George Subraj Foundation, President Ali and dirt, and Phagwah celebrations
By GHK Lall
Kaieteur News – It’s Easter weekend, so I have hope in my heart, as I think about how much we (me) have been given, with so much in need of giving back. As I was looking for the encouraging, I came across, in KN, some that really give back very quietly and significantly.
The work of the people associated with the George Subraj Foundation, and their extensive philanthropic efforts with kidney patients in Guyana. I am heartened that there are those Guyanese who went on, but who could still look back; those who rose, but do not look down. Instead, they give of themselves, through what they have been blessed with, and so they arrive to bless others, by giving them hope, an extension of time, some care timely quality, possibly some quality of life ingredients. This Foundation, dedicated to humanitarian outreach in many fields, and to a growing number of Guyanese, is making a difference; sometimes, it is literally between life and death. My hope in this Easter interlude is that other Guyanese would be encouraged to give something, those already doing so to give a little more. I am encouraged by these people, and thank you.
I am heartened that His Excellency, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, has found the time in his most likely busy schedule, to rail against those who continue to look for ways to extract more dollars than they are legitimate because of contractual relationships with senior citizens. country. It meant selling some dirt on $ 2,000 truck load back to villagers in Berbice; choose a multiplier (20 or 30, maybe more) and soon that adds up to a nice number of dollars in the thousands. It should not be, as contractors are paid enough to make a decent, if not great, surplus / gain from the contracts they bid on (with their own final price stated) and win. For them, pursuing opportunities to exploit neighboring citizens with something as small as dirt, emphasizes the lengths they will go to to tear this country’s taxpayers, when the big money is involved.
I am heartened that President Ali has started on these smallest little points. Now I would be further encouraged – and I think all Guyanese would be too – if he and his government focused their time, visions and energy on how to do right by us, on what is better than load us a $ 2,000 truck. I think of the billions in oil, which will come at various costs; those can be significantly shattered, through conscientious and comprehensive leadership strategies and tactics. I would be encouraged to hear and read that the President and his Vice President bring that same powerful anger, that big distaste as they deal with foreign companies operating here, and nickel and dime us to the tune of tens of billions, with our natural. resources, of which oil stands as the foremost. I wonder how those villagers felt when the head of state burst out in anger. I would feel the same (and every citizen would) to be eyewitnesses of the same rage and anger and hold on to that asset that is most important. It’s oil, not dirt. I would like to thank President Ali somewhat; I would be most encouraged if he gave me the opportunity, through his government’s patriotic, powerful and transparent control of the national oil blessing.
In the spirit of the stillness of Easter, I close out with another heartwarming event, which this time included Phagwah celebrations last week. It is a festival that brings much individual delight when shared in close proximity, which the COVID-19 pandemic disregards with finality. The media reports were of the humble and sensual celebrations of the day in Berbice and Essequibo. It’s good to read about this maturity and bow to sobriety from fellow citizens. If we can get more like this, it would still be more encouraging.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of this newspaper.)