Cherished memories of Independence

Dear Editor,

Please refer to Mr Earl John’s letter in your publication of January 21. I should like to congratulate him for writing inter alia that, “We should create as far as possible the musical agenda for independence in 1966” in the forthcoming celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of Independence in May 2016; and for “enquiring what percentage of the population today was around at the time of independence in 1966 and therefore fully grasp the meaning and esprit of that experience.”

I’d also like to thank him for providing the opportunity for me to say that I am of the generation of the 1930s and I believe a significant visible percentage of my generation is still around. However, unfortunately, pervasive uncivil attitudes and uncommon behavioural patterns seem to suggest that perhaps, only a pitiable small percentage is “in touch with the emotions and aspirations engendered by the events” that were captured and expressed in the contributions of the artistes named in his letter. Perhaps, I should respectfully remind him that the inimitably graceful Mrs Evelyn John should have been mentioned in his letter under reference, as her melodious rendition of the National Anthem resonates in the hearts and minds of listeners long after they have heard her enchanting voice.

Certain historic details of events and festivities of the 1966 independence celebrations are cherished memories of mine, as at the time I was a senior officer of the fledgling Ministry of External Affairs that was designated by Prime Minister LFS Burnham to be responsible for the official administrative housekeeping and diplomatic components of events for the celebrations. Led by the Permanent Secretary Neville Selman of External Affairs, I was a member of our team which included Rashleigh Jackson, Paul Mittelholzer, Elsa Mansell, Sydney Saul, Miles Stoby, and supporting young entrants to the ministry like Colleen Alexander, Willie Jugdeo, Joan Seymour, Lionel Samuels, and Sandra Williams (later Andaiye). The experiences were our first functional exposure to the dynamics of a major national event with an international dimension.

My assignment by direction of the Prime Minister was to ensure punctual attendance of Archbishop Allan John Knight, of the Anglican Church; Dharma Acharya Pujya Pandit Ramsahoye Doobay of Annandale, East Coast, Demerara; Haji Sahib Maulvi Hukumdar of Stewarville, West Coast, Demerara; and an Elder of the Jordanites to intone sacred Christian, Hindu, Islamic and African spiritual blessings for peace, harmony and the well-being of Guyana, a new country, and of Guyanese in the young nation. The presence of these religious dignitaries was required at the swearing in ceremony of the Governor General, Sir Richard Luyt at State House by the Chief Justice, Sir Joseph Alexander Luckhoo Jr, and at the first session of Parliament in Parliament Building when Her Majesty’s representative, the Duke of Kent would formally present the Royal Instruments for Independence to the Speaker of Parliament. I was also assigned protocol duties at these functions and to certain Georgetown based and overseas diplomatic heads of missions, and Commonwealth, foreign heads of government and UK government officials.

The magnificence of and the glitz and glamour of these events were visibly manifest in the colourful Banarasi saris of Indian silk, the exquisite ballroom evening dresses and elegant African cultural attire and exotic African head-dresses of the ladies and matching ballroom suits of the men. My special interest was in the historic flag-lowering and flag-raising ceremony at the National Park at midnight on Wednesday 26 May, 1966. The British Union Jack was lowered from its masthead by 2nd Lieutenant Jon Klass of the Middlesex Regiment of the British Army that was stationed in Guyana. The Golden Arrowhead of Guyana was raised to its masthead by 2nd Lieutenant Desmond Roberts of the Guyana Defence Force to a spontaneous thunderous applause of approval by members of a huge crowd who had assembled that night at the National Park. These experiences influenced the agenda and quality of later national events. Some of these rich experiences are still alive in our national cultural expressions while others have become obsolete through the dynamics of social reform.

Yours faithfully,

Rampersaud Tiwari