The Activist

A Fresh Start - Part One

To The People of Linden.

Once upon a time, there was British West Indian Airways. On its flights, a monthly magazine for travelers to read, during flight. Fortunate to have traveled on a specific year and month, I would read, "timehri is an Amerindian word meaning the mark of the hand."  The article by a Guyanese expatriate in England. He went on to say how the Interior was such beauty and the Amerindians had made drawings on rocks of the animals and the way of life. He continued, expressing delights in the colony.

His words were so true that it need not be committed to memory, it is natural in all its form. "From the produce of the earth I've nourished my body and its streams quenched my thirst."

Reflecting on his words, I remembered how it was growing up in British Guiana. We ate healthy, fresh fruits and vegetables, fish of all kinds in abundance. Physical exercises were natural, swimming in the sidelines. And games always involved running. We developed strength, both phyiscal and mental.

Growing up in Rosignol was a unique experience, the African Proverb, "It takes a whole village to grow up a child." That was my life, I had mentors at a young age. As Psalm 139 states, I was conceived in the darkness, but it is the Lord who gave me a Soul, a Body and a Mind. My paths were planned and I will forever praise His goodness and mercy.

I was born in a wonderful place on this earth, never starved and grew up surrounded by encouraging villagers.

That era has passed some seventy odd years ago.

Now we are faced with endless calamities. The main one is our politics.

For generations, spanning close to seventy years, the people of this land have made their choices politically. With that in mind, I am still motivated to come forward, even in doubt.

I am reminded of Jonah, he had doubts as well.
God sent him to Nineveh to have a conversation with the residents of the city. Reluctant in his mind, but God knew the desires of the hearts of men in the city.  It was the moment for Nineveh.

The citizens of Guyana can put on their funeral garments and continue the slow march to the burial of the country. You see, hear and read the undertakers, everyday. The newspaper, television and social media bares their testimony.

Aren't you the least bit afraid for your future.

The question begged to be asked, "Is there a solution to this dilemma." For the decades that is gone, the answer is clear as dayclean, "No, there is none and the rhetoric, the talk that is around is no different, just plain and simply empty promises."

When there are or there is no solution, perhaps even the most ridiculous of a solution is plausible.
So, let me tell you of a possible one and what is in it for you. The political system that exists from the time of the independence movement never catered to citizens having a say of the leadership of the country. The Political Party tells you the name of its Presidential Candidate. As in the past, voting goes along the ethnicity lines.

This time around, I want to encourage you to publicly choose a political movement where you have full participation. You choose your Presidential Candidate, in the public. No secret ballots, no intimidation and no fear. And hopefully this new approach will engage every citizen in the process of choosing the President for election.

I petition Linden for endorsement of this New Political Movement.

It is a leap of fate. And you can give it the wings so that our country can soar to great heights.

Together, the wind of change will be beneath the wings that you give unto this Peoples Movement.

With your endorsement, we will go to the other enclave on the Corentyne. There, we will never cease in the conversation to move hearts and souls for a better life.

Life gives us moments. This is a great moment for Guyana, but it seeks your trust for our differences is not outright prejudices, it is distrust.

I know, you are a people of great courage. The history of this country has the imprint of the emancipated African, fore-parents to the present generation of men, women and children of this town,
Linden.

Historians have documented for us.

In 1838, just a mere four years after emancipation, the  East Indian was brought here, to British Guiana. On plantations in the counties of Demerara, Berbice and Essequibo they were designated,  working for those who had no mercy for bonded labor, the life of an indentured.

It is said, "one can never teach an old dog new tricks."

And once again, the planters had another group of individuals to brutalized, poor diet and the whip. Remoteness of those plantations could not have concealed their brutality. There were eyes to see. No sooner the British Abolitionist were aware. It was the African who made them aware of the agonies of the Indentured East Indian. The emancipated African saw the sufferings of a fellow human being. It is doubtful he saw the race. 

The life of an indentured servant is bondage. This was not a new scheme. Centuries before the Indentured East Indian came to British Guiana, impoverished English, Welsh, Irish and Scots indentured themselves to the colonies. Gladstone was very much aware of this labor force. Some to escape the law, some to escape poverty and hunger, some to escape famine. Such men and women were made to work like beasts of burden without any compassion. Death did move his master or overseer. Such was the fate of the Indentured East Indian of 1838. Upon his arrival, his master cared less about his well being. Death did not move his master nor his overseer. Whatever labor was exacted out of him, was a benefit to the planters. If death comes from abuse, that, also was a benefit to the planters, for the return passage was saved.

Historians have documented for us the atrocities burdened upon the indentured East Indian. African nurses tended their backs, the opened flesh from the whip of their task master. Lame from infections and neglect. Malnourished. And no re-course but to escape and returned back in leg-irons.

Witnessed by the African, men and women, they recounted it all to the British Abolitionist. Mentioned also, was the vindictiveness of a plantation manager upon one of the witnesses at the hearings. All of his animals were killed and forced to move away from his home. The price he paid for the compassion of another human-being.

I tell you this because it should be the corner stone for race relations in Guyana-an understanding between Indo and Afro Guyanese.

We do not know the way God moves the hearts and minds of the people of His nations. In Guyana's case, one would think we have reached the end of the road and the citizens would have the change of hearts. So said, but not easily done. In Nigerian churches, it is said,"God can make the impossible possible, ending in Jesus name, followed by Hallelujah."

With all the uproar about dual citizenship, here I am a dual citizen making a case for a better leadership of Guyana.

It takes a few dedicated people to change a nation. If you have been paying attention, you would have noticed many countries with natural resources, the people are poor. Please do not let this happen to your fellow countrymen-Buffiandah, Dougla, Mix, Amerinds, Afro, Indo or all those who hold this land dear to their hearts, home and abroad.

I ask you, the people of Linden to walk this land for peacefulness. For blessed are the peacemakers for they shall inherit the land. We know that this land of our fore-fathers is rich with timber, gold, diamond and oil.

We can change the curse of resources.

You can stamp out corruption.

This election is about who is entrusted with your wealth, the country's wealth .

Before re-naming to Linden, it was Wismar. In this place, tragedies occurred. Indians who came for a better life in Wismar, met with strife encouraged by the political elites of the bygone era. It is remembered by some as the "Wismar Massacre". Then, there was the "Sun Chapman Incident", unsuspecting passengers on a launch going about their business were blown up.

There were Disturbances in Villages but the tragedy of Wismar are not easily forgotten.

Wismar was the place to be, lucrative paying jobs attracted those willing to relocate. People were doing great and life was good. Then, hardships fell upon the town, the mines downsized due to political decisions.

Since, Linden struggles to recover to its past lucrative days. All sorts of plans devised and discussed to re-vitalized the town.

All appears to have failed.

There were riots and lives were lost.

The history is there, wealth, good standard of living, political activism, political persuasion, ethnic cleansing, death of your own and the death of strangers in your midst, then impoverishment.

No other community experienced as Linden. All of that can be turned into a progressive.

These days, if a change is sought then it must be through a political party. A much better move would be to have a whole community involved in political change. And Linden has the dynamism for such a movement for change.

In return, Linden will be a Parallel Parliament for the country and its economy revitalized with sustainable businesses and sustainable employment. Every effort will be made to develop Linden as a model of progress for all other Guyanese communities. It is the nations priority to show the way by government and private business partnership. We can be in each other dreams of the future.

I know there were efforts to revitalize the community purely from an ethnic perspective. Maybe it could work but there is assured progress if we work together.

This is the moment for Guyana.


Velutha Kuttapen
timehri@golden.net

CRIME SOLUTIONS

In keeping with the President's leanings toward disciplined activities for the young, be it the cadets program or the national service. It should be extended to include drug addicts, released prisoners and persons with desires of ceasing criminal activities, not incarcerated .

Such individuals should add their names to a list requesting the rehabilitation.

It would be money went spent.

The location should be in the hinterland and well distanced from the Amerindians communities.

In the established settlements, all necessary skills must be thought for survival.

Rather than parceling off the framing lands to foreigners, use it to change the lives of country's citizens.

Invest in their lives and livlihood.

INVESTMENTS & JOB CREATION

I read with interest the delegation heading to New York on the quest of wooing businesses to Guyana.

Within the body of my commentaries, I wrote on Investments and Job Creation on two separate headings.

I am convinced the government is loosing out on excellent opportunities to develop the existing businesses already in Guyana. Strengthened them with expertise and guide their growth.

I am hoping this New York endeavor does not develop as the one held in Canada last year. It was a complete mess. The Go-Invest officers were rude and offensive. That is a constant setback to progress.

These officials, regardless of which government, believes they are power unto their own.

The President should look in from time to time on them. Keep them on their toes.

THE GOOD LIFE

The Good Life.

A noble thought that is achievable.

In the past 50 years, our Presidents have accepted their authority as simply a figure head, cutting ribbons, welcoming potential investors, photo opportunities for visitors and international travels in speech forum.

This trend will never change, unless.

The country needs a working President and citizens needs to hold him to the task, everyday.

 He is the visionary.

And his ministers are charged with his vision.

What we have at this point, is a whole lot of empty rhetoric. Perhaps, a smoke screen.

The conscience of the nation rests on the NGOs. They must move the President's agenda.

Those men and women are Divine Champions, the attribute of God dwells in them-loving kindness, forgiveness, caring for the needy, etc,etc.

We can never escape suffering, but it can be manageable.

It is the time for citizens to manage their government, present and future..  

JUBILEE

JUBILEE:

A time or season for rejoicing.

A special anniversary.

Fifty years of independent association on a piece of land on the vast earth, constituted by borders in the name of Guyana. Diverse as its people-the Amerindian Peoples, the African decent, the East Indian decent and all those who were born into the Mixed Races. Inheriting the rich cultures and civilizations of the Native Peoples of the Land of Many Waters, China, Portugal, Africa and India.

Born on a fertile land that nourished our bodies, streams that quenched our thirst and villagers to watch us grow. Upright and neighbourly. A paradise under the viscous tropical sun. Lush green, trees great and small. Shelter for us, whether one lives in the hinterlands or on the coast in wooden houses.

A gift from God for all of His creations.

And for Guyana, He proclaimed so in the Psalms, “For every animal in the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the creature of the field are mine.”  

What a privileged people we are - a nation of six races of people.

Once upon a time we lived in harmony.

But, just as confusion came upon the ancient people of Babel, so too, did we. The rhetoric of prejudices energized hatred. And we became confused. Generations gone to the grave confused.

The cemetery, bones of limbs and empty eyes sockets of skulls is what remained of all people, good and bad.

So many wasted opportunity.

Haggai 2:8, God revealed, “The silver is mine and the gold is mine.” 

As in all of creation, the gold and silver are from God, and given to man for good use, for a useful purpose.

We have so much.

So why are we beset with turmoil and confusion.

The answer lies with each citizen of Guyana, whether they live overseas or at home.

There is a story, “A banquet table laden with foods of all sorts. Everything appealing to the senses. Seated at the table are six races of people. Looking at each other. The host insisted that only the cutleries are to be used. No fingers used for eating.  But the cutleries were too long in length and could not bring the food to the person’s month. They had the freedom of choice how to use the cutleries. They knew the only way to be fed was to feed each other. Obstinate, no one look the initiative. They became more and more starved as the hours went by.”

That is my country. We have bountiful, but we need each other for the harvest.

Fifty years of denying yourself personal prosperity.

On this moment of Jubilee, let the momentous occasion be the season when we bury our differences in its celebration.

I will be frank. There are some mode of celebration which are dislikable to some of our citizens. A gala is a fabulous event. But not all will find the desire for it.

It is important that each ethnic group identify their participation. They must celebrate in their own way. The land has been good to us, it has given us many sons and daughters. It was marked for us the very moment a European nation laid claim to it in the name of their King and Queen. Bearing in mind, it was taken from the Native Peoples and we honour them with greatest respect.     

The generations now gone, had a longing for anthem, flag and country. So deep were their consciousness that they aligned with cause and purpose.  The efforts of Marcus Garvey filled the void, he rallied the Negro under the anthem and flag of Ethiopia. Then, there was the League of Coloured People leading the discussions for a self-governing colony of British Guiana. And when East Indian Indentured Servants moved away from plantation life, they sought a path and service in the British Guiana East Indian Association.     

We were a people of harmonious relationships in towns and villages. Yes, there some ethnic tensions.

The politic of C.B, Jagan and L.F.S. Burnham consumed us as a meteor would scorch the earth. Nothing remained. Distrust emerged out of Pandora’s chest. We lost all desires for a country over the last sixty six years. Gone are the village mentors, the mentors in our towns. And gone are the mentors of the nation. Guyana has lost so many opportunities for the good life.

Our history has been one of communities within the borders of Guyana, be it ethnic or religious. One Nation One People One Destiny, are only words-empty and without substance. This current government can move beyond this stalemate by doing right by the country. Do the right things. The citizens will take notice.  And they themselves will measure the integration.

For too long we have been divided on ethnicity. The government needs to build the country in anticipation of the day when ethnicity does not impose itself in the national dialogue. 

Be as Atta Turk, the man of modern Turkey.

We have in our history valiant men. Slaves they may have been but full in the Spirit of God. Endow with immense wisdom.

Our leaders must seek paths of erecting pillars to uplift the nation.

Quamina, a peaceful soul, gave us a start. His wisdom should be an inspiration to every President in charting the destiny of a country so blessed in natural wealth.

Progress of nations has been an inspiration for Guyanese. It may have been a sense of pride for the people of the era. They knew the importance of the event. I witnessed the celebration of India’s Independence at Pln. Albion. Too young to realize the significance other than the button pinned to my shirt by a reveller, the emblem of the flag of India. I can only guess of their sense of joy. Perhaps, motivated by an emanated voice from BBC radio.  Pandit Nehru, “……..At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes but rarely in history. ....……..”

It was the dawn of a new world dispensation. Throughout Africa and other places around the globe, where Empires stripped natives of their lands, wealth and dignity. Aspiring men and women, perhaps were listening- a pledge. With hope of one day to follow the path of political independence.

Gold Coast would be next-Kwame Nhkrumah’s Ghana. I witnessed that celebration too. At the Rosignol Society Hall. The honouring speeches of liberation. Emancipation was freedom from slavery, but Ghana’s Independence was the removal of shackles from African ancestry wherever they were on the planet.

In Nehru’s speech, he could have well been speaking about future events in British Guiana when he said, “All of us, to whatever religion we may belong are equally the children of India, with equal rights, privileges and obligations. We cannot encourage communialism or narrowmindedness, for no nation can be great whose people are narrow in thoughts or in action. “

Replacing the word India with Guyana and religion with race, it would be, “All of us, to whatever race we may belong are equally the children of Guyana, with equal rights, privileges and obligations. We cannot encourage communialism or narrowmindedness, for no nation can be great whose people are narrow in thoughts or in action. “

That is what holds us back from having a good life in the land of plenty. Plain and simple “Narrowmindedness”. In Guyana, we are abound with such people. In high places. The atrocities of Rwanda were edged on by the educated, who knew the power of words. Words of narrow minds perpetrated the carnage. Going back in time- Linden, Guyana comes to mind.  The Wismar riots and the Sun Chapman incident. Indelible events in the minds of both East Indian and African ancestry. While the era of the Disturbances are etched in minds of individuals, the Wismar Riots and the blow-up of the Sun Chapman are in the chronicles of Guyana.

Isaiah 44:24.

This is what the Lord says - your Redeemer, who formed you in the belly of the womb. I am the Lord, who has made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself, who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who overthrows the learning of the wise and turns it into nonsense, who carries out the words of his servants and fulfills the predictions of his messengers, ………..

Certainly, not the politicians, for they were and are like vipers. Full of poison. They side with the principality of darkness.

This country has had a great many messengers.  For over fifty years, that is five decades and the many souls in the great beyond. They prayed for this country. They sought the favour of God.  And the Almighty does fulfil them as He did in 2 Kings 20. He answers requests in His own timing.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” A quote from the Presidential Candidate to the people of Linden.

Reflections on the tragedies of the Wismar Riots. For in deed the speaker understood the ailment of the nation and ironic he chose Linden to quote Ephesians 6:10. A place of great racial in tolerance towards East Indians.

The quote resonated the notions of a man with higher understanding of the Guyanese dilemma. The condition of the hearts of the citizens.

An elevated man, who is going reach down and take hold of each of the races and pull them up into the “Good Life.”

God had finally turned His face towards Guyana. There is a messenger.

Soon after the May 11, 2015 victory, it was different. The wisdom of Soloman was replaced with Conventional Wisdom and inclusivity was only a fashionable word of the day. The desire to be compassionate towards a preferred race became “the agenda.” A race of people who deemed marginalized was going to be favored. There is nothing bad about that. It is not a crime to feel kinship. President Hoyte told us that Guyana has kith and kin. So we know. It has always been, “dem and us.” For in Guyana, everything eventually becomes a race issue.

The dream soon gave way to pride. And that, is, where and why Ephesians 6:10 should be consulted in its entirety.  “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

The elevated man was compromised. Abandonment of a status, inorder to elevate old comrades. Eager to discard the young, Guyana’s future. And the creation of two governing bodies within a single government. It is a disastrous move and will eventually do some very serious relationship among the people of Guyana.

For a while, citizens believed the prayers of fifty years was answered. It was to be a time of healing at the momentous time of our fiftieth year of Independence.

Timely.

I am afraid, for all that had occurred over the past year, it will be as Independence Night of May 26, 1966. Georgetown was bustling.  Flag raising, fireworks in the air and revellers. That night, if and only if,  Forbes would have invited Cheddie in a more significant role at the events. In the fleeting, he did stop by for a quick embrace. Perhaps, we would have had a progressive country in that gesture. Instead, great number of citizens throughout the country went to bed, early. Not caring of the event.  There were no speeches at the Rosignol Society Hall. Once a unified village in the 50’s, we were strained in 1966. My country became independent and I witnessed no pomp. My youthful efforts of telling the “Limeys” to go home, slogan written on every open spaces had materialized on May 26, 1966. They went home and I went to bed that night not knowing the celebrations in Georgetown.

After 50 years, the APNU+AFC will recreate in celebrations on May26, 2016. Today’s abyss is no different than the one in 1966.  It was a missed opportunity when Forbes did not reach out to Cheddie. Will President Granger extend his hand and pull this nation out of the abyss? Will he narrow the great divide? Will he reach out to the Opposition?

It is often said, “Wisdom comes with Age.” It is my personal thoughts, that this President possess the Wisdom of Soloman. We are country like the twelve tribes of Israel. Contentious even more with six different races of people.  It is important on this Jubilee year we bury the 50 years of strife. At the midnight hour we commence our history of the future 50 years. Many of our old will not see those years to follow. Our young people will. It is important that we bequeath to them a good inheritance.

In his governance, where ever there is bondage of hearts and minds, it is his duty to free such souls. The Indians of Guyana needs to be directed on the path that allows them to make the right choices.

Democracy, in its true sense, puts nations building forefront. It is by this principle we chart the course of the three generations to follow us. It is a continual process which instill stability and economic progress.

This President must elevate the Pillars that will sustain the quality of life and tolerance of the Guyanese society.

This President must build a society and country regardless of the racial intolerance that persists.

This President must do all he can to prepare a sound governing country. So that when this nation finally wakes up to peaceful coexistence, they will find all the articles for a modern state to continue to build upon.

It is important that this President showcase moderate Indians in governmental responsibilities. Not necessarily ministers or parliamentarians.

For the past 65 years, Indians have had poor leadership, and too blind to notice it. They are in bondage. And I trust this President will the see the merits in setting them free. They need to have mentors.

We cannot escape racial voting in Guyana. We are strapped to the Peoples National Congress and the Peoples Progressive Party. And the votes fall in line with either the Indo or Afro. It is important for the Indian to be able to make the right choices without fear or intimidation by the officers of the Peoples Progressive Party. And its contributions in all future governments. This business of opposing just for opposing sake is not right for democracy. There must be participation and cooperation. For the races are not willing to forego their racial dominance. Distrust is forever present. 

In the politics of Guyana, Presidents delegate their authority. No matter, how they delegate, they are still the shepherd of the nation. And must acknowledge the divine in every citizen regardless of race and religion.   

God Bless.

Velutha  Kuttapen.