Independence Day celebrates the moment in history when, after 350 years of Dutch and British colonisation, our peoples abolished foreign rule. This notion was amplified by President David Granger in an address to at the flag raising ceremony to mark Guyana 51st anniversary as an independent nation.
According to the President, “We established a ‘free state’ with the hope of ensuring equality and eradicating poverty. It was the day on which we adopted our own Constitution and erected institutions to govern ourselves and guarantee our freedom.”
But he also underscored that, Independence Day celebrates, the unique combination of the people who came –Africans, Chinese, Indians and Portuguese – and who, with the Amerindians, who lived here from time immemorial, contributed to the creation of a multi-racial and multi-religious state.
H
e pointed out that the ‘free state’ that “we established on 26th May 1966 recognised our commitment to social cohesion through which we learn to accept and respect each other’s values and beliefs and to share the common space we call our homeland.”
The ‘free state’, he said, is one that is free from discrimination; it is one that is built on the basis of respect for cultural diversity, political inclusivity and social equality.
“The ‘free state’ recognises our common and complex heritage. It reminds us of Chinese Arrival Day, celebrated on 12th January; of Portuguese Arrival Day, celebrated on 3rd May; of Indian Arrival Day, celebrated on 5th May; of African Emancipation Day, celebrated on 1st August and of Indigenous Heritage Month, observed throughout September.”
Moreover, the Head of State said that the ‘free state’ re-commits Guyana to dismantling the divisions of geography. Disparities between hinterland and coastland and between rural and urban communities, eventually, must be eliminated so that no group feels excluded, he added.
It is the hope of President Granger that the 51st anniversary of Independence inspires the nation to continue to work towards preserving the ‘free state,’ towards establishing a ‘green state’ and towards creating a ‘cohesive state.’