Dr Jagan died on March 6, 1997 and many songs and poems were rendered by Essequibians in tribute to him.

Floral arrangements were also laid in his memory, including Mayor of Anna Regina, Mr Sammy Rampersaud, representatives of the Regional Administration, Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO), Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO) and Wakapau Amerindians, as well as Mr Isahack Basir of the PPP Reliance Office and Member of Parliament, Mr Heeralall Mohan.

Speaking at the commemoration, Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) Chairman, Mr Alli Baksh declared that Dr Jagan was a great man who will always be remembered by every Guyanese.

Baksh, a member of the Central Committee of the PPP, said the deceased had prestige that took him beyond this country’s shoreline and made him a Caribbean man and internationalist.

Alluding to dead author’s last book, ‘The New Global Human Order’, Baksh said international and human rights organisations and the United Nations are today using the publication as a guide to foster new policies for a better world.

Deputy Regional Executive Officer Deonarine said the former leader of the nation was great because of his unique, unwatched and unparalleled qualities.

Deonarine said Dr Jagan’s death can be described in verses from Shakespeare’s ‘Julius Ceasar’, among them one which states:“Cowards die many times before their death, the valiant tastes of death but once…”

Acording to Deonarine, Dr Jagan, who stalked this land of Guyana, demonstrated, even as he was dying, that death, in its mortal state, was immortal to him.

Such soothing, consoling, warm, encouraging and powerful words he bequeathed us when he said:“Everything will be alright.”

Deonarine said the death of Dr Jagan marked the end of a long, illustrious career, spanning half a century in which he led the struggle of the people of Guyana for independence and, still later, for the restoration of democracy.