Masakui Rungsung | I have been there!

ALL NICE things must come to an end, so they say. And so is my extended tour of duty in Jamaica.

Moving to a new place every three years is something I and my family have got used to very early. But moving to Jamaica, more than three years ago, at a time when the entire world was gripped with the COVID-19 pandemic was something uniquely different. The gloom of the pandemic that overcast through 2021 and a part of 2022 seemed to have shortened my tenure. I must, however, hasten to say that it was more the quality time that I and my family spent that made me feel the time slipped so fast.

From day one of my arrival in Jamaica, the host Government has been very supportive that made me settle down quickly and hit the ground running. And the deeply rooted democracy and stable macroeconomic parameters, strong democratic institutions, this beautiful island country called ‘Jamaica’ is characterised with quickly captivating my imagination. The recently concluded local elections, a sample of democracy at play, left a lingering flavour in my mouth.

I do not, by any means, wish this note to be mistaken for a report card of my stay in Jamaica for I have nothing worthy to claim credit for. I have not taken wickets neither have I hit fours much less sixes, nor could I make runs in those heavy gears. I must confess, I am simply neither equipped nor do I possess the skill of a gladiator to defend my position. But I have been fortunate to witness, during my short stint, our two friendly countries and beautiful peoples coming together in a very special way. Vaccine Maitri found its natural way to Jamaica in early 2021. A true reflection of India ‘Being More’.

EMOTIONAL MOMENT

When Hon’ble President of India H.E. Ram Nath Kovind visited Jamaica in May 2022, with him flowed goodwill of 1.4 billion Indians. Bringing also along with him was the mystic fragrance of Indian sandal wood that found its new home in the India-Jamaica Friendship Garden to enrich the landscape of Hope Botanical Garden. The visit also reminded the peoples of the two countries of the just cause our national heroes fought and stood for when a part of Tower Street was renamed after Dr B.R Ambedkar, a contemporary of Jamaica’s first National Hero Marcus Mosiah Garvey. It was a fascinating and emotional moment for me to be seated at the visitors’ enclosure at KSAMC, located 15,000 km from India, and witness the councillors debating, deliberating and articulating eloquently in favour of the renaming of the street in a true spirit of ‘Out of many one people’.

Our leaders have interacted at various international fora where our interests mostly converge. Voice of the Global South Summit during India’s Presidency of G20 where Jamaica actively participated in several sessions helped India articulate the interests and concerns of the Global South.

While our trade figures and business cooperation are much below potentials, I have no hesitation to opine that tangibles do not always define the essence of our relationship. It is the intangibles, including shared history, people-to-people relations and shared value of democracy, press freedom, advocacy for rule of law and equitable distribution of wealth that characterise our relations so much so that India and Jamaica are natural partners.

I have seen and been a part of the thriving people-to-people relationship. The enthusiastic participation of the public in our India Diaspora Conference and Holi festival are testimonies to this. Moreover, when Jamaican-Indian delegation went ecstatic riding three-wheeler autorickshaw on the busy street of Hyderabad during their first visit to India to attend Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in January 2023, I have a very satisfying feeling.

The 33 medical camps we started in January 2021 have benefited more than 10,000 people in the last three years. It is another testimony of what ordinary but dedicated people can do to further humanism. With the theme, ‘Touching the untouched, caring the uncared, and serving the unserved’, Indian community doctors and pharmaceutical companies have traversed the parishes of Jamaica to bring healthcare at the doorsteps of the people. The most painful but heartening experience was the privilege to serve the inmates of Mustard Seed community in Spanish Town and Jacob’s Ladder (where Haitian children recently evacuated are housed) and Missionaries of the Poor in downtown Kingston – the lowest denominators of our society. High Commission of India, with zero budget, has only been facilitating ‘democratisation of service and kindness’. I salute our doctors and Pharma companies. I also salute our other partners; schools, churches, temples, clinics, ministers, MPs, custos, mayors, municipal corporations, etc., without whose support this endeavour could not have been possible.

Indian community in Jamaica have been consistently supportive in all our endeavours besides making us feel at home on our arrival. They have sponsored several events that included India Bollywood Week, charity events, Holi and Diwali festivals, Gazebo at Hope Garden, etc. I take this opportunity to say ‘Thank you’.

SPEAKING OF THE PEOPLE OF JAMAICA

“One love! One heart!

Let’s get together and feel alright”

The rhythm of the music sank deep into my being not only because I hear it from across my neighbour’s wall I share with (Bob Marley Museum) almost every day, but because I feel the love and beat of people I meet in rural Jamaica. And I feel alright. Not that I doubt the genuineness of Jamaicans who live in cities where civility and politeness are expected norms. But the quintessence of a people’s love and heart, I feel, is best tested and proven in meeting and interacting with the ordinary people who have no social profile, no expectations and who have no idea who you are and where you come from.

At no point of time and at no location or area, however, did I feel uncomfortable with the people I talked to and interacted with. They are friendly, helpful, kind and give free advices and directions. The only amusing part, and I don’t blame them, is a mistaken nationality because of how I look. So, one can as well guess how they address me.

My love for hills and hikes has taken me to several rural areas. We traversed the network of trails (used by rural dwellers whose feet are still their main carriages) that quietly link the settlements dotting the moderately wooded hills between Holywell and Penlyne Castle. The longest hike being from Gordon Town to Blue Mountain Peak via Sugar Loft Trail to Content Gap to Quasi Gap to Marvis Bank to Penlyne Castle to Blue Mountain Peak. The most treacherous trail is the Sugar Loft Trail that takes us to Content Gap where we encountered indiscriminate attack by tick/cow lice. Claims of diplomatic immunity under Geneva Convention did not help the matter. The attacks were relentless and the extent of damage inflicted varying but certain.

On one of my hikes back from Blue Mountain Peak I wandered off into a colossal jungle. Pestilent stricken multitude of leaves fallen over the years formed layers of loose soil. They rioted the earth and the big trees were all kings. I felt so insignificant among them. With no aid of compass and no signal on my phone, the lay out of the forest, as I crossed from one stream to another, not only looked unfamiliar, but dangerously the same. Rendered directionless, the only fall back here was my instinct. Ten kilometres away from my intended destination and two hours later I exited from the maze of the kingly woods.

For constraint of space, I have limited my thoughts to giving a bird’s eye view of my time in Jamaica. Jamaica will, like an expensive perfume, linger for a long time in the happy memory of my family as we move on to the other side of the horizon. And one day, I will look back and say with a smile, ‘I have been there!’

Masakui Rungsung is the former High Commissioner of India to Jamaica. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com