)
12. Jack Alli ( Inland Revenue, Public Accounting)
13. Leonard Alli ( Public Accounting, Lotteries, Jaycees, Twinning)
14. Luckhoos: Sir Lionel, Lloyd, and Ena ( Law)
15. J.O. F. Haynes, SC.( Law)
16. Sir David Rose ( Governor General, Jaycees Patron)
17. Sir Donald Jackson ( Chief Justice, and Patron Georgetown Toastmasters)
18. Derek Jagan ( Law, Speaker of Parliament)
Hopefully, other readers, will add names, in BOTH categories.
Eagerly looking forward to this IDEA’s implementation to full REALIZATION.
Tell me, Professor, how many of those individuals have written and published a text book, in whatever discipline, that is accepted for instruction in high schools or colleges in the Carribean or worldwide and, moreso, what edition is currently in print.
Onther, Past Person # 19: Rudy Fung-a-Fat ( Businessman)
“Surely the Honourable Minister deserves a pat on the back for having directed, supported and placed confidence in the work of security forces? Kudos to you too Minister Rohee!” Nice thought, Annan. Despite the negative press Clement Rohee often gets, I know him to be a serious, diligent and purposeful man. A voracious reader of good books, too, which cannot be said for many of his counterparts.
Shamir,
Your list is long and a good one too.
Two names I would mention are WG Stoll (the first local to head the Income Tax Department), and Victor Jeet Gangadin, a self-made educated man who never finished school but rose from an office sweeper to head the Income Tax Department and in the process acquiring some five academic degrees!
We here in Toronto believe in honouring our outstanding Guyanese while they
are alive and not to wait until they are dead. Remember Aunty Comsie? Well she still around and still very active. On one of birthdays we had a great celebration of her life and great it was.
Another point I should mention and that is, the constant failure of the media to do
some purposeful write ups when some of our renowned citizens pass. Yes they do a trickle but there are so many that they neglect to mention.
I guess the young reporters do not know of our past giants and dedicated people.
Carl:
Noted…Thanks…
Agreed….More communities should follow Toronto’s example.
Yes, Aunty Comsie, with Habeeb Khan and Byron Lee, arranged by Vivian Lee, were memorable days.
I listed the names, as I was typing a response…..YES for W G Stoll, and Victor Jeet Gangadin from Income Tax department, where YOU also served with distinction.
PLUS Noel Barcellos (Income Tax) and his Brother John Barcellos( Chartered Accountant and Georgetown Toastmasters)
I have been thinking, and have another 100 PLUS names….rather than listing here, I will send to KN, SN, Chronicle, et al. sepearately ….HOPEFULLY, they will act.
KEEP HOPE ALIVE **********
Good idea. Just hope that AFTER you highlight their achievement that they don’t go and do stupidness. That’s why some country will till a great man dead before they name anything after him. The dead can do no more wrong.
Nice idea. Say it loud say it clear, when they are alive. However, I would exclude the following. Norman Maclean, Shridath Ramphal,Cammie Ramsaroop,JOF Haynes, Mohammed Shahabudeen, Desmond Hoyte, and Arthur Chung.
WHY?
Thanks Carl.
# 26, in PRESENT list, should read Ronald Alli, Leonard’s younger brother ( In place of Leonard Alli, who passed away)
Hoping all readers WILL ADD their NAMES suggestions.
Hope this serves as a GUIDE for SN, KN, Chronicle, et al, in their public service communications.
Some more LIVING Outstanding Persons list:
53. Colin Croft ( Cricket)
54. Roy Fredericks ( Cricket)
55. Berkley Gaskin ( Cricket)
56. Glendon Gibbs ( Cricket)
57. Carl Hooper ( Cricket)
58. Alvin Kallicharan ( Cricket)
59. Derek Kallicharran ( Cricket)
60. Ivan Madray ( Cricket)
61. Mahendra Nagamootoo ( Cricket)
62. Milton Pydanna ( Cricket)
63. Ramesh Sarwan ( Cricket)
64. Sew Shivnaraine( Cricket)
65. Dr. Fenton Ramsahoye ( Law, Politics)
66. Dr. Claude Denbow ( Medicine)
67. Dr. Asgar Alli ( Minister of Finance, Politics)
68. Dr. Yesu Persaud ( DDL, Industralist, Philanthropist)
69. Balram Singh Rai ( Attorney, Minister, Politics)
70. Judge Desiree Bernard ( Law, Caribbean Court of Appeals, Georgetown Toastmistress)
71. Sita Ramlall ( Deeds Registry)
72. Henry Fraser ( Police, Central Demerara Lions)
73. Aubray Barkey ( Police, Georgetown Lions)
74. Major General Joe Singh ( GDF, Theatre Guild, GT & T)
75. Professor Dr. Clive Thomas ( UG, Global Citizen)
76. Sharief Khan ( Chronicle)
77. Dr. James G. Rose ( University of Guyana)
78. Her Excellency Mrs. Janet Jagan ( Past President, Politics, Humanitarian)
79. Carl Veecock ( Inland Revenue, Georgetown Toastmasters)
80. James Padmore ( Bank of Guyana)
MY additions to persons WHO DIED list:
20. Richard Ishmael ( High School, Hotel, Trade Union)
21. Peter Stanislaus D’Aguiar ( Banks DIH, Entrepreneur, Politics, Humanitarian)
22. Kathleen D’Aguiar ( Humanitarian)
23. Alistair Kisson ( A H & L Kisson, Industrialist, Humanitarian)
24. Resaul Maraj ( Businessperson)
25. Eugene Correian ( Esso, Gas, Gold, Diamonds)
26. B & J Khan ( Agricultural Businessperson, Mabaruma, with LIMES as big as a person’s head)
27. Peter Taylor ( Newspaper Editor, Entrepreneur)
28. Abdool Majeed ( Water Street Businessperson, Politics)
29. J.C. Luck ( Central High School)
30. Rudy Luck ( Central High School)
31. Conrad B. Wilson ( Wilson’s Preparatory School, McDoom Village)
TWO columns, perhaps WEEKLY, with PRESENT and PAST, outstanding Guyanese will be an excellent recognition, in the print and web editions of the newspapers.
# 73 should read Aubrey Barker…a correction
What next? Your name, Prof.? And then you can all pat yourselves on your backs while declaring yourselves “masters of the universe.”
Hi There,
I stumbled across this article and I must say that I am proud and humbled that you recognized my grandfather Victor Jeet Gangadin for his acomplishments while he was alive. To this day I come across fellow guyanese that tell me stories of my grandfather and how he was a great humanitarian to those that had very little.
Sincerely, Steve Gangadin (Grandson of Victor Jeet Gangadin)