Exhibition, Book Display launched in remembrance of Dr Cheddi Jagan

In a bid to honour the contributions of the late Dr Cheddi Jagan in his fight for democracy, growth and development of Guyana, the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre (CJRC) recently launched a Photographic Exhibition and Book Display at the National Library.

Cheddi Jagan born March 22, 1918, Plantation Port Mourant, died March 6, 1997, was a Guyanese politician and dentist who was first elected Chief Minister in 1953 and later Premier of British Guiana from 1961 to 1964. He later served as President of Guyana from 1992 to his death in 1997.

He founded the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) along with his wife Janet Jagan and Forbes Burnham, and served as the first leader of the party.

He was a leading figure in the campaign for the independence of Guyana from Great Britain, and advocated for increased powers for trade unions at a time when British Guiana’s economy was dominated by powerful foreign enterprises.

Jagan lost his position as Prime Minister to Forbes Burnham following the 1964 British Guiana General Election, and Burnham would become Guyana’s first Head of Government following independence. However, 28 years later, Jagan was elected President in the 1992 Guyanese General Election, which was regarded as the first free and fair election since 1964.

Speaking at the exhibition launch on Monday, Chairman of the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre, Hydar Ally highlighted that the work and ideologies of the late president will always resonate among policy makers for years to come.

“We believe that even though 28 years has gone since he died…his ideas still continue to be very relevant and I would say for so long as poverty exists in the world, for so long as the working people exist, for so long as there is injustice in the world, for so long as poor people still continue to suffer, for so long as there are wars, for so long as there is climate change and all the adverse effects of climate change, for so long as all of these things exist and more, Dr Jagan will remain relevant because these were the very things that he advocated against.”

Echoing similar sentiments was Administrator of the CJRC, Indranie Chandarpal who labeled the late patriot as a staunch advocate for local development.

“He was interested in seeing development in our country. And today we have seen, he laid the foundation for all the things that we see today that are materialising in the country. And we can never forget all our leaders who have contributed to the development we are seeing in our country today.”

She further reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment towards protecting and honouring the contributions of the late politician.

“It is our responsibility at the Chedi Jagan Research Centre to sustain the legacy of this great man who had walked these shores and walked the different places of this country.”

The CJRC was officially opened on March 22, 2000 which was the 82nd birthday anniversary of Dr Cheddi Jagan. The CJRC is dedicated to making available to Guyana and the world, the very rich collection of materials which captures the visionary thoughts and revolutionary ideas of the late President of Guyana, Dr Cheddi Jagan (1918-1997).

The centre houses a large archival collection of papers, documents, photographs, audio and DVDs related to Dr Jagan’s long and enduring involvement in leading the political struggle in Guyana and at the global level. Dr Cheddi Jagan is the Father of the Guyanese nation and a renowned and respected statesman. His immense stature in Guyana, the Caribbean and the world at large stems from his ground-breaking contributions in numerous stages of the struggle for a better life for the people of Guyana and the world at large.