We must see each other as the same to achieve national unity – President Ali

– Says all Guyanese have a role to play in safeguarding our society

His Excellency Dr Irfaan Ali said that all Guyanese must respect and treat each other as part of the same collective family in order for the country to achieve national unity.

The President expressed the hope that Guyanese would see similarities over differences and would band together out of appreciation for our uniqueness and our oneness.

He pointed out that achieving national unity would not be a smooth road given that there are numerous challenges; but noted that it should be the only road, especially since fundamentally we are stronger together.

“How often do we see each other first and foremost as human beings? And fundamentally that is what all of us are—human beings. We are the same human beings, made up the same way; and that is the first fundamental pillar we have to change in our thought process—seeing each other not as orange, pink, white, blue [and] green, but seeing each other fundamentally as part of the same family of humanity. And that is a fundamental principle that we would have to establish on this journey of achieving national unity.”

The Head of State made these comments during his feature remarks at the 125th Birth Anniversary celebrations of His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada at the Hare Krishna Study Centre in Cummings Lodge today.

The late Prabhupada founded the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) commonly known as the Hare Krishna movement.

INSPIRATION

The President noted that whenever he visits any of the ISKCON’s facilities across the country he always feels comfortable, welcomed and honoured.  He said that Prabhupada’s life experiences and work can be reflected on to see “real examples, real principles, real values that existed and continue to exist that shape the mind and thinking of individuals”.

Those values and principles, he added, must be translated into our own lives.

He explained that while spiritual and political leaders are seen on the extreme ends of the spectrum, it is not entirely true given that both have similar tasks.

“A spiritual leader has the responsibility of instilling values, principles, morals, ethics, of shaping the lives and enhancing the wisdom of their devotees, their followers. A political leader is guided by principles, values, a system of governance, ethics, morals that should go into shaping the lives of those that he is or she is leading, and also contribute positively to changes in society. So then what is the difference,” the President reasoned.

He explained that the difference between the two comes because in politics there is competition internally and at a national level. This competition, he said, drives people to try to stay ahead of each other.

SELF GROWTH

However, President Ali noted that in normalising the relationship and in achieving national unity, every Guyanese should fundamentally understand that “we must govern ourselves by certain principles and values that make up society”.

He added that there can be the “fiercest competition” but values must be established; which already exist in the country’s constitution.

“We must all subscribe to freedom, we must subscribe to fundamental rights, we must all subscribe to democracy, we must all subscribe to the rule of law, we must all subscribe to equitable treatment and we must all subscribe to a fair opportunity in our country.”

The President added that the same efforts that Guyanese use to preserve their spiritual beliefs should be used to enhance the unity of our country.

“…We each play a role in safeguarding, just like this movement will safeguard the values and principles that guide your philosophy, your belief system, you will safeguard that. We also have an equal responsibility to safeguard the same values and principles that cements us as a society. So, let us be better humans to each other. Let us be a bit kinder to each other. Let us care for each other a bit more. Let us understand that a better neighbour, a strong neighbour, is better for us. A weaker neighbour creates greater vulnerability for us.” Also attending the celebration were former President, Donald Ramotar; Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, the Honourable Anil Nandlall; Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Honourable Hugh Todd; Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, the Honourable Charles Ramson Jr; Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, the Honourable Kwame McCoy and the High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Dr KJ Srinivasa, among other representatives.