Grandmother, God-and “licks” Dr Jagdeo’s LCDS, the Brigadier’s GSDS
I don’t normally reveal my own youth of need growing up in Alberttown/Bourda. And I won’t start now. Except to tease with the unfortunate fact that in the fifties, my old red grandmother used to drag me along as she did washing-and-ironing jobs supplemented by begging. Yes, begging! In the vicinity of Georgetown’s Cenotaph and further afield.
But never did that salted-fish-and-rice poverty motivate any thoughts of stealing in me. I suppose one major reason is that I and my neighbourhood “gang” had very modest dreams and ambitions. My gang “stole” only genips, dunks and mangoes in alley “raids.” Then again, none of my friends – the Armstrongs, the Browns, the Williams, the Ramdyhans, the Sancharras etc – ever turned to thievery in our youth.
Of course, okay, we had no television, computers, Facebook, etc., to influence our needs and wants.
Grandmother held up God as one who sees and knows even if we stole a penny; bad consequences would befall us. That convinced me. Added to the fact that I attended religious spaces galore – Anglican, Roman Catholic, Assemblies of God, Seventh Day Adventists, the big Church Street mosque, Ethiopian Orthodox et al.
Add to all the above that fact that there was no debate about corporal punishment – in school or community. Certain boyhood transgressions attracted “licks like peas”. The lashes burnt so many fellows never became petty recidivists. To this day my four daughters and I never contemplate thievery to satisfy needs. What a bygone era!
I know so well that our striking teachers, other working class folks and many students care not about any LCDS or GSDS.
But give Dr Bharrat his (rare) due: he catapulted Guyana onto the world’s climate change stage with his LCDS – Low Carbon Development Strategy. The Norwegians were enthusiastic with support as Guyana committed to preserving forests and lessening carbon footprints. But the LCDS still managed to exhibit flaws even as the United Nations recognized Dr Jagdeo. Opposition groups, Amerindian reps and the Norwegians themselves identified short-comings to be addressed.
Then came His Excellency’s GSDS – Green State Development Strategy. His Excellency has established state structural support to promote and implement this strategy. Three (3) main pillars recommended this developmental plan – social, economic and environmental. There will be significant shifts to generating cheap electric power for example. A former Rear-Admiral is spearheading this thrust. It must be taught in schools. And you don’t have to wear green or paint your house in that colour.
I’m doing okay – Volda won and now the Drugs folks will get modernistic upgrades.
What’s taking so long? Chairman Paul to recommend Unbribable Paul?
Now that Dr Comrade Van West-Charles has moved back to his PNC when will Comrade Raphael follow?
This 2018 “Summuh” saw lots of friends holidaying in the US displaying the visits on Facebook. So Summuh! Is today the final day in the long and distinguished journalistic career of Godfrey Wray?
One quotable quote: “If members want to eat food, they can go across by the Stabroek Market where there are some tasty cook-shops inside the market. If they want to consume alcohol there is a well-stocked bar across the road from Parliament.”
’Til next week (allanafenty@yahoo.com) Food and