Dear Editor,

There are not enough superlatives to describe the courageous act of the dozen soldiers and three civilians who risked their lives to recover the body of Ms Aliya Bulkan from the bottom of Kaieteur Falls. For years, the GDF has endured criticism for the unsavoury acts of a few.  Now, we have something which allows us to cheer the soldiers who led the recovery effort.  And applause they deserve. As the Bulkan family said (SN November 16) and Gerry Gouveia added (‘The GDF party which recovered Aliya Bulkan’s body should be applauded’ SN, November 18), we can’t thank them enough for their professional duties.

The way the soldiers carried out this assignment is sure to change the way people look at the GDF which has seen some negative publicity in recent months. Special commendation must go to the team. They have uplifted the image of the GDF.  Their bravery and courage and their willingness to respond to a desperate call should be emulated by their colleagues.

Theirs was an act of selflessness. In carrying out their mission, they exhibited a high level of competence, skill, discipline and confidence, at great risk to their own lives, and after reading about the dangers they faced, I believe the future of the army will be in good hands if we have more of their kind. They hold out a promise of a better tomorrow. My words of praise are not enough, indeed no words are enough, as the Bulkan family said.

And for the family itself, every Guyanese I met in the last two weeks in NY shares the family’s grief over the loss of a brilliant child. And they hope as time passes, the pain of the loss of a child will be lessened on the family.

Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram