The President should not have commented on politics at the Highbury Indian Arrival Day celebrations

Dear Editor,

It was a pleasant surprise to see the President at the Indian Arrival Day celebrations at Highbury, East Bank, Berbice, on May 5.  For quite a number of years now I have been attending the celebrations there, and we have seen ministers and other officials of the government, but this is a first for a President. There were ministers and government officials there as well, and also Mr Khemraj Ramjattan, Leader of the AFC.

I would like to say to the President that he should look to replace some of his advisors, especially those who advise on his attendance at social functions. It is no secret that Dr Ashni Singh attended a Diwali Programme in 2011, and spoke of the “sterling achievements” of the PPP/C, only to pollute the atmosphere of spirituality and love that prevailed at the time. The very night of the Diwali Motorcade, at a different location, the daughter of a prominent Hindu Priest, also spoke to the people of the great achievements of the PPP/C and asked that continued support be given to that party if the motorcade was to continue. Like the dedicated PPP/C members who defiled the religious sanctity of the occasions they attended by delving into politics, the President polluted the air of serenity that was so beautifully blended with the songs and music, by addressing the issue of ‘budget cuts’ by the opposition in his speech at Highbury.

The celebrations at Highbury are held to commemorate the arrival of our foreparents to this land, and they did not deal with budget cuts at that time. They were bent on providing food for their loved ones and had to focus on establishing themselves and the rich culture they brought with them.

It would have been fitting for the President to speak of their struggle to get here and how they suffered at the hands of the colonists, and then reflect on their achievements—not budget cuts. Politics should be completely left out of certain occasions, and if the President did this, I am sure that he would gain more than he would lose.

Note that Mr Ramjattan spoke and delivered a clean address that befitted the occasion, even though some of the supporters of the PPP/C were quite noticeably upset that he was allowed to speak. It was clear that he scored more points than the President did. If he is desirous of attending similar functions let me suggest that he contact Radhay Evan Persaud, a lecturer at UG, for some information on indentureship.

Yours faithfully,
Charrandass Persaud