Dear Editor,
A report on a presentation by Major-General (rtd) Joe Singh, the CEO of GT&T and Ms Faith Harding at a symposium hosted by the youth arm of the PNCR is worth reading (Guyana Times November 27 page 3). The views of both presenters highlighted issues which affect us as a nation, and should be seriously addressed by the institutions mentioned.
However, I tend to disagree with the CEO’s statement that there has been no progress in Guyana since Independence, and further that when he looks around Guyana, it is the same way as when he left school many years ago.
According to the Concise Oxford Dictionary, 1995 edition, ‘progress’ is defined as (a) forward or onward movement; (b) development towards betterment and (c) move or be moved forward or onward.
The CEO must therefore explain, based on the explanations obtained from the dictionary, what he meant when he said that Guyana had not made any progress since Independence.
I wish also to request that the Ministry of Education use the CEO’s statement as a topic for the schools’ debating competition.
The CEO of GT&T should be a member of the panel of judges for the competition.
Yours faithfully,
CS Vaughn MSM
Major (retired)
If “according to the Concise Oxford Dictionary, 1995 edition, ‘progress’ is defined as (a) forward or onward movement; (b) development towards betterment and (c) move or be moved forward or onward,” and Major Vaugn begs to differ with Major Gen. Singh who opined there hasn’t been any progress, then Major Vaugn should highlight what he considers progress. This way he can force Maj. Gen. Singh to respond with specifics.
Meanwhile the PPP goverment thinks it is responsible for the return of democracy in 1992, that it is democratic and that it runs a democracy, while others beg to differ.
As beauty is in th eye of the beholder, progress and democracy may well wind up being factors to be assessed differently by every individual Guyanese. For example, some agree when the government said the economy is sound, but other point to the fact that 60 percent of the formal economy is made up of the informal economy. That translates into only 40 percent of the economy being sound.
Mr Vaughn,
Instead of lamenting or engaging in hair splitting on the presumed meaning of the word progress, it is evident by such pain staking approach that you are in disagreement with Ret. Gen. Joe Sing. I wish to posit that you present in a pristine manner an outline of what you can describe as [1] political, [2] economic, [3] social, [4] technological & industrial developments that have taken place in Guyana. Recognizing that the proof in the pudding must be the existence of cluster formation and development where symbiotic relationships demonstrate the concept of national development. Notwithstanding the role of our tertiary institution.
How about there be a debate between Maj- General Singh & Major Vaugn?
No progress since independence?That is a flat out lie. However,no progress from 1964-1992 is acceptable.
What progress have we got since 1992. If you can outline as requested of Major Vaughn I would appreciate.
I am surprised that CS Vaughn MSM Major (retired) would use only a dictionary to define the meaning of a word. I would have exected more. In some respect, the CEO is right. In RHT, when I look on the public road nothing much has changed, except that the cinema has gone, leaving a big empty space, which I think has been bought by some private company which is waiting to develop it. It’s basically same old same old in RHT. Other places have had changes/improvements/deteriorations as those who live in those areas would know. Do debate on it.
Jambo Ndugu, I don’t know this Major General Joe Singh, dude personally or for that matter, Ms Faith Harding either, however, I give them full credit for being brutally honest in their assessment of development in Guyana.
When I vacation in Guyana I feel exactly the same way (no discernible development in the public sector) and the people behave like there is no hope for change. They openly beg for everything without the slightest of shame and I don’t blame them. As a matter of fact, I generally leave everything I arrive with, suitcase and all, for them.
Yo! brownboy14 comparing this PPP administration to the late Burnhan/Hoyte administration is an exercise in redundancy and continuous argument with no resolution or solutions. It’s an old-time Guyanese argumentative distraction that has nothing to do with present day growth in the 21st century. Bannas give it a rest, it’s already dead like the main characters in that drama.
I do think , mr. Vaughn is right, If Major Singh did make such a sweeping statement, he has the responsibility of clarifying it…. . Major singh, must be declining in both, years and mental capacity…… ..but i am reluctant to believe that…. ..I believe his words must have been taken out of context…….. Oh,,Oh, .on second thought, the gentleman may have point….. yeh he could be right….. .. the 1st… 28yrs,. saw us decline towads the level of our kith and kin in Haiti, the last 16, perhaps have brought us back up to what we were at time of independence……. o.k Major I catch your Drift…… I sincerely apologise,…
What I think the presenters were talking about was, that there was no measurable progress, where the net results would tip the scales in favor of growth and development to the nation. But to issue a blanket statement that there was no progress is incorrect. What all Guyanese would like to see is greater progress in: education, infrastructural work, job creation, health care and paramount to the notion of progress would be political reconcilliation, for therein lies the cornerstone for progress. ISNM
Look ;indeed guyana showed more “onward movement” during colonialism,an absolute failed state!! and for this person to quote the oxford dictionary,and yet still demand further clarification;is imeptly slanderlous and a clear eg of where we currently sit intellectually as a nation.
The CEO in his assessment is spot on however he has no place playing role of intellectual/advocate,I say this because both he and faith had opportunities to make a difference like countless others;and failed to so do,they are both irrelevant
I think you finally understand it GUYFLAG..