Toronto – The history of Guyana cannot be written without the name, “Jagan.” From sacrificing all of their adult lives in the struggle for independence from oppressive forces to serving as Heads of State, Dr. Cheddi and Mrs. Janet Jagan have left an indelible imprint.
The year 2017 is quite significant regarding the rich legacies of Dr. and Mrs. Jagan: March 6 marks 20 years since Dr. Jagan passed away, March 18 would be Dr. Jagan’s 99th birthday, and March 28 marks eight years since Mrs. Jagan passed away.
The time is ripe to pay tribute to the Father and Mother of the Nation.
The Jagans Commemorative Committee comprising a like-minded collection of individuals and groups, was established to pay homage to the Jagans in this important year. The Committee will be hosting a tribute luncheon on April 2, 2017 from 12.30 pm to 4.30 pm at Elite Banquet Hall, 1850 Albion Road, Toronto, Ontario. The theme of the event is “A luncheon marking 20 years with lessons from remarkable lives”, and will be headlined by former Prime Minister Sam Hinds who served as running mate with Dr. Jagan in 1992 and with Mrs. Jagan in 1997. Former PM Hinds is an eloquent speaker who will offer unique insight into the courage and leadership that both Dr. and Mrs. Jagan embodied.
In an invited comment, Committee Chair and former Consul General to Toronto, Sattie Sawh, said of the motivation for such an event at this time: “It is definitely timely. Both Dr. Cheddi and Mrs. Janet Jagan have been inspirations, and when other members of our Committee and I realized that 2017 will be 20 years [since Dr. Jagan passed away], we felt moved to do something. This is an important milestone…the Jagan name should never be forgotten.”
Former Consul General to Toronto, Danny Doobay, added that the community in Toronto “needs this sort of event. The Jagans have meant a lot to the community here, and the event will be good. There will be various tributes, poetry, songs and excellent material on display. I do not see why we cannot pack the Elite Banquet Hall and really pay a fitting tribute on April 2.”
Nadira Jagan-Brancier, also on the committee, added that funds raised will be going to the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre: “The CJRC needs support. It does tremendous work, and there are all sorts of documents and records from my parents’ lives. I think people should come out in their numbers.”
Tickets costing $40, inclusive of a buffet lunch, a tribute programme, and historical presentations, can be purchased via the numbers advertised in this newspaper (see page 4) and via promotion across the West Indian community in Toronto, and on the internet.