From Cliff Rajkumar; DECEMBER 15TH, 2023
Seeing so many of our old friends at this splendid event last evening was a refreshing reconnection to chat, mingle, and, yes, to see how TIME continues to change and has even discarded some of us in its onward march.
It was great to see Jeff, Basil, Haro, Jay, and so many others whom I have not seen in a long time. time, aging, COVID-19 and other toxic geo-political and world events have clearly reshaped and reset the world in many ways in the past few years.
Upon reflection, some of the changes were progressive, but many are quite disturbing and even regressive from a civilizational and humanistic point of view. The war in Ukraine, Gaza, and Israel and now this dastardly existential border threat from Venezuela that Maduro has cunningly chosen to excavate for his political convenience and inglorious benefit. This egotistical despot is yet again proving that unbridled dictatorial ambition represents the greatest threat to peaceful coexistence and harmony in our fragile world today.
Notwithstanding, it was great to see that this AWARD presentation for Danny encouraged so many of us to acknowledge and recognize him for his invaluable contribution to the diaspora, Guyana, and also Canada over the years. Indeed! Danny played a key role for over a decade in promoting Guyana, building goodwill and, no doubt, striving to create a dynamic and harmonious synergy with his relentless networking efforts to break barriers and forge friendships with Canada’s multicultural ethnic landscape.
Danny’s capacity for bringing people together to organize and successfully execute some of the ambitious programs that he undertook speaks to his par excellence, dedication, and commitment to his purpose in faithfully serving Guyana without compromise. The Guyana trade exhibitions, recognition awards for Guyanese excellence and the summer festivals, among other cultural events and causes like the devastating flood in 2005, attest to Danny’s sense of pride and patriotism for his beloved homeland. He is an uncommon champion in his own right.
Ned, you also have been an iconic goodwill ambassador for Guyana and represent the integral values that we all strive to preserve and share, ie…of being progressive, industrious and a people seeking to live in peaceful, law-abiding coexistence wherever we choose to settle. As well, our cultured generosity and inherited tendency to be kindhearted, characterize the personalities of most Guyanese…from our generation.
You, sir, have been, rain or shine, the one to show up with your camera to record and capture these very special and momentous occasions. Kudos to you.
It was a great event, made even better by the rekindling of old friendships…with appreciation to Ken Singh for sponsoring the tables.
Please share with the others since I do not have the addresses of many who were there, also.
CliffR.
