Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_03_18_2022

FRIDAY 18th March, 2022

To all GUYANESE No.106666

‘Our economy is becoming stronger’ PAGE

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Authorities mull reduction of duty, excise taxes 08 PAGE

–– gloom, difficulties are transitory and will eventually give way to resurgent hope, harmony, President Ali says

Cop gets new Modern hospital lease on life 02 for Anna Regina 09 PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 18, 2022

Cop gets new lease on life –– after groundbreaking brain surgery

By Jared Liddell

AN officer of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), 35-year-old Amit Bacchus, was granted a new lease on life following a groundbreaking brain surgery in January, this year.

Bacchus underwent surgery to address a brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM), which was affecting his ability to conduct day-to-day activities.

A brain AVM is a tangle of abnormal blood vessels connecting arteries and veins in the brain. The arteries are responsible for taking oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the brain while veins carry the oxygen-depleted blood back to the lungs and heart. A brain AVM disrupts this vital process.

The surgery which was one of just two completed locally, lasted a total of three hours and was conducted by neurosurgeon, Dr. Amarnauth Dukhi, at the Catheterization Laboratory or “CATH Lab” at the Woodlands Hospital.

Bacchus, a father of three, speaking during a press briefing on Thursday, said that he feels better than ever after recovering from

his surgery, noting that before his surgery he was unable to do any of the things he loves including serving the country and spending time with his family.

He told the media that for some time prior to receiving his diagnosis, he was experiencing significant headaches and dizzy spells, which prompted him to get a general checkup. It was after these checkups and subsequent visits to specialists that Bacchus received his diagnosis.

Bacchus was diagnosed with a Grade Five Brain AVM on XXX after he underwent an “onyx embolization” – a minimally invasive procedure. Medical specialists recorded his case as the largest brain AVM found locally.

Following his surgery, some 70-75 per cent of the AVM was obliterated.

“Things like simply riding a bicycle I couldn’t do, because you didn’t know when a seizure would come on, but now, I could do everything, I don’t have the side effects anymore,” Bacchus said.

Bacchus’ wife, Sunita Persaud, said that she is happy to have her husband back to himself, joking that he has recovered so well

Amit Bacchus and his spouse, Sunita Persaud that she has to remind him his day-to-day life. of recommendations by his “Don’t take your health doctors to “take it slow” for granted especially if it’s for a little while. She noted consistent because when that she is thankful for the a person is sick there has advancement of technology to be something bringing and the doctors who helped on that sickness,” Bacchus save her husband, essen- said. tially keeping her family Bacchus’s surgery, together. according to lead neuroB a c c h u s , s p e a k i n g surgeon Dr. Dukhi, had a about his journey, said that high risk due to the size of he advises other people to the AVM. not take their health for granted, acknowledging TIMELY SUPPORT that had he not taken a deFunding for the cision to go to the doctor, surgery, which cost $6 his condition would have million, was acquired gone untreated and might through donations from have had a major effect on the GPF, the Ministry

of Health, and private donors, along with other funds from Bacchus and his family.

According to Dr. Dukhi, AVM is an extremely rare medical issue, and the chances of developing the condition are one in 2,000.

The operation, according to Dr. Dukhi, involves the placement of surgical glue at the site of the AVM to close the opening to prevent rupture and leaking; this was completed with minimal complications.

The complex procedure required the use of a cerebral flow diverter, a new piece of medical technology, to re-divert his blood flow from the AVM. “That was the first time ever that piece of technology was used in Guyana because AVM’s that are grade five are extremely difficult and we got 75 per cent of it,” Dr. Dukhi explained.

The neurosurgeon said that with the first surgery successfully removing 75 per cent of the AVM, Bacchus is expected to undergo a second surgery within the next six months to remove the remaining 25 per cent.

Both the doctor and Bacchus are optimistic about the success and recovery after the second

Neurosurgeon, Dr. Amarnauth Dukhi procedure.

Dr. Dukhi said that the success of this surgery showcases the capabilities of the local health sector, and he advised persons to not pay heed to the wide known stereotype that local medical services cannot compete with those in developed countries.

He noted that advancement in technology locally has continued to allow the health sector to grow and match those services provided outside of Guyana.

Dr. Dukhi added that both the public and private health systems have been advancing to cater to the growing health needs of Guyanese.

‘Our economy is becoming stronger’

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 18, 2022

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–– gloom, difficulties are transitory, and will eventually give way to resurgent hope, harmony, President Ali says

THE resilience of Guyana’s economy is being demonstrated as the country continues to progress despite grappling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and, more recently, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

In his message to commemorate the Festival of Colours, Phagwah, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, said: “This year, we have much cause for celebration; our country is on the path towards a return to normalcy. The evidence suggests that the local COVID-19 outbreak is waning, so much so that we have been able to relax social restrictions. However, we must continue to exercise good sense.”

The Head of State went on to say: “Our economy is becoming stronger; it is rebounding from the two-year-long effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

Businesses, both local and foreign, are capitalising on the unfolding opportunities and, in the process, generating

jobs and providing incomes for our citizens.”

Further, the One Guyana agenda, according to Dr. Ali, is gaining traction, and bringing Guyanese closer together.

In his view, it is promoting peace and unity, and it is also creating conditions for the benefit of the common good.

“Guyanese are a resilient people. Faced in the past with daunting and difficult circumstances, they have proven adept and resourceful at overcoming challenges,” the Head of State posited, adding: “As such, I am supremely confident that with the interventions planned by my government, we will surmount the problems associated with the global supply-chain crisis, and the effects of the war in Eastern Europe.”

As Guyanese and people the world over observe the Festival of Phagwah, President Ali urged persons to spare a thought for persons not only in Ukraine, but also in other parts of the world who

are subject to the horrific effects of war.

He urged persons to also commit to ensuring continued peace, and greater harmony at home.

“Phagwah reaffirms our common humanity. The zestful sprinkling of ‘abeer’, and the liberal smearing of ‘abrack’ symbolically erase social and economic distinctions. No wonder Guyanese of all classes and ethnicities join in enthusiastically celebrating this joyous festival in a carnival of colours,” President Ali said, adding: “The religious significance of Phagwah recalls the eternal belief shared by peoples of all faiths: That goodness will eventually triumph over evil; that gloom and difficulties are but transitory, and will eventually give way to resurgent hope and harmony, and that we must offer thanks and praise for the nature’s bounty.”

President Dr. Irfaan Ali

Massive infrastructure work in Linden to create hundreds of jobs

RESIDENTS of Linden, Region Ten, are well positioned to access direct job opportunities, as the authorities commence and continue major infrastructural projects in the region.

The Ministry of Public Works is undertaking billions of dollars worth of road works and other infrastructural projects in the region.

In a recent interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Subject Minister Bishop Juan Edghill said that job creation is a priority on the government’s agenda, and the new development plan

will ensure this is realised.

“In our government layout of development, we are seeking that when works are being done in a region, materials and products, goods and services could be provided from that region.

“The money must be spent in that region and circulated; we are doing that all across the country.

People that can be employed from that region must be employed. So, opportunities for employment are coming; so Lindeners have to now be able to log in,” Minister Edghill said.

The sum of $6 billion

was earmarked for the construction of the Linden-Mabura Hill Road.

Upgrades to the 121km gravel-and-asphaltic concrete road will transform the lives of persons living and doing business in the hinterland.

A further $4.1 billion has also been budgeted for the construction of 32 bridges along the Kurupukari to Lethem corridor.

Additionally, works on the Wismar and Mackenzie Waterfront Development Project are expected to recommence soon.

The Hinterland and See page 5

Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill inspecting a road project in Region Ten

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 18, 2022

Biden demands faster drop in gas prices as oil tumbles (CNN Business) President Joe Biden is using his bully pulpit to call out the tendency for gasoline prices to go up like a rocket when oil spikes, but only drop like a feather when crude crashes.

Biden fired off a tweet Wednesday morning highlighting the painfully slow decline in gasoline prices in a bid to draw scrutiny to a decades-long trend that critics say hurts consumers by failing to pass savings along to drivers.

“Oil prices are decreasing, gas prices should too,” Biden said on Twitter. “Last time oil was $96 a barrel, gas was $3.62 a gallon. Now it’s $4.31. Oil and gas companies shouldn’t pad their profits at the expense of hardworking Americans.”

The administration’s focus on the intricacies of energy prices shows the level of frustration inside the White House with one of the central drivers of high inflation.

Gas prices skyrocketed

to record highs last week, following a spike in crude oil to levels unseen since 2008.

Prices at the gas pump are going down -- but only very gradually. The national average for regular gas dipped to $4.31 a gallon on Wednesday, according to AAA. That’s down a penny from Tuesday and two pennies from Monday.

That’s despite the fact that Brent oil collapsed by 28 per cent between the March 6 intraday peak and Tuesday’s close.

‘IT JUST SEEMS TO TAKE A LONG TIME’ This is nothing new.

The industry even has a nickname for this practice: Rockets and feathers.

“This has been going on for 40 years,” Andy Lipow, president of consulting firm Lipow Oil Associates, told CNN. “Prices do dip, it just seems to take a long time.

You can’t deny the data that is out there.”

Old or new, Biden isn’t a

March 16, 2022

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fan, especially after observing this phenomenon last fall when gas prices retreated slowly after the administration released emergency oil reserves and Omicron hit.

“Try explaining how it’s just rockets and feathers to President Biden, and you’d better be ready to hear, ‘That’s a bunch of malarkeys’ coming back at you,” a senior White House official told CNN. “The president is very much within his rights to point out that if you’re going to have rockets on the way up, you need to have rockets on the way down, not feathers.”

But it may be unreasonable to say pump prices should change instantly just because oil prices do. It takes time for price swings to filter through the supply chain.

A gas station owner may be selling fuel today that was purchased days earlier when oil prices were much higher.

(That’s especially true in today’s extremely volatile market.)

17/03/22 - 03, 04, 07, 18, 19

“Don’t get me wrong.

There would be some lag,” Lipow said. “What if I was the guy who just bought my tanker load yesterday and the next two days crude oil dropped?”

Tom Kloza, global head of energy analysis at the Oil Price Information Service, said gas stations have little choice but to pass along the impact of higher oil prices on the way up because of the pressure on their profit margins.

“And on the way down, it’s like, ‘We’ll be as patient as we can,’” Kloza said.

“They will fall, but at a much slower pace.”

Joe Brusuelas, chief economist at consulting firm RSM, noted that gasoline prices are a function of past purchases and expectations around the cost of future deliveries -- and there is vast uncertainty right now about the direction of oil prices.

“Criticism of price setting at gasoline stations is somewhat misguided,”

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Bruseulas said. $1,300 HIT TO HOUSEHOLDS There are real economic consequences here.

Every 10-cent increase in the price of gasoline costs consumers at least $11 billion over the course of a year, according to Moody’s Analytics.

Gas prices have surged over the past year and a half, and at the end of last week, they stood about $1.50 a gallon higher than the 2019 average. If prices stay this high, consumers will pay $165 billion more over the course of 2022 than they did in 2019, according to Moody’s Analytics.

Put another way: Annual average spending on gasoline would climb by roughly $1,300 per US household, Moody’s told CNN. The senior White House official suggested gas station owners are not passing along savings to consumers as quickly as they could.

“This is using price pow-

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US President Joe Biden er in a way that is not particularly fair from the perspective of the consumer,” the official told CNN. GasBuddy’s Patrick De Haan said earlier this week the gas price drop should accelerate if oil stays below $100 a barrel.

“Stations lost their shirt on the way up, but now margins are improving and they will start passing the discounts on to you,” De Haan wrote on Twitter.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 18, 2022

Minister McCoy: Celebration of Holi transcends all boundaries

THE celebration of Phagwah or Holi transcends all boundaries and helps in advancing ‘One Guyana’. This sentiment was expressed

by Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, on Thursday evening, as he joined Hindus at several mandirs along the East Bank corridor.

The Balagee and Hope mandirs were among those

visited by the minister, where he witnessed the significant burning of Holika, which ushers in Phagwah or Holi, also known as the ‘Festival of Colours’.

While addressing the gathering at the Hope Mandir, Minister McCoy highlighted the importance of cultural diversity in the Guyanese society, noting that the observance has grown into an activity that is celebrated by people from all walks of life.

“It is important that this festivity is kept the way it is and the way it is celebrated because it is all part of that understanding of us as a people from different cultures and religions being able to celebrate each other’s observances.

“We would like every single Guyanese to be part of the observances, because it is one way of helping us to further carry the ‘One Guyana’ message and to be able to appreciate and tolerate each other at all levels

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy with members of the Hope Mandir (DPI photo)

Massive infrastructure work ...

From page 3

Urban Road Project is progressing, as work on Phase Two of the Mabura to Malali and Mabura to Muritaro roads has commenced.

The road in the Landersville, Kwakwani sub-district will also undergo additional development works, as it was severely damaged by the May/June flood last year.

“We are advancing the development programme, so there is a pot of money that has been allocated for miscellaneous Urban and Hinterland roads, nationally. So, every region will be seeing development, and Linden will not be left out.”

Meanwhile, the Amerindian reservation, Hururu, will see major improvements, as work on the internal road from that community to Wikki/Calcuni has also commenced. (DPI)

Road works

and to the greatest extent, regardless of our religion, regardless of which strata of society we belong, regardless of our ethnicity, it is important for us to keep building our relations, keep moving towards a totally unified country, a country in which we feel equal and a part of and a country in which we can all celebrate each other.”

The minister also cautioned that there will be those who will try to divide the people, but it must be recognised that there is a government that represents all the people of

Guyana.

“We are about seriously wanting to move our country forward, wanting our country to develop in a way that brings about equality for every single Guyanese, that the wealth of this country could be shared,” Minister McCoy said.

He noted too that this is the first time in two years that Phagwah will be celebrated in a traditional way since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The minister encouraged all to celebrate responsibly. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 18, 2022

A Festival of Colours

PHAGWAH is a Hindu festival that signifies the triumph of good over evil.

It is usually referred to as ‘The Festival of Colours’. Thousands of Guyanese from all walks of life and from all religious and cultural backgrounds participate in the festival which speaks well of our multiculturalism and cultural diversity. The festival, an annual Hindu festival, was brought to Guyana by our foreparents who came over 150 years ago as indentured labourers.

It is to the credit of our foreparents that despite attempts by the colonisers to stultify the development of their cultures, the rich culture of our ancestors continue to grow and flourish as in the case of the festival of Phagwah.

The festival is called Phagwah because it originated in the Month of Phagoon in the Hindu calendar. It is widely known as a spring festival with the joyous celebration of spring, rebirth and fertility.

As the Phagwah celebrations have

demonstrated, Guyana is becoming increasingly multi-cultural and open to diversity and accommodation. There is a remarkably high degree of religious and cultural tolerance which speaks well of the realisation of the ‘One Guyana’ vision as articulated by President, Dr. Irfaan Mohamed Ali. At a much more fundamental level, the message of Phagwah is that justice will always prevail over injustice and good over evil. This is indeed a universal message and resonate with the whole of humanity.

Phagwah in Guyana is taking place at a time when the country is making significant economic and social progress. The country, thankfully is showing indications of a weakening of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic which will certainly enhance the festivity of the Phagwah celebrations that was somewhat moderated during the past two years because of the pandemic. And even though we are not as yet completely out of the woods insofar as the effects

of the pandemic are concerned, there can be no doubt that the spirit of the Guyanese people is now buoyed with the easing up of the COVID restrictions, especially in this festive period of Phagwah and Easter, which is just around the corner.

Phagwah, as pointed out by President Ali during his Phagwah message last year, is one of the most colourful and cheerful festivals in the Guyana which is celebrated by persons of all ethnic groups. It is a celebration of rebirth. It commemorates the regeneration of the land. It provides a real opportunity to recommit to the values of love, friendship and a shared humanity.

The festival also marks the renewal of spring. It is about the renewal of our commitment to remove all barriers that stand in the way of national development as we seek to build a prosperous cohesive and just society.

The religious community has a role to play in the realisation of the One Guyana Vision as articulated by

President Ali and found expression in the religious communities in Guyana.

According to President Ali, the religious leaders are the custodians of morality and they have ‘a duty and responsibility in leading the way and promoting social harmony, particularly through encouraging greater tolerance and understanding and through respect for our multicultural diversity.’

This year’s Phagwah celebrations coincide with the renewal of our commitment to a strong, united and prosperous Guyana. The country is now poised to become a regional powerhouse and all Guyanese, regardless of political or religious orientation, are stakeholders in this exciting transformation.

As a country, we have overcome several challenges to our freedom and dignity including attempts to steal our democracy, but as the teachings and lessons of Phagwah have so eloquently reminded us, good will always prevail of over evil and justice over injustice.

Holi celebration in the NY Guyanese Diaspora

Dear Editor,

GUYANESE in New York area are gearing up for Holi or Phagwah that is celebrated Friday in Guyana as well as in New York and most of the Indian diaspora.

Like in Guyana, in Mauritius, India, and several other societies, Holi is a public holiday. But in New York, Holi is not a public holiday although celebrants have excused absence from school. Thus, Holi is not celebrated on Friday but on a day convenient to the diaspora.

The presence of large numbers of Guyanese and other Indo-Caribbean Hindus in selected locations in America and the organising skills of community leaders have made it possible for Phagwah to be celebrated with the same traditions as brought to the West by their ancestors from Mother India to the Caribbean (Guyana, etc) and from there to America. The spirit of Holi has truly traversed a great distance. Guyanese have introduced and institutionalised the festival in New York and other parts of America. Phagwah or Holi is the most popular Hindu festival observed in New York City attracting the largest crowd of revelers in the tens of thousands with Guyanese in the thick of things – as organisers,

sponsors, presenters, and celebrants.

Guyanese diaspora in America usually observe Holi with parade (s) in Richmond Hill, Queens Village, Bronx, Jersey City, Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale, etc. and or a gathering in a public park on the Sunday after the holiday. The parade and public celebration was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID pandemic. This year, NYC police and parks department have granted permit to have a gathering (Liberty Ave and 120 Street) for a Phagwah related concert on March 27 starting around noon thru the afternoon. But abeer, talc powder, and colourful materials have been banned. Police will enforce the ban. There would be only music, singing, and dancing. Representatives of various mandirs will perform. Spiritually inclined NGOs were known to serve snacks and hot beverages to the public. The Richmond Hill parade and celebration at the park usually attracted tens of thousands of celebrants.

There are many messages behind Holi and all are relevant for the multi-ethnic Guyana and her diaspora -- with a common theme of triumph of good over evil. Holi or Phagwah marks the beginning of the Indian spring.

In India, the celebration was used to give thanks for the harvest season. Phagwah also

celebrates the richness or a bounty of harvest and comes at a time when the season changes.

The Winter season is fading and Spring is bursting forth bringing with it new life. And people are in a celebratory mood. After two months of hard feelings, the public needs to get back to celebrating life, the celebration of Holi.

The festival also celebrates the joyful spirit of Lord Krishna and his immortal love for his wife Goddess Radha. In Mathura and Vrindavan in India, the festival is celebrated not just with colours but also with folk songs and dances. In Guyana, Trinidad, Suriname, and elsewhere, there is folk singing. Classical dances and music were known to be performed continuously for many hours showing uncontrollable friendship and love for others, neighbours, friends, loved ones (spouses and other siblings). People come together in a show of friendship to celebrate the festival.

The same is true in New York where politicians also grace public celebrations or host Holi celebrations in their office or legislative chambers.

Holi is known as the festival of colour that is equated with the vibrancy of life because it brightens the atmosphere bringing forth a joyous feeling in people. It is a day of

unbridled enthusiasm with a lot of music and food. It is a sea of colours -- coloured water rains everywhere for Holi. There are also colourful powders. Peoples’ faces and hair get drenched in layers of colours. Americans of all backgrounds and ethnicities partake in the festival with smeared faces.

Holi falls on the full moon in the month of March. On the evening, of the full moon, known as Holika Dahan, bonfire pyre is lit.

On Thursday evening, mandirs will light their bonfire or pyre to mark the occasion.

In New York, Tulsi Mandir has been hosting a nightly yag since Sunday evening that concludes Thursday with burning of Holika.

The significance is the burning of evil – one’s mind is cleansed of evil thoughts and deeds and bad mind.

The bonfire also symbolises the destruction of the wicked Holika (who wanted to kill her nephew) at the instruction of her brother.

After burning of Holika, everything evil and bad is cast aside.

Let us use the symbolism of Holika to burn the hatred in us towards others.

Happy Holi!

Yours sincerely, Vishnu Bisram

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 18, 2022

Phagwah: its relevance to us in modern times Dear Editor, FESTIVALS are an important part of the sum-total of human culture.

They seek to bring cohesiveness in a community and they point to the level of civilisation that a particular nation or race has built over the years. Since festival time is always sacred, it provides man an opportunity to participate in a supernatural realm that informs or reminds him of his origin, identity and even destiny.

All countries of the world celebrate their own festivals, whether seasonal, agricultural, religious or national. India, perhaps more than any country of the world, boasts of several categories of festivals. These are so numerous, that they fill up the entire Indian calendar. There are seasonal festivals like Vasant Panchami and Makar Sankranti, religious festivals like Shravani Purnimaa, and national festivals like Independence and Republic Day. Diwali and Phagwah are the most notable festivals in India. They are both agricultural-seasonal festivals, since they are celebrated at the time when crops are harvested and seasons are about to change. Diwali is celebrated in October when the rice crop is harvested and fall comes, while Phagwah is celebrated in March when the wheat crop is harvested and spring comes. In Sanskrit, they are both called Nava Sasyeshti Parva (Festival of new grains).

Phagwah is also known as Holi. Phagwah (meaning, the festival of the Month of Phaalgun) is the name of the Spring festival that is more known in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, whereas Holi (the festival of Holika) is the name that is universally used.

There are three principal ideas associated with the observance of Phagwah, and these are seasonal change, grains, and brotherhood.

Seasonal Change: Winter is a long season, in which most of the world of vegetation “sleeps, as it were, in cold death”. Many

trees and plants lose all signs of life - there are no leaves, no flowers, no fruits. After this period of death, spring officially makes a declaration on the calendar that it has come! But oh! At this time, it is still cold. Approximately forty days after the official commencement of spring, Indians observe a festival called Vasant Panchami. At this time, in the fields of North India, one can see the beautiful yellow flowers of the sarso (mustard) plant. Yes! Spring is here! The more this season establishes its ruling presence, the more it succeeds in conquering the wintry effects of hibernation and death. It brings warmth and smiles, colour and fragrance, blossoms and flowers, fruits and grains, birds and natural sounds, fresh air and bright sunlight, farmers and their animals on their land, and even songs, music and dancing -- and through these, the season fortifies the foundations for life to assert its feeling of victory over death. From this day of Vasant Panchami until the official day of Phagwah-Holi, there is joy all over the sacred land of our forefathers. It is for this reason, Spring (Vasant) is called Rituraaj, the King of all seasons.

Grains: Grains make up the very basis of a person’s life. People cannot live on dollars and cents; they live on, and thrive with, grains. The people of impoverished countries know the value of grains because there is very little to eat in those areas. A country that possesses more grains (yad annam bahu) than the population can actually consume (attaa kaneeyaan) is a prosperous country, says the Shatapath Braahman, one of the ancient texts of India. It is for this reason that wealth is praised in superlative terms, and the source of that wealth (God) is worshipped with profound fervour. There are no grains reaped in Winter. Rituraaj Spring, however, brings grains. Like Diwali, Phagwah is celebrated when the crop is harvested. Before the actual harvesting, people, especially in the villages of India, can, and sometimes do, experience

Gas project will reduce GPL’s dependence on heavy oil and impact of rising prices Dear Editor, THE planned gas-to-shore project will perhaps play the biggest role in helping the Guyana Power and Light to significantly reduce its import bill for heavy oil which is being used now for the generation of electricity.

Just last week the power company said the hike in oil prices due to the Russia-Ukraine war was putting severe pressure on its budget.

GPL said its landed cost for fuel is approximately US$140 per barrel and has quadrupled from 2016 when the fuel price was approximately US$30 per barrel. GPL currently utilises approximately 3,700 barrels of fuel daily for electricity generation to meet the daily demand, at the cost of around GY$111.5 million. It said its monthly operating expenses have now moved to approxi-

mately GY$4.5 billion against monthly electricity sales of approximately GY$3 billion, making its operations unsustainable.

With the pipeline and gas processing facilities at Wales, this will remove GPL’s dependence on heavy oil while reducing by 50 per cent or more the cost of electricity to Guyanese.

But the benefits go beyond a cheaper light bill. Gas is cleaner than heavy oil. Using this cleaner fuel to generate power will reduce Guyana’s carbon footprint and put the country on the right path towards renewables.

If there was ever a light at the end of the tunnel to our blackout and high electricity bill issues in Guyana, the gas to shore project is it.

Yours sincerely, Romel Khan

a shortage of grain. Can we measure the joy a farmer experiences when he harvests his grains? Perhaps that farmer’s joy can compare to the joy of an impoverished American citizen winning a million-dollar lottery. It is in celebrating the coming of wealth that he, in his traditional style, sits down in a Havan ritual to make an oblation of his newly-harvested grains on to a blazing sacrificial fire. The farmer knows that several cosmic forces are responsible for this wealth - the earth with its fertility, the rains with their nourishment, the sun with its rays, and God with His mercy. And so, he wishes to express his gratitude unto all these cosmic forces. By his act of offering onto the holy fire, he symbolically surrenders ownership of that wealth.

Since grain-wealth is given to him by the forces of nature, he is not the sole owner and enjoyer. He is bound by natural and moral law to share. He eats sin who eats alone, warns the Rigveda. And, Shri Krishna, echoing this Vedic teaching in the Bhagavad Gita, calls him a stena, a thief, who eats all alone without sharing with those who deserve a portion of his wealth. So, on this same sacrificial fire, he roasts a set of newly harvested grains (like chick-peas). This roasted chickpeas is called holak or holikaa. He distributes roasted holak/holikaa to his friends, for which reason Phagwah is also called Holikaa Utsav.

Brotherhood: We have said that winter spells death, and spring ushers in life. Old

forms of hatred help prolong death. New feelings of brotherhood facilitate the germination and growth of new roots of life. On Phagwah Day, we chant, Yo’smaan dwesti yam vayam dwishmas tam vo jambhe dadhmah - O Lord! I consign into Your Justice the hatred that I have for someone, or that someone may have for me!! And so, in the midst of merriment, singing and dancing, and spraying colours, we become coloured in the colours of spring that give life and share love.

In these modern times, we, too, like our foreparents, can celebrate Phagwah-Holi in a meaningful way. Let us not live in exclusion of the creativity in the cycle of seasons, and let us recognise the arrival of new life by chanting holy Vedic verses, spraying colours, singing songs, making new friends by giving up old hatred, and sharing a part of our wealth with our fellow human beings. And, do not forget to teach your child that Phagwah, like every other Arya/Hindu festival, is there to help him identify with his roots.

Tell your child that he/she belongs to the ancient-most civilisation and that the beliefs and practices of our system have been tested for generations and proven true.

Yours sincerely, Satish Prakash, Missionary of the Arya Samaj

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 18, 2022

Authorities mull reduction of – to address rising duty, excise taxes cost of living

–– Attorney General says price control not an option THE significant rise in the cost of living has taken the world by storm.

This eventuality is a result of the massive increase in shipping and fuel costs and shortages

caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The global issue has also been exacerbated by the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. To alleviate the burden on Guy-

anese consumers and businesses, the government has already implemented several measures such as the farmers’ market in various regions each month, and the reduction in Value

Added Tax (VAT) on water and electricity.

While indicating that more will be done, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, S.C., said the administration does not wish to implement a “pricing regime” that will mandate the costs for goods.

“The government can’t regulate the price that the millers, for example, purchase the paddy at, unless the government is to im-

Managing Director, Tristar Inc., Joel Bhagwandin pose price tariffs [and]…a pricing regime, and we don’t wish to do that as a government,” the Attorney General said.

Many governments and economists have advised against administrations imposing price constraints

on commodities, as this can have a seriously damning effect on the economy.

Renowned economist and Yale Professor, Dr. Fiona Scott Morton in an article titled “The Problems of Price Control,” explained that if the government is to compel businesses to sell goods at a certain price, the economy could easily be crippled.

“The imposition of price controls on a… competitive market harms society by reducing the amount of trade in the economy and creating incentives to waste resources. Many researchers have found that price controls reduce entry and investment in the long run,” Dr. Morton posited.

If the government were to pursue such an option, the controls can also reduce the quality of goods and stimulate costly rationing.

Meanwhile, local financial analyst and Managing Director of Tristar Inc., Joel Bhagwandin, noted that the implementation of these price controls that sections of civil society are suggesting, would only cause a further breakdown in the provisions of goods and services. “[The government] cannot restrict companies because they have to sell [goods] at a price to recoup their cost…it is not

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, S.C. financially prudent for the companies,” he asserted.

The Attorney General said the government is actively reviewing other measures that can be implemented to mitigate the effects of recent global occurrences.

“We are calculating duties and excise taxes at a pre-covid rate, so as to alleviate the sharp increase that would otherwise result if we were to impose the real duties. All these mechanisms are currently being employed by the government, but it’s still a work in progress,” he noted.

In Budget 2022, $5 billion has been allocated to directly address the steady increase in the cost of living.

When the government took office in August 2020, a slew of measures were implemented to ease the cost of living. Some of these included the removal of VAT on a number of services, increase in pension, distribution of the one-off cash grant of $25,000, and the reinstating of the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant and an increase in the school uniform grant, among others.

President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has committed to assisting, as far as possible, measures that will continue to reduce cost of living burdens on Guyanese.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 18, 2022

Modern hospital for Anna Regina

RESIDENTS of Essequibo, Region Two, will soon be able to access enhanced health services, with plans in place to construct a modern hospital at Anna Regina.

The modern hospital is one of many facilities to be constructed by the government this year in areas

spected the site for the construction of the facility, said the hospital will provide inpatient and outpatient services to boost healthcare in the Pomeroon-Supenaam region.

“The new hospital will have about 75 inpatient beds. It will have a modern accident and emergency,

theatres and a small minor theatre,” Dr. Anthony said.

He said the site was chosen based on the ‘population centre,’ as citizens in the area will have easy access to the facility.

Dr. Anthony said: “In the next couple of months, hopefully, we’ll be able to start work here and I think it

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony; Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall and other officials during a recent site visit (DPI photo) such as Tuschen, Diamond, Enmore, Bath and No. 75 Village, Corentyne, among others.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, who in-

it will have modern laboratories, it will also have an imaging suite and that will include not just digital x-rays, but CT scans. It will have two modern operating

will be a good development for the coast.”

He added that health facilities across the country will be retrofitted to provide better accommodation for

Wheat cultivation a possibility –– amidst soaring world market prices

WHEAT prices have been skyrocketing globally, and, cognisant of this, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, has said that the government is exploring the possibility of sourcing a variety of wheat for local production.

The surge in wheat and other commodity prices is as a result of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

Both states account for about 30 per cent of the world’s traded wheat.

“Soon we are going to work to see whether we can find a variety of wheat that we can plant in Guyana, so that we can fulfill even our local requirement. We are learning important lessons now that we must not leave unanswered for future generations,” President Ali said.

Speaking at the commissioning of a new well at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, on Tuesday, President Ali lamented that both the COVID-19 pandemic

and the war have led to supply-chain disruptions, which have major economic implications.

The pandemic, in some instances, has increased the cost of goods and services between 20 to 145 per cent, while the cost of shipping and logistics has caused increases by as much as 200 per cent.

The war in Ukraine then arose, taking out close to 40 per cent of global wheat production. The price per barrel of oil also surged. And if that was not enough, China, with just an emergence of a few COVID-19 cases, has gone into another lockdown.

Notwithstanding those challenges, President Ali said the government is unwavering in its quest to build a Guyana that is resilient, and a country that meets not only its national responsibility, but plays an important role in its global responsibility.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali “We have started to present leadership on our next big crisis: Food security…

The world has taught us that we can no longer be dependent; we have to be as self-sufficient and self-sustainable as possible, especially when it comes to the supply of food and basic commodities,” the Head of State related.

He said that citizens must understand the complexities of the environment under which the government is operating, acknowledging that despite the many challenges, the administration has managed to maintain a country which boasts the best debt-to-Gross Domestic Product ratio.

The government has also been able to keep all its public servants employed, expand employment opportunities, and provide increases in salaries and pension, and incentives to more students. (DPI)

patients.

The government will also be working to ensure adequate medical equipment are available and a new electronic medical record system is in place to provide better service to citizens.

Meanwhile, speaking at the opening ceremony of

the new Infectious Diseases Chest Clinic at the Suddie Public Hospital, the Health Minister said construction will begin this year for the new state-of-the-art paediatric and maternal hospital in the region.

Dr. Anthony said: “We are also going to be building a modern paediatric, a

women and children hospital, and again this is going to be a sub-specialty hospital where if you have children with oncological issues, they would be able to go there and get care.”

This hospital will provide a number of services such as paediatric cardiac surgery. (DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 18, 2022

Foreign, local currency, cannabis, unregulated liquor found at businessman’s property

A 30-year-old businessman, of East Street, Georgetown, is now in police custody following the discovery of large quantities of foreign and local currencies, canna-

bis and uncustomed liquor at his house on Wednesday.

According to information from the Guyana Police Force (GPF), officers, after presenting a search

warrant, conducted a search of the businessman’s property and found G$2.5 million, US$75,697; SRD4,664; EURO6,145; BAR$19; CAN$40; T&T$171; Bs100;

and BZD$100.

A further search was conducted on the bottom flat, in a locked and secured room which the businessman opened. Inside the room, in-

The foreign and local currency found at the businessman’s property vestigators found a quantity ted, arrested and cautioned. of uncustomed liquor, which His wife, mother-in-law, included 24 bottles Double and wife’s 18-year-old Black; 16 bottles Johnny cousin were escorted to Walker Black; 11 bottles CID Headquarters, and in Jack Daniels Whisky; two their presence, the suspectbottles Merry Irish Cream ed drug was weighed and Liquor; 16 cases Budweiser recorded as amounting to Beer (24 bottles each); one 2.030kgs (two kilos, 30 case Red Bull Energy Drink grams).

(24 tins); and 47 boxes of The contraband, narcotdisposable latex gloves (100 ics, cash and other items were each). lodged with the custodian of Police later noticed a the property room. small blue-and-white cooler In addition to the items with the businessman’s logo found during the initial on top of a cupboard, and search, officers, on the same when searched in the busi- day, executed a second nessman’s presence, police search at another property ranks found a black plastic at Providence, East Bank bag containing two parcels Demerara, owned by the said wrapped with transparent suspect. plastic. The content was During that search, probed in the businessman’s three DVRs were confiscatpresence, and found to be ed from the property and suspected cannabis. lodged with the custodian The businessman was of the property room for told of the offence commit- processing.

The parcels of cannabis being weighed

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 18, 2022

Stronger support system for learners –– with certification of 35 new welfare officers

SOME 35 welfare officers are now certified to provide psychosocial support to children in schools after graduating from a European Union (EU)-funded gender-responsive programme for psychosocial support to children in schools.

The training programme was conducted under the Spotlight Initiative, and implemented

by UNICEF, in partnership with the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Institute of Gender Studies at the University of Guyana.

and sessions were held at various locations, including schools, community centres and religious facilities.

“This six-week journey was a world-class experience for my colleagues and I; this programme served as an eye-opener, and has helped us to deliver better as school welfare and counseling officers.

In many instances, it strengthened the understanding we had on the issues,” Mr. Hack noted.

The event was also attended by Deputy

dress the academic development of learners, but to also pay attention to assessing the physical, mental, emotional and psychosocial dimensions of the development and well-being of learners.

“In addition to this focus and responsibilities, the system has had to grapple with the pressing question of what policies, procedures and practices, coupled with professional development and experiences, can prepare school to better respond to the behavioral, social and emotional needs of

The graduates display their certificates while in the company of officials Speaking at a simple graduation ceremony for the welfare officers, Schools Welfare Officer Zulfikar Hack said that the training programme has helped to challenge and change the perspective of how welfare and guidance council officers should deal with the varying social, emotional and psychological challenges that the learners face.

“It brought us new awareness and appreciation; it helped us to learn about equality and women and gender biases. In doing so, the officers were able to present and share, and we now have a good understanding when it comes to speaking of our children,” Mr. Hack he said.

The training programme ran for six weeks,

Chief Education Officer (DCEO), Administration Fazia Baksh; UNICEF Deputy Representative to Guyana and Suriname Irfan Akhtar, and MoE Specialist Dr. Olato Sam. Speaking briefly, Mr. Akhtar emphasised that the training programme will go a long way in improving children’s participation in the classrooms.

He said that UNICEF remains committed to providing the necessary support needed to ensure the needs of children are met.

Delivering the feature address, Dr. Sam said that having to deal with the pandemic over the past two years highlighted and brought into focus the need for the school system to not only ad-

students. This highly relevant and timely intervention is in direct response to that,” he said.

He noted that this training programme will go a far way in giving welfare personnel a solid foundation to roll out more comprehensive approaches to addressing the issue of dealing with how the pandemic has affected learners.

“It is initiatives such as these that continue to underscore the importance of collaborative approach in making education needs.

It is our sincere hope that we will continue in this vein and pool our resources towards optimizing our impact on education in Guyana,” Dr. Sam related.

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‘Soldier Man’ gets 12 years for killing Regent Street Multiplex owner

SIX years after the fatal shooting of the owner of Regent Multiplex Mall, Ganesh ‘Boyo’ Ramlall, during a robbery at his La Jalousie, West Coast Demerara (WCD) home, his killer was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment on Thursday for the crime.

On Thursday, the accused, Lennox ‘Soldier Man’ Roberts, of Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD), made an appearance before trial judge, Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall at the Demerara High Court for a sentencing hearing.

The state was represented by special prosecutors, attorneys-at-law Konyo Sandiford and Narissa Le-

ander, while the accused was represented by attorney-at-law, George Thomas.

Last month, Roberts was arraigned for the capital offence of murder but opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

The 39-year-old admitted that on July 5, 2015, he unlawfully participated in the killing of Ramlall during the course of a robbery. He admitted to being one of the alleged masterminds and principal offenders behind the crime.

During the sentencing hearing on Thursday, a probation report was read in court by the relevant statutory officer who said the confessed killer told her

that he is innocent of this charge and regrets that he did not report the incident to the police.

Further, the accused man told the probation officer that he took a plea deal because he is concerned about his children’s wellbeing.

Meanwhile, the deceased victim’s daughter, Sharmila Ramlall read her impact statement in court on how the criminal actions of the accused resulted in the dreaded loss of her “gem of a father”, and how that impacted her life.

“I would like to begin with a quote from ‘The Fault in our Stars’: ‘pain demands to be felt. You can’t outrun it; you can’t

hide or bury it. The pain, it lingers; every happy moment, every memory, every sad moment, the pain of not having my father presses on my heart,” she said in her opening address.

The deceased man’s daughter said that one of her worst nightmares when she was growing up was the thought of losing her parents. On July 5, 2015, she continued, her father was “snatched” away from her due to the actions of the accused man, Roberts.

“My father was my everything. He was my best friend, my shoulder, my strength, my biggest supporter. From as long as I can remember myself, my father was holding my hand or fetching me through this life,” she told the court in an emotional state.

While detailing the ripple effects caused by the accused man, she added: “I cannot begin to explain the emotional trauma l experienced from losing my perfect person, my father.

There isn’t a day that goes by that I do not miss him so much.

“He was my confidante, and now I can’t seem to find another to understand me that well. I am not ashamed to say I am struggling so incredibly much.”

According to the grieving daughter her father was “murdered cold-bloodedly and cruelly” and she is often tormented by the memory of him. She sometimes remembers him covered in blood on that fatal day, the court heard.

“If I am not tormented by my mind daily, I wake up in sweat and tears from nightmares. These feelings I have relived every day since the case of my father’s death commenced. Seeing the perpetrators well and unbothered haunts me,” she said.

Sharmila also told the court that the psychological trauma of the actions done by Roberts and his accomplices have severely impacted her life so much that she has lost her sense of security.

“I am constantly jittery in fear. I am restless when night has come and I am not in my home. I am [so] paranoid about my security that I have so many locks and security system in place.

Fireworks terrify me.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 18, 2022

Lennox ‘Soldier Man’ Roberts (left) and deceased businessman, Ganesh Ramlall “I stayed away from my family for years because home now terrifies me. I feel like I am imprisoned,” she told the court while fighting back tears.

The daughter told the court that she had always wanted to become a doctor specialising in cardiothoracic surgery; a dream her parents had always supported financially. However, due to the actions of the accused men, that dream never materialised.

“After losing him, my mom tried very hard to hold the fort down so I could continue my studies.

Studying away from home; knowing I had just lost my biggest supporter was a challenge to say the least.

My grades weren’t as high as they usually were, but I tried very hard,” she added.

“However, it wasn’t long after my mom and I realised that the business needed more attention than we presumed so I was forced to discontinue my studies since it hardly spared me time. I was forced into so many compromises; sometimes looking back I can barely recognise my life.

“I had to help shoulder responsibilities of the business; something I didn’t think I would have to do until [a] few decades when I am fully prepared. I had to forsake my long, nurtured dreams,” she lamented.

During Thursday’s sentencing hearing, the defence counsel, Thomas made his plea of mitigation in favour of his client. He also asked the court to consider that his client can be rehabilitated.

Meanwhile, State prosecutor, Leander asked the court to consider that the accused man was one of the masterminds behind the crime.

Leander told the court the “senseless killing” was planned some three weeks before it was executed by Roberts and others.

She also asked the court to send a strong message to deter the accused man and other like-minded potential

offenders from contemplating similar crimes.

The judge, during her sentencing remarks, said that she considered the seriousness of the offence, the impact on the deceased’s family, among other factors.

In the end, Justice Sewnarine-Beharry sentenced Lennox ‘Soldier Man’ Roberts to 12 years’ imprisonment and ordered prison authorities to deduct the time he already spent on remand.

On March 10, one of Roberts’s co-accused, Kurt ‘Banana’ Erskine, was found guilty of the lesser offence of manslaughter by a jury. He was on trial before Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall for the capital offence of murder and is expected to be sentenced on March 28.

Although the other co-accused in the matter, Fezeel Bacchus, was sentenced to six and a half years in prison, he was released early because of the time already served.

Bacchus had taken a plea to the lesser count of manslaughter. He had been on remand since 2015.

Bacchus had also testified on behalf of the state in Erskine’s trial.

According to reports on the night the incident occurred in 2015, the businessman had just returned home and proceeded to use the outside bathroom when he was confronted by four men who shot him about his body and relieved him of his licensed firearm, jewellery and wallet.

It was also reported that after Ramlall saw the gunmen approaching him, he raised an alarm and called out to his relatives to secure the house.

The bandits successfully escaped. Ramlall was rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Days later, police arrested Bacchus who confessed to being the getaway driver.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 18, 2022

MovieTowne Guyana hosts Holi Expo

MOVIETOWNE Guyana, on Thursday, held a Holi Cultural Expo which showcased henna designing, make-up, face painting, canvas art, jewellery and more in the spirit of the festival of colours, Phagwah.

Devika Singh, Marketing Assistant of MovieTowne, explained to this newspaper that the company makes a special effort to celebrate each holiday and observance in Guyana.

“It has been well-received by people in the past; like our ‘Mash Expo’ which had quite a turnout in spite of the rain,” she said.

Singh said they were delighted to organise the event which showcased many small businesses

and their products or services to the public.

Vickanand Deokie, the son of artist, Vick Deokie, was present at the event and praised his father’s history as a self-taught painter.

“It was a childhood hobby of my dad’s and after the pandemic started he had some time at home,” the young Deokie said, adding that he started scribbling with pens, pencils or “whatever he found his hands on”.

He said that after he and his mother saw his father’s skill which he started in the 1980s, they decided to gift him painting utensils.

From there, the senior Deokie moved on to using different types of canvases, paints, brushes and

methods of painting.

“Most of his inspiration comes from nature, past experiences, places we’ve been and things we’ve seen,” the young Deokie explained, adding that his father also works on commission and can even design artwork for business and living spaces.

Another exhibitor, Leisa Gibson of, ‘Leisa Salon N Beauty Supplies’, boasted her business “not only cater for the outside of the body but also the internal part.

We have handmade soaps, body scrubs, body oils. For the internal parts tamarind concentrate, unsweetened sorrel, lime and ginger and more.”

A young makeup artist, Arifa Sahadeo, of ‘Make-

Painter, Vick Deokie and his son, Vickanand Deokie (Delano Williams photos) up by Arifa’ and ‘Makeup

by Arifa Cosmetics GY’, shared that she has been involved in cosmetology for seven years. As her mother was a cosmetologist, she grew up around

Leisa Gibson of ‘Leisa Salon N Beauty Supplies’ showcasing her products

Rape accused freed WENDSON Thomas, called ‘Dollius’, was freed of rape and sexual activity charges on Thursday after a jury returned a not-guilty verdict at his trial in the Sexual Offences Court of the Demerara High Court.

Thomas was on trial before Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry for the offence which alleged that between March 1, 2019 and March 31, 2019, in the county of Essequibo, he engaged in sexual penetration with a

child of 12 years.

The second charge alleged that Thomas, on March 21, 2019, engaged in sexual activity with the underage girl by kissing her on her lips.

The jury, after deliberating for almost two hours, found Thomas not guilty in both matters.

The state was represented by prosecutors, Nafeeza Baig and Muntaz Ali. Thomas was represented by attorney-at-law, Madan Kissoon.

Wendson ‘Dollius’ Thomas

the trade and had much exposure to the salon.

“I provide cosmetology services, classes for each course including nail technology, facials, manicures, pedicures and more.

I also make homemade stuff: lip balms, lip scrubs; and they are made with all natural ingredients and it’s very beneficial for the skin,” Sahadeo said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 18, 2022

Scenes from Phagwah celebrations at State House, other venues

(Photo credit: Office of the President, DPI and Ministry of Education)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 18, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 18, 2022

Keep Phagwah Celebrations ‘Clean’, says Pandit Jagmohan

By Shamar Meusa AS Hindus in Guyana and around the world celebrate Phagwah/ Holi, Pandit Jagmohan Persaud, attached to the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, is urging those across Guyana to keep celebrations clean and to remember the significance of the holiday.

Giving a brief background, the pandit told The Buzz that Phagwah emerged out of the Hindu Month ‘Phalgun’ which is the last month of the Hindu year.

As such, he said that this is when ancient man was influenced by the season and by the time.

“Simply with the change of season,” he explained, “their hearts were lifted in joyous jubilation

and they burst into celebration by capturing the different colours of the season and imitating it.”

To this end, Persaud

AFTER two years of isolating and remaining indoors on holidays and other festivities due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), Guyanese can finally revel in the festivities that we have been longing for, as we celebrate Phagwah 2022 the correct way.

Today, WE OUTSIDE! And I must say it’s a wonderful feeling and on the eve of this holiday, I’d like to reminisce on the glorious memories I would have made in the previous years before COVID-19.

Growing up in the ‘melting pot’ communities of Victoria and Belfield, Holi celebrations were something I always looked forward to.

Whether I was participating or simply just looking on at the younger children in the neighbourhood as their infectious laughter and giggles spread,

Phagwah was always a joy.

One of my fondest memories was a tradition a good friend and I shared.

Seeing that I’m a bit of an introvert who spends most holidays in my room, my friend, who is a lot more outgoing than I am, would visit my home so we can play Phagwah and share light moments.

This was a tradition we started in 2015, and it continued up until 2019, the year before the coronavirus washed up on Guyana’s shores.

FLASHBACK It was like any other holiday for me—I was home and had nothing special planned.

I pretty much spent the Phagwah morning of 2015 observing others who participated in water fights and rubbing colourful powder on their faces and hands.

Pandit, Jagmohan Persaud added that the Phagwah festival provides us with an opportunity for equality, and is a time where we should appreciate that we

can work together and all have one appearance.

As various celebrations are expected to take place countrywide, the Hindu re-

ligious leader advised those going to join the festivities to respect the religious significance of the festival and let good sense prevail.

“Ultimately, Phagwah is something that should build more fraternity. It is a time when we should unite, it is a time when we should have more jubilation, it is a time when we should have more celebration and not to have enmity.

“So, do not do anything that is ailing to the festival, more so, do not do anything to desecrate the spiritual value,” Persaud expressed.

Speaking on behalf of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, the pandit stated that the celebration is not to be smeared with alcohol even as he added that it should be fun, but clean fun.

Persaud observed that

over the years the observance has moved beyond the walls of the temples and has occupied public space to be celebrated by all Guyanese.

He went on to say that he is happy that society has grown further in observance. He called for us to reflect on the hardships of our fore parents as they worked to bring the world where it is today.

When asked how the implementation of the latest COVID-19 guidelines will change the way the holiday has been observed for the past two years, he said excitedly that it will change celebrations tremendously.

He noted that at the level of the Dharmic Sabha, all temples will burn their Holika and devotees will gather to celebrate.

Celebrating Holi, the ‘592’ way

File photos of Phagwah 2021 by Carl Croker/Guyana Chronicle

Again, I’m an introvert and large crowds give me anxiety. So, while everyone else was planning to meet at the bigger events held later during the day, I opted to stay inside.

My friend had spent the previous day trying to convince me to go to a Phagwah celebration with her, however, being the stubborn cookie that I am, I insisted that that scene was just not for me.

To my surprise, I received a call from her during the time I expected she would have been celebrating with others at the event. When I answered, she indicated that she was actually in my front yard waiting for me.

I was a bit thrown off by her visit since we both had agreed that she would have gone to the event without me.

TURN TO PAGE 17

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 18, 2022

Traffic cops silence noisy motorbikes

IF you live in Georgetown or the immediate surroundings, you may have encountered those noisy motorbikes that sound like gunshots or make extremely loud bangs.

It feels as though something has changed because motorbikes were never that loud in the past. Were they?

This noise nuisance has already caught the attention of the Traffic Department of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

Speaking with The Buzz on Thursday, Traffic Chief, Ramesh Ashram said his department has been clamping down on these types of altered motorbikes.

“This compound is full with motorbikes,” the traffic chief said, adding that when motorcyclists are found to have altered their motorbikes to the extent that it creates that nuisance, they are pulled in.

“When we find them, we revoke their Fitness and advise them to have it rectified, and we will re-examine it,” Ashram said in an invited comment.

He stressed that quite a number of motorbikes have already been pulled in, but

A section of the GPF’s Traffic Department with motorbikes in front. the trend continues.

“When they come with the Fitness, the come with the correct thing, but when they leave, they alter the motorbikes and we only find out when we are doing our campaigns,” he added. “If you see how much of those bikes we have in the yard.”

A city mechanic, Fraser, explained how the modifications are done.

He said there are two types of modifications that could be done.

For the gunshots sound, Fraser explained, this is when a blockage is created in the exhaust which causes a buildup

of compression and fumes and results in small combustions.

“So, it goes off like squibs,” he said.

For the louder ‘bangs’, Fraser said it could be that they modify the existing exhaust on a motorbike or replace it with an older one which will continue to work with the existing engine, but will cause more noise from the exhaust.

“It’s usually a smaller exhaust, so more noise but less speed,” he added.

Asked about the danger of the modification, the mechanic said that if you are standing behind of the motorbike exhausts that make the ‘gunshot’ sound,

Celebrating Holi...

FROM PAGE 16 Still confused, I made my way down the stairs to meet with her.

Upon my final step, I was ambushed! Drenched from head to toe in water.

And before I could catch my breath, my entire face was layered in purple Abeer powder.

I stood there completely startled and started to laugh uncontrollably. Of course, I did get her back.

And after two minutes of running around the yard with a bucket in one hand and powder in the other, we finally wore ourselves out.

Admittedly, the pandemic over the last two years had dampened our tradition since we both would have remained at our respective homes as a precautionary measure to protect our loved ones.

Nevertheless, now that Guyana is on the road to recovery, I’m excited to start a new tradition of mine. So, I’m hoping to see a few fans or readers of the Buzz today while we’re out

File photos of Phagwah 2021 by Carl Croker/Guyana Chronicle in the streets celebrating with everyone else. Happy

Phagwah! Shubh Holi!

(Naomi Parris)

the exhausts can release fragments that get into your eyes, or can be felt on your skin.

Guyana is not the only country in the Caribbean dealing with this issue.

Recently, Jamaica’s media reported that their Island Traffic Authority (ITA) and the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch of the Jamaica Constabulary Force will conduct a joint campaign to clamp down on these altered motorbikes that are used across the island which are noise nuisances in communities.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 18, 2022

Fellas, you know what to do; Dexta Daps is returning!

By Naomi Parris SET to take the stage of the National Stadium on April 16, the flaccidlynamed Louis Grandison, better known professionally as ‘Dexta Daps’, is making his long-anticipated return to Guyana.

The Jamaican reggae singer, known for his dancehall songs and seductive ballads, will be preforming with a live band at what promises to be the premiere event of the Easter season.

The concert is said to be

a part of the artiste’s ‘vent x owner’ promotional tours for his recently released music and, it will come as no surprise, the ‘early bird’ tickets for the concert have already been sold out.

You can bet the event will be well-attended. But, not everyone is a fan of the Daps, nor are they excited for the artiste’s return to Guyanese soil.

We see you, men!

While most of the girlies would have already purchased their tickets, or are planning their outfits, the fellas are no doubt plot-

ting the sabotage. It will not prosper.

If you’re an avid fan of Mr Daps, you would know its customary for the artiste to be very interactive with his fans during his performances. It’s odd that they just so happen to be female.

It cannot be intentional.

But maybe we can say sometimes he’s a little bit too interactive. I’m sure y’all have the social media videos which resurface every cycle.

During the performances of some of his sensual songs, the artiste invites an

enthusiastic fan on stage.

And of course, you know what happens.

In 2019, the artiste would have made his first visit to the land of El Dorada where he landed himself in the ancient county of Berbice. Needless to say, some of his fans took the lyric “bring it to the owner” a little too seriously.

Mr Daps would have left the ancient county with more than what he bargained for—Escandalo!

And not just any scandal, it was the most scandalous scandal.

Pandemonium had hit the local entertainment scene in Guyana, as the social media detectives tried to piece together the puzzle the artiste had left behind.

There was an alleged entanglement with a fan.

We were never able to confirm, and so legal purposes, it remains alleged.

A conflicting video of a man who appeared to be ‘the Daps’ was leaked on the socials, and of course, the Facebook detectives had begun an investigation.

Daps, in a live video to his social media following, admitted that he was indeed the man in the video, however, he denied the alleged entanglement with the fan and claimed that it was ‘set up’.

The Facebook detectives were not buying this.

Some efforts were made to identify the fan but with the all the heat and attention,

The ‘call me if’ singer, Dexta Daps

the fan had deactivated their social media accounts and went ghost briefly.

And much like any other scandal, it eventually faded into the archives.

The memory is still there, and the men are now warning their ‘bro-gads’ and ‘bro-skis’ to hide their girlfriends and wives.

But, we move. The girlies are excited for the concert and are looking forward to being hypnotized by the infamous ‘wu wu wu’.

Just in case you haven’t copped your tickets as yet, you can visit ventdextadaps.com for more information or check out physical ticket booths at local outlets after March 21.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 18, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 18, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 18, 2022

Gray scores again, fellow Reggae Boy Antonio sweats on fitness

LONDON, (CMC) – Reggae Boy Andre Gray gave Queens Park Rangers (QPR) an interval lead, but he was upstaged by a wonder strike from Djed Spence – who is of Jamaican descent – that helped Nottingham Forest come from behind to beat their English Championship ri-

vals 3-1 at the City Ground on Wednesday night.

Striker Gray slotted the ball through the legs of goalkeeper Ethan Horvath on 40 minutes for this third goal in successive matches to put QPR ahead before 21-yearold wing-back Spence’s spectacular 25-yard strike brought Forest level.

Ryan Yates then put the home side ahead with seven minutes to go before Brennan Johnson completed the scoring shortly afterwards.

The result sees QPR drop down to sixth while Forest move up to eighth, one point behind the visitors with a game in hand after extending their unbeaten run in all com-

‘No ground is big enough’ - reaction England all-rounder Ben Stokes: “We’ve had a very good two days here.

Dan Lawrence and Joe Root set it up really well for us yesterday and allowed the middle order to come in and play the way that they did.

“I took the option of attacking and trying to score as many runs as possible in a short period of time because the pitch might mean it’s difficult to take 20 wickets.

“But it’s amazing how much the pitch changed in the last session and a half.

There were a few balls for Jack Leach which turned and bounced so it will be

interesting tomorrow.”

BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew: “We saw the Stokes that empties the bars as people come to watch. Strong, bludgeoning drives, big sixes. No cricket ground is big enough when he’s in that sort of mood.

“Brathwaite and Brooks were stubborn. England will have to prise them out tomorrow.”

West Indies pace bowler Kemar Roach: “The pitches in the Caribbean are a bit of a concern, there is no enjoyment for fast bowling any more.

“It’s all dead tracks now. It’s a bit concerning

Nigel Duguid makes debut...

FROM BACK PAGE spinner who gave up playing for an umpiring career in 2010, was appointed to the ICC TV Umpires Panel the following year and has been officiating in regional matches ever since.

Duguid officiated in his first T20 International, featuring West Indies and Ireland on February 21, 2014. He also stood in his first One Day International (ODI) on March 5, 2017 when West Indies opposed England. He is also among the umpires in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Duguid also had a stint in the English cricket season in 2012 after doing duties in the Bangladesh ‘A’ team tour of the Caribbean the previous year.

Guyanese Test umpires: Badge Menzies (1 Test, 1954) Cecil Kippins (10 Tests, 1958-1973) Compton Vyphuis (6 Tests, 1973-1978) David Narine (3 Tests, 1983-1985) Clyde Duncan (5 Tests, 1991-1994: 2 on-field & 2 TV) Eddie Nichols (25 Tests, 1997-2001: 17 on-field & 8 TV) So the last Test officiated by a Guyanese as an onfield umpire was in December, 2001 when Eddie Nichols stood in an Australia-South Africa game in Melbourne, Australia.

for me as a fast bowler. We have a good group of fast bowlers coming through in the future as well.

“We need to have a discussion about it and work out how we can improve the pitches and bring back electric cricket to the Caribbean.”(BBC Sport).

petitions to nine matches.

Lewis Baker, who has Reggae Boyz eligibility, put Stoke City ahead on 23 minutes at Cardiff City, curling the ball beyond Alex Smith from distance for this third goal in successive games and eighth of the campaign, but the hosts hit back to win their Championship clash 2-1.

Meanwhile, Gray’s Reggae Boyz team-mate Michail Antonio will await the result of a late fitness ahead of West Ham United’s crucial round-of-16 Europa League match against Sevilla at London Stadium on Thursday night, trailing 1-0 from the away leg.

The 31-year-old Antonio suffered a hamstring injury before limping off in the 52nd minute of Hammers’ 2-1 Premier League win over Aston Villa on Sunday.

The striker has had a history of hamstring problems

QPR’s Reggae Boy Andre Gray in recent seasons, but has leads the line, brings other managed to stay fit this term, people into the game and making 36 appearances for affects the opposition.” club and country and missMoyes added: “We ing just one league game in need Mick fully fit. I think the process – the home clash he is in a far better place with Manchester United ow- physically than he has been ing to suspension. for a long, long time. He is Manager David Moy- in better condition, looking es said on Wednesday: “If after himself which maybe Mick’s [Antonio] not fully comes with a bit of age and fit I won’t take a risk. Mick experience.”

Roach eclipses Sir Garry...

FROM BACK PAGE

three hours of box office entertainment.

Arriving at the crease at the start of play following Dan Lawrence’s dismissal off the final delivery of Wednesday’s opening day, Stokes eked out just six runs from his first 24 balls before exploding to reach his half-century off 73 balls with a straight six off Permaul, half-hour before lunch.

After scoring only 39 runs from 13 overs inside the first hour, England gathered 86 runs in the second, Stokes leading a vicious assault on the West Indies attack.

He took a liking to pacer Alzarri Joseph, belting 20 runs from right-armer in the third over before the break, to storm into the 80s and be unbeaten on 89 at the break.

When a rare lapse led to Root’s demise, Stokes added a further 37 for the fifth wicket with Jonny Bairstow (20), en route to his hundred, which was achieved 40 minutes after lunch with a short single to cover off seamer Jayden Seales.

Once Joseph removed Bairstow to a catch at deep mid-wicket on the hour mark, West Indies enjoyed their best period of the match, with Brathwaite accounting for Stokes with his part-time off-pin, caught in the deep by Brooks in the first over after drinks.

On 482 for six at tea courtesy of a 75-run, seventh-wicket partnership between Woakes and Ben Foakes (33), England lost a clatter of wickets following the break as they hunted quick runs.

Left with a ticklish period, there were nerves when Campbell nicked debutant seamer Matt Fisher behind in the second over but Brooks and Brathwaite came together to steady the innings.

With the close beckoning, Brathwaite was given out on 14, lbw to left-arm spinner Jack Leach at 54 for one but a subsequent DRS check showed an inside edge onto the pad.

SCOREBOARD ENGLAND 1st innings (o/n 244 for three) A. Lees lbw b Permaul 30 Z. Crawley c wkp. Da Silva b Seales 0 J. Root lbw b Roach 153 D. Lawrence c Brathwaite b Holder 91 B. Stokes c Brooks b Brathwaite 120 J. Bairstow c Bonner b Joseph 20 B. Foakes stp. Da Silva b Permaul 33 C. Woakes c Seales b Roach 41 M. Fisher not out 0 J. Leach stp. Da Silva b Permaul 4 Extras: (b-5, lb-6, w-1, nb-3) 15 Total: (all out, 150.5 overs) 507 Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-80, 3-244, 4-373, 5-410, 6-424, 7-499, 8-503, 9-507.

Bowling: Roach 27-5-68-2, Seales 24-4-55-1 (w-1), Joseph 23-1-109-1 (nb-2), Permaul 35.5.-1-126-3, Holder 28-4-761, Bonner 1-0-3-0, Brathwaite 12-0-59-0.

WEST INDIES 1st innings K. Brathwaite not out 28 J. Campbell c wkp. Foakes b Fisher 4 S. Brooks not out 31 Extras: (b-6, nb-2) 8 Total: (1 wkt, 27 overs) 71 Fall of wicket: 1-14.

Bowling: Woakes 5-3-17-0, Fisher 5-0-18-1, Leach 9-4-210, Stokes 3-0-3-0 (nb-1), Saqib Mahmood 4-2-3-0 (nb-1), Lawrence 1-0-3-0.

Position: West Indies trail by 436 runs with nine firstinnings intact.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 18, 2022

Iwobi hits injury-time winner for 10-man Everton against Newcastle

ALEX Iwobi’s 99th-minute goal earned Everton a massive victory in their fight against relegation as they held on to beat Newcastle despite being reduced to 10 men.

An average game, which was delayed by a protestor tying himself to a goalpost by his neck, came to life later on when Allan was sent off with seven minutes remaining for taking out Newcastle substitute Allan Saint-Maximin.

Referee Craig Pawson consulted the pitchside monitor and overturned his initial decision to book the Everton midfielder.

At that stage, and with 14 minutes of stoppage time to play because of the protest, hanging on for a draw looked like the best Frank Lampard’s side could achieve.

Yet in the ninth minute of additional time, substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin lead a breakaway and slipped Iwobi through before he found the bottom corner.

It led to wild celebrations at Goodison Park as Everton

Asmir Begovic started in goal for Everton in place of the ill Jordan Pickford

earned only their second win in 13 Premier League games to put three points between them and the relegation zone.

But, as Lampard and his players hugged each other in delight at the final whistle, it felt like a victory worth much more than three points as they consigned Newcastle to a second consecutive defeat.

The last time these two teams played each other on

February 8, Newcastle were in the bottom three and four points behind Everton in Lampard’s first league game in charge.

But victory at St James Park and a golden period for Eddie Howe’s side have propelled them to a point where it is Everton who are threatened with the drop.

This win, however, could act as a galvanising force for a team which have struggled

for form and for most of this match showed themselves as a side bereft of confidence.

The fact the hosts were able to overturn what looked like a harsh decision on Allan will be all the more pleasing for Lampard and his team as they celebrated wildly with their fans as Pawson blew for full-time.

It was a pulsating end to an otherwise average encounter where supporters

were reduced to cheering tackles and interceptions.

By contrast, Newcastle, with Joelinton back in the side, were a well-drilled unit and Bruno Guimaraes, making only his third start since joining the club in January, made them tick at the base of the midfield.

The visitors had the better of the first half as Chris Wood headed over and straight at Asmir Begovic, who started in goal in place of the ill Jordan Pickford.

While Ben Godfrey had an early header saved by Martin Dubravka, Everton. who were also without Donny van de Beek, struggled to find any rhythm.

Their half was summed up when the effervescent Gordon missed a kick on the edge of the area.

The second half took a bizarre twist when a protestor tied himself to a goalpost at the Gwladys Street End, which led to a 10-minute delay.

But the break did not

lead to an improvement as Demarai Gray shot wide and Guimaraes then mis-hit a shot which was saved before the game turned in Newcastle’s favour with Allan sent off just as his team were in the ascendancy.

Anthony Gordon had tested Dubravka with a curling effort, with Seamus Coleman appealing for a penalty shortly afterwards.

But as Newcastle broke away Allan took out Saint-Maximin, which led to a booking, which was soon overturned as Pawson was directed to the monitor by the video assistant referee (VAR) Stuart Attwell.

That led to a feeling of acrimony inside Goodison, in tune with Everton’s recent form.

The late reprieve and the hosts’ ability to hold on as Newcastle pressed for an equaliser turned the mood on its head, however.

Lampard will hope it can now lead to his team’s Premier League survival.

(BBC Sport)

Man United midfielder Paul Pogba reveals burglary at his home

MANCHESTER United midfielder Paul Pogba says his home was burgled during his side’s Champions League game against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

The France player came on after 67 minutes as the Spanish side won 1-0.

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Pogba said, “Our family’s worst nightmare was realised when our home was broken into ... while our babies were sleeping in their bedroom.”

The family’s nanny was at home at the time and Pogba has offered a reward to “anyone who has a clue to

help us”.

Pogba’s two children are aged three and one.

The 29-year-old has been at United since re-joining the Old Trafford club in a then-world record £89M transfer from Juventus in 2016.

His contract with the club

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Paul Pogba came on as a second-half substitute in United’s Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday runs out in the summer.

“My wife and I rushed home not knowing if our children were safe and unharmed,” added Pogba.

“As a father there is no

feeling worse in this world than not being able to protect your children and I sincerely hope that no-one ever has to feel what I felt last night.”

Greater Manchester Po-

lice (GMP) said officers were called to a report of a burglary at a property in the Rossmill Lane area of Hale Barns at 22:54 GMT on Wednesday.

“Initial enquiries have established that the unknown offender entered the property before stealing a safe,” added a GMP statement.

“Enquiries are ongoing.

No arrests have been made.

No-one was injured in the incident.”

Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo was injured when he tried to fight off a gang of intruders during a break-in over the Christmas period.

And, in January, the wife of Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof said her family were the subject of a break-in while the centre-back played against Brentford.

Manchester United are working with all their players to review and strengthen security at home.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 18, 2022

Focus on rebuilding trust in CSA after Pholetsi Moseki appointed CEO

Pholetsi Moseki had been working as the acting CEO since December 2020 (Cricket South Africa) PHOLETSI Moseki has been appointed Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) permanent CEO, 15 months after taking over the role in an acting capacity, in December 2020.

Moseki’s position was confirmed by a unanimous decision on the part of the CSA board, which took nine months to find a CEO. Moseki’s official tenure begins on April 1, for a period of five years.

Moseki was confirmed after a lengthy process, which started with the position advertised in August last year.

CSA engaged the services of a recruitment company, which proved unsuccessful in delivering suitable candidates, re-advertised the post and used a second agency, which recommended former South African Airways CEO Vuyani

Jarana for the job.

But Jarana was unable to take up the role, which prompted CSA to look internally and appoint Moseki, a qualified chartered accountant with two decades of experience in the corporate world.

Moseki joined CSA in June 2019 as chief financial officer before stepping in as acting CEO. CSA has not had a fulltime CEO since Thabang Moroe was suspended in December 2019. In that time, the board has rotated through three acting CEOs: Dr Jacques Faul, who resigned to continue his role at the Titans domestic team; Kugandrie Govender, who has since been fired for misconduct and Moseki, who has led the organisation through the bulk of the COVID-19

pandemic.

He has identified his most pressing task as being to rebuild trust in the organisation, which has been through 27 months of administrative upheaval. “We need to rebuild faith in our organisation,” Moseki told a press conference on Wednesday.

“Breaking trust is very easy but building it takes a long time. There have been numerous challenges, which resulted in a lot of our stakeholders losing trust, and I being confirmed CEO doesn’t necessarily mean there is going to be trust. It will be a process, but it is something we are focused on.”

The most important stakeholders for CSA are the players, and the relationship with them suffered under Moroe, and has continued to go downwards. Most recently, Test captain Dean Elgar joked that, “we’ve had so many different administrators that we don’t even know who’s there now”, and Moseki did not shy away from speaking of the challenge: “A lot of our stakeholders have lost faith in the organisation - that includes SACA (South African Cricketers’ Association). It’s something we focused on improving.

It’s a work in progress. Our relationship with SACA has

improved tremendously from where it was two years ago.

Ultimately, all of us want the same thing, which is sustainability in cricket.”

CSA and SACA are currently in discussions over the memorandum of understanding, which governs players’ contracts and commercial agreements, and hope to finalise it “in the next couple of months,” Moseki said. It is understood that they have already agreed on some key points.

The second major stakeholders are the sponsors, and since the Moroe affair, CSA has lost several including headline sponsors Standard Bank. “Finance is an important priority for us. The environment has totally changed.

The economy is quite tough, not only for cricket but for the other sporting codes as well,” Moseki said. “Part of our strategy is looking at our whole ecosystem and seeing how we can diversify our revenue streams.

He will have to do all of that without current director of cricket (DOC) Graeme Smith, whose contract with CSA ends this month.

CSA has confirmed it will advertise the position as is, after some consideration to split the role into separate cricketing and commercial

Graeme Smith will not be re-applying for the role of CSA’s director of cricket (Getty Images) positions, and ESPNcricinfo has confirmed that Smith would not be reapplying for the role. CSA is interested in re-engaging Smith in a consulting role but a well-placed source said no discussions regarding Smith’s future involvement at CSA have taken place yet.

The contract of the DOC comes to an end at the end of this month. We have publicly said that the position will be advertised, and it will be advertised any day now together with a number of other positions,” Lawson Naidoo, CSA board chair, said. “It will be subject to an open and competitive process.

“The position is an incredibly important one. As we have reviewed the structure, we have looked at the many

responsibilities and while there might be some tweaks to it, the job specification as a whole will remain intact.”

Moseki was hopeful that the confirmation of a permanent CEO would help create the environment for CSA to fill other vacancies so the organisation can begin to operate at full capacity.

“The company could not advertise for vacancies until the CEO position was confirmed,” he said. “CSA has been acting without two-thirds of its EXCO (executive committee) for the last while, as they were either being suspended or dismissed.

We hope to go to the market within a day or two to open the process to fill positions.” (Cricinfo)

Will put everything into next week - Pat Cummins … confident Australia bowlers can recharge

PAT Cummins is confident Australia bowlers can recharge in time for the final Test against Pakistan in Lahore after the disappointment of not being able to force victory from a hugely dominant position in Karachi.

The deciding match of the series starts on March 21, giving the players an extra day of recovery, with the series locked at 0-0 following Pakistan’s remarkable rearguard, led by Babar Azam. Australia sent down 172 overs in the second innings, of which spinners Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Swepson bowled 108, but in the immediate aftermath of the back-breaking efforts, Cummins did not see cause for concern.

“Had a walk-around and everyone is fine, there’s no big injury concerns,” he said. “We knew it was a 15-day tour, basically back-to-back, think that’s why we protected ourselves on the last day of the last Test (in Rawalpindi).

“We know what we’ve signed up for, so will put everything into the next week. We’ve got four days, so one extra

Australia Test captain Pat Cummins than what we had before this Test, to recover.”

The brevity of Pakistan’s first innings and the volume of work for the spinners in the second meant Australia’s quicks did not bowl themselves into the ground. Cummins sent down the most with 39 overs, including a magnificent seven-over spell on the final day, which removed Abdullah Shafique and Fawad Alam, followed by Mitchell Starc’s 34 and then Cameron Green’s 23.

Australia have plenty of bowling reserves in their squad, with Josh Hazlewood, who played the opening match in Rawalpindi, and Scott Boland, who has a Test average of 9.55, vying for a spot if a change is required. The uncapped Mark Steketee is also part of the squad. Ashton Agar is the other spinner available.

“We’ve got a full contingent if we need to call on anyone,” Cummins said. “The quick bowlers, Starcy and I and Greeny, all bowled between 20 and 35 overs or something like that, so not a huge workload. (It’s) probably the spinners, make sure they are looked after.”

Debutant Swepson bowled 53.4 wicket-less overs in the second innings but had four chances of varying difficulty missed off his bowling. “I thought Swepo bowled fantastically today,” Cummins said. “I don’t know how he’s ended up with those figures. The way he was able to be a real wicket-taking option on a really good wicket without really footmarks to the right-handers I was just really impressed with how he went about it.”

There will be an element of the unknown about the pitch in Lahore, with the soon-to-be-renamed Gaddafi Stadium hosting its first Test since 2009. In five first-class matches played at the ground last year, pace bowlers have averaged 49.16 and spinners 56.00.

(Cricinfo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 18, 2022

‘It’s the person Rod Marsh that I loved’ - Dennis Lillee leads tributes at funeral

Rod Marsh, Greg Chappell and Dennis Lillee pose after their final Test (Fairfax Media/Getty Images) DENNIS Lillee has recalled the cautious beginnings of his famous partnership with Rod Marsh, admitting at the late wicketkeeper’s funeral service yesterday he “still can’t believe his good mate isn’t around anymore”.

Their combination ensured ‘c Marsh b Lillee’ featured 94 times in Test cricket scorebooks, the pair beginning and ending their careers at the same time and incredibly finishing with then world-record 355 dismiss-

Women’s World Cup..

als and wickets respectively.

Fast bowler Lillee was among the friends and family to speak at the Adelaide Oval service that focused on his love for cricket, golf, travel, family, friends and red wine. But Lillee recalled his own reputation as a non-drinker meant things got off to a rocky start.

“I still can’t believe that our mate and mate to many isn’t around anymore,” he said.

“It’s taken me days to write my thoughts down on this amazing

bloke. But I don’t want to talk about his cricketing ability ... it’s the person Rod Marsh that I loved.

“I’ve got to say that it hasn’t always been that way; it was something that grew over time, even after our careers were finished. “(After a day’s play he said) ‘I’ve got to tell you, I don’t trust you ... my old man Ken said never trust anyone that doesn’t drink’.”

Lillee reflected on a 4WD trip in the bush outside of Perth, when a punctured tyre meant they stopped just after spotting an eight-metre-long snake.

“I said I’d watch out for the snake while Bacchus (Marsh) got under the car to lower the spare,” he said. “I pinched one of his ankles .... he hit his head on the under-carriage and then shot out from under the car and got back in.

“I just couldn’t stop laughing, but it backfired as he refused to get out and I was left to change the tyre with one eye looking out for that bloody reptile.”

Marsh, who died on March 3 aged 74, played in 96 Tests, was the first Australian gloveman to make a Test century and played in the first ODI - against England in Melbourne in 1971.

He later headed the cricket academies of Australia and England, and was inaugural head of an ICC world coaching academy in Dubai. He also became Australian men’s chairman of selectors There were fond mentions of the family’s annual Big Calf Cup, a golf tournament named in honour of Marsh’s trunk-like lower legs that took them as far as the 2012 Masters.

The many Test cricketers in attendance formed a guard of honour following the service, while his golfing mates detailed the incredible skill, competitiveness and confidence still on show in their regular rounds that saw him lead such a full life.

Older brother Graham, a retired golf professional boasting a PGA Tour win among 69 career titles, recalled the early days in Western Australia playing crick-

et with their father.

“ROD COULDN’T “Rod couldn’t get enough, throwing himself at any ball that came near him, even one directed at me he’d grab right from under my nose,” he said. “I read a wonderful tribute to Rod penned by his great friend Ian Chappell, descriptively recounting he had the same problem at first slip, playing for Australia some 20 years later.”

He also told how their

mother’s hopes of Marsh, also a talented musician, becoming a concert pianist were dashed, while he also came in swinging when a bully threatened his big brother.

“I always wanted to be on his team and he’d do anything to protect his family,” he said.

“They say younger brothers often walk in the shadow of their older brothers but baby brother, it’s been an honour to walk in your shadow.” (AAP)

Rod Marsh takes a brilliant catch off Dennis Lillee to remove Tony Greig (PA Photos/Getty Images)

Kapp stars again as South Africa beat New Zealand in thriller

MARIZANNE Kapp was again the hero as South Africa came through to beat New Zealand by two wickets in yet another tight finish at the Women’s World Cup. Kapp, whose all-round performance was key to beating England, picked up two wickets in New Zealand’s 228 all out.

The Proteas were easing to the target, only to lose three wickets for nine runs and find themselves 170-5.

With 27 needed from four overs, Kapp made it six from one and ended on 34 as the game was won with three balls left.

In beating New Zealand for the first time at a World Cup, South Africa move to four wins from four games.

They join Australia on eight points and probably need only one more win for a place in semi-finals.

New Zealand face a crucial meeting with England in Auckland on Sunday.

Marrizane Kapp hit an unbeaten 34 following her 2-34 with the ball

Prithvi Shaw opens up after not clearing fitness test A FITNESS camp was recently organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) where only the selectors at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and players who are in the scheme of things for the T20 World Cup 2022 were invited.

Among the notable names, Prithvi Shaw has gone under the scanner for not being able to clear the Yo-Yo Test benchmark of 16.5. It has been noted that Shaw scored less than 15 in the Test which was highly surprising but will be available to play for Delhi Capitals in

IPL 2022.

Shaw has been out of the Indian side for some time and was last seen in international action in the limited-overs series in Sri Lanka last year. The 22-year-old had a terrific IPL in 2021 and was retained ahead of IPL 2022 mega auction by the Delhi franchise. However, he wasn’t at his best in the three Ranji Trophy games for Mumbai.

Shaw shared a message for his critics on his Instagram story, stating not to judge him without knowing the complete story. He seemed quite confi-

dent that he will make a strong comeback soon.

Meanwhile, a source had also mentioned that Shaw’s fitness would have been hampered by playing three backto-back Ranji games and noted that the Yo-Yo Test score will not stop him from playing in IPL. “Please don’t judge me when you don’t know my situation. You are creating your own Karma,” Shaw’s Instagram story read.

“These are just fitness updates. Obviously, it doesn’t stop Prithvi from playing for

Delhi Capitals in IPL. It’s just a fitness parameter and not the be-all and end-all … Look, he has played three Ranji matches back-to-back. Once you play three first-class games on the bounce, the fatigue can also affect your Yo-Yo score,” a source was quoted by Hindustan Times.

Hardik Pandya, who was also in the Indian camp at NCA, cleared the Yo-Yo Test with flying colours and it will be interesting to see if he gets back in the Indian squad once the IPL 2022 ends on May 29. (CricTracker)

The winners of that match at Eden Park (22:00 GMT tomorrow) will be set for a spot in the semi-finals, while the losers will be on the verge of elimination.

KAPP THE HERO IN ANOTHER PROTEAS THRILLER South Africa are making a habit of winning thrilling games - they have already beaten Pakistan and England in last-over finishes.

This one should never have been close. The pace trio of Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka and Kapp, who is the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, were excellent to take New Zealand’s last six wickets for 30

runs. The White Ferns were bowled out for a modest total despite 93 from captain Sophie Devine.

In the chase, the Proteas were cruising when Laura Wolvaardt, who made 67, and Sune Luus, with 51, added 88 for the third wicket.

However, leg-spinner Amelia Kerr trapped Wolvaardt lbw and had Mignon du Preez caught behind before seamer Hannah Rowe found an edge off Luus.

A required run-rate that was once well below five spiralled towards seven but Kapp kept the Proteas afloat despite further wickets falling around her.

She cracked back-toback fours in the 47th over and, when 11 runs were needed from eight balls, hit Devine for four then crucially pinched a single to keep the strike for the final over.

The first ball of the 50th, delivered by off-spinner Frankie MacKay was hoisted for four over the leg side.

With the game as good as over, Kapp took one, trusting number 10 Khaka to hit the winning run.

(BBC Sport)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 18, 2022

Duffy is named Dr Parris for IBA ringside doctor’s certification course in Ecuador Sportswoman-of-the-Year

FIRST vice-president of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Dr Marissa Parris, will create history when she attends an International Boxing Association (IBA) ringside doctor’s certification course later this month in Ecuador.

The course will run from March 28 to April 3 in Guayaquil and it will be the first time a Guyanese is attending an IBA ringside doctor’s certification course.

President of GBA, Steve Ninvalle, explained that his association “bent backward” to have Parris attend the course as it fits into its developmental drive.

Ninvalle said the GBA is keen on developing all facets of the sport and as such, Dr Parris’ knowledge in the medical profession will go hand-in-hand with what she will learn in the South American country.

Dr Parris, the daughter of Guyana’s lone Olympic medal-holder, Michael Parris, will join 19 other doctors from Aruba, Bar-

for ninth time

GBA vice-president Marissa Parris

GBA president Steve Ninvalle

bados, Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El, Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, St Lucia, and the USA. According to the IBA, the main objective is to help develop their ringside doctors and increase the pool of Elite Ringside Doctors around the world.

The respective course

consists of theoretical and practical sessions followed by a theoretical and practical examination.

The course, as well as the theory examination, will be held in English and Spanish and is open for the already certified doctors as well as the doctors who would want to be IBA-certified for the first time.

Babar Azam misses Test double but goes past Kohli, Bradman, Ponting and Lara PAKISTAN batter Babar Azam may have missed out on a maiden Test double in the drawn second Test against Australia in Karachi on Wednesday, but he went to the top of an elusive list and crafting a massive 196.

His knock is now the highest by a captain in the fourth innings of a Test match. In the process, Babar left behind the likes of Don Bradman, Virat Kohli and Ricky Ponting, whose bests while batting in the fourth innings were

173 not out, 156 and 141 respectively.

Babar also leaves behind the legendary West Indies captain Brian Lara, whose highest score in the fourth innings of a Test match is an unbeaten 153.

HAMILTON, Bermuda (CMC) – Olympic gold medallist Dame Flora Duffy has won Bermuda’s Female Athlete-of-the-Year award for the ninth time.

Duffy, a 34-year-old triathlete, who claimed Bermuda’s first-ever Olympic gold medal at last year’s Summer Olympics in Tokyo, said in a recorded message: “Certainly, it was a massive year and I’m very grateful to all of you who played a major role in allowing me to achieve what I did last year, getting a gold medal in Tokyo.

“I want to say a big thank-you to the Bermuda Olympic Association for the support and allowing me to do my thing. I also want to say thank-you to the Bermuda Triathlon Association for years and years of support which started when I first got into the sport and all the way up to going to the Olympics and going for gold.

“Winning last year in Tokyo was definitely the biggest honour of my career and I’m so glad that I could do it for Bermuda,” added Duffy, who won her first Bermuda female award in 2006.

Duffy, who was made a Dame in the Queen’s New Year Honours, has already said she plans to defend her Olympic crown in Paris in 2024.

Duffy, currently training

in South Africa – her husband Dan Hugo’s homeland – for the upcoming international triathlon season, ended Bermuda’s long wait for a second Olympic medal – the only other one coming when heavyweight boxer Clarence Hill took bronze at the 1976 Games in Montreal.

Triple jumper Jah-Nhai Perinchief landed the Male Athlete-of-the-Year award handed out at the 40th Gov-

can’t be in attendance due to the fact that I’m overseas training and preparing for the World Indoor Championships and the rest of my outdoor season,” Perinchief said in his recorded message.

“So far this year it has been interesting. It’s been fun transitioning from college to the pros. I’ve learnt a lot of new things, constantly getting better

Olympic gold medallist Dame Flora Duffy ernment Sports Awards at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club.

Perinchief, 24, is the first triple jumper to win the male award since Brian Wellman won five straight Athlete-of-the-Year titles in the 1990s. “ U n f o r t u n a t e l y, I

and constantly working hard,” added Perinchief, who has already qualified for the Commonwealth Games in the English city of Birmingham this year and the Central American and Caribbean Games in El Salvador in 2023.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday March 18, 2022) CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Alzarri Joseph-5 wickets (2) Jack Leach-5 wickets Today’s Quiz: (1) Which WI made the highest individual score in the recent first Test against ENG? (2) Which ENG player made the highest individual score?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue …………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………

Roach eclipses Sir Garry but Stokes’ blazing century puts England on top

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, March 18, 2022

Ben Stokes drives through the off-side during his 11th Test century (Randy Brooks/ AFP via Getty Images)

Kemar Roach (right) celebrates after removing England captain Joe Root to move to seventh on the West Indies all-time list of wicket-takers (Photo courtesy CWI Media) BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Prized seamer Kemar Roach carved out a special niche in West Indies cricket history but Ben Stokes’ 11th Test hun-

dred underlined England’s dominance of the second day of the second Test here yesterday.

With his home venue of Kensington Oval providing

a fitting stage, 33-year-old Roach picked up two for 68 to surpass the legendary Sir Garry Sobers – Barbados’ most revered living National Hero – on the all-time list of

West Indies wicket-takers in Tests, and assume seventh spot with 237 wickets.

Roach overtook Sir Garry when he claimed his first wicket of the innings, captain

Nigel Duguid makes debut as on-field Test umpire

Joe Root for 153 in the second over after lunch, lbw to a straightish delivery, courtesy of DRS. Stokes added to West Indies’ woes with a stunning 120 off 128 balls as England, resuming the morning on 244 for three, declared their first innings on 507 for nine, about 25 minutes after tea.

Left-hander John Campbell was an early casualty for four with West Indies on 14 for one but the stylish Shamarh Brooks, unbeaten on 31, and captain Kraigg Brathwaite with a resolute 28 not out, steered West Indies safely to the close on 71 for one in a crucial 57-run, second-wicket partnership.

Left-arm spinner Veersammy Permaul, largely ineffective, claimed two late wickets with England on the charge to end with three for 126 while Roach supported with his brace, after also

removing all-rounder Chris Woakes for 41.

“It feels good. Obviously to pass a legend like Sir Garfield Sobers is a fantastic achievement …,” Roach said.

“It’s amazing. It’s good to be among the greats. To write my name on the wall above Sir Garry when it comes to wickets is a fantastic achievement so I’m happy for that.”

Roach spearheaded West Indies’ fruitless efforts in the first session as Root and Stokes combined in a 129-run fourth-wicket stand which propelled England to 369 for three at lunch.

All told, Root faced 316 deliveries in a shade over eight hours and struck 14 fours while the left-handed Stokes played with gay abandon, hammering 11 fours and half-dozen sixes in just over (TURN TO PAGE 23)

On this day March 17, 1963 enters Roger Harper

Umpire Nigel Duguid is presented with his ICC instrument of appointment from Match Referee, Sir Richie Richardson. Others in picture, from left, are umpires Joel Wilson, Gregory Brathwaite and Leslie Reifer (Getty Images) SOME eight years after officiating in his first T20 International, Guyana’s Nigel Duguid is now an onfield International Cricket Council (ICC) Test umpire.

The 52-year-old Duguid made his Test debut as an

on-field umpire at the Kensington Oval, Barbados on Wednesday, standing alongside Trinidadian Joel Wilson as the second Apex Test, featuring hosts West Indies and England, got underway.

The last Guyanese um-

pire to officiate as an onfield umpire in a Test was Eddie Nichols in 2001.

A veteran of three ICC Under-19 World Cups, Duguid stood in the 2016, 2018 and 2020 tournaments in Bangladesh, New Zealand

and South Africa respectively but was otherwise engaged when the tournament was played in the Caribbean earlier this year.

The former Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) left-arm (TURN TO PAGE 23)

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ARGUABLY one of the greatest fielders of all-time was born. At slip, in the deep, off his bowling, anywhere you like, Roger Harper was absolutely electric, startlingly so for a man of 6ft 3in.

Nobody who witnessed his run-out of Graham Gooch in the MCC Bicentenary match at Lord’s in 1987 will forget it. Gooch came down the track and smacked a drive on the bounce back to Harper, who grabbed it and threw down the stumps in a mes-

merising blur.

Gooch had hardly turned round, let alone got his bat back down, and was left on his knees, a disbelieving look on his face. Scyld Berry wrote that Gooch should have been given out “stp. and b Harper”.

Harper’s fielding obscured his off-spin, which was good enough to earn 46 Test wickets, and no West Indian spinner with 25 wickets - not even Lance Gibbs - has a lower average than Harper’s 28.07. (Cricinfo) FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2022