The activities are designed to commemorate the fifth death anniversary of Dr. Jagan, who passed away on March 6, 1997, and to observe the 84th year of his birth, which would be marked on March 22, the PPP/C said.

There will be a remembrance ceremony Sunday at the Baboo John, Port Mourant, East Berbice cemetery where Dr. Jagan was cremated.

The ceremony will feature speeches by acting President Sam Hinds, widow of Dr. Jagan and former President, Mrs. Janet Jagan, and PPP/C General Secretary, Mr. Donald Ramotar.

The programme will include a cultural segment of poetry, singing, drumming and readings from Dr. Jagan's books.

"For us in the PPP, and I am sure all Guyana, remembering Dr. Jagan evokes strong feelings. He was a teacher, a visionary and a good and reliable friend of the people, especially the downtrodden," Mr. Ramotar said at a news conference yesterday at Freedom House, headquarters of the PPP.

He noted that since Dr. Jagan's death, his party and the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre have been organising annual activities to remind the nation of his contributions to "the political evolution of modern day Guyana and views on social and political issues."

"In the fifth year since his untimely departure, on reflection it is not difficult to wonder why his absence has not diminished the respect, the fondness, the love, the devotion and complete reverence in which he is regarded," Ramotar said.

"Cheddi Jagan's status as an indefatigable fighter for the upliftment of the dispossessed, disadvantaged people not only in Guyana, but the world over is universally acknowledged. This facet of the leader has endeared him to the rank and file members of our community and engendered support, which never waned," he added.

"Internationally, Dr. Jagan's fervour and determination in carrying the fight for redressing the imbalance between rich and poor countries has been widely acclaimed. He will also be credited with his persistent advocacy at world fora for a New Global Human Order."

"In 1992, under Dr. Jagan's leadership, our country embarked on the democratic course and the challenging road to reconstruction and building a country in which all our people can enjoy comfortable and free lives...as a people, we owe it to him to ensure that the realisation of his desires and aspirations are achieved by all of us working together as one people, one nation and one destiny," he said.

Sharing the news conference yesterday were Mrs. Jagan and PPP Executive member, Mr. Robert Persaud.

NIGHT OF REFLECTION
As part of the programme, on March 6, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr. Harripersaud Nokta will lead a remembrance ceremony at Karasabai, Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo). Also on March 6, from 18:00 hrs, there will be a night of reflection at Freedom House, with Mrs. Jagan and Ramotar.

The party said that throughout the month, selected quotations from Dr. Jagan's book `The West on Trial' will be published in the daily newspapers.

On March 14, Guyana's Ambassador to Washington, Dr. Odeen Ishmael will deliver a lecture at Red House entitled `Cheddi Jagan - glimpses of an internationalist'.

On March 21, Freedom House will host a public symposium on globalisation and panellists will be Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, and PPP Executive members, Dr. Frank Anthony and Ms. Indra Chandarpal.

At the Abramsville School on the Essequibo Coast on March 21, Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Navin Chandarpal, Mr. Omesh Oudit and Ms. Sabra Basir will feature at a public symposium, the party said.

On March 22, there will be a tree planting exercise at the Cheddi Jagan Research Institute and the Enmore Polyclinic on the East Coast Demerara is scheduled for commissioning. Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy and Mrs. Jagan will attend the ceremony.

On March 24, a grand family fun day titled `Remembering Cheddi' is slated for State House on Main Street, Georgetown. A football tournament is also scheduled for Linden the same day.

On March 27, the University of Guyana's Berbice Campus will be the venue for a public symposium on the topic `Dr. Jagan - Visionary, Teacher and Friend'. Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation, Mr. Clement Rohee, Mr. Robert Persaud and Ms. B. Moti will feature at this activity.

On March 31, a Cheddi Jagan Fitness Walk is billed for the National Park, Georgetown in the morning.

From March 22 to 30, there will be a book and photographic exhibition at the National Library in Georgetown. The launching will take place on March 23 with UG Vice Chancellor Dr. James Rose, Mrs. Jagan, and Ms. Nadia Jagan-Brancier.

From March 22 to 21 the youth arm of the PPP, the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) will hold a National PYO Inter-Group Debating competition on the life and work of Dr. Jagan.

A national Softball Cricket Competition will run throughout the month.

"These are not the only activities", Ramotar noted at yesterday's news conference.

"Party groups and social, religious and community organisations have planned a number of remembrance events. We encourage all Guyanese to support those that I have mentioned and others as we celebrate the life and work of this great son of Guyana", he said. (NEIL MARKS)