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On October 12th 2022, we hosted a topical discussion with Chairman of ANUG, Timothy Jonas, where he discussed the nature of identity politics in Guyana. Subsequently the Government of Guyana reached out to exercise their right to reply. This is that podcast!

By way of context, Guyana is on the precipitous of extraordinary change. It is home to one of the world’s largest oil reserves and is seen as the “lungs of the planet”.  Unfortunately, despite this, the country seems to be cemented by deep ethnic divisions with some claiming that the nation is on the verge of apartheid between the Indian and African communities.

Today I am joined by Minister Gail Teixeira as she discussed the ideas of national identity and we look at whether the concept of “one people, one destiny” can truly end divisions.

About Gail Teixeira

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance of Guyana

Hon. Gail Teixeira, M.P., Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, was born in Georgetown, Guyana where she attended the St. Roses High School. Minister Teixeira advanced her secondary education at the David and Mary Thompson Collegiate in Canada before reading for her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Toronto (1970-1974) and her Master’s Degree in Political Science at York University, Toronto (1974-1976).

Minister Teixeira then began her political career at the age of nineteen in Toronto, Canada as an active participant in the Anti-Apartheid struggle in South Africa and the struggles for African liberation and the return of democracy in Chile, Nicaragua and her own native land, Guyana. She then chose to return to her country of birth to serve the people of Guyana and work for the improvement of the lives of all Guyanese, especially the most vulnerable and marginalized.

Minister Teixeira has held series of ministerial portfolios since the first free and fair elections in 1992, and has served Guyana as Minister of Health, Minister of Home Affairs, Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, and now as Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance. She has also served as a Presidential Advisor on Governance to numerous Executive Presidents of Guyana. Minister Teixeira is also the Chief Whip of the Peoples Progressive Party Civic in the National Assembly, and has held this position since 2012.

Between 2015-2020, she represented the PPP/C, as the then Parliamentary Opposition, on the Ministerial Advisory Committee on the Guyana-Venezuela Border Controversy among many other key roles. During the period leading up to and after the 2020 elections, Minister Teixeira was on the forefront fighting for democracy as the will of the Guyanese electorate was being threatened by a dictatorship styled caretaker government.

On August 2, 2020, Minister Teixeira was appointed and sworn in as the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance alongside His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali who was chosen by the Guyanese electorate to serve as the ninth Executive President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. She is also currently the longest serving Member of Parliament in Guyana’s National Assembly, with over 30 consecutive years of experience.

Minister Teixeira has combined motherhood with a career of public service, underpinned by a passionate commitment to democracy and nation-building, and continues to demonstrate innovative, unconventional, daring and disciplined leadership.

Source: https://mpag.gov.gy/our-minister/

About the Global Indian Series:

My name is Rajan Nazran Chief Explorer for the Global Indian Series, the official platform for people of Indian origin (PIO) and liberal minds, because let’s face it, we are everywhere!

For over 15 years I have travelled across the globe deep diving into 60+ countries whilst exploring the kaleidoscope of our remarkable 50 shades of brown community.

Voyaging to the edges of the Amazon, facing Ebola in West Africa, being held hostage in Eastern Europe, tapping rubber in Malaysia, drinking chai with Heads of State and sharing laughter with local fishermen – I have been there, looking for the ideas that re-shape a nation.

My purpose is simple, to build a living encyclopaedia of the human experience of the community and a safe mooring ground for open discussions, whether you are an NRI, Indian Diaspora, person of Indian origin (PIO) or a fan of South Asian anthropology, join in as we bring people and communities together.

Through our range of award-winning original content (print, podcasts, events and TV) and fascinating discussions, our impactful stories and platforms have spearheaded national and international conversations that have brought people together.  Our work is featured in global brands including The Indian Express through to the CNBC network.

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Interested in getting involved in building the world’s largest living encyclopaedia on the community? Whether you want to become a patron, buy us a chai in a new location or have your story shown, simply get in touch via our website, we would love to hear from you. www.globalindianseries.com

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Episode: 147

Presenter – Rajan Nazran

Producer –Global Indian Series/NazranRoth

Guest: Gail Teixeira

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Support change: A little favour to ask-We believe true freedom is to be able to act without fear or favour and that identity is not a “brand” to be abused, politicized, or reduced for personal gain. As Global Indians, the need to work together is greater now than ever before.  If we want to see real change, we need to create a better society for all, tackle injustice and plunge into the many aspects of what the human experience truly offers.The Global Indian Series has been built to be a platform of integrity, fairness and to remain fiercely independent of political influence. We are the first in the world to connect with every echelon of society with all human voices being treated equally.  We are the first to have travelled physically to locations far and wide, often putting our own lives on the line to bring forward stories that deserve to be told.  Whether it’s through our Podcast that delves into the human experience behind identity, our articles and features that cover key events we need to know, or live based events that tackle topical discussions, we have been there to support a better community and planet.Despite the high costs and time needed to maintain our work, we continue, because we know our work has helped more people understand what is happening within the communities across our planet, why it matters, and how, together, we can demand progress.  We challenge head-on, the silent divisions that have crept into our collective consciousness and how to tackle key issues that often go neglected in mainstream media.How you can help:Please share our work: By collaborating with others who share our values, our combined voices make change, with many more becoming inspired to take meaningful action.Subscribe to the platform:Many from across our community have decided to subscribe to our platform. It helps us grow which in turns attracts like-minded supporters. If you have not already, we would appreciate you subscribing to our newsletters and following our social media accounts. It is free and supports our journey.