Dear Editor:
The continuing ‘neglect’ of burial grounds has hit the media again; for example, Freddie Kissoon’s column last Sunday and John Rich’s letter have raised major concerns about the fact that several burial grounds have degenerated into forested dumpsites.
I am personally aware of the condition of several burial grounds, including the ones at Blairmont and Cotton Tree in West Berbice that are not only forested but which also harbour dangerous reptiles and insects, including the deadly ‘African Bees’. (However, I must also acknowledge that there are some very well-kept burial grounds in Guyana; I also recall the fact that when I was working in Bangladesh, I used to go for my morning walks in the beautifully kept cemetery in Dhaka with its manicured lawns and paved walkways).
I believe that well-maintained cremation sites are a better alternative to unkept burial grounds; they are considerably less difficult to maintain, more easily accessible to women, children, the old and infirm, and certainly more dignified than what obtains currently.
It is in this context that I cordially and humbly invite those who are not yet familiar with the Blairmont Crematorium & Memorial Garden to visit the site (located south of the Blairmont Estae sugar factory). This facility includes an all-weather access road, a concrete car park for at least 50 cars, a comfortable pavillion that can seat 200 persons, rooms for meditation and prayers, flush-toilet facilities for men and women, a canteen, two pyres, etc, all within a beautiful garden setting of flowers and many tall trees providing additional shade for those who cannot be accommodated in or do not want to use the pavillion.
The garden setting adds to the serenity and agreeableness of the ambience. Facilities are also available for conducting all relevant religious rites and ceremonies.
In the same way that we make certain good, special and often elaborate provisions to welcome our fellow human beings into this world, let us try to give a similarly good ‘send-off’ to our deceased families and friends.
Nowrang Persaud, Guyana

Dear Editor:
I recently returned to Guyana after a brief trip to the United States. The trip afforded me the opportunity to interact with several Guyanese, some of whom I have not met for years.
Based on conversations, I get the impression that many Guyanese are willing to return home either on holiday or to stay permanently, but they are very concerned about their safety, especially following the recent prison fiasco in which several prisoners escaped from custody. The crime situation is uppermost in the minds of most Guyanese I interacted with.
There is growing concern also over what appears to be a return to authoritarian rule in the country. Many expressed fear to even return home on holiday due to the perception of crime which, even though somewhat exaggerated, could impact negatively on the economy in terms of tourist arrivals and consequently foreign exchange inflows.
Guyanese, especially those who spent their formative years in Guyana before taking up residence in North America, long to come back home if the objective and subjective conditions in the country improve. The emerging oil and gas economy provide a ray of hope, but this is unlikely to be enough unless supported by an enabling political environment based on democratic and good governance, and the rule of law.
The potential for diaspora engagement and involvement in our development processes are enormous, but the mood appears to be one of pessimism in the short to medium term outlook. This is why it is so critical not to send out mixed signals regarding the future of this country. The government in particular has an obligation to initiate the process of constitutional reforms in the direction of democratic and inclusive governance. The signals emanating from the current APNU+AFC government are not encouraging in this regard.
Guyanese at home and abroad look forward to a better Guyana. It is time for our politicians to rise to the occasion and put the good of the country above narrow partisan and sectarian interest.
Hydar Ally via email

Dear Editor:
The question I would like to ask as a disabled blind pensioner is, are we a caring society?
On Monday, the 7th of August I experienced that we are not a caring a society. I was tracked and pick-pocketed in the heart of Georgetown, somewhere around the car park or Stabroek Square.
I had ten thousand dollars in my right-side pants pocket, with my ID card, and in the other pocket I had two thousand five hundred dollars.
I went into the Stabroek Market to buy a pair of yachting shoes which cost two thousand five hundred dollars. The one side pocket did not have not enough money to pay for the shoes and buy other things, as well as pay my transportation, so I therefore went into the other pocket only to discover the ten thousand dollars lost and the ID card still there.
It’s very hard for me to experience this situation.
Laurie Greenidge via email