Uncle Ramesh writes from Queens, New York, where he has lived since 1987 and has strong opinions about a country he visits every three years.

Good morning everyone, Uncle Ramesh here from Queens.

CARIFTA! Six medals! Four gold! A NEW RECORD in the Mixed 4x400m relay! Tianna Springer, Malachi Austin, Olivia Solomon — these young people are representing Guyana at the highest level of Caribbean athletics and Uncle Ramesh is sitting here in Queens with his chest out so far it nearly touching the window. Four gold at CARIFTA. That is not small thing. That is what investment in youth athletics looks like. Guyana has been building this programme and the results are here for everyone to see.

The 60th Independence Anniversary celebrations — Chinese acrobatic troupe coming, performing in multiple regions across the country. CNOOC sponsoring. The government making sure this anniversary is marked with cultural events that reach all regions, not just Georgetown. This is the right approach. Sixty years of independence is a milestone and it should be celebrated properly.

Now. The Lindsayca situation. Uncle Ramesh is not going to pretend this is not a concern. US$759 million is a lot of money. The private jet story is not a good look. Uncle Ramesh wants electricity for his family back home same as everyone else. What Uncle Ramesh will say is this: the government must get answers. The Prime Minister must get answers. The Guyanese people deserve to know what is happening with this project and when the lights will be on. Uncle Ramesh is waiting, patiently, for those answers.

The ExxonMobil US$214 million — this is also a concern. Three years is too long. Arbitration must proceed and Guyana must get what is owed. The oil belongs to the people.

But today Uncle Ramesh’s heart is with the athletes. Six medals from Grenada. A new relay record. Young Guyanese, competing and winning at the Caribbean level. That is something to wake up feeling good about on a Tuesday morning in Queens.

Have a blessed Tuesday everyone.

— Uncle Ramesh, Queens, New York

[Uncle Ramesh is a fictional character. His views are his own. The Guyana Daily Brief notes that Uncle Ramesh’s patience with the Lindsayca situation is more than the Brief possesses.]