Pepperpot 2015 6 21

IWOKRAMA RIVER LODGE EARNS CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE - from a popular American travel website

► Page XII IWOKRAMA RIVER LODGE:Ecotourism is one of the important components of Iwokrama’s strategy for financial self-sufficiency. Visitors directly contribute to the communities in and around the Iwokrama forest.

LOVE ME TONIGHT romancing the dead! ► Page VIII

A mysterious

DEATH

► Page XV

- Young man drowned, but body recovered with mud in mouth

Meet Haresh Singh…

► Page IX

A local singer who believes - also hoping for Copyright in originality laws to come back ► XXXII

The Lisa Punch BATH Story SETTLEMENT

Page

- a whirling melee of welcoming smiles and rich camaraderie

► Page XIX

A journey from poverty to international fame

Produced and Edited by Mark Ramotar | Graphic and Layout Design by Duane Prince

► Page XXVII

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

My father’s bride - Conclusion

A shocking revelation and the magic of love

n his return to the army base, Arvin dedicated himself with a stronger focus, the soldier he was, not to think of her, so that feeling of love could slowly die. He spoke often to his father, though, for there was a nagging worry in his mind over his health. But he continued to assure Arvin that nothing was wrong with him and always he would mention Marissa, though Arvin never asked of her.

“I can’t even tell him not to talk about her,” he said dispirited, “Why do I need to know she’s looking more beautiful than ever?”

One year passed and not long after Arvin came back from a stint in Costa Rica, he received a call from his brother, requesting him to take a short period of emergency leave and come home.

“What is wrong?”

“It’s dad, he collapsed two days ago and is in the emergency unit.”

“What happened?” Arvin asked, fear gripping him, “Why did no one notify me earlier?”

“We didn’t want to worry you unnecessarily until we knew what was the problem.”

“What is the problem?”

His brother didn’t answer for a moment, then he said, “I think it would be better when we are all together to talk about it, because at this point in time, he’s not looking good.”

“And Marissa?”

“I don’t know anything about her,” his brother said flatly.

A sudden, compelling feeling had made him ask about her, remembering his father’s request not to hate her. He thought about his father and that little worry that had never left his mind.

“He was sick and hiding it,” Arvin now realized, “Why would he do that?”

He reached home late in the night, hoping for immediate answers or an explanation. His mother though divorced from the father for more than ten years, never forgiving him for his infidelity, looked grieved and his

brother and sister, somewhat distressed.

“Has his condition improved?” Arvin asked with some hope.

“No,” his brother answered, “And it seems unlikely it would.”

A dreadful feeling entered Arvin’s heart at that moment and he felt a deep reluctance to ask why, but he needed answers.

“Cancer,” his sister answered in an unsteady voice.

The living room suddenly became quiet, just that one word that pronounced an imminent death sentence.

No one said anything for a while, a family that had been broken, but together now at this tragic time. Arvin felt numb, unable to believe something like this had happened and he asked, breaking the solemn silence, “Did he not talk about this to anyone?”

“Only his doctor whom he swore to secrecy,” his mother explained.

“I can’t understand this, I mean I was away but he had Avinash and Avani he could have talked to.”

“Yes but we weren’t on good talking terms,” his sister reminded him, regrets in her voice.

“Yeah, I almost forgot that,” Arvin said with a hint of cynicism.

“You seem to be forgetting something else too,” his brother said,a slight edge of dissent in his voice.

“What is that?”

“He had a young wife, who he could have talked to. Why would he have bothered with us?”

Arvin shook his head a little and said nothing further that could cause any angry conflict within the family so he asked, “Can I see him at the hospital now?”

His father was unresponsive, being in a coma and as Arvin stood there looking at him, deep regrets filled his heart.

“So much time was lost, now neither of us will be able to make up for that.”

He couldn’t sleep that night, troubled thoughts criss-crossing his mind, some questions still unanswered.

The two persons he hoped could help him understand why his father kept his illness a secret were the doctor and the young wife.

In the early hours of the morning, his eyes closed in sleep and in his dream, he saw Marissa standing alone,

crying quietly and as he walked towards her, he heard his father’s voice, “Arvin, my son, please take care of her.”

maureen.rampertab@gmail.com

O

By Maureen Rampertab

A frantic knocking on the door, jolted him out of his sleep and he sat up a bit disoriented.

“Arvin wake up son,” his mother was calling.

He opened the door and saw a sad look on her face.

“The hospital just called,” she said, her voice breaking a little.

She didn’t have to tell him why, he knew and he sat down on his bed with his head buried in his hands for a long moment, trying to come to grips with the fact, his father was gone.

“He always kept his feelings caged,” Arvin reminisced, “Never expressing his true sentiments, that’s why we sometimes doubted he loved us.”

“Secretive to the end,” his mother remarked, embracing her son in her comforting arms.

The doctor revealed, in a meeting with the family, later that morning that when the father was diagnosed with the incurable disease, he did not want to burden his family for their care, given the acrimony of the separation his lifestyle had caused. He just wanted to live on quietly, dealing with the problem on his own.

After a long pause, giving the family time to digest this information, the doctor concluded, “I’m truly sorry about all of this but if it can be of any comfort, you must know he dealt with it fearlessly and lived beyond the expected time.”

“He was a strong man,” Arvin agreed, “And he did say he had a good doctor, thank you for everything.”

As the family began to leave, Arvin asked the doctor, “Was his wife informed?”

The doctor paused for a moment before answering, “She was by his side, just before the end.”

They were not pleased that he asked about her but if dreams were true then she was alone crying and he ► Continued on page III

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

III

My father’s bride ► From page II

had to do what his father asked of him.

A feeling of gloom hung over the beautiful house as he rang the doorbell and the housekeeper answered. Her face was sad but she said calmly, before Arvin could ask, “She’s in the garden.”

She was standing by the garden swing, staring into nothingness, in silent grief and he stood for a little while watching her, before quietly calling her name, “Marissa.”

She turned and gasped a little on seeing him then bent her head, trying to fight back the tears.

He had to be strong, he knew, though his mind was shattered, because much depended on him and touching her shoulder, he said comfortingly, “You can cry.”

She looked at him, her lips trembling and leaning her head on his shoulder, she cried, the shock of her loss and the sadness flowing with the tears. He put his arms around her until her crying subsided and they sat there for a while in the garden.

“Did you know anything of his illness?” Arvin asked her when her emotions had calmed a little.

She shook her head, “No. I knew he wasn’t too well because of the special diet he had to follow but I had no idea it was so serious.”

“Maybe he didn’t want you to worry.”

“I know, he was always so caring but now he’s gone.

What do I do?” she started to cry again.

In comforting her, Arvin understood in his dream why his father asked him to take care of her. The shock had shaken her so much, she hadn’t the mental strength to deal with the sudden tragedy. The housekeeper called to say the children had arrived and she dried her tears as she walked up to the house. Arvin watched, a bit curious, as she embraced the two young boys, the younger lad afflicted with Down’s syndrome and the older, a normal kid.

“My two brothers,” she told him, “They’re all the family I have.”

“No mother and father?”

She sent the boys to the playroom before answering, “They died the same night my eldest brother did.”

“How?” he asked, with a heightened sense of curiosity.

A deeper sad look crossed her face as she answered, “Murdered.”

He looked shocked, not expecting to hear that and if his mind had been searching for an answer, why she married a man so much older than her, he knew now it was for comfort and convenience. The phone rang before he could say anything else and the housekeeper said to Arvin, “People have been calling all morning to extend their

sympathies, you may want to take care of this because the mistress is quite shaken.”

Arvin complied and after making sure Marissa was resting, he took immediate control of everything and in a few hours, all arrangements were in place for his father’s funeral. The family did not approve of what he did, thinking that Marissa should be left on her own but Arvin took a strong stance against their behaviour.

“This is not the time for hateful sentiments, it’s the time to support each other and the fact remains that she is his wife who had been sharing his home and his life and I am his son. Why is it so wrong for me to help her?”

No one made any further comments and with Arvin’s calm composure and high level of responsibility supported by his brother and sister, sometimes, all the plans went smoothly at both homes for friends and family to extend their sympathies until the final day.

It wasn’t a day Arvin wanted to remember, not for the grief, sadness and deep regrets. It all seemed so wrong.

Three days after the funeral, he could still hear the sounds of Marissa crying and the lost look on her face.

“What would she do now? How do I leave her alone and return to my life?”

Uncertain and confused, he prayed, “Lord, If there is an answer, please help me find it.”

The answer came that same day when the lawyer who had drawn up his father’s will, called. The details specified what he had bequeathed to his three children and his wife but what was of more importance was the letter he left for Arvin.

The letter stated, “Son, I am sorry I did not play the role of a great father in your life but sometimes we fall short of expectations. The divorce that broke our family was because of my refusal to accept my faults and my heartless arrogance. I realized a few years after you left, how wrong I had been but it was too late for reconciliation, my family had moved away from me. I wondered each day what I can do to make up for my mistakes then one tragic night, my business partner in gold mining, his wife and son were shot and killed in the interior. Their deaths left a young daughter and two little boys alone in the world.

What do I do to help?

I brought them to my home for security and comfort until the daughter could manage on her own but the world is not such a safe and sympathetic place for a beautiful, young girl with no family. I became protective, not wanting her to fall into the wrong hands, that will cause suffering to her two brothers so after much thought, I made an arrangement with her so society can believe we were married. My reputation as a fearless, no-nonsense man was like an invisible bodyguard for her anywhere

she went.

Son, it was just a legal arrangement so she could be secure and have some rights. I owed that to her father and to myself because I had lost my own children. I had no intimate connection with her, she was like a daughter to me. When I got diagnosed with cancer, I did not tell her to drive any further fear in her heart but I was thankful she was there to take care of me. When I saw you after ten years, I felt so proud of the kind of man you had become and I know in my heart you were the perfect one for her.

If you can love her and share your life with her then I know I would have done the ultimate good and my soul will rest in peace.”

- Dad For a long moment, Arvin sat motionless, the letter falling from his trembling hands, a shocking revelation, and only then he cried, for the father he never truly knew, his kindness and compassion, and the selfless sacrifice he had made for a murdered friend’s children.

That he had found something so blessedly good to atone for his mistake was heartening. Arvin folded the letter slowly, putting it in his pocket and he sighed deeply to compose himself.

The complexities of life - his father’s dying wish for him to love the one he had thought could not be his, the one he had fallen in love with the moment he saw her.

She was alone in the living room, looking through a photo album of her family and from the puffiness around her eyes, he knew she hadn’t yet stopped crying. He took the letter from his pocket and opening it, he handed her, “I just received his from my father’s lawyer.”

She read the letter and when she looked at him, there were fresh tears in her eyes.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked her, in a quiet tone.

“Would you have believed me?”

He shook his head slowly, “I can’t believe he changed so much.”

“He was a good man,” she said, tears, now streaming down her face, “He took great care of us when we lost our mother and father.”

Arvin sat down beside her and wiped her tears, “You have to stop crying.”

She leaned her head on his shoulder and for a while, they sat there in silence then he asked her, “Do you still think I’m a special person you liked?”

She raised her head and looked at him, a soft light dancing in her hazel eyes, “More than ever.”

Falling in love that night, but forbidden to embrace the magic of something most beautiful, now their love story would begin.

He kissed her softly, his bride to be.

IV

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

‘The Guyana Annual’ 1998 to 2015

M

AGAZINE production is precarious business. This has been evident throughout the 100-year history of The Guyana Annual, a history characterised by rough rides and ephemeral bouts of triumph.

But it was worth the effort, and all persons involved in its continued publication can testify to this, especially the editors [1998-2015] from Alan Fenty to Charles De Florimonte, Kojo McPherson to Ruel Johnson, to Petamber Persaud.

Founded in December 1915, this magazine has outlived many other such publications, undergoing numerous modifications to meet the needs of its readership and to carry out its mandate, which is to preserve our identity and cultural integrity.

The main noticeable change to the book over the years is its name.

Started as the Chronicle Christmas Annual, it was renamed the Guyana Christmas Annual, and finally in the new millennium it was labelled The Guyana Annual, becoming a truly national magazine instead of a year-end, Christmas-oriented publication.

The main rival of ‘The Annual’ was ‘The Christmas Tide’, which folded in 1950. ‘The Christmas Tide’ was produced by the Argosy newspaper. ‘The Caribia’, produced by B.G. Litographic, didn’t survive for very long. However, we cannot diminish the significant contribution these magazines made to Guyanese literature, where a nation needs a literature for self-identity, self-expression and self-propagation.

More importantly, those magazines served to preserve our literary heritage. The quality of writing and quantity of information to be found within their pages, notwithstanding, is amazing. The authors of those pieces were, or eventually became, prominent members of society.

From its inception, there was a good run of The Annual, until 1962 to 1965, when there was no publication. There was one issue in 1966, and one in 1992, until Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh intervened.

This Texas-based, Berbician-born Guyanese resuscitated publication of The Annual in 1998 at a time when books were being jostled out by the television and the Internet, when reading for pleasure was far from desirable and results in English examination were poor.

Despite its ups and downs, The Annual has made tremendous con► Continued on page V

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

‘The Guyana Annual’ ► From page IV tribution to our literary heritage and cultural patrimony, and has launched the careers of writers and artists who eventually became well-known, some even internationally acknowledged.

In the words of Dr Ian McDonald as he described The Annual, “every outlet for cultural creation like this one is a dream come true for some young person somewhere in this country yearning to express himself or herself and make a difference in our minds and imaginations”.

David Granger [now President Granger] echoed this sentiment, and added, “A magazine such as this does more than comfort the old. It encourages and enlightens the young, and inspires the talented”. And Al Creighton, in a review of the last issue of The Annual, declared: “The outlets and opportunities that it provides within the country remain immeasurable”. Yes, it is one of a handful of literary competitions that publish winning entries; that in itself is an honour, especially for emerging writers, seeing their names in print.

‘The Guyana Annual 2014-2015’ is here, and the centenary souvenir edition will follow. The theme of this magazine is ‘the passage of time and anniversaries’.

This issue of the magazine is dedicated to A.J. Seymour, whose birth centenary (January 12, 2014) was celebrated by the National Library with a breathtaking production of ‘See More Poetry’ at the Theatre Guild Playhouse, and other activities, including the mounting of a plaque on the house where he lived on 23 North Road, Bourda, and finally the induction of the writer into the National Library Hall of Fame for the Literary Arts.

With reference to the life and work of Seymour, there is information on the books he wrote, like ‘Growing up in Guyana’; publications he edited, like Kykover-Al; anthologies he published, like ‘Treasury of Guyanese Poetry’; and there are also tributes by Dr Ian McDonald; Seymour’s daughter, Joan; and Seymour’s niece, Jacqueline de Weever, all firsthand encounters with the writer.

Poet, literary critic, radio programmer/broadcaster, anthologist, ‘nativist publisher’ and cultural historian, A. J. Seymour was born on January 12, 1914; grew up in Georgetown, but spent many delightful August school holidays in New Amsterdam, in the neighbourhood of N.E. Cameron, Jan Carew, Wilson Harris, the Abbensetts and Edgar Mittelholzer. Seymour died on December 25, 1989.

This issue also highlights the anniversaries of important dates, events and organisations in our history, like the 1823 Demerara Revolt, the 1838 Emancipation and the start of indentureship, the centenary of aviation in Guyana, the centenary of the Everest Cricket Club, the centenary of the Rose Hall Massacre, anniversary of the University of Guyana, anniversary of the Theatre Guild, 50th anniversary of Michael Ford Bookstore, to name a few. features in this issue include the proverbs of Guyana

according to Alan Fenty; photography and copyright

by Michael Lam; ‘From Newfoundland to Guyana’

by Stephanie McKenzie, an article tracing the trade of saltfish for rum and molasses between the West Indies/ Guyana and Newfoundland/Labrador. There is a tribute to Sheila King titled ‘Sheila – King of Children Literature’, who is a longstanding contributor of children’s literature to the magazine and who is Guyana’s oldest living writer.

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The Guyana Annual magazine is published by Guyenterprise Ltd., and the current 2014-2015 issue was edited by Petamber Persaud, who closed his editorial with the following, ‘Time spent reminiscing [with The Annual] is time redeemed’.

(Persons wishing to respond to this author can contact him on telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com)

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

(A look at some of the stories that made the news ‘back-in-the-day’ with CLIFFORD STANLEY)

THE CAT WAS A ‘TIGER’ (Guiana Graphic September 4, 1959)

ON Wednesday night, Mrs Doris Ramjohn saw a strange ‘cat’ in her yard in Cummings Street, Georgetown. Trying to be kind, she encouraged it to stay. But on Thursday, she found that all she received for her kindness was a depletion of her poultry stock.

L o o k i n g around, she saw the cat eating a dead chicken. She tried to take it away, but was met with snarls and growls. What was more, the whiskers of the cat stood on end.

Neighbours were called out and they also tried to take away the dead chicken from the ‘cat’, but without success.

Doris then decided to have the cat killed, since it was serving no useful purpose and was looking to become a menace.

Only when it was killed did she realise that the animal was a ‘tiger cat’.

Nude ‘woman’ brings out police (Guyana Graphic July 31, 1959)

By George Barclay POSTERS portraying a woman in the nude and hanging in several parts of the city advertising the movie ‘The Naked Maja’ caused a rumpus between cinema men and the police yesterday.

Dubbed immoral by the Assistant Commissioner for Crime, Supt. Frank DeAbreu, the posters were ordered to be pulled down; but Film Censor Board Chairman IRB Robinson contended that the posters should not be regarded as such, as they represented the famous painting of the Duchess of Alba.

Emergency talks were held between the acting Crime Chief and the theatre manager, and a compromise was reached.

The posters are being retouched to cover parts which it is thought should not be left exposed.

‘The Naked Maja’ opens at the Globe cinema today.

Though censors have never regarded the film itself as immoral, the poster of ‘Maja’ was banned in England because of its nudity.

Mr Robertson said yesterday: “As far as I am aware, the painting which the poster represents hangs in the famous museum of El Prado in Spain, and the film depicts the life of Francisco Goya, the famous painter.”

Mr De Abreu later said he was glad for the co-operation given by the theatre management. He added: “I thought that the portrait, as it originally was, was not in the best interest of the public.”

‘Maja’ is a word describing a mistress of love. It is MGM’s presentation of a motion picture masterpiece of

Inside the Law…

High time to get real rowdy (Guiana Graphic September 5, 1959) SHEILA is 17 and precocious. And probably, at 17, she has every right to be. But Sheila is also a ruthless young woman…ruthless and possessed of a desperate mind.

She lives in Rose Mary Lane, and it is the boast of the residents of this district that the police are most unwelcome there. In fact, the people who live there are quite clannish, and would never gang up on the side of the law against any of their own.

Fitzherbert, on the other hand, is not only new to the street, but is regarded by most as somewhat of a “queer”; queer in the sense that Fitzherbert lives a law-abiding life…He is a hard-working carpenter who minds his own business and meddles not in the more shady aspects of life in Rose Mary Lane.

He lives in one of the rooms of the tenement building in which Sheila and her parents live. And, as a result, he cannot help but come into daily contact with the young and vicious Sheila.

On this particular morning, Sheila was not only up early, but had chosen to plank herself in the centre of his path.

“Damn anti-man!”

“Move and leh me pass,” Fitzherbert requested in very courteous language.

“But look at this damn anti-man!” Sheila launched into the attack, unprovoked and with malice.

“Dis is Rose Mary Lane, you know,” she boasted.

“Ah want to pass and go to work,” Fitz replied, trying to get past her.

But that only served to get Sheila more angry. “But look at dis Booboo man!” she taunted, and that one really hurt.

Fitzherbert forgot about work: “You calling me a Booboo man?” he demanded. “You is de worst girl in de place, because you get somebody and ah seeing you with another man!”

“But look at this anti-man!” she taunted again, and this time she added injury to insult. As she threw her taunt, she deftly slipped off the shoe she was wearing and let Fitz have it on the head.

Fitz decided it was time to get real rowdy: “But you see dis lil so-and-so knock me?!” he hollered.

“Yes, you anti-man!” boasted Sheila. “Ah knock you, but dis is Rose Mary Lane and you ent going get no witness.”

“You sister get a big hand, a big foot and one eye,” she abused Fitzherbert.

And that was her mistake. Fitzherbert did not admit

romance and passion.

The film stars Ava Gardener, who supposedly was the model for the ‘Naked Maja’, and co-stars Anthony Franciosa as the painter Goya, whose love and art knew no bounds.

Their love story flamed the scandal that rocked the world. Never has there been a painting more scandalous. this later when he spoke to the police, but the witnesses of Rose Mary Lane who came forward swore that it was at this stage that he struck Sheila.

‘BUSING’ However, the next thing on record is that Fitz and another neighbour were in the yard speaking about the “unprovoked” attack.

He told the court: “Ah suddenly hear somebody say, ‘Is where you going with dat flask?’ and before ah could turn around, ah get drench with hot water.”

And it was no ordinary drenching too. For it was a two-pint flask of hot water which Sheila had emptied on the unguarded Fitz.

Soon after, the cops were swarming Rose Mary Lane, and with some difficulty they managed to get two witnesses who had seen what happened.

However, by the time Sheila appeared before Magistrate Arthur Chung on the charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm, she had decided that it was best to plead guilty.

“How old are you?” asked Mr. Chung, struck by Sheila’s obvious youth.

“Seventeen, sir,” she replied timidly.

Quite young, reasoned Mr. Chung; far too young to be giving hot baths.

But before sentencing Sheila, he decided first to get a probation officer’s report on the young woman. And it was that report which saved Sheila from a term of imprisonment. For it came out that in spite of her vicious temperament, that was her first time in court.

“Fined $25!” announced Mr. Chung.

(Clifford Stanley can be reached to discuss any of the foregoing articles at cliffantony@gmail.com or cell phone # 694-0913)

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

VII

It happened in 1966 …

Magistrate acquits, but Full Court convicts - for custody of distillery apparatus

I

By George Barclay N 1966, Nandlall – a farmer, was found in possession of a distillery apparatus for the manufacture of bush rum, had the matter dismissed against him after the magistrate declared that the defendant had been charged under the wrong section.

Customs Officer Seerattan, who instituted the charge, appealed the magistrate’s ruling; and the Full Court, presided over by Chief Justice Harold Bollers, heard the matter and found that the magistrate was clearly wrong, because a conviction ought to have ensued. The appeal was therefore allowed, and the order of dismissal was set aside.

The facts of the case disclosed that, on March 31, 1966, at about 1:10 pm, the appellant, an officer of the Customs and Excise Department, had gone with another Customs Officer and a party of policemen to the backlands of Perseverance in Essequibo, where, in a very bushy area, the respondent was found sitting in a boat in a branch of Lake Mainstay and another man was seen swimming about 10 yards away from the said boat, in which was found a copper coil and a retort with attached gooseneck.

The appellant disclosed his identity and told the respondent he believed the said articles were part of a bush-rum ‘still’, whereupon the respondent said he was going to make a drum of bush-rum for his son’s wedding.

He was arrested and taken, along with the seized articles, to the Anna Regina Police Station, where he was later charged with being in “possession” of distillery apparatus for the manufacture of spirits, contrary to section 104 (3) of the Spirits Ordinance, Chapter 319.

The respondent closed his case after the prosecution had closed its case, and the magistrate dismissed the respondent, upholding his counsel’s submission that the charge was brought under the wrong section; it should properly have been brought under section 11 of the Spirits Ordinance, Chapter 319 (which relates to distilling spirits without a licence) In her Reasons for Decision, the magistrate said she found the respondent in possession of the above-mentioned articles, and that those said articles could have been used in the manufacture of spirits; but she was of the opinion that the prosecution could not succeed under section 104 (3), the section under which charges had been laid, because that section envisaged a warrant and seizure, which was not the case before her; and although the exhibits could have been used for the manufacture

of spirits, they were not in fact so being used when the respondent was found in possession of them. And she accordingly dismissed the complaint.

The prosecution appealed on ground that the learned magistrate was erroneous in point of law when she held that the charge was brought under the wrong section.

Delivering the Reasons for the Full Court’s decision, Chief Justice Bollers, who had sat along with Justice Arthur Chung, held that: (1) The submission that the appellant should have been authorised to enter and search the place where the

distillery apparatus was found was worthless in view of sub-section (5) of section 104 of the Ordinance, which made it quite clear that any Customs Officer may seize any distillery apparatus without warrant.

(2) Under sub-section 6 of section 104 of the said Ordinance, it is provided that anyone found in a place where a distillery apparatus for the manufacture of spirits is found, or in the vicinity thereof, shall be “deemed” to be the owner or person in charge of the apparatus, unless he proves to the contrary; and here, the respondent had never attempted to discharge that onus.

(3) The statement of offence and particulars were wrongly worded, and the proper charge should have been according to the wording of section 104 (3) itself, viz., “custody” of distillery apparatus, instead of “possession” of distillery apparatus; and this would present no real difficulty, since the magistrate had found that the respondent was in possession of distillery apparatus for the manufacture of spirits, and it was trite that anyone who is in possession of something must necessarily be in custody of it.

(4) Accordingly, the magistrate’s acquittal of the

George Barclay

respondent was clearly wrong, and a conviction ought to have ensued.

The Full Court, in order to achieve that objective, would order that a conviction for the offence of “custody” of distillery apparatus contrary to section 104 (3) be substituted, and that the complaint and conviction order be amended accordingly; and the Court would impose a fine of $250 or three months’ imprisonment plus one day’s imprisonment, and the respondent would be given three months to pay the said fine.

The appeal was allowed, and the magistrate’s order of dismissal was set aside.

The then Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. J. Gonsalves-Sabola, appeared for the appellant, while Attorney-at-Law Mr. E. Hanoman represented the respondent.

Chief Justice Bollers said that, in the present case, the respondent never attempted to discharge the onus placed upon him in respect of sub-section (6), and therefore must be deemed to be the owner or person in charge of the distillery apparatus for the manufacture of spirits.

The submission that the Customs Officer should have been authorised by warrant to enter and search the place where the distillery apparatus was found was worthless in view of sub-section (5), which empowers him to seize the distillery apparatus without a warrant.

“The magistrate’s acquittal of the respondent was therefore clearly wrong, and a conviction ought to have ensued. We therefore allow the appeal and set aside the order of dismissal. We, however, concur with the observation of counsel for the appellant that the statement of offence and particulars of offence in the charge were incorrectly worded, and the proper charge should have been according to the wording of section 104 (3): “custody of distillery apparatus”, instead of “possession of distillery apparatus”, as appears in the statement of offence and particulars of offence.

This situation presented no difficulty, for the magistrate found that the respondent was in possession of the distillery apparatus for the manufacture of spirits, and it is trite that anyone who is in possession of something must be in custody of it. And indeed, the evidence in the present case clearly disclosed that the respondent was in custody of the distillery apparatus.

Hence we made the order that a conviction for the offence of custody of distillery apparatus contrary to section 104 (3) be substituted, and that the complaint and conviction order be amended accordingly, and a fine of $250 or three months’ imprisonment be imposed.”

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

LOVE ME TONIGHT romancing the dead!

A

By Neil Primus

NIL liked his job. He was a driver, and a very good one at that. He had driven the rich, the powerful and the stupid. Now he was driving the dead. All of his previous employers had given him hell at one time or another. It was always “Do this!” or “Do that!” or “You forget to do this or that!”

Now all that drama was over. The ‘people’ he drove now did not have an attitude, and that was good enough for him.

He had an out-of-town job this weekend. He had to take the body of a young lady to her village. This meant a six-hour drive, but Anil didn’t mind. He always had a bottle for company. The hearse had some mechanical problems, so he collected the body three hours late, which caused him to leave the city at 5:30pm.

By six, he was miles from the capital and speeding towards ‘Forget me not’. Darkness closed in quickly, but that did not hamper him. Every now and then he would take a quick drink, keeping a sharp eye out for the cops.

Eight o’clock saw him entering the main road leading to a number of remote villages. It was a dirt road that was unlit and littered with potholes -- small, large, ridiculous and cluster potholes.

Driving quickly would ensure he joined his silent passenger. Anil crawled along the dark roadway.

Sputter! Clank! Sputter! The engine was acting up again. After some more protesting noises, ungainly lurching and jerking, it backfired and shut down. Nothing he did made a difference after that; the engine refused to start. He gave up trying and settled down for the night.

Now, most people would have a serious problem driving dead people, but Anil was different. He comforted himself with the fact

that he was just transporting a box. That was that. What was in it was none of his business, and he intended to keep it that way. He never peeked at his passengers. Stretching out on the seat, he fell asleep.

Click! Snap! Anil came awake groggily. He had taken quite a few drinks, so his brain was taking some time to click into gear.

Tap! Tap! Someone was tapping on the window.

He switched on the light in the car and looked out.

It was a lady. He opened the door and ran his fingers through his hair to make it neater.

“Can I stay with you?”

Anil was pleasantly surprised. The only thing he liked as much as rum was women.

“What’s up?” he asked.

“I got caught on the road and can’t catch any-

thing till tomorrow,” she said.

“No problem.” Anil said, smiling to himself.

As they settled down and began to chat, he found out that she was a very nice person, and they soon started laughing at each other’s jokes.

Things progressed from good to unbelievable.

Anil had a night he would never forget. They both fell asleep; tired.

The next morning, when Anil awoke, his onenight-stand was gone. He cursed himself for not finding out more about her. A truck drove up and the driver helped to repair the hearse. The drive to ‘Forget me not’ continued.

Anil arrived about two hours before the funeral.

He dropped the casket off at the church and waited outside for the service to end. A relative called him to assist with removing the casket from the church.

When he entered the building, the viewing was not finished. Family and friends had encircled the casket and were in deep mourning.

Someone beckoned to him, and he moved towards them, intending to suggest that they close the casket and proceed with the funeral. The casket was close and he strode up to help with the locking of the box. A close relative who arrived late made an urgent request to see the dead. The family obliged. It was the worst thing they could have done.

The lid was raised and Anil found himself staring into the beautiful face of his lover of the previous night. She was wearing the same clothes, and had a smile of contentment on her face. Anil freaked out. Screaming like he’d seen the devil, Anil dashed out of the church and away from the horror of his discovery. In his exodus, he forgot the hearse and a good pair of shoes.

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

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Short Story…

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By Neil Primus ATRICK was drunk. In fact, he was drunker than Banks DIH and DDL rum departments put together. So was Baljet.

They had both been drinking for the entire day, and were now heading home to ‘Welcome’.

The small village of ‘Welcome’ was situated six miles from the public road. The dams leading into the village were left side line dam and right side line dam and middle walk dam. Whichever dam you chose, it was long, lonely and dark.

Patrick and Baljet stumbled along the right side line dam. It was passing midnight, and night creatures were out in their numbers. Owls, frogs and crockets kept the night sounds alive. The moon was out, but was kept at bay by clouds.

The two buddies headed for home. It was Mashramani (An Amerindian word meaning ‘celebration after hard work’) and the two friends had bartered at the large rum shop on the public road.

The place was popular, and many residents of Welcome frequented there. The only difference with them and the two pals was that they drank less, left earlier, and used the middle walk.

There was some chatter about spirits roaming the side line dam. One person said it was an old man, another said it was a child, and a third said it was a pig that spoke. Thus very few dared to traverse these dams after 10 pm.

The tipsy duo walked, stumbled and staggered towards Welcome. After putting away 3 halves of XM, 1 half of El Dorado and 3 ‘grenades’, they were ‘higher’ than the Kingston lighthouse.

To compound matters, they made sure they had taken one for the road. Literally, each had a grenade, and took selected sips as they forged ahead.

The full brilliance of the moon hit the dam and painted everything silver in one stroke of its paint brush. As they walked along, they rounded a bend in the road and ended up straight into a strange spectacle: standing in the middle of the dam was a white woman. She was young and beautiful, with black hair that trailed in the strong breeze. She had an inviting smile on her lips and a warm welcoming look in her eyes.

Patrick spotted her first and jabbed Baljet in the rib with his elbow.

“Ow!”

“Watchdat chick,” Patrick said.

“She look good,” Baljet answered.

They both laughed and walked towards her.

“Why you out so late, baby?” enquired Baljet.

The smile got bigger.

“Where you going, love?” Patrick asked soothingly.

The smile grew even more.

As they approached her, she moved to the left of the dam, blocking their path. The two drunks looked at each other in surprise. They both headed for the other side but she got there first. Through the fog of alcohol, alarm bells began a gentle ringing in their heads, and they both made a quick dash and passed her by.

“Boy, she pretty but weird,” Baljet remarked.

“You right, Baljet. She like she want me…,” Patrick countered.

“Not you! She was trying to attract me,” Baljet insisted.

“All right, leh we go back on she,” Patrick challenged.

“No way!” Baljet meant it.

They walked home at a faster pace now, the grenade in their pockets forgotten. Things had gotten too weird.

Suddenly, in a flash of moonlight, the woman appeared again. She seemed to be standing in the brighter beams, and what was stranger was that she was completely transparent.

Patrick blinked and blinked again. Baljeet gaped at the spectacle, his mouth opening and closing but no words emerging. Alcohol takes more than twelve hours to exit the human body, but in the case of the two travelers, it either took instant leave or it was put on ice for

the time being.

Four cold, sober eyes watched while two brains tried to comprehend what was happening. Patrick decided to take action. Turning on his heels, he headed back the way he had come, with Baljeet huffing and puffing close behind. As they trooped around the bend in the road, who do you suppose they saw? The see-through lady!

They both applied brakes. They were so exhausted that running any further was out of the question.

“Y’all don’t like me?” her voice was low and sweet to the ears.

Two tongue-tied men stood there in the centre of the road as the woman floated towards them. They stumbled backwards away from her.

“At least shake me hand nah?” she requested.

Two heads shook in negative response, by this time she was only a few feet from them; and in their panic, they both deposited themselves on their backsides in the middle of the dam.

The spirit came closer, bringing with her person chilly winds, goose bumps and terror. Her face and eyes had change drastically. The smile had been replaced by an ugly scowl, and the welcoming eyes were spitting hatred for them.

“We sorry we tell yoh anything. We jus want foh go home.”

Baljet pleaded.

A ghostly looking hand was extended to Baljet then Patrick in turn. They both tucked their hands behind their backs and shook their heads in fear. Suddenly the scowl evaporated and the smile came back.

“If you hold me hand, I gon tek yoh wid me; we gon have a good time.”

Two terrified men looked at each other, and four weary legs suddenly became energised to race towards ‘Welcome’ as their owners puffed, panted, prayed and cried. They got there in good time for two guys in their fifties.

Patrick’s wife met him at the door after one knock.

“Why you knocking on de door and hiding when I peep through de window? Yoh in too big fodat?” she demanded. Patrick almost threw up.

Meanwhile, Baljet was knocking on his door with little success. Eventually, his 14-year-old daughter opened the door. As he stumbled in, she announced, much to his horror: “Daddy, a white woman come asking foh yoh. When we peep through de window, she run away. She knock about three times, then mummy get frighten because she say she could see right through the woman.

Baljeet’s two eyes bulged in fright, and then he passed out there on the living room floor.

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Men’s Affairs Bureau to host Father’s Day Programme - under the theme ‘My Father, My Friend’

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

HE Men’s Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Social Protection will be hosting a Father’s Day Programme under the theme ‘My Father, My Friend’.

A c cording to Mr Diego Alphonso, Administrator of the Men’s Affairs Bureau, the event will feature a blend of cultural items, an interactive segment and dissemination of knowledge in relation to the theme. The purpose of the programme is to create a space and an event that promotes bonding between fathers and their children, not only at the event but for the rest of their lives.

The programme will be family oriented and will not exclude mothers or other family members who may wish to attend.

However, spaces are limited so interested persons will need to reserve places in advance by calling 226-1922 or 628-0310 The details are as follows: * Venue: De Impeccable Banquet Hall, Lot 90 Brickdam

& Sandeman Place, Stabroek * Date: Sunday 21st, June, 2015 * Time: 5PM * Admission: Free

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

Iwokrama River Lodge earns Certificate of Excellence - from a popular American travel website

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HE Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development announced, on Friday, that it had received a Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor (www.

TripAdvisor.com), a popular American travel website which provides reviews of travel-related content and interactive travel forums.

The Certificate is a prestigious award that can only be earned through consistently great reviews of a destination published on the world’s largest travel site.

The Centre was extremely elated to have received such an accolade which it said was testament to the sterling service delivered by its hard working and professional staff to guests who visit the Iwokrama River Lodge (www.iwokramariverlodge.com) at Kurupukari, Essequibo River, Guyana.

In 2014 the Centre hosted 1,130 guests at the River Lodge and offered a variety of tours including the famous Iwokrama Canopy Walkway, caiman spotting, trails walks, boat rides, petroglyphs, Turtle Mountain amongst others. The Centre is also working on developing other tours including a day trip to Iwokrama and a day trip to both the Iwokrama River Lodge and Kaieteur Falls.

The River Lodge offers 8 self-contained cabins overlooking the Essequibo River, full restaurant and bar facilities and broad band internet amongst other amenities.

Visitors can also access the River Lodge by air by using the Centre’s airstrip located at Fair View His Royal Highness, Prince Charles, Prince of village which is a mere Wales, will be Patron of the Iwokrama International 1.6 kms from the River Centre (IIC) Lodge.

Iwokrama believes in using innovative governance systems which include the private and public sectors and local communities to manage its forest based businesses and relies heavily on the traditional knowledge of the local communities in its conservation and sustainable development efforts.

Like in all of its businesses, Iwokrama’s tourism operation invests heavily in building the capacity of the local communities to deliver tourism services at the River Lodge and in tourism initiatives in their own communities. Approximately 98% of its field based staffers are from the surrounding local communities and are trained guides, drivers, boat captains, rangers, chefs and maintenance personnel, etc.

The Iwokrama International Centre, in a statement to the media, said it will continue to employ protocols and practices that demonstrate how a tropical forest can be conserved and used sustainably for ecological, social and economic benefits to local, national and international communities. ► Continued on page XXVI

TURTLE MOUNTAIN CAMP: The adventurous and curious will want to spend a day or two exploring Turtle Mountain and the surrounding rain forest. The head of the Turtle Mountain trail is a 15 minute boat ride from the main lodge. Soaking in the views of horizon-to-horizon canopy cover from atop Turtle Mountain is a classic, unforgettable Guyana experience. The cabins at the base of the mountain make a great base camp for excursions on in the forest or along the Essequibo River.

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

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Birding

Jaguar Spotting Canopy Walkway

Iwokrama tree

Prince Charles Trail

Iwokrama cabins the river

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

YOGA and TECHNOLOGY

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Unleash the robot in yourself

he United Nations proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga.

Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India. The word ‘yoga’ derives from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolising the union of body and consciousness.Today, it is practiced in various forms around

lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, get some kind of regular exercise, and work on keeping your stress levels from spiraling out of control.

The difficult part isn’t in knowing what to do. It’s how you make it happen.

The more I’ve studied yoga, the more I’ve become convinced that it offers the piece doctors and public health authorities are missing: a way to implement the changes people want to make.

Along with offering direct health benefits, the various yogic tools - including the physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation-are part of a systematic technology for life transformation, a step-by-step method for changing bad habits.

OVERCOMING BAD HABITS

What yogis realised thousands of years ago-and what scientists are just now catching on to-is that changing dysfunctional habits is largely a matter of the mind. This is a subject that yoga has studied systematically and which, until recently, medical researchers pretty much ignored.

What yoga can do, which can make the critical difference in your health and well-being, is give you greater control of your mind and a greater understanding of the tricks it can play. This, perhaps more than anything, is what leads to life transformation.

With advances in understanding and technology, scientists now talk about "neuroplasticity." The brain, they have realised, is some form of plastic, meaning it is capable of change. Brain cells called neurons form new connections among themselves and the more you do something, the stronger these neural links become.

Scientists have also learned that the body can create new neurons from stem cells, undifferentiated cells that are found even in adults.

HIGH TECH YOGA

the world and continues to grow in popularity.

Recognising its universal appeal, on 11 December 2014, the United Nations proclaimed 21 June as International Yoga Day. How does yoga work? Why is a system that has been used for more than 5,000 years still flourishing? Where do science and spirituality meet?

Although medical knowledge is constantly being refined by ongoing scientific investigation, the basics of what we know about how to get and stay healthy haven’t changed much in recent years. Pretty much everybody knows that you shouldn’t smoke and that you should eat

SmartMat is roll-able and portable, just like a regular yoga mat, except for the fact it is built with responsive sensors linked to your electronic device.

SmartMat is designed to guide you through your practice just like a real yoga teacher.

SmartMat looks and feels more or less like a regular yoga mat with a low profile dongle attached to the end of it. It contains a series of sensors that measure placement and pressure and communicate to the users on smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth.

The app will then give feedback first on alignment (placement) and then on balance, using a 4-pad system for both hands and feet. Once the user gets their balance and placement correct, SmartMat enters into a ‘Perfect Pose’ mode in which the user will concentrate on things such as breathing or engaging the pelvic floor.

To accurately analyse the user, upon unpacking SmartMat, they will first have to go through a calibration process, where SmartMatmeasures their body and takes them through a series of yoga poses in order to determine their abilities.

It will bring more people onto the mat. Yoga is an awesome art form, but one that the vast majority of practitioners don’t have the knowledge or discipline to do on their own – and going to class is not always available. SmartMat gives that middle road option of allowing at home practice while receiving meaningful feedback.

Athos-Frustrated by their workouts at the

gym, the co-founders of Athos tried to help people reach their fitness goals through technology. Promoted as a “much less expensive version of a personal trainer,” Athos can be divided into three parts: the gear, the technology and the app.

The gear reads your muscle effort, heart and breathing rate, which gives you a touch of comfort with flat seam construction and sweat wicking while special features help to reduce fatigue and soreness. The core is in charge of collecting and interpreting information from the gear and can be visually displayed in the app.

It also helps you keep track of your exercising progress and avoid injury.

Kinect-Developed by Microsoft, Kinect is designed to enable humans to interact naturally with computers.

Kinect can be divided into two parts: the v2 sensor and the software development kit (SDK). Together, this technology responds to people’s natural movements, gestures and voice commands. The latest Kinect has improved tremendously. The tracking is anatomically correct and stable because it is able to track 25 skeletal joints per person.

Imagine doing yoga in front of a TV seeing the character on the screen doing the exact same thing with a precise evaluation of your poses. Kinect can act as your personal yoga instructor. It then provides “real-time” feedback to adjust your yoga poses, such as “lift your left leg” or “rotate your shoulders right.” Microsoft has introduced a yoga practice app on the Kinect for the Xbox.

As Guyana joins the world today in observing International Day of Yoga, several events are planned across the country, including at the Everest Cricket Club from 10am to 1pm, and at the Kalyan Shopping Plaza on Lamaha Street, Georgetown at 5 pm.

A mysterious

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

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DEATH - Young man drowned, but body recovered with mud in mouth

By Tajeram Mohabir ONE year has passed since 23-year-old Sanjit Sukhram, a GuySuCo dock worker who was attached to the Enmore Estate, died mysteriously during a fishing expedition with friends at Hope Low Lands, East Coast Demerara.

A lanky young man, Sanjit was also called ‘Tall Boy’ by his friends and ‘Boy’ by his immediate family members.

He was an Enterprise Garden resident, and was the last of eight siblings.

Belonging to a poor family in the sleepy East Coast Demerara village, Sanjit was forced to drop out of school and do odd jobs to help in the sustenance of a large household.

A helpful and humble son, he was loved by his parents and had many friends, some of whom his parents -- Mahashwar and Kalouty Sukhram -- were warned about, but they never paid attention to what they were told.

Today, they both told the Chronicle that they strongly regretted not taking the advice of neighbours, as they called on the authorities to revisit the case of their son’s death.

Mahashwar is a retired cane harvester, while Kalouty is a housewife. They are both from humble beginning, and their current standard of life can, by any stretch of the imagination, be described as humble.

Neither Mahashwar nor Kalouty went far in school, and when they were informed of their son’s death 2014 on that fateful day, May 22, the news struck them like a lightning bolt.

They did not know what to do, and even though they raised their hands asking for guidance and help to get to the bottom of the facts surrounding their dear son’s death, no help was forthcoming.

APPEAL The elderly parents are now calling on the National Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan, to use his good office and reopen the case of Sanjit’s death.

A thorough investigation, they say, would allow them to rest comfortably, as it would bring a satisfactory closure of the matter.

On May 22, 2014, Sanjit drowned while on a fishing expedition with five friends, including two males, at Hope Low Lands. His death certifKalouty Sukhram with a picture of her beloved son icate indicated that he Sanjit

died of drowning, and asphyxiation the cause of death was given.

There are a few things Mahashwar and his wife Kalouty told this publication that are strange surrounding the circumstances of the death of their last child.

Sanjit had developed a close friendship with an Enterprise Garden family who lived two streets away from him.

Kalouty said her son would spend time, cook and eat at that family. Sanjit also used to have regular weekend drinks there, but never misbehaved when he came home.

Moreover, he did errands for the family, went with them on outings at friends, and on their visit to relatives at the creeks.

Kalouty said her son did not know how to swim, but that the male relatives of the family who went with him fishing on the fateful day at Hope ► Continued on page XVI

A mysterious

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► From page XV

Low Lands knew how to swim.

She related that she interacted with the family on a few occasions, noting that her relationship with them was not close, largely because she likes to enjoy her space.

Her husband also said he had met the family a few times, and his interactions with them were also few. He said

what he heard about them from neighbours was unpleasant, but he dismissed the talks as usual bickering.

This publication inquired from him what he was told, and he related that neighbours had confided that the family friends of his son do strange and eerie things.

FLUTTERING OF FOULS He said they related to him that, late in the

night, they would hear the screaming and fluttering of fouls, and it would make them cringe in fright. The Guyana Chronicle was told that the affected neighbours never made a complaint of noise nuisance to the police.

Mahashwar said he was not too inclined to believe the story, since he knows that the neighbours and family members “don’t talk”, and because he knows that

people say nasty things of others whom they do not like. For his reason, the father said, he never stopped his son from visiting the family.

He recalled that Sanjit had slept at the Enterprise Garden family on the night before the day of his death.

His wife, in tears, related an interesting bit of the story. She said that a few days before her son’s death, a close and elderly relative of the family had asked her what she would do if her son should die.

Kalouty said she was stunned by the question, but responded: “How me pickney gon dead, and for wha?”

The question, she said, had disturbed her to the extent that it had taken a few days for her to get it off her mind, but she never stopped Sanjit from visiting the family.

She related that on May 22 last year, the day Sanjit died, he had told her that he was going fishing with the family in a party of six, including himself. Kalouty said she was cooking on the fireside in the yard at the time he left.

He went separately, in a taxi, joining the family at Hope New Lands.

Going fishing with the family, she said, had been a regular thing for her son.

‘TALL BAI’ DEAD Before she could finish cooking, the phone rang, and an elderly relative of the family told her “Tall bai dead!”

Deeply disturbed and distressed by the sudden and tragic news, Kalouty said she and her husband took a taxi and rushed to the scene. When they arrived there, she was screaming “Wheh me son deh!”, “Oh Gad, bring him back!”

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015 Sanjit Sukhram during an afternoon outing

Sanjit’s father Mahashwar Sukhram The mother related that she had seen two male relatives -- one was sitting with his arms folded and his “cast net” flung over his shoulders; the other approached her to say “Boy asedrum bust”.

Crying and screaming, she had asked how he knew that, and was told “Boy drowned”.

Both men, she noted, were red in the eyes, had mud on their skin, and appeared to be in-

toxicated.

She said that when she inquired why they did not try to save her son, a female relative who was with them told her that if they had tried, they too would have drowned, since they were intoxicated.

By thiat time, the distressed mother said, scores of persons had flocked the scene, and she saw a “black boy” ► Continued

on page XVII

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

A mysterious ► From page XVI

(African) on the bridge near to where the incident happened.

She asked him if he knew about her son’s death, and he related that he was told by the family members who were on the bridge that someone had drowned.

Incidentally, the African youth was working on the bridge. He said that while he was told that someone had drowned, the family members with whom Sanjit had been did not say where he had drowned.

The mother said that when she asked the family members, a female among them told her that Sanjit had plunged into the middle of the trench and had not resurfaced.

According to Kalouty, the boy on hearing where Sanjit reportedly plunged, Sanjit’s bother Vishal Sukhram quickly boarded a taxi and collected a friend.

And within minutes, they returned to the scene and went in the trench to search for her son. And they found him!

MUD IN MOUTH Kalouty said Sanjit was found at the shoulder of the trench and not at the middle, and when he was brought to land, there was a lot of mud in his mouth.

She said the African boys and the scores of persons who had gathered at the scene began to point fingers at the members of the family who were with Sanjit, telling her that if they had raised an alarm, the life of her son would have been saved.

Vishal Sukhram, a brother of the dead man, told the Guyana Chronicle that

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he was invited to witness the post-mortem examination, but was prevent by a police officer from seeing the exercise when he got there.

He said that when he asked why he was being prevented from witnessing the post-mortem, the police officer told him that he (the policeman) would deal with the matter. Vishal, nevertheless, said that after the post-mortem, the officer told him that he had observed mud in his brother’s stomach and in his lungs.

The post-mortem was performed by Government Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh, and the cause of death was given as asphyxiation. Both Mahashwar and Kalouty suspect something fishy about the death of their son.

Kalouty told this newspaper that she had given a report to the police on the day her son had died, and after his post-mortem, she was asked to visit the police station, but being deeply distressed and confused, she did no go.

The members of the family with whom Sanjit had been at the time of his death were reportedly questioned, but none was charge.

After the funeral of his son, Mahashwar related, he had heard of whispers from relatives of the family that Sanjit had gone mad and had probably committed suicide.

A thorough investigation, he said, would reveal the truth of how his son had died.

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

Whereto, with the ‘crabs-in-a-barrel’ syndrome?

(The following is part of a media release to the Jamaican public by authors Bertram ‘Ras Mandito’ Johnson & Dr. Christina Sinclair, highlighting the publication some three years ago of their book ‘The Testament of Rastafari…Unlocking the KJV’) THE story has been told of the ‘Willie Lynch speech’ made famous by a slavery plantation owner named William Lynch, who operated in the British West Indies. He was said to have been the expert slave master who gave the formula for having slaves controlling themselves for the master for at least 300 years!

In the West Indies, there was always a sizable proportion of mulattoes among the slave population, these being the planter-and-slave offspring which had resulted mainly from the white man’s love for raping slave women and young girls. To a much lesser extent, some children also manifested from sexual relations between male slaves and a few of the white women and girls who resided on, or visited the plantations.

‘Willie’ Lynch was quick to point out to his fellow slave masters, that the inordinate punishment of slaves for the numerously contrived infractions on the plantation was counter-productive.

His formula was simply to apply estate privileges in accordance with the different colour shades of the slaves, graduating upwards in importance from black, through the browns, and up to the whitest-looking slave; who may probably be trained and appointed to a post like ‘bookkeeper’.

Other prestigious positions like cook, house slave, slave driver, gardener and/or “Massa’s” personal assistant, became the focus of great competition and treachery among the slaves, each seeking to make a bad report to “Massa” about the person who is perceived to be in the position to which he/she would like to be promoted. This ‘Willie Lynch Syndrome’ or ‘Crabs-in-a-barrel mentality’ has been identified by our scholars to be still fundamentally influencing relationships between the descendants of the slaves, and being mainly responsible for the proliferation, real or imaginary, for what Jamaicans today refer to as “bad-mind”.

There seem to be crabs of all sizes in the barrel, and the greatest intent of everyone is to not allow anyone to get out ahead. They prefer instead, to keep on dragging back each other down, hitting off and losing hands, legs, fangs, etc. in the process; never pausing to realise that they can unite their efforts to easily and quickly get everyone out of the barrel. It is such a great shame today, my brothers and sisters, to feel compelled to admit that Mr. William Lynch might have been entirely correct in his prediction. (gnnliberia.com)

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

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BATH SETTLEMENT - a whirling melee of welcoming smiles and rich camaraderie

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By Alex Wayne

PON the request and earnest pleading of residents, we decided to visit the very alluring and somewhat bustling village of Bath Settlement on the West Coast of Berbice.

You see, folks, the residents of this village are actually followers of this publication, and they have become great fans of our village focus treks since we began in early 2013.

While we had visited briefly in July 2013, I was on a recent trip there to conduct personal business, and was flocked by groups who all lamented that it’s high time we give them a detailed interview on the makings of the location and the positive characteristics of the people.

Heeding the requests of the villagers, who are envious of the fact that other villages were given lengthy, detailed and colourful features, I placed myself on a mini-bus that seemed to almost fly off the road as it sped its way determinedly to my destination.

I was not one bit pleased with the way the driver was cavorting recklessly along the East Coast Highway, darting in and out of traffic like a crazy maniac. His constant squeal of tires and raucous, filthy conversation was also doing a number on my nerves to such an extent that, when I disembarked at my destination, I was swearing under my breath at the callousness

Welcome to the breath-taking Bath Settlement

and reckless demeanour of this driver, who just laughed off my muffled protests with an exclamation of “Bassman, speed can’t kill yuh!. We gaffa deh pon we medie pon dis road because times hard and we always looking fuh it…”

With those unpleasantries put aside, I took the luxury of enjoying the somewhat soothing spectacle of the village with its quaint little cottage houses (in some places mansions), well-kept roads and thriving businesses, all projecting a picture of escalating economic enterprise and the presence of rich agriculture potential.

Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice is a well-populated community which has seen considerable development over the years, what with the establishment of several large-scale businesses and a new housing scheme in one section. It is said that before the transformation of the village, persons were poor and struggled to make ends meet, with many working at the Blairmont sugar estate and as farmers and fisher-folk.

The sugar estate still provides the main means of livelihood for many people, but there are others who work as teachers, photographers, accountants, clerks, sales persons, mechanics and a doctor, among other professions.

Bath Settlement is also popular for its large-scale eschallot farming; and because of its rich soil, almost every resident has a small portion of their yards cultivated. Some also cultivate large kitchen gardens and some engage in poultry businesses and fishing.

This quaint little village is located just over seventy miles east of the city of Georgetown, and is located in the West Berbice (Region Five) district. This village had its origin not along the Highway where it currently is, but in the lands aback of the village, four miles inland, around the now defunct Bath Estate, which had been in operation during the mid-1800s.

In those days, many resided in cottages and some in logies (thatched roof houses with mud walls). In the 1930s, the Bath Sugar Estate was owned by the Davson’s Company. It was a very big village back then, and the name of the school in those days was the St. Nicholas Anglican Primary School. Today the village is still large, and measures two miles in length.

Some say the village began to grow at its current location in the late 1950s, when management began giving the workers lands out on the roadside. Many of the people in this village continued to work with the sugar industry after the exodus to the roadside, and after the Bath Estate closed down operations in the early 1970s.

Friday afternoon market is held at Bath Settlement near to the pay office, and is a weekly event. It is the place where sugar workers, just having drawn their wages, can get bargains on clothing, fresh fruits, jewellery, vegetables and other foodstuff. ‘In crop’, that is when the cane is ► Continued on page XX

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BATH SETTLEMENT ► From page XIX being harvested and milled, the market is a very busy and lively place; but ‘out of crop’ time, when there is little or no activity in the industry, the market is not that bright.

The long in-crop season, in most cases, runs from February to August; while the shorter ‘out of crop’ period extends from December to January.

During the out-of-crop periods, the estate offers time-work employment to its workers. This work comprises routine maintenance on the estate, such as weeding fields, cleaning drains, and catching rats. This work is, most times, limited to two or three days a week; and that is when most workers resort to other activities, such as fishing, carpentry, planting rice, and engaging in eschallot and other cash crop cultivation. Some also undertake retail businesses to upkeep their families.

Many have found these other activities so rewarding that they have become full time farmers and businessmen, many of them successfully so, judging from the many beautiful homes and other trappings of wealth which are obvious in various parts of the village. There are also many public servants, such as teachers and nurses, who serve the community and other parts of West Berbice.

This well-populated community of Bath Settlement has seen considerable development over the years, with the establishment of several large-scale businesses and a new housing scheme in one section. The village benefits from the operation of the Bath GuySuCo Health Centre, which is affiliated to the Blairmonth Sugar Estate.

Two large business places at Bath Settlement are Double R Hardware Store and Katcha, both of which supply building and construction materials to customers throughout West Coast and West Bank Berbice.

Other businesses include Ram’s Jewellery, Spare Parts and Pawn Shop; Len’s Optical; Bunny & Sons Furniture Store; Kushi’s Beauty Salon; Love’s Variety Store; and there are still many other businesses.

There is no nightclub in the village, but friends would congregate on the roadsides for a lime that lasts up to about 20:00 hours, or they would take a “few tupps” (glasses of rum) before going to bed. Others less socially inclined stay at home and watch TV or movies.

The majority of the people at Bath Settlement are peaceful and God-fearing. Some people may drink and get intoxicated, but most of the time they go their way peacefully, without interfering with others.

People go in substantial numbers to the masjids, the mandirs and the churches (established ones and bottom house innovations); but that aside, the village is very quiet and peaceful, with hardly any criminal elements or activities.

A WARM WELCOME To be honest, folks, I was not expecting the warmth and welcoming smiles that engulfed me when I entered this village.

I was first greeted with smiles by an elderly gentleman who was seated under a small wooden shed, where he tried to best secure himself from the sun’s scorching rays. In no time at all, we were engaged in merry conversation like good old friends, and it was this dude who enlightened me that the village was one where all the ethnic races lived as one happy family, sharing and indulging delightfully in their various customs and cultures. The presence of rich and stirring camaraderie was evident in this village, judging from the manner in which folks of both African and East Indian descent were chatting in the streets, even giggling and heckling as they discussed the transcending times, current affairs, and simple little ‘country ways’ of maximizing their present earnings.

I could remember distinctly, when I first visited this village some time ago, an incident that had remained etched in my memory for a very long time. At that time I had enjoyed the pleasure of bumping into a family who received me with wide open arms, and certainly made my day for the two hours I had spent there.

Of course I am referring to the folks at the ‘Green to Life Chemical and Plant Shop, who had welcomed me into their home and had serviced me an exciting array of snacks, laced with their overpowering politeness, charm and kindness.

You see, folks, I thought that with the outcome of the recent elections, their attitude may have become different towards me. No way folks! As a matter of fact, the mistress of

the home received me with pleasant laughter and exclamations of happiness. Although her husband was out of town and could not meet me, she hurriedly ensured that she telephoned him; and there he was, chatting with me like old school chums, instructing his wife to make sure I consumed two towering glasses of the cool coconut water and jelly they always ensured they kept for me.

Her two female employees were quite happy to see me, and did not hesitate to give me the grand tour of the sizeable plant nursery they operate in the backyard.

That aside, the manner in which the races seemed naturally bonded in tightly-knitted friendship and jovial banter really stirred the deep recesses of my mind.

sun, and when we get hungry dem young bai would climb the wata coconut tree. We would full we belly and then guh back in the sun and wuk till aftanoon. We gon then wata dem eschallot and lef de backdam, sometime when night almost fall.

“Then we guh come home and cook dinnah, and if yuh see how dem pickney tired, dem can hardly eat dem food. When dem hit dah bed, is sleep and snoring till five a clack next marning. Then is time fuh guh again!

“Then selling de eschallot was annadda story. Because sometimes competition and suh much eschallot deh bout dat de price always ah drap. But we endure we struggles and save we money and build ah nice house fuh de family, as yuh see

Young men were chatting amicably in the streets, while in some areas others were rushing off to the nearby Blairmont Sugar Estate to tend to their various jobs. Mothers were rushing in and out of variety stores, stocking up on their household supplies; while, under some houses, husbands and grandparents relaxed in hammocks after spending a tedious early morning on many kitchen gardens or large farms.

FROM RAGS TO RICHES I certainly did not regret visiting the home of the Ramcharrans, since their story would always motivate me to Two very happy employees at the thriving ‘Green to the Life Chemicals and maintain my natural humble Plant Shop’ demeanour, work even harder, and set my dreams even higher today”. on my goals.

Bombshell met with similar tales from other villagers, My dear readers, while this family now enjoys the luxuries of a comfortable life and quite a lavish and impressive home, since almost everyone had started from humble beginnings their fortunes were not fed to them on a golden spoon, but and has worked their way up the ladder of success. This was instead were the well-deserved results of a hard, life, much evident in the many posh houses and businesses that now suffering, and a relentless determination to work their way up proudly display the makings of Bath Settlement. a ladder of tumultuous success.

THEN AND NOW This extended family reside in an impressive four-bedroom A section of the picturesque village

house, and were ready to relate that poverty in years gone by had propelled them to work tirelessly on their large cash crop farm, which eventually afforded them a comfortable home and pleasant means of living.

The family had begun by planting eschallot on a large scale. They would harvest the eschallot and sell in the village and on a wholesale basis in Georgetown.

In a very brief but interesting conversation not so long ago, I was fortunate to have an insight into the struggles of the family; but this time around, I was able to get lost in the emotion exuded by this happy and contented soul as he related the struggles and the eventual achievements of the family.

“Eschallot made me what I am today. Many years ago, we used to plant the eschallot, and it was really hard work. The entire family would leave from our one-bedroom flat house early in the morning with just light snacks of roti and pumpkin, which we used to wash down with swank (drink made with lime juice).Whole day we ah wuk like donkey in de hot

Like always, every village would have had to be moulded and shaped by the hands of those concerned before it could have attained the features that put it on par with the transcending wheel of modernization. Bath Settlement is no exception, since it had once bore the makings of a very underdeveloped village before unfurling into its present picturesque appearance.

The elderly camera shy Lilawattie Rampersaud, a merry old woman who was ready to talk but avoided the cameras with exclamations of “Meh guh talk to you sar, but me nah want me pictcha in no newspapha”, said: “When me was wan lil gyal, this was nevah de Bath Settlement wha yuh ah see here today. This place was sheer bush! De Bath Estate in de 1930s was surrounded by plenty bush, and it wasn’t a bright place either! Dem time dat we had to fetch wata from stand pipes far from we home, and dem nah been get current all ovah. One rich man in de village used to provide current through wire from he house to people who can afford it, suh many people used to use dem lantern and flambeau fuh move

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XXI

Thriving businesses in this village

The traditional bicycle is still a popular means of transport in the village about and cook at night.

“Dem time dah was coal pat and fyah side fuh cooking, and we used to bake bread in open oven outside in de yard. De roads was not good as today, and we nah bin get prapah drains and canals like today. Things bin really hard in dem times, but Bath Settlement always get hard-wukking people who know ‘bout suffering and saving, suh today almost everybady ah live aff ah dem blood, sweat and tears.

“But me gah fuh thank de PPP Govament fuh mekking thinks easiah fuh we, because today we ah enjoy good good wata, current, street lights and prapa drainage. Dem need fuh send betta contractas fuh mek dem road prapally though, because dem people ah mek road heah and in no time de road ah bruk up”.

Aunty Euna related that life is beautiful in the village today. She credited the efforts of Government as responsible for residents of the village enjoying “pleasant and comfortable lives”.

MINOR CHALLENGES Every village has its ups and downs, and Bath Settlement is certainly no exception. But one striking factor there is that the residents are hard-working and strive for the best for their families.

Bath settlement is now a village that is quite popular for it rich economic diversity and splendid agricultural potential.

Fishermen return to the village after assuring themselves of impressive sales

The Waterloo Nursery School at Bath Settlement However, a few cash crop farmers there are requesting that more lands be made available to them to extend their farms, or for the introduction of poultry cultivation.

Some farmers are already in the cultivation of cash crops and rice, but are faced with the problem of inadequate land space to extend and intensify their already thriving operations.

Chatting with a few self-employed males, many related that they have splendid ideas for village development and are pleading with the present Government to provide them affordable land space to increase their farming, poultry rearing, and other agriculture-oriented activities.

Youths advised that employment was somewhat improved for some persons in the village, since, over the years, several business have sprung up, paving the way for gainful employment.

However, there are still a few who mentioned that they were qualified in various fields of work, but are unable to utilize their expertise inside the village and in certain surrounding locations.

POSITIVE CHANGE Some persons in Bath Settlement are indeed creating wonders for their colleagues, and amongst them is the very talented Dhaniram Ramchand, who manages the Green to Life Chemical and Plant Shop.

Ramchand manages an extensive nursery in which he cultivates various types of seedlings for sale to farmers. Farmers were loud in their praise for his efforts, since they claim they have ready access to seedlings and chemicals which are much-needed to cultivate their crops.

Ramchand started his business some eight years ago, and he is also attached to the Guyana Agricultural Producers As-

sociation (GAPA) as regional representative.

He has certainly taken agriculture to the next level in the village, and he is highly respected for his exploits.

He is also promoting the greenhouse and shadehouse initiatives, which are positives for agriculture and the impending issue of climate change. Mr. Ramchand is also spearheading sporting activities, and has raised the bar on cricket activities in the area.

GREAT CAMARADERIE All rumours of ethnic differences existing in Bath Settlement should be treated as nonsense, and be crushed underfoot.

Actually, residents share an almost divine ‘racial harmony’ that is so rich in its intensity that it awakened my very being and sent joyful tremors up my spine.

The Bath Settlement Primary School was just closing shop for the day, and the noisy chatter of students could be heard from a great distance away, as they conversed on the ‘happenings of the day’ or on possible methods of effectively completing assignments.

They spilled into the streets in a pleasurable ethnic fusion of both Indo- and Afro-Guyanese buddies and school chums, laughing their heads off at the comical jokes of each other, and in process creating a beautiful vision of the future Guyanese nation. The same could be said of the men chatting in the streets, and of the housewives catching up on the latest news in the shops before hurrying off to their homes to get the lunch table ready.

This village was certainly the location any sane person would want to be. ► Continued on page XXII

A place of worship in the village

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BATH ...

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

► From page XIX CONCLUSION Let’s salute a village where unity boils over from a scalding cauldron where love, unity, harmony and intense camaraderie bubble enticingly like an intoxicating brew laced with merry laughter, energetic prancing, and endearing smiles to last a life time.

Come and be smothered by their infectious love, or be engulfed in the rich waves of ethnic harmony exuded by villagers. Get caught up in the bashful stares of starry-eyed young damsels, or in the feisty dialogue of smiling males.

Whatever you do, make it a must to visit this pleasant village, where the radiant beams of glorious unison never seem to fade.

Alluring little cottage houses are an endearing sight at Bath Settlement

This elderly man seeks shade from the broiling midday sun

The playfield at Bath Settlement could do with a little sprucing up

Evidence of an ever-evolving economy at Bath Settlement

What better way is there than to relax in one’s hammock after a hearty meal

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

Keeping your teeth is vital Dr. BERTRAND R. STUART DDS.

- it is more than worth the while!

S

OMETIMES we dentists are greeted with insults by our patients who most likely think it will make their visit better. Mostly, here is how it starts: “No offense, Doc, but I hate the dentist.”

Imagine if you were a dentist and heard this comment! I try to think mercifully when I hear this comment and understand the point of view of the person saying it. Maybe I might even be the one saying it if I were not a dentist.

Generally, jokingly, I will make sure what their profession is and then I will say, for example, “Well, you know, I have always hated plumbers,” or something else just to get the joke across. Usually people get the point right away.

When people say, “No offense, Doc, I hate the dentist,” they are really saying, “Hey, I have had a bad experience in the past and I do not like being here because of it.” We understand that, and we work to make sure that that experience does not replicate itself for you. You see, dentistry no longer has to mean difficulty and challenge. It no longer has to be a dread. No, dentistry does not have to be that way at all. If you still feel that you hate the dentist, you have been seeing the wrong dentist. The new technology and techniques that are available will make you see dentistry in a whole new way.

Many persons make wrong decisions as regards their dental wellbeing because of lack of knowledge. For instance, they say, “When they get bad, just take them out.” Boy, if this were only the right solution, we would love it! Removing the offending tooth does make sense in a way: it gets rid of the pain. But every time you remove a tooth there is a whole series of chain reactions that occur. For one thing, the other teeth move. ► Continued on page XXV

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Keeping your teeth is vital ► From page XXIV The gap or space created causes additional stresses on other teeth, often resulting in an impaired chewing function, gum disease and loss of still more teeth.

A general mistake that people make is to give more importance to their front teeth over the back ones. However insane the sentiment seems, it does point out one thing: that people value the appearance of their smile. And indeed, a lot of times no one can see the back ones. But there are serious problems with such logic. Your back teeth are made for chewing and grinding your food.

The front teeth are made for viewing. If you try to chew with the teeth made for view, the teeth will break down. The back teeth are there for a reason. The posterior teeth give you the ability to chew and to function. On the other hand the front teeth are good for incising, smiling, singing, and expressing yourself.

If simply yanking teeth were the end-all solution, people would just take all their teeth out and get dentures. In fact, for a time in certain countries, including Canada, this was thought to be the ultimate wedding gift. It was thought to be superb to remove all the teeth and give the wedding couple dentures. Seriously! That way they would always avoid dental problems in the future. But we know that is certainly not true. The truth is, dentures are the equivalent of oral

wigs, and most people are much more satisfied with wearing their own hair than with wearing a wig.

Some people can tolerate anything. I have seen people who do not wear dentures at all and manage to eat without any teeth. And though it is an extreme exception, I have also seen people who wear upper full denture with neither lower denture nor natural teeth. But what about normal dentures? How often does a person who has dentures “function normally?”

One in ten at best. My guess is closer to one in fifteen. Unfortunately, you would not know if you can tolerate dentures until you have lost all your teeth. Whatever you do, try hard to do everything to keep your teeth. It is more than worth the while.

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

Iwokrama River Lodge earns ... ► From page XII In other words, the Centre’s work demonstrates that you can use a forest without losing it and that forests are worth more alive than dead ABOUT IWOKRAMA The Iwokrama International Centre (IIC) was established in 1996 under a joint mandate from the Government of Guyana and the Commonwealth Secretariat to manage the Iwokrama forest, a unique reserve of 371,000 hectares of rainforest “in a manner that will lead to lasting ecological, economic and social benefits to the people of Guyana and to the world in general”.

The Iwokrama forest and its research Centre, guided by an international science committee, are unique, providing a dedicated site in which to test the concept of a truly sustainable forest where conservation, environmental balance and economic use can be mutually reinforcing. The IIC collaborates with the Government of Guyana, the Commonwealth and other international partners, developing new approaches to enable countries with rainforests

to market their ecosystem services whilst carefully managing their resources through creative conservation practices.

Iwokrama brings together: • 16 local communities (approximately 7,000 people) who are shareholders and participants in the IIC’s sustainable timber, tourism and research operations through co-management of the forest and benefit sharing arrangements; • Scientists engaged in ground breaking research into the impacts of climate change on the forest and measuring the scope and value of its ecosystem services; and • A sustainably managed business operation with innovative governance systems which include participation of the private sector and the local communities, earning income from the forest and its natural assets, while keeping abreast of ever changing thinking on funding environmental projects in the face of climate change and the scarcity of international finance.

This alliance is committed to showing how a

rain forest can be used for real sustainability, real climate change protection and real community benefit.

For further details about the Iwokrama International Centre please visit www.iwokrama.org, www.iwokramariverlodge.com or contact Dane Gobin, Chief Executive Officer on dgobin@ iwokrama.org.

The Lisa Punch Story

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

A journey from poverty to international fame

I

By Alex Wayne AM a great admirer of singers far and wide, since I am a professional vocalist myself. But my obsession with Guyanese songbird Lisa Punch flows not only out of pure respect and love alone, but is fuelled by her inspiring story of her rise from poverty, and is enflamed by her escalated present-day fame.

This vocal diva, who now resides in the USA, is not only chalking up notable points on the international scene, but, like no other local singer has managed to do, is placing Guyana on the map as the land of the honey-toned vocal humming birds.

The most admirable thing about Lisa Punch is that, despite hers being quite a famed name in the USA, she remains that smiling, charming and bubbly girl we all celebrated when she had won the first ever ‘Star Guyana TV Reality Show’ here in 2006.

She is certainly not ‘stuck up’, indifferent, or ‘cold’, like some of the other locals we have here, who through promoter affiliations and desperate measures have managed to rake in a gig or two somewhere around the Caribbean.

Not long after leaving the local shores - a few years ago - Lisa, from a prestigious audition, was called upon to perform at the Apollo Theatre in USA. And she also credits much of her success to special grooming while under the DP Record label.

Under this label, she has a pulsating album consisting of twelve very catchy songs. That album was made available at over 40 Online music stores, including amazon.com, Itunes, CD Baby and Rhapsody, to name a few. She is certainly multi-talented in that she has also found her grounding as Host of the Caribbean Music Box Talk Show and ‘Hard Vibes’ under the wings of Mondale Smith on BTVCh2, before branching into radio on NCN and Hits and Jams while in Guyana.

She migrated to the USA in December 2013 with her eyes set on the prize of being the first Guyanese to win ‘The Voice’, and is still making strides in that direction.

After years at the local level, she wooed the audience at the Barbados Music Awards and obtained rave reviews in that nation’s main publications, spreading her wings all the way to the Apollo Theatre. She graduated from the American Bartenders’ School not so long ago, and is now a qualified and certified bartender/professional vocalist.

This very ambitious young lady is also taking GED classes to further her qualifications, as she aims to get into the Manhattan College to major in Communications and minor in Music.

When she auditioned for Amateur Night at the Apollo Theatre, she lustily performed Etta James’s ‘Rather go blind’. On that fateful day, the judges had determined they would listen to only three hundred entrants, and Lisa was listed at number eighty-three.

“When I started, they started cheering like they loved me right away,” she noted in a recent interview. And of course she totally wooed and enthralled the audience, in process passing that audition with flying colours.

Poverty was always an issue for Lisa, whose abode in Georgetown was in a house overcrowded by a very extended family. Nonetheless, with her sights set on ultimate fame and success, she endured her hardships, knowing she would one day make her family ► Continued on page XXVIII

Lisa has been transferred from a poverty-stricken home to well-acclaimed fame in the USA

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► From page XXVII and Guyana proud. And she certainly did!

Popular for hits such as ‘One last Cry’, ‘Secret admirer,’ and ‘Momma’ while in Guyana, this ‘hottie’ has several recordings and videos to her name, and aspires to one day be an international artiste. For now, she is remembered by many as that little girl from Guyana with pearly teeth and dimples. Coming from a Third World country to the USA, Lisa says, “It’s but a dream for many; but, for me, I see myself as being able to rise above the opportunity given to

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

truly live and achieve the American Dream, yet remain a proud Guyanese.”

“The Evolution of Lisa Punch” is the début album released by the former Guyana Star winner while she was here, and it served as a stimulant to propel her one step closer to her dream of becoming a star.

She also launched another album not long after, just when she celebrated a teenage birthday.

Singing has always been a first love for Lisa, and she admits that when she started singing at the age of five, it was just for fun; but then her voice evolved, and her personality

This hometown girl defied all the odds to have her dreams come true followed suit.

Naturally, she is a mixture of girlish giggles, flashing eyes and coy stares, nicely accentuated with a somewhat scorching, demure sophistication that lends a somewhat provocative air to her demeanour.

She is also popular for her emotional rendition of her single, ‘One last Time’, which always brings the tears flowing.

This single is actually dedicated to her young cousin, who passed away a few years ago.

“He was my biggest supporter, and though he was just 14 years old, he recognised my talent when I was young and promised that he would be the first to buy my album whenever it came out. He did not live to see me launch this new album, and that tears me apart every single day; but I still remember him, and I will dedicate this album to him,” she disclosed.

Most of her songs while in Guyana were produced by young Guyanese producer Ken Taylor, who always supported her in her dreams and aspirations.

REACHING FOR THE STARS Guyana’s Lisa Punch sang her way into the hearts of viewers across the globe, and into the next round of the recent American TV Reality Show re, ‘Rising Star’, which premiered live on the ABC Network.

She stole the hearts of the judges and audience when she belted out Whitney Houston’s “How Will I know”, in a sexy and intense manner that was certainly captivating.

It was her time to shine, and she certainly sounded a warning to the Americans that “Guyana’s got talent…”

Lisa grabbed 80% of the votes cast, and moved into the second round of the competition. During the televised performance, she said she was following her dream, and was in the competition not just for herself but for her family, with intentions of creating a better life for them.

The video clip which introduced Lisa to the audience showcased her Guyana home where she had lived until the moment of her migration. And it also showcased her living conditions in Brooklyn, New York. In her own words, Lisa described Guyana as a very beautiful but poor country, and her desire to realise her dreams now that she lives in the United States.

She spoke about sharing a two-bedroom apartment in New York with 13 other members of her family as well.

Many Guyanese were upset that on national television she had described Guyana as a poverty-stricken country, but the diva just threw that aside… ► Continued on page XXIX

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

world that’s the artiste they can expect to see in the near future,” Lisa revealed.

Not long after her Rising Star performances, Lisa was invited by the previous Government of Guyana to perform at the inaugural Guyana Festival, and she did put on quite a show for her many fans.

The songbird had fun singing, and loved the reaction of the people. They welcomed her home, and she enjoyed every moment of it. Lisa did some of her songs, and the ones she did in the Rising Star competition.

To add to her already impressive resume of accomplishments, Lisa served up a taste of the ‘Guyanese music flava’ during her performance at the Barbados Music, Fashion and Film Awards, held not so long ago at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre in Barbados.

She was dubbed the Guyanese Rihanna by members of the

Lisa Punch delivered a riveting performance at ABC’s Rising Star Reality Show ► From page XXVIII “In Guyana, how I lived is considered poverty, and I wanted to show people that you can start off like that and follow your dreams and live your dreams to the fullest,” Lisa declared.

The Rising Star show received thousands of auditions, but after two rounds of auditions, Lisa was called back to be one of the Top 30. She made it all the way forward, but sadly failed to raise the bar to make it into the semi-finals.

She explained that she had, in her excitement, failed to put in one of her ear plugs, thus contributing to her somewhat rushed and slightly strained performance at that level.

She has however let on that she was very pleased with her performance, and hopes that she had pleased every Guyanese watching the show.

The 21-year-old Guyanese completed her secondary education at the North Georgetown Secondary School and the Bishops’ High School in Guyana.

She started a career in broadcasting and theatre just after leaving school, and worked with NCN Radio before moving on to 94.1 Boom FM, where she hosted a number of shows and served as an Entertainment correspondent.

The Charlotte Street, Georgetown “home girl” has belted out her soulful voice at a number of national events. She was the vocalist of the theme song when Guyana hosted the Caribbean Festival of Music and Arts. Although she now calls the USA home, Lisa continues to stay in touch with her home country through her music.

You can follow Lisa Punch’s Rise to Stardom on Twitter @lisapunch and on Instagram @lisapunchmusic A lot of people wanted to know about her song choice, Alicia Key’s ‘Girl on Fire’ at the ABC Rising Star Show, and for this girl, it was all about relaying a message. The performance before that, when she had sung Pink’s ‘Perfect’, did not gain a strong hold in East Coast votes, but it gained a save from the West Coast votes. ‘Girl on Fire’ was her way of proving that, no matter what, Lisa was going to keep blazing and coming back hotter, like an explosive ‘vocal volcano’.

She felt confident about her performance, although she did not garner enough votes to go through to the next round. She said it was fun, and was quite a fruitful experience.

She had made ‘Girl on Fire’ a unique rendition that entailed a reggae beat, to which she had gyrated and danced in spicing up her stage presence. “I wanted to do something that says who I am as an artist. Every time I sang that song in my quiet moment, that’s exactly how I did it; so I just wanted to be myself on stage and show the

XXIX

audience, who were pleased with her exhilarating performance at the event. Her powerful voice belched out some fabulous tunes that had the audience begging for more.

Forming part of the Guyanese contingent, which included Ernesta Nelson and Travis Bowen, Lisa’s lithe dancing caught the attention of some admirers in the audience. However, it was famed make-up artist and stylist Adzil Stuart whom she chose for her special serenade.

In its ninth year, the awards had showcased the talent of local and regional musicians, film-makers and designers to a smaller but appreciative audience. Lisa sang one of her hit songs, ‘Secret Admirer’, to a smiling and most receptive Stuart.

Lisa is back in the United States, and promises exciting new ventures. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep track with our continuously Rising Star.

XXX

CineGuyana Inc appoints Board of Directors

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

LOCAL film organisation, CineGuyana Inc, has recently elected several persons from Guyana’s creative industry to serve as its Board of Directors and is expected to host its official launch in the near future. ► Continued on page XXXI

Burchmore Simon

Charmaine Blackman-Alves

Denise Harris

Dr Paloma Mohamed

Kojo McPherson

Margaret Lawrence

Mosa Telford

Phillip Williams

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

CineGuyana Inc appoints Board of Directors â–ş From page XXX

The following persons were elected on June 9, 2015 to the CineGuyana, Inc Board: 1.

Mr Phillip Williams

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President

2.

Mrs Denise Harris

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Secretary

3.

Mrs Charmaine Blackman-Alves

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Treasurer

4.

Ms Mosa Telford

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Vice President

5. Mr Burchmore Simon - Marketing and Distribution 6. Ms Margaret Lawrence - Assistant Secretary 7.

Mr Kojo McPherson

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8.

Dr Paloma Mohamed

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Technical Board Member

9. Ms Shundel Phillips Board Member

CineGuyana Inc is also expected to appoint two additional members to serve on the Board of Directors; one serving as Accountant and the other as Legal Advisor/Lawyer.

There will be an official launch ceremony at which the Board of Directors will outline its vision and plans for the local film industry. The occasion is also expected to be attended by government officials, members of the diplomatic community, and members of the local theatre and performing arts.

The Organisation was officially incorporated on the 29th January, 2015 and is listed as a Limited Liability – Non Profit Organisation. CineGuyana came into existence in 2010, an initiative of the University of Guyana Centre for Communication Studies, Ohio University and The Presidents Film Endowment Project under the leadership of Dr Paloma Mohamed.

Since the founding of the organisation, eleven short films were made. The first eight films were showcased around Guyana, parts of the Caribbean and the United States, and the UK. Films were also entered into film festivals around the world.

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

Meet Haresh Singh…

A local singer who believes in originality - also hoping for Copyright laws to come back

Haresh Singh has won numerous awards for his music

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By Telesha Vidya Ramnarine ARESH Singh has won the Chutney Soca Monarch Competition five times in Guyana ever since the competition got underway in 2001 and has always been placed in the top three each other time. Nevertheless, Haresh believes that he can do much better if Copyright laws come back on the scene.

As such, he is only hoping that the new government will do something for the struggling artistes in the country who work hard on their music only to benefit minimally from it financially.

Haresh, 42, was born at Bush Lot, on the Essequibo Coast, and is well known there as the ‘Big Haresh’ or ‘Kumar Sanu’. He recently released a CD with ten songs including the ► Continued on page XXXIII

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

A local singer who ... ► From page XXXII

popular ‘Dulahin run away’, ‘Indian Gyal’, and ‘Margarita’. He came in second place in this year’s Chutney Soca Monarch Competition with his ‘Dulahin run away.’

A STRUGGLE

“Over the years, I have been struggling to write my songs. As a senior artiste, I am pleading with the new government on behalf of all other artistes; I am hoping that they will pass the copyright bill in parliament so we can gain something from our music. I released a CD with 10 songs about two months ago but I was hardly

Haresh performing at Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad

Haresh Singh with fellow musicians

able to make anything because of piracy. The country as a whole can make a lot of money if the Copyright laws are there,” Haresh expressed in an interview with the Chronicle.

Haresh, whose music is currently playing on all of the radio stations in Guyana, won the 2012 National Chutney Competition in Guyana and subsequently represented Guyana at Queen’s Park Oval, in Trinidad. “I am the first man in Guyana to sell chutney in the international world,” he proudly declared.

Another challenge Haresh said he and other musicians are facing is that of the ‘dog eat dog’ attitude that is found in Guyana’s music industry. On one occasion, he recalled how a prominent artiste

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tried to pay the host of a television show to pull his music off the air.

Furthermore, Haresh called attention to the practice where entertainers pirate people’s music and just add in different lyrics. “I am an original singer all the way. I hope to become an internationally recognized superstar one day and I am very confident that this will happen,” he related.

In addition to winning the Chutney Soca Monarch Competition five times, Haresh has won some 28 Bollywood competitions in the country.

ORIGINALITY Haresh has great confidence in himself and is not shy about expressing it. “I would call myself a superstar! For you to measure how good you ► Continued on page XXXV

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

A local singer who ... ► From page XXXIII are as a singer, you have to go on competitions and win, and that’s what I do,” he proudly acknowledged. In addition to chutney, Haresh delights in singing Bollywood songs. He likes karaoke, and does some English songs as well.

As he puts it, the thing that mostly sets him apart from his colleagues is the fact that he composes his own songs. “I compose my own songs, own air, melody, everything! The rule is originality, and other singers in Guyana should adopt this.”

“Right now, many artistes are using back Bollywood songs and fitting in their voice and lyrics.

Do not pirate people’s songs! Try to compose your own songs. When you pirate, you kill the culture.

It’s just like a copycat,” Haresh posited.

He continued: “You have young children who never knew and heard about the original singers, and who therefore give all praise to the copy cats. And that’s bad. That’s what I like Anand (Persaud, karaoke singer) for. You singing, sing back the original Bollywood thing. Don’t try to put in your own words.”

Locally, Harresh gives much respect to Celia Samaroo, owner of Shakti Strings; and Queen Yasmin, of the Originals Band, now residing outside of Guyana.

‘Big Harresh’ who attended Anna Regina Secondary School, believes that he will significantly improve his skills within the next 10 years. “I’m sure that I will make it. I’m following my dream. I hope to get bigger and better.”

The ‘Big Haresh’ also wants to let it be publicly known that he is ‘single and ready to mingle!’

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

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ARIES - This week has potential for fun, communication, and good company even though you may have to cope with minor irritations. The New Moon on Tuesday can be useful for launching a new online business, starting a marketing campaign, or signing important deals and documents. The more willing you are to interact with others, the more opportunities will come your way.

You may be busy with family, home-based projects, and perhaps one or two unexpected guests when the Sun dances into Cancer.

TAURUS - Though it might be tempting to fritter away your money, it wouldn’t be in your best interests. Align yourself with the New Moon on Tuesday and commit to a new start. This is your opportunity to create a budget that enables you to enjoy life and save money, too. Consider taking out a loan or consolidating debts if you need to. Later, you may be motivated to connect with people you haven’t heard from in some time. A reunion may be long overdue.

GEMINI - Friends, neighbours, family members, and partners all contribute to a positive, upbeat week. This is an excellent time to collaborate on plans and work with others as part of a team. If you can drum up enough support, you’ll be halfway to achieving your goal. Personal finances come into focus when the Sun dances into Cancer. You can be very canny when it comes to making money decisions, and from this week a shrewd move on your behalf can pay dividends.

CANCER - Hopefully, you’ve reaped the benefits from taking time out to relax and recharge. With an emphasis on your spiritual sector, continue to watch your dreams, make time for meditation, and retreat from life when necessary. It’s crucial to you to enjoy some alone time, as doing so can help you take stock and make important decisions. Once the Sun moves into your sign on Sunday you’ll be more inclined to reach out to others and get busy with personal plans.

LEO - Social influences are particularly strong now, making this a perfect week for networking, dating, and fun. You can hasten the progress of a budding romance by giving your love interest your undivided attention. One thing about you is that you know how to have a good time! Taking a significant other along for the ride can help you become more intimate sooner than you’d hoped.

From Sunday, take time out to relax and reflect. It will do you a world of good!

VIRGO - This week an innovative idea of yours could positively affect your career progress. The more people you can share it with, the more you’ll benefit.

Tuesday’s New Moon in Gemini makes this one of the better times to start a job, attend an interview, sign a contract, or commit to a course of action.

Later, your social sector lights up and will be active for the next four weeks.

Use this opportunity to get back in touch with good friends.

LIBRA - You’ll have a lot of mental energy to put into projects this week, especially if they involve research or some form of study. By coming to grips with information and using it to support your cause, you can go far. The New Moon on Tuesday can speed your progress if you’re making travel plans, starting a journey, or even learning a new language. You’ll also be eager to reflect on your priorities, which might result in making one or two important decisions.

SCORPIO - If someone seems to oppose your plans, you’ll get your way if you use the right words. It’s the way you say things that can make all the difference to your ability to sell an idea. Business matters go well, with Tuesday’s New Moon helping out. This is an excellent time to seal a deal, collaborate with someone on a new business venture, or apply for a loan in order to finance a new venture. You’ll also be eager to expand your horizons in other ways.

SAGITTARIUS - The social theme continues, making this an ideal week for fun and celebrations. Dating opportunities seem plentiful, so it’s worth accepting invitations and making the time to get out. Once the Sun moves into Cancer later in the week, you’ll have plenty of energy regarding moneymaking activities, but keep a firm hand on impulse spending. Don’t let someone coax you into parting with your cash unless it’s absolutely necessary. Opt to save rather than spend!

CAPRICORN - Communication is emphasised in a way that provides answers to everyday dilemmas. You’ll likely be a mine of information at work, and your extensive knowledge will enhance your natural ability to sell an idea.

Tuesday’s New Moon can be useful for starting a new job, committing to a contract, or starting your own business. Relationships come into focus from Sunday. The Sun’s move into Cancer heightens feelings, encouraging greater empathy and intimacy with a significant other.

AQUARIUS - Though you may feel impatient early on, you’ll radiate enough charm and charisma to impress all the right people. Someone may be drawn to you as a result, which could lead to a romantic tryst or even a lucrative deal.

You may get an energy boost when the Sun glides into your health and wellness sector on Sunday. Its presence here for the month ahead puts a focus on feeling fit and fabulous, encouraging you to start any diet or exercise routine you’ve been planning.

PISCES - Good news may come regarding publishing, education, or legal matters. You might also be invited to visit friends who live far away, or be visited by someone you haven’t seen in a while. Getting your house in tiptop shape could be a major priority. This can be a golden opportunity to remove clutter and make more space for creative activities. Reorganising your home could bring greater peace of mind and extra vitality. Plus, romance is enhanced as the Sun dances into Cancer.

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Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

English

Chronicle Pepperpot June 21, 2015

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Don’t miss Young Musicians on stage at the NCC today

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HE curtain goes up this afternoon on ‘Young Musicians On Stage’ at the National Cultural Centre and, who knows, perhaps a budding Ray Luck is just waiting in the wings to make his debut at the piano.

The young people on stage today have all copped distinctions at last month’s Royal School of Music Examinations held in Georgetown, sponsored by the Guyana Music Teachers Association, and so the concert promises to be delightful.

And never mind the onslaught brought about by the cacophony that passes for music nowadays, a mindless phenomenon to which so many of our young people are addicted.

Marilyn Dewar, secretary to the Music Teachers Association,

assures that more and more parents are after classical music lessons for their children.

But the problem is that there are too few teachers to satisfy the demand.

“We need teachers for piano, guitar, violin, singing, trumpet, in fact for just about every discipline there is a need,” Mrs Dewar laments.

And that’s a pity, for we are becoming more and more aware of the benefits of classical music and the discipline and other desirable traits it encourages.

The programme will feature music by Mozart, Sor and Handel, Linda Griffith’s Cameo Suite performed by the National School of Dance, and an offering by the National Steelband Jazz Ensemble. Not to mention the piano, guitar

and trumpet solos, and a vocal quartet.

All in all, a visit to the NCC this afternoon will be a couple of hours well spent, and it is always a treat to watch young musicians on stage.

The curtain goes up at 3.00 p.m.

TAILPIECE: Reports are that the Classique ensemble was in fine form at the National Cultural Centre last weekend, in a spectacular performance of dance, with especially stunning costumes. The pity is that they staged just one performance. Artistic Director Clive Prowell explained that the theatre-going public is not as keen on dance performances as before. That’s unfortunate for the Classique dancers are just about the very best we have.

The Classique dancers in fine form at the National Cultural Centre