Why not open house, instead of a public holiday? Consumer Concerns By Eileen Cox Stabroek News February 25, 2001 It would be remiss of me not to refer to a question that concerns an overwhelming number of consumers. I refer to the unplanned public holidays. The news of the Andrew 'Six Heads' Lewis national holiday was unbelievable. It could not be accepted until seen in print. A public holiday is of such significance in our economy that one would expect deep thought to precede the announcement. Further, one would expect it to be announced in the Official Gazette. Certainly, the closure & banks should not be done in an off-hand manner. Our memories may be short, but many will remember the confusion and criticism that followed the sudden announcement of a public holiday for school children. An unexpected public holiday is not always a matter for joy. There was enough time for this announcement to be absorbed, but was it welcomed? Let us look at the many groups affected by a public holiday. Firstly, the daily paid workers. They are presently finding difficulty in making ends meet. With two public holidays in one week, they will be in serious trouble to feed their families and meet their commitments. The proprietors of businesses. No production on two days in one week and those who work to be paid double time. Banks play a vital role in a community and loss of a day's work must reflect on their capacity to perform efficiently. The business in the Courts is seriously affected. Already there are complaints about delays in concluding judicial matters. Monday is the day for Transports and Mortgages. There is a backlog and now further delay. In the medical field everything goes awry. Appointments are to be cancelled and rescheduled. Dentists, doctors, physiotherapists, surgeons - all are affected. Those waiting patiently for the week to end before taking sick children to a doctor must wait a day longer and vie with a larger crowd for attention. Vendors, proprietors and drivers in garages, taxi drivers, mini-bus drivers, conductors and owners - all are affected by a public holiday that is announced on the spur of the moment. The list is far from complete. In my youthful days, public holidays were sad days. There was no opportunity for meeting people and life was worth living only with a circle of friends. Andrew 'Six Heads' Lewis did not become the World Boxing Association Welterweight Champion by celebrating the achievement of others. Early in life he must have realised his potential. As he said "I travelled a hard road. I was dedicated. I trained hard, listened to my trainers and managers and this is where it carried me." Hard work is something that too many Guyanese resist. Only our farmers and those who provide us with produce from their kitchen gardens regard work as a daily toil. Too many of us like Tennyson's Lotus-Eaters would say: "Why are we weigh'd down with heaviness, And utterly consumed with sharp distress, While all things else have rest from weariness? All things have rest: why should we toil alone, We only toil, who are the first of things." As our thought go deeper, we ask ourselves: Why do we celebrate and proclaim the achievement of physical effort and not mental effort? Have we ever thought of celebrating the achievements of the many Guyanese who have attained world fame? Our Joseph Tyndall and Hugh Cholmondeley, our Dr Shahabudeen and Martin Carter, should we not set them up as achievers and urge the youth of today to make them their heroes? At this time in our history, it is driving another nail in our coffin to declare an additional public holiday. When you make a comment on the paucity of shoppers in Water Street and around the Stabroek Market, the answer comes without variation "People have no money". If people have no money, how can they celebrate? Far better would it have been for Open House to have been declared. After a hard day's work all and sundry, who so desired, could have enjoyed free drinks and food. That would have been something. Follow the goings-on in Guyana in Guyana Today If you do not see the 'Guyana: Land of Six Peoples' drop-down menu on the left then please click here to enter through the front door which will give you additional options and information.