![]() In the case of Guyana and Trinidad, the historical records, as noted by eminent historians, support my position. ![]() I believe that knowledge of the historical evolution of a people’s culture (of which religion is a significant component) is important to promote understanding and harmony in the multicultural, multiracial environment of Guyana. Some may wonder, why bother to write on this matter. We should rely on facts and not allow religion or any other factor to cloud our judgement in making our assessment of history. However, we must also be honest and open-minded in recognizing the truth. Indeed Indo-Guyanese must be grateful to the CM for the education they or their parents received in the CM schools. Regarding Guyana, I fully acknowledge and appreciate the role of the CM, especially in relation to their contribution to Indian education. I have no interest at this time to discuss what has happened or is happening in India. We need to be mindful though that Guyana is not India. In my letter of 1,475 words to recognize three outstanding individuals, Dr Bhagwan finds fault with one sentence of 25 words (“The CM focused on the education of East Indian children, mainly Hindus and to a lesser Muslims, with the aim of gaining converts to Christianity”) and this sentence was taken out off context to provide him a segue to write about India. My focus was on the Canadian Mission in Guyana. Readers of my letter will note that I made no reference to “the situation” in India. Since his letter is now in the public domain, much to my dislike I am compelled to set the record straight. ![]() I thank Dr Bhagwan for considering me his “respected former high school teacher”. He then continues “I beg to disagree with Harry on this point – especially regarding his reference to the situation in India”. Hergash (my respected former high school teacher) explained that his father was educated by the Presbyterian Canadian Mission (CM) School and surmised that, “The CM focused on the education of East Indian children, mainly Hindus and to a lesser Muslims, with the aim of gaining converts to Christianity”. Regrettably, he has misconstrued my reference to India when he writes “Mr. I understand his commitment to the Christian religion and his zeal in defending and spreading it. Certainly the letter was not intended to undervalue or denigrate the contribution of the Canadian Presbyterian Church, through its Canadian Mission arm, to the education of Indian children in Guyana during the colonial period.ĭr Bhagwan is a former student of mine from the mid 1960s when I taught Biology at the Annandale Government Secondary School. My intention, as the caption of my letter reflects, was to highlight and recognize the contributions of three outstanding Afro-Guyanese whose stories should be recorded. ![]() I write regarding Dr Devanand Bhagwan’s letter `The Canadian Mission established schools to lift lives stuck in the dark and miry clay’ (Stabroek News March 6, 2023) which is a response to my letter captioned “Three outstanding Afro-Guyanese of Eastern Mahaicony” (Stabroek News, February 22, 2023). ![]()
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