Diversified but beautiful
─ our diversities, the steppingstone towards forging unity and building a better Guyana
─ govt celebrates 4th National Cohesion Day
─ not every nation is gifted with a social cohesion platform as Guyana
DPI, Guyana, Monday, May 13, 2019
Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, earlier today, described the Guyanese society as diversified but beautiful. A nation that respects its diversity, he added, reinforces the integrity of its composition, and strengthens the bonds that bind its different peoples together, this has the assets of a socially cohesive country.
These sentiments were related during the Prime Minister feature address at the 4th National Social Cohesion Day observances held at the National Cultural Centre (NCC).
Under the Department of Social Cohesion’s theme “Fostering harmonious relationships and building a unified country,” the Prime Minister Nagamootoo noted it is significance, as it recognises the journey that the government has taken over the years to foster cohesion, and for citizens to work cohesively.
“Our Government, our nation, recognises this diversity. We honour each and every one of our ethnic groupings. We celebrate Emancipation Day on August 1, in recognition of our African brothers and sisters. We observe Chinese Arrival Day on January 13; Portuguese Arrival Day on May 3; Indian Arrival Day on May 5, which coincides with National Arrival Day; and we observe September as Indigenous Heritage Month.”
He explained that it was on the foundation of our diversity that a society was formed.
“It was not easy, over time, to bring people closer to each other. The different races were set up by the colonial planters against each other, and they competed against each other as units of cheap labour.”
Referring to his remarks last year, the Prime Minister said: “I remarked that you were the colourful petals of our Guyana flowers, diversified but beautiful, a sparkling spectacle of coexistence and social cohesion.” Today, “I see you as the rich blossoms of our diverse ancestral roots, firmly planted in our Guyana soil, and committed to making our Guyana better.”
He explained that through “Our difference, our diversity recognises that Guyana is multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious. Politically, it is multi-party, as we recognise in the composition of our government which has been described as the Rainbow Coalition.”
The government’s movement for social cohesion gains strength with each year.
“It is a work in progress to broaden it, to generate greater appreciation for our diversities.”
This movement, Prime Minister noted, has to bring on board all those who believe in “One Guyana, a Guyana for Guyanese who, though diverse, are committed to one goal, which is the good life for all.”
Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton expressed similar sentiments noting that not every nation is gifted with a social cohesion platform as Guyana. While it has not been an easy road, Minister Norton explained that social cohesion had to be built gradually and deliberately, “family by family, community by community.”
The National Social Cohesion Day observances were also attended by First Lady Sandra Granger, Ministers of Government, Members of the Diplomatic Corp, students from schools across Guyana among others.
Rebecca Ganesh
Images: Marceano Narine