Guyana is on the right track – PM Nagamootoo tells NY Diaspora
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― “We are on the cusp of becoming one of the wealthiest countries in the world”
―New York Flag raising ceremony
By Rebecca Ganesh
DPI, Guyana, Monday, June 3, 2019
Scores of Guyanese living in the New York Tri-State area paid tribute to the Golden Arrow Head as it was hoisted at Preston Court Brooklyn, New York, at a grand flag-raising ceremony on Sunday June 2, 2019.
The occasion, which was preceded by a parade, was held to celebrate Guyana’s 53rd Independence Anniversary. The atmosphere was vibrant with expressions of solidarity and loyalty to country by members of the diaspora who donned national colours.
Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, who was there to represent President David Granger, told hundreds of fellow Guyanese in the Diaspora that:
“Guyana is on the right track. We need to now move our country forward, make sure it is safe, make sure it is secure, make sure it strong.”
He reminded that there is need for all Guyanese to live in unity, irrespective of ethnicity, as Guyana is a country with one nationality but different races. This, he noted, is what makes us unique to the world.
“My wife and I are very pleased to be with you here, to join with you in the observance of our country’s Independence. Where ever we are, where ever we have gone, we are one Guyanese people.”
According to the Prime Minister, Guyanese must know their history.
“When we celebrate the Independence of our country, we must realise that our fore parents made sacrifices. They paid the supreme price for winning this freedom and so it does not matter where you are. Guyanese, you are patriots!”
Emphasising this need, the Prime Minister explained that we need to be able to move forward to build the country on the basis of those who fought for our Independence.
He noted that Guyanese have to celebrate the fact that at long last we have been able to escape the dark era of oppression and want; “and that we have become now a model country, we are a model democracy, we observe freedoms. All freedoms!”
He stressed, our people have to learn from our past so as to emerge victorious in the new oil and gas sector.
“We are on the cusp, the very eve of becoming one of the wealthiest countries in the world,” Prime Minister Nagamootoo related.
Mrs. Sita Nagamootoo, who accompanied the Prime Minister, also wished the diaspora a happy Independence and encouraged them not have to look back anymore, “we are moving forward, and this is the only move we must do right now.”
Gracing the annual event were members of the diplomatic corps, including Guyana’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Michael Ten Pow and Consul-General to New York City, Barbara Atherly. Prime Minister Nagamootoo performed the duty of grand marshal of the parade and the military procession.
Images: Tejpaul Bridgemohan