Cheddi Jagan


Cheddi Berret Jagan was a Guyanese politician who was first elected Chief Minister in 1953 and later Premier of British Guiana from 1961 to 1964, prior to independence. He later served as President of Guyana from 1992 to 1997. He is widely regarded in Guyana as the Father of the Nation. In 1953, he became the first person of Indian descent along with being the first Hindu to be a head of government outside of South Asia.

Early life

Cheddi Berret Jagan was born on 22 March 1918 in Port Mourant, a rural village in the county of Berbice. Jagan was the eldest of 11 children born to Hindu Indian parents of the Kurmi caste who came from the present-day state of Uttar Pradesh in the then British India to then British Guiana as indentured labourers. His mother Bachaoni, who was a child at the time, and her mother came from India. His father Jagan, who was also a child at the time, his mother and an uncle came from India. They were from the Basti district, North-Western Provinces, British India. His family grew up in rural poverty and worked in the cane fields to support themselves. By the age of 15, Jagan's father wanted to make sure his son attended school and sent him to Queen's College in the capital city of Georgetown, about away, for the next three years. In Georgetown, Jagan saw life differently, coming as he did from a poor background. After he graduated from high school, finding a job was almost impossible. Finally his father decided to send him to the United States to study dentistry.

Stay in the United States

Jagan left for the United States in September 1936 with two friends and did not return to British Guiana until October 1943. He lived in Washington, D.C. for two years and attended Howard University, taking a pre-dental course, worked two summers in New York, and spent the last five years in Chicago at Northwestern University. At school, he was a dedicated student, and his hard work earned him a free tuition scholarship for his second year at Howard and in 1938 entry into Northwestern for a four-year dental program.

Political career

Jagan co-founded the Political Affairs Committee in 1946, and was subsequently elected to the Legislative Council in November 1947 as an independent candidate from Central Demerara constituency. On 1 January 1950, the People's Progressive Party was founded by a merger of the PAC and the British Guiana Labour Party, with Jagan as its leader, former BGLP leader Forbes Burnham as its chairman and Jagan's wife Janet as secretary.
Jagan won elections in 1953. However, Winston Churchill was alarmed by fears that Jagan was a Marxist-Leninist, and was convinced Jagan could allow the Soviet Union a foothold in South America. In fact, there is no evidence whatsoever that Jagan had any ties to any foreign communist or revolutionary groups. But still, the fears prompted a British military intervention only days after his victory. Jagan resigned as Chief Minister after 133 days. Britain suspended the constitution and installed an interim government. Jagan's movements were restricted to Georgetown from 1954 to 1957. After a PPP victory in the August 1961 elections, Jagan became Chief Minister for a second time, serving for three years. In the December 1964 elections, the PPP won a plurality of votes, but Burnham's party, the People's National Congress, and the conservative United Force held a majority of seats and were invited to form the government. However, Jagan refused to resign, and had to be removed by Governor Richard Luyt. Having broken off links with Burnham, Jagan was active in the government as a labour activist and leader of the opposition.

Later life

After 28 years in opposition, the PPP won the 5 October 1992 elections with about 54% of the vote, and Jagan became President. Contrary to earlier foreign fears, he governed as a democratic socialist.

Death

Jagan suffered a heart attack on 15 February 1997 and was taken to Georgetown Hospital before being flown by U.S. military aircraft then by U.S. Air Force helicopter from Andrews Air Force Base to Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C., later that day. He underwent heart surgery there and died in Washington on 6 March 1997, 16 days before his 79th birthday. Prime Minister Sam Hinds succeeded him as President and declared six days of mourning, describing Jagan as the "greatest son and patriot that has ever walked this land".

Family

He married Janet Rosenberg in 1943, and the couple had two children, Nadira and Cheddi Jr..
Janet Jagan followed her husband's footsteps and held the positions of prime minister and president in 1997.

Legacy

The Cheddi Jagan Research Centre in Georgetown celebrates his life and work, complete with a replication of his office. The country’s international airport is also named after him.

Selected publications

Jagan was also an important political author and speechwriter, and his publications include: