'Big Lime' sets the pace for Mash 2000
by Linda Rutherford
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo promised yesterday that next year's will be the biggest Mashramani (Republic anniversary) celebrations the country has ever seen, pledging into the bargain the government's full support, above and beyond what it has done in previous years. "Mash next year will be one of the biggest ever in the country", he said at the opening of the tourism extravaganza `The Main Big Lime' on Main Street, Georgetown. "I can assure the public that there will be full government support going beyond what government has done in the past years so that this could be a reality", he said. President Jagdeo also announced that `The Main Big Lime', first conceptualised by former Trade, Tourism and Industry Minister, Mr Michael Shree-Chan, is to be the precursor of a festive season that will run until Mashramani, Guyana's carnival-style celebrations held every year for the February 23 Republic anniversary. The idea, according to him, is to redefine `Mash' in an effort to fuse Tourism Awareness Month, observed annually in November, with the traditional festive season of Christmas and Mashramani "into one cultural symphony", as was recently proposed by a leading expert. The President said he has asked Youth, Sport and Culture Minister, Ms Gail Teixeira to arrange a planning session at which government and private sector representatives and past `Mash' organisers will sit and work together at meeting that goal. Among other announcements the President made was that the European Union (EU) has agreed to commit 100,000 Euros to the renovation of the old Chess Hall on Main Street to house the proposed Tourism Authority. This was in consonance with an agreement made at the historical business summit with the private sector early last month, that the government would house and fund the Tourism Authority for a period yet to be agreed upon, and that additional tax incentives would be given to sector-leading investments to stimulate growth in the tourism sector. He said the EU arrangement was confirmed at the recently-concluded Fifth Meeting of the Joint Executive Committee of Cariforum in Santa Domingo, and that work on the project is to begin shortly. Also in the works is an advisory committee, whose members have already been selected, and whose task will be to identify, map and develop tourism locations outlined in a report submitted by Major General Joe Singh of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). Admitting to being "exceptionally" pleased at being associated with `The Main Big Lime', President Jagdeo said his immediate thought when he first heard about it during its embryo stages was that it was "another perfect opportunity to bring thousands of Guyanese together in an atmosphere of celebration". He said while some may be wondering at the rationale behind the activity, it was equally difficult to ask a Guyanese his reason "for bussing a lime." He also admitted to doing a bit of liming himself, even though he is often accused of being a spoil-sport seeing that he is a teetotaller. His favourite liming spot, he said, is the `Campsite', at the corner of Camp Street and South Road, where he meets a lot of old friends for a chat over coffee. He saw the pockets of curious onlookers that kept edging nearer to better hear what he had to say, in addition to the special invitees under the huge marquee erected outside the Bank of Guyana, and the anticipated crowds later in the day, as a fusion of cultures and races. The overall response to the event, he said, is evidence enough that people are anxious to come together to ease the tensions that frequently plague them. "This, I have no doubt, will deepen our social unity which needs to be more manifest in our other national events", the President said, adding "the interactive nature of these events is what will forge our quest for common national objectives." He noted that it may well be the way to go as the country sells its tourism product, first to Guyanese and then to overseas visitors. "I see this activity having a potential of developing its own identity", the President said, promising the assistance of the government, as much as it can, in such areas as policy making and coordination. Restaurants and business firms along Main Street and other entities put up special booths and events as part of the project. Among those also making contributions at the opening ceremony was City Mayor Mr Hamilton Green, who not only hoped that there was "a deeper intent and purpose" behind the exercise, in light of the social and other tensions in the society, but that the same energies expended on cleaning up Main Street for the event will also be accorded the entire city. He said the cleanliness of the city was not a matter for the Mayor and City Council alone but something that must concern the government since "you cannot attract tourists and have an effective tourist industry if your city is in a state of decay". He expressed hope that President Jagdeo will do whatever he can to give legal and other support to the institutions entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining the integrity of the city. Those in attendance included former Minister Shree-Chan, looking hale and hearty and full of `go' in spite of undergoing major surgery just recently, Prime Minister Sam Hinds, Agriculture Minister, Mr Reepu Daman Persaud, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Mr Charles Ramson and members of the diplomatic community. Musical entertainment was provided by the Police Force Band, the Joint Services Choir and soloist Mr Rupert Singh. A skit performed by children from the Tiger Bay community not only raised eyebrows at their level of intelligence but also provided some measure of comic relief as did the Joint Services Choir while rendering a medley of local folk songs. The opening was chaired by newly-appointed Trade, Tourism and Industry Minister, Mr Geoffrey DaSilva, while Mr Donald Sinclair, one of the three prime movers behind the event, the other being Mr Al Creighton, moved the vote of thanks. At press time, the fun was set to continue well into the night
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