Dear Editor,
Anand Persaud’s letter regarding Varshnie Singh’s transportation dilemma sounded so reasonable. He followed the seemingly innocuous format that criticism should be offered up between slices of praise, but there is a strong whiff of poo in the air.
Ms Varshnie is still the First Lady of Guyana (until her divorce from Mr. Jagdeo is final), thus entitled to the considerations of a First Lady, especially when she is using her status for the benefit of Guyana’s underprivileged. (In several other countries, these privileges are extended beyond the political life of the elected heads of government and their spouses.)
I don’t know who Anand Persaud is, but to suggest that “Ms Singh turns over her charitable work to another individual who has better access to the government” and that “Ms Singh will agree that it is unethical for government resources to be used for non-governmental purposes” is distasteful and disingenuous. Who are Guyanese as a society? How does it become “OK” for elected officials to decide to “hold hotel rooms against future needs” tying up millions of tax payers’ monies not recouped from the Government’s investment in private enterprise and to retain luxury vehicles for their use after the financial flop of World Cup Cricket hosted earlier this year, tying up millions more; but to suggest that the First Lady should “find sponsors for her charity activities,” when she requests a vehicle to facilitate her work which benefits those most in need? In the end who suffers, Ms Singh or the most vulnerable in the society?
I predict that Ms Singh will continue her charitable work and some brave Guyanese, unafraid of the possible repercussions of assisting her, will provide for her transportation needs.
I have never met Ms Varshnie Singh, but she has shown considerable restraint and a level of class, glaringly and sadly lacking in too many members of the Guyana Government and the opposition, as well as the privileged.
Then again you can’t buy class, you either have it or you don’t!
Praying for an “
