Dear Editor,
In keeping with President Granger’s announcement that November 7, 2016 be observed as a National Day of Villages, I must congratulate the Regional Administration – Region 3 for not only observing but for celebrating that day in grand style.
The celebration began 10:30 hrs at Den Amstel Community Ground with a cultural programme where a number of Region 3 artists performed. The highlight of the programme was the message delivered by Minister Winston Felix, where he focused on the importance of unity, togetherness and cohesion. The event was attended by a massive crowd, and even though the NDCs controlled by the PPP were instructed not to participate and overseers can confirm this, I must mention that Wakenaam NDC, Leguan NDC, Mora-Parika NDC, Greenwich Park-Vergenoegen NDC, Tuschen-Uitvlugt Administration, Hague-Blankenburg NDC, Best-Klien Pouderoyen NDC and Malgre Tout-Met en MeerZorg NDC participated. What captivated me even more was the presence of 5 PPP RDC councillors. This tells me that regardless of the unfortunate utterances by detractors who don’t want to see unity, people are not followers but rather leaders in their own right.
Editor, when the cultural programme concluded, a number of games were played which included dominos, cricket, football, volleyball and rounders. From my observations NDCs really and truly got to know each other, and even though the competition was fierce, friendliness was the real theme that prevailed. The games ended at 20:30 hrs and it must be mentioned that the Regional Executive Officer was present from start to finish.
When this activity was conceptualized by the REO, all NDCs were invited to a meeting and they all said with bright smiles that it was a good gesture and furthermore, their participation was a must. As meetings continued leading up to the activity I noticed the absence of some NDCs and opted to inquire. It was indeed a shock when I found out that an instruction was sent out for them not to participate. The action of the instructor does not augur well for Region 3 and by extension our country, and it must be denounced. With the exception of 2 PPP RDC Councillors, all had indicated in one form or the other that not participating in the activity was not the best move and I guess that is why 5 PPP Councillors disobeyed the order. However it must not be seen as disobedience, but more as intolerance of division and acceptance of cohesion. I congratulate them for their bravery and humbleness.
In conclusion let me say with firmness that Region 3 has been lifted from the nightmare it once found itself in, and with continued togetherness, unity and cohesion, behaviour like that of the instructor will become obsolete. For the record, Julius Faerber, the Regional Chairman was not present, even though he was slated to speak at the activity.
Yours faithfully,
Ganesh Mahipaul
