Guyanese should show more concern for the well-being of their relatives -Jagdeo
Stabroek News
December 29, 2002
President Bharrat Jagdeo is calling on Guyanese to show more concern for the well-being of their fellow countrymen, especially relatives, a GINA release stated. He said that this would eliminate the problem of the large number of destitute persons, both young and old, evident in society. The Head of State was at the time addressing the beneficiaries of the Dharm Shala in Albouystown, at its annual Christmas lunch on Wednesday. Every year the management of the Dharm Shala hosts a lunch for inmates and visitors to the institution. The President served lunch to those gathered and spent a considerable part of Christmas Day there.
The Dharm Shala is managed by the Ramsaroop family who maintain it with the help of public donations and a subvention from the government.
The President was in high praise of the work done by the Ramsaroops to keep the facility going over the years, despite changing economic conditions. "They have with total commitment and dedication maintained these facilities and as a country we are grateful for this," the President said.
While commending the efforts of all institutions which cater for the unfortunate, the President observed that if Guyanese were more compassionate such institutions would be less burdened, or could even become extinct. "If we have more compassion in this country, if families took care of their children and their elders more keenly, and if we looked after our neighbours and cared for each other more, then all the orphanages and homes and other places where they keep children and destitute people could be closed," he said.
The President called on the religious community to take the reins of this struggle to foster compassion among members of society.
He renewed his government's commitment to make life better for all Guyanese not only by improving the infrastructure but also by making Guyana socially liveable for all Guyanese, regardless of race, religion or political persuasion. He expressed also the hope that 2003 would see significant accomplishments in this area.
He also extolled the Guyanese people's ability to bear hardships and the many challenges being encountered locally, regionally and internationally. "Our people have a resilience that is unmatched anywhere in the world. They can overcome hardships. Hardships will continue, but our country is a young one and we will persevere to find comfortable solutions to our problems," he said.
At present the Dharm Shala caters for about 75 inmates and there are about 30 others who visit occasionally.
