Dear Editor,
I write to give a shout out to KN publisher Glenn Lall for the objectivity of the paper and its balanced coverage on matters relating to politics (upcoming elections). Opinions for and against the political parties are published without the paper taking sides. Mr. Lall has a role to play in politics. It will be a national loss if Mr. Lall does not enter into the political fray. People are crying for political change and his name frequently comes up as a partner with other new movements. If Mr. Lall and Azruddin Mohamed were to team up, it would be a guaranteed victory as they will give us a new kind of politics away from tribalism and self-interests that we have been accustomed to for seventy years. The future of the country lies in their hands. I urge both men to meet and discuss the future of the country. Azruddin is a newcomer to politics and Glenn is a veteran observer of politics. For over two decades, Glenn has used his media to protect democracy and in bringing about political change in Guyana in 2011, 2015, 2020, and he has a meaningful role to play in 2025. He can guarantee change.
I also wish to call out a few writers for their courage in penning objective views and appeals for moral leadership and good governance in the papers. They have an important role to play in guiding the public on the politics. Among them are GHK Lall, Chris Ram, Dr. Vishnu Bisram, and Keith Bernard. They seem fearless amidst government campaign to victimise and blacklist them and others; all critics and anyone who stands up to government wrong doing is blacklisted and victimized. The opposition does not stand up for them. The international community needs to take note that the government uses the public purse paying writers to attack them as well as Glenn Lall. Kit Nascimento, for example, who is advisor to Irfaan Ali, went after the gallant Ram, who I am sure will respond to defend his name as the God did.
I never met Dr. Bisram. He is among a few writers who convey the public’s attitude towards the politicians and political parties in Guyana. He frequently gave us a report on public views of government. And his commentaries, like those of Bernard, Lall, Ram, tend to be objective, unbiased, and neutral on the political contests in Guyana.
Dr Bisram has been more than just a commentator. For decades, he has been a frequent reporter on diaspora events. And he is more known for his political analyses and being a pollster. He has used his extensive academic background and knowledge of political, social and economic affairs and his five decades of experience writing on Guyanese issues to pen impartial commentaries. His responses to critics and issues have been analytical, founded on facts. Dr Bisram is considered as one of Guyana’s most influential voices on various issues especially on popularity of government, politicians, and public views on issues. No one else does his kind of voluntary surveying of public opinion.
Not only do his reports, commentaries, declarations, and interventions carry weight in Guyana, but they also carry weight among diplomats in Guyana and those from other countries looking inside Guyana, policy makers in Washington and other countries, and international organizations. And when Guyana’s reputation is called into question or assaulted by Venezuela and other nations, Dr Bisram does not hesitate to take the initiative and respond logically and forcefully.
For decades, Dr. Bisram has been known to make bold and unafraid pronouncements on popularity of those seeking elective office, and in so doing has garnered the attention of the general public. In multiple writings, he did not shy away from challenging false narratives on Guyana and personal ad hominem attacks from paid scribes and opportunists who are peddling propaganda.
The public should disregard the sleaze from anti-Ram, anti-Glenn, and anti-GHK writers and those who used to utter racist rants against Dr and Mrs. Jagan, the PPP, and its support base. What is regrettable is that the new PPP of Jagdeo and Irfaan Ali has embraced racists who used to attack its supporters. People with letters behind their names are shamelessly supporting sleaze against people who fought for free and fair elections and for the right of PPP to govern. The public, PPP supporters, also needs to take note that sleaze characters are being paid handsomely by this PPP government to attack individuals who contributed so much to our nation.
I appeal to Azruddin and Glenn to come together and save our country from the rascals who have mis-governed over the last 60 years.
Yours truly,
Akash Balram
