Jul 21, 2026 Features / Columnists, The GHK Lall Column

(Kaieteur News) – When the Titanic went down into the watery depths of the Atlantic, there was singing, dancing, and much merrymaking in riotous motion on its bejewelled decks. When Guyana’s MV Barima descended to its watery grave in the Pomeroon, there were some level of drinking onboard, and having a go at a good time. The great, yawning mouth of the Atlantic stood not too far away; waiting to devour those still grasping at life, hoping against hope for some respite. Amid those forced to struggle for a handhold, a toehold, on life slipping away, there were and are those living large, having a jolly good time. Tragedy on the water. Ecstasy on land, in the self-celebrating company of those sitting at the top. Sporting events spiking interest high. After all, it was a Saturday night; that time to let it all out, and countless taxpayers’ millions to burn. And, lest I neglect, the World Cup, that once-every-four-year extravaganza was just hours away. One more note of interest, amidst this sea of poignancy: at least, the doomed Titanic had a captain onboard and commanding the bridge. Now, that’s another matter that may require some probing, if only to follow where the tracks lead.

So far, 67 made it. But what of the others, the 66 or so that are somewhere out there in an endless world of water? I can see from this distance, their heads bobbing listlessly in a lonely ocean of water. I think that heads on land should roll. Many of them come with a prefix: the word honorable is placed before their names. But I maintain fire, remain quiet, for the moment. I know about tragedy. I know of those repeatedly. Thus, there is empathy for the suddenly lonely, the miserable, the wretchedly empty. Of those there are now many in this country.