Dear Editor,
In connection with the matter of the misuse of the Indian Immigration Fund I join in full support and add my voice to the calls for the state to compensate the East Indian Community for the misappropriation of funds. Despite the protestations of the Indian Community the PNC Government went ahead and unilaterally constructed the National Cultural Centre (NCC) in Georgetown. These hard-earned funds belong to our ancestors who toiled long and hard and the PNC’s action is tantamount to one of the most egregious actions of racial bias.
I have been associated with the Gandhi Youth Organization/Mahatma Gandhi Org. of Woolford Avenue Thomas Lands since 1971 and I’m aware of the leadership role this body played in meeting with the then Burnham-led Government and making suggestions that the funds be used to build Indian Cultural centres in the three counties.
Unfortunately the PNC Government was determined to do otherwise and I remember vividly that the GYO/MGO was in the forefront of calling for a boycott of the NCC by East Indians which was a very successful effort and it was only after Dr. Jagan became President in 1992 that more East Indians began attending events there.
Editor I think the Government must now address its mind to discussing this issue at Cabinet Level and proceeding with the construction of these Indian Cultural centres which can probably be named after three prominent East Indians and I call on all right thinking Guyanese to lobby intensively for this to be done without delay after adequate consultations with regards to design and locations of these centres.
The normally vocal Mr. Hamilton Green who was an integral part of the decision to utilize the funds to build the NCC should at least offer an apology on behalf of his former party and its Leadership.
Yours sincerely,
Chris Persaud
