Guyana Times Daily

US now satisfying Venezuela’s rice needs

wednesday, november 4, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Small fire causes panic in Alexander Street

Asmall fire of unknown origin erupted around 18:15hrs on Tuesday in a four-storey building at 87 Alexander Street, Georgetown, alarming neighbours and passersby.

The building, which is still under construction, belongs to Vidoor Panday, who told reporters that little damage was caused.

One of the construction

workers shared that he had locked up the building around 17:00h when they had finished their work for the day, and no one was inside.

Guyana Times understands that the fire had started on the fourth floor of the building among some loose pieces of wood. Investigations into the matter are ongoing.

2 dead, 3 injured in Corentyne accident

Two persons were killed and three others injured after the car in which they were travelling slammed into a fence at Number 43 Village, Corentyne Highway, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

Those dead are Paula Kissoondial, age 53; and Akeem Harry, age 15, both of Rose Hall, Corentyne. Those injured are Jermiane Smartt, Winston Collins

[Guyana/Suriname ferry crossing].

Reports further state that tragedy struck when the car suffered a tire blowout, causing the driver to lose control. This resulted in the car slamming into a fence.

Eyewitnesses told this newspaper that they had to cut the seat belt to rescue Collins out of the wreckage.

Speaking with this publication, the Harry’s mother said she was unaware of the accident until late Tuesday afternoon.

“I saw him morning time, and after that I didn’t see him back for the day. I kept asking for him but nobody told me anything,” the weeping mother said. According to her, the last conversation she had with her son was on Tuesday when she warned him not to get into any fights as she left for work.

Reports are Ross suf-

and Keith Ross, also of Rose Hall.

Kissoondial was pronounced dead at the Skeldon Hospital while Harry died while receiving medical attention at the same medical institution. Smartt, Collins and Ross were all stabilised before being transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital.

According to reports, the five were travelling in motorcar PRR 164 which was being driven by Winston Collins when the accident occurred at 11:30h. Guyana Times was told that they were returning home after dropping a relative at the Canawaima Ferry Stelling

Tfered a compressed fracture and was subsequently transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital. Hospital sources told Guyana Times that Smartt suffered a concussion and fracture to the left humerus; hence he was admitted a patient. Up to press time, he had not regained consciousness while hospital sources confirmed that Collins suffered a concussion and dislocated right clavicle. He too has been admitted to the New Amsterdam Hospital. His condition is listed as stable. Kissoondial leaves to mourn seven children. Police are investigation the accident.

Clarification

he Guyana Times in its Sunday edition attributed the Government’s response to questions posed by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in Parliament on its inauguration spending to the Finance Ministry.

While it was the Finance Ministry that was asked to respond by the PPP/C in Parliament, the questions were redirected to the Education Ministry’s Department of Culture, Youth and Sport which provided the responses.

The Guyana Times apologises for the misattribution, but fully stands by the overall thrust and core content of the article as was published.

A younger Paula Kissoondial

Injured Jemiane Smartt

The building in which the fire started

wednesday, november 4, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, November 4 – 11:20h-12:50h and Thursday, November 5 – 12:40h-14:10h. The Demerara

FERRY SCHEDULE

WEATHER TODAY

Guyana has lost the most lucrative rice exportation deal with the Spanish speaking nation of Venezuela, which is now having its rice needs met by the United States of America (USA).

Meanwhile, the ailing rice industry in Guyana continues to adversely affect the country’s economy with no immediate or direct intervention from the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government.

Guyana Times had reported that while Guyana was officially ousted from the PetroCaribe deal it had with Venezuela during October this year, the relationship between the two countries had become extremely tense sometime in June last, causing the rice industry to suffer tremendously. It has since started a new PetroCaribe deal with Suriname and now this new arrangement with the Unites States.

The relationship between Guyana and Venezuela began to deteriorate after a decision was made by APNU/ AFC Government not to allow the Venezuelan stateowned airline Conviasa Airlines, to land in Guyana over the non-payment of its bond.

As time progressed, the two countries eventually drifted from the cordial relations it had shared in previous years, and according to information this newspaper received, for the week ending August 27, the US recorded a notable increase in its rice shipments to Venezuela totalling 29,500 tonnes.

Further, this publication was informed that for the week ending September 3, the US rice exporters had exported 30,000 tonnes of rice to Venezuela as well.

A report dated October 1, 2015, from the USA Rice Daily stated that the Spanish speaking country has been hard hit by El Niño and suffered major crop shortages. Hence, it turned to the US to “fulfil its consumption needs.”

It was noted that total

rough rice sales to Venezuela are at nearly 150,000 metric tonnes (MT) within just the past two months.

Meanwhile, according to the US Department of Agriculture Foreign Agriculture Service Export Sales Report for October 2015, the US rice exporters have shipped 298,721 tonnes of rice to Venezuela.

During this time frame, Guyanese rice farmers were faced with major difficulties since Venezuela no longer accepted shipments of rice as was arranged in the PetroCaribe deal.

Then in October, the Spanish speaking nation inked another PetroCaribe deal with Suriname to see the exchange for fuel and rice at “favourable” prices thereby knocking Guyana out of the agreement it had with Venezuela for the past number of years.

According to media reports coming out of Suriname, the Presidents of the two countries reached an agreement for the Spanishspeaking country to provide oil to the Dutch-speaking Caribbean Community (Caricom) country in exchange for rice.

Guyana Times understands that this agreement signed between Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his Surinamese counter-

part Desi Bouterse, will allow Suriname to continue to receive favourable rates on oil in exchange for an agreement on rice exports.

Observers have opined that due to the lack of the art of diplomacy by the APNU/ AFC Government the relations between Venezuela and Guyana “went downhill” and continued to deteriorate at a fast rate.

The lack of action and unfavourable responses from the relevant authorities to inject funds into the industry has only made matters worse.

After much cries by rice farmers last week Agriculture Minister Noel Holder announced that the Ministry was awaiting the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) to put forward ‘suggestions’ for the “betterment” of the rice industry.

Mexico Market

Recently Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Agriculture Minister of Mexico Jose Calzada met

and had discussions on the commercialization of Guyana’s paddy.

Office of the Prime Minister reported that the Mexican Agriculture Minister Jose Calzada has now given the assurance that he would fast track arrangements to buy Guyana’s paddy. Further, he has made a commitment to encourage the private sector to enter into contracts with Guyanese millers.

However, one large scale farmer in Texas told Guyana Times that the US also sells rice to Mexico under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with preferential market benefits. Chief among these benefits is elimination of tariffs on rice shipped to Mexico. NAFTA is an agreement among the United States, Canada and Mexico designed to remove tariff barriers between the three countries.

Editor(ag): Michael Younge

Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

Fighting for life

The recent headlines and images of the bodies of a male and a female that were found at the Kingston Seawalls in Georgetown after they allegedly committed suicide should send a clear message to the Government of Guyana, the country’s political directorate and the relevant stakeholders that they need to do something to win the battle against suicide.

It is no secret that Guyana is losing this battle in so many respects and every year an ever-increasing number of lives are being lost. By one report, Guyana has the highest per capita rate of suicide in the world.

While there are continuous public discussions on the prevalence and causation of suicide which arguably could be described as the consequence of a mental illness, enough action is not being taken to reach out to the would-be victims and their families.

The Government cannot be satisfied that it is doing enough at the moment to curb the rise in the cases of suicide deaths or attempts. Its newly-minted Mental Health Strategy which could see some results will not become fully effective until a year after its implementation.

And while the hotline launched by the Guyana Police Force and other stakeholders appears to be a step in the right direction, there is much more that needs to be done by civil society and religious stakeholders.

Since the launch of this hotline and counselling centre, there has been no reportage on its ability to successfully avert suicide attempts and bring relief to those would-be-affected victims. If those behind the initiative and their financial backers wanted to shift the perception that something, however, small is being done, the release of quarterly statistics would have seen momentum growing in the society and the establishment of more hotlines and centres.

Additionally, the media has a role to play in not only highlighting the incidents of suicide but telling the stories of the victims and how the society failed them in rendering assistance. These stories must be used to push the envelope and force action from those who have both the political and economic power to implement policy changes that would see better results in the fight against suicide.

The discovery of these bodies and the continued reporting of recent cases must evoke anger in the hearts of Guyanese because such an important issue is still not on the front burner of the political agenda of the country.

Also, a national conversation needs to be restarted on the types of suicide and how Guyanese can respond to them if they understand the troubling signs.

After all, according to Max Durkheim, there are four “types” of suicide namely egoistic, altruistic, fatalistic and anomic. Suicide is the result of a situation being overbearing for an individual to cope with.

Egoistic suicide is where an individual is badly isolated from society. The loneliness eats at the persons, and when faced with difficulties, they feel helpless and frustrated as, according to them, there is no one out there for them but themselves. There is no hope, no help.

In contrast, altruistic suicide is where individuals are trapped in society; they are surrounded and no longer think of themselves, they do what society wants. They take their lives because their social group requires them to.

In addition, Durkheim’s third type of suicide is anomic suicide. This type of suicide is where persons’ lives evolve around too-low levels of regulation and thus without any long or short-term goals, their lives become meaningless and persons tend to surrender as situations become too frustrating and impossible to get pass. And, fatalistic suicide occurs when the lives of people go evolve around too many regulations, and most times a person may have too-high goals to achieve and the disappointment of loved ones get to the individual.

Suicide is viewed differently by people. Some see it as weakness, cowardice while others see it as a refuge, a way to get out of your misery. Whatever your view may be, please keep in mind that suicide is wrong.

And this problem needs to be addressed immediately. A change has to be made to save lives. Suicide prevention cannot happen overnight, it takes time and it needs people who want to make a difference in the world.

Guyanese must understand that a history of psychopathology, drug abuse or depression, if not treated, can lead persons to end their lives. Pain can be very irritating and hard to deal with; emotionally, a person can be hanging onto sanity by a string and when it seems like no one cares or there’s no hope anymore, persons contemplate suicide.

No matter how unsolvable a problem may seem, there is always a solution.

First Guyanese Swami will be forever remembered

Dear Editor, It is with deep sadness that we mourn the passing of the great Swami Vidyanandaji Maharaj of Cove and John and the United States. Vidyanandaji was a wellknown spiritual leader and scholar in Hinduism held in high esteem by Hindus as well as non-Hindus in the United States, Canada, UK, India and Guyana. He was not much different from other Swamis we recently read about. But he has the distinction of being the first Guyanese Swami, perhaps first in the West Indies. He has made an invaluable contribution to Guyanese society in the fields of religion and education.

Trained in India, he influenced many young people in Guyana by providing them a high-quality education that allowed them to become successful in adult life in various professions; those who attended his school have become lawyers, doctors, engineers, and nurses.

Vidyanandaji had been among the most revered

Hindu leaders in the US, attracting followers from various countries including Jamaica and India. He has left a worldwide following of students. Condolences have been pouring in from all corners of the globe, reflecting the huge popularity he enjoyed both in and out of the US and Guyana. Hundreds came to the wake at his Jamaica, NY Ashram on Wednesday and Thursday and at the viewing on Friday in Richmond Hill.

I had the occasion to interview Swami several times for articles I penned on varied subjects pertaining to Hinduism and the founding of the American Sevashram Sangha that he headed. He was a very simple man. He humbly did not consider himself a scholar although he was very learned. He was a man of faith in line with other Indian saints without courting controversy. At times, upon request, he attempted to settle differences (in Guyanese mandirs) in NYC, and there were/are many.

Swami-ji was a devoted

Hindu, yet broad-minded not to condemn or disrespect other religions.

His extraordinary personality, his kindness, and his grasp of life issues attracted attention among Indians and non-Indians, Hindus and non-Hindus. Not surprisingly, many came to him for counselling and for assistance with education of their children especially when he was in Guyana. Several non-Indians worship at his ashram. His personality impressed itself on all who met and interacted with him. Many who never saw him have been influenced by the story of his life. A biography was recently published on him written by TV personality and writer Richard Mahase of NY which I reviewed for a newspaper some time ago.

In Swami’s passing away, we have lost a great son of Guyana and the Indian Diaspora who dedicated his entire life for the welfare of others. He was a peoples’ person during his lifetime and will be remembered as

such even after death. He will be remembered for his establishment of the school in Cove and John that educated so many in spite of all the obstacles and adversities it faced by those unreligious forces determined to crush it; the school was confiscated by the PNC dictatorship. And Swami will be remembered by us in America for establishing the first and perhaps only Guyanese ashram in the US.

A lot of activities beneficial to the Guyanese Diaspora was held there. For example, memorial services were held there when Dr Cheddi Jagan and Janet Jagan passed away and the Ashram was made available for lessons and community meetings.

Swami Vidyanandaji will be missed, but his great work will continue through his loving disciples and teachings, and he will be forever remembered for his great selfless work and humanitarianism.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Eminent among us should initiate compromise on Diwali

Dear Editor,

“The fault lies not in the stars but in ourselves that we are underlings” was Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar’s admonition to Hindu Guyanese. When to celebrate Diwali has no compromise solution? A group of prominent adjudicators should promptly initiate dialogue and compromise to get this issue resolved before the plane lands. Former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran should

initiate the meeting comprising himself, former Judge Prem Persaud as Chairman, Yesu Persaud, Ravi Dev, Leila Ramson, retired former Justice Nandram Kissoon and possibly one nominee, possibly a Pandit, from the opposing side.

They should decide the way forward and so advise the Security Minister. Compromise is imperative. They must act as quickly as possible before the due date(s) because this issue

cannot become permanent. Since Hindus culturally celebrate for many days, why has it become an issue this year, anyway? The Security Minister’s responsibility requires him to declare the official holiday or two if he so decides.

That he is a good devotee is not in doubt. Why blame him when Hindus themselves should settle their own problems. All is not lost. The darkest night of Amavasya will not change. It is approxi-

mately the halfway mark of the 12-hour period starting on November 10 at 11:34h ending on November 11 at 13:27h. It’s humans who must compromise among themselves. Unless we are capable of resolving differences among ourselves, we can hardly blame others for widening them. Watch it.

The ABC countries may just step in.

With regards, Sultan Mohamed

Students from the Queens College Hindu Society on Tuesday designing a rangoli in reverence for the upcoming Diwali celebrations

Govt receives final draft of sustainable agricultural plan – to look at state of food and nutrition in Region 9

Afive-year action plan, which is expected to significantly boost the food and nutrition situation in Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo), was handed over to the Ministers of Agriculture, Business and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, during the Rupununi and Agriculture Exposition 2015.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) report, the annual event was held under the theme, “Promoting Entrepreneurial Development through Partnerships”, at the Triple ‘R’ Rodeo Ground, Tabatinga, Lethem October 30-November 1.

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, in delivering remarks during the Rupununi Exposition, echoed the call for farmers to capitalise on activities such as these, not only to build networks, but also to strengthen market linkages.

He added that enhanced focus would be placed on agricultural interventions such as input subsidies and technology transfer, to better contribute to the social protection of farmers, especially at the small and medium scale

levels.

“Our Government has made a commitment to provide a good life to all our citizens, and I believe agriculture has a major role to play in addressing these social issues, food insecurity, and economic development.”

The Agriculture Minister reminded the gathering of the potential which lies within the region, alluding to the fact that agricultural development of the hinterland region remains a top priority for the Agriculture Ministry. Government, in its 2015 Manifesto, spoke of the development of the hinterland as a priority, with the implementation of policies, particularly for development of the Intermediate and Rupununi Savannahs.

The Intermediate Savannahs have long been considered as the next frontier for agricultural development, as Guyana’s agriculture efforts are primarily concentrated on the coast, which is below sea level and increasingly exposed to the ravages of climate change.

According to Minister Holder, the transfer of the country’s economic base in-

land has to be a priority if there will be sustainable development. Among the plans which the Ministry will be pursuing are: an Agriculture Station at Manari; pasture and nursery development, and rainwater harvesting.

The importance of not only accessing food, but also developing land and establishing market linkages was underscored by Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock, who added that these remained critical for survival of the region’s people.

According to the Minister, the time for action is now, if the region is to fully capitalise on its potential as an agriculture frontier.

“This is necessary, as it is the only way we will overcome food shortages in the region…works such as these strategies, and interventions being undertaken at the Ministries of Agriculture and Indigenous Affairs remain critical,” the Minister said.

Meanwhile, Investment and Business Minister Dominic Gaskin, who officially opened the Business Expo, spoke of the importance of the event in linking buyers to market.

He added that efforts in 2015 will provide a better picture of advancement and opportunities in the region, as the prospects remained endless.

Integrated Sustainable Agriculture Development Strategy for Region Nine (the Rupununi) is the response to policy recommendations, emanating from the State and Food of Agriculture in the Rupununi (SOFA) study, that was done by the UN-FAO, CIGuyana and the Agriculture Ministry in 2014.

The Strategy, which is expected to improve food and nutrition security, reduce poverty, and enable sustain-

able and integrated development of local communities, is built on five goals. Among those include:

* The Integrated Sustainable Agriculture Development Strategy will improve food and nutrition security, reduce poverty, and enable sustainable and integrated development of local communities

* Strengthen coordination between agricultural related institutions: to improve Public and Private Sector linkages; and to promote a more business-like approach to agriculture.

* Enhance food systems, production, diversification, efficiency and profitability.

* Enhance the growth, competitiveness and efficien-

cy of marketing systems and agro-food enterprises both in the domestic and international markets and

* Develop Infrastructure and Services in support of agricultural expansion.

During the Rupununi Exposition, a variety of locally grown and manufactured agricultural commodities were on display.

The Ministers of Agriculture, Business and Indigenous People’s Affairs Noel Holder, Dominic Gaskin and Sydney Allicock display the five-ear action plan document

Page Foundation

By Melissa Walker

Parents are more aware than ever of the relational aggression that is often a part of female friendships and how detrimental it can be to girls’ self-esteem.

Laura Choate, a Professor at Louisiana State University and author of Swimming Upstream: Parenting Girls for Resilience in a Toxic Culture, defines toxic friendships

qualities herself – is she a good friend to others by being loyal, kind, and consistent? Defining friendship together this way can help her identify potentially toxic issues. And mothers, who Choate notes have a huge influence on their kids in this realm, should model strong female friendships as well by building up their girlfriends and sharing those positive relationships with their daughters.

as relationships in which a girl cannot be her truest, authentic self. “Does she have to pretend to be someone she’s not to please the friend? Do friends build her up or cause her to question herself?” These are questions to ponder, Choate tells Yahoo Parenting, in order to identify a toxic friend in your own child’s life. Here’s more advice on how to help girls steer clear of these painful relationships.

Help her define true friendship (and model it)

“Make a list together of what your daughter is looking for in a good friend,” suggests Choate. “Then ask her if her friends have those qualities. If they don’t, talk about what’s drawing her to those relationships, and if there’s a warning flag, pay attention to it.” Your daughter might also consider whether she demonstrates those

Help her handle gossip

Gossiping is natural, but it causes a lot of hurt. Choate recommends asking your daughter to consider these questions when she’s tempted to gossip: Who benefits if I repeat this info? Who will be hurt? How would I feel if this were being said about me? Would I repeat this if the person it’s about were right in front of me?

“Usually the answers lead to not sharing the information,” says Choate. And if your daughter hears gossip among her friends, help her to speak up and squash it. “Studies have found that the first person who speaks after a rumour is mentioned controls the direction of the conversation,” says Choate.

“So if one person says, ‘I heard that girl is mean,’ and the first responder says, ‘I haven’t noticed that at all,’ it tends to diffuse the conversation and the gossip falls away.”

Make home a sanctuary

“No matter what’s going on at school or in the outside world, let your daughter know that home is a place of peace where she’s understood and fully accepted as she is,” says Choate. “Tell her that you know friendships are hard, and that you’re there to listen and provide support without judgment.” Choate notes that this also includes being mindful of the media you consume at home. “Reality shows and TV dramas often portray women and girls as competitors who can’t be trusted and may be nice to you one day and mean the next,” she says. “Make sure that’s not what your daughter is learning about friendship. Reinforce the positive examples she sees and discuss the negative ones.”

Cultivate assertiveness

“Girls are socialised to make other people happy,” says Choate, “but if your daughter is able to speak up and be honest with friends about her feelings, she will have much stronger relationships than if she stays silent and doesn’t rock the boat.” That means telling friends if she feels hurt or left out, and knowing that if the friends don’t respect her openness and honesty, it may be time to move on.

Support the “Girl in the Middle”

Rosalind Wiseman, author of Queen Bees and Wannabees, coined this term, and Choate says it’s extremely helpful. “A Girl in the Middle is someone who is confident enough to float between friendship circles,” she says. “She has a lot of friends and does a variety of things so she doesn’t spend time worrying about pleasing one group.” To help your daughter cultivate this confidence, make sure she has different outlets for finding and establishing friendships. “You don’t have to over-schedule a million activities for your child, but a couple of groups outside of school can really help,” says Choate, who recommends community sports teams, neighbourhood gatherings, and Girl Scouttype organisations as potential outlets.

“If one friend in one group is causing her stress, but she has other sources of support, she won’t start thinking her life is going to fall apart.” (Yahoo! News)

By Gina stepp

Family restoration

How can communities help families unlearn negative patterns and replace violent relationships with healthy ones?

If interventions focus only on the primary abuser, especially as dysfunctional interaction becomes entrenched, there is little chance of preventing the abuse cycle. A key reason is that dysfunctional families tend to interact minimally with their community. Yet parents, children and extended family, as well as the surrounding community, all have a part in the healing and prevention cycle – not only in the detection and prevention of current abuse, but also with an eye toward strengthening the social fabric that contributes to the mental and physical health of future generations. The levels of violent family dysfunction reported by global agencies suggest a need to address families and communities as a whole with the aim of restoring secure attachments, functional relationships, and family and community resilience. This is often attempted through family training and support programmes (such as improving new-parent competence), school-based programmes, and community awareness campaigns – including those increasingly being implemented in the workplace.

Barnett, Miller-Perrin and Perrin of Pepperdine remark on the irony that “a teenager cannot legally drive an automobile without first receiving appropriate training and passing a test to obtain a licence, but the same teenager can become a parent without any interference from the state. No doubt it has to be this way,” they acknowledge, “but the fact remains that many who assume the role of parent are not adequately prepared to do so.”

For this reason, and because it is in adolescence that children tend to form their first “real” intimate ties, many scholars strongly support school-based programmes for teaching the importance of nonviolent relationships.

And while home-based programmes tend to address child

abuse more than other forms of family violence, some researchers believe that broader training programmes could lower IPV rates as well. “Because child abuse and marital violence are correlated and share many risk markers,” suggest the Pepperdine researchers, “families identified as being at high risk for child abuse are also likely to be at high risk for marital violence. To the degree that programmes provide families with networks of support and emphasise positive family functioning, violence-free interactions, and recognition of the triggers of violence, they might have ameliorative effects on rates of marital violence.”

Of course, because socioeconomic factors such as poverty, unemployment and unmarried teen pregnancy are also associated with family violence, it would seem logical for communities to be concerned about these issues as well – and, generally speaking, they are. But these issues are also very complex and have defied sincere efforts for generations.

On the other hand, research suggests that individual family violence may have more to do with a neighbourhood’s acceptance of violence than with its perceived level of social disadvantage. In a study published in the American Journal of Criminal Justice in April 2008, Deeanna M Button examined the effect of neighbourhood status on attitudes toward family violence. She found that a neighbourhood’s acceptance of crime may influence those attitudes to at least some degree and concludes that “to end family violence, there needs to be an end in the societal toleration for the aggression that takes place between family members. A shift in attitudes needs to occur.”

To Psychiatrist Bruce Perry, such a shift would begin by ensuring secure, enriching relationships for children. A researcher specialising in child trauma, Perry also has a background in neuroscience. “Our society’s general disrespect for the importance of relationships is undermining the development of empathy,” he says in The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog, a book of case studies co-authoured with journalist Maia Szalavitz. “Like language, empathy is a fundamental capacity of the human species, one that helps define what a human being is. But like language, empathy, too, must be learned. Ordinarily we pick up both during early childhood.”

However, as Perry’s case studies illustrate, all too often children’s lives allow little time for social interaction, even with parents. Unfortunately, in the absence of “a caring, vibrant, social network,” says Perry, the development of empathy is stunted.

Other researchers are also recognising an important connection between individual, family and community factors. Oddly, some refer to this understanding as a “new frontier” in family violence prevention. Still, it should come as no surprise that children and families need strong connections to each other and to healthy communities in order to thrive. However, a community that tolerates violent and vengeful behaviour – whether in its homes and streets or depicted routinely in its entertainment – can hardly be considered healthy. Nor can it expect its children to reject violence as an acceptable approach to resolving conflict. (vision.org)

wednesday, november 4, 2015

Seawall double suicide...

Female identified as 19-yearold Turkeyen resident

Police have identified the female whose body, along with a male companion, was found dead on the Kingston Seawall on Monday. The body has been positively identified as 19-yearold Kavita Ackloo of South Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown. Her male companion is yet to be identified. According to reports, Ackloo’s father identified her but could not say who the young man was. Guyana Times was told that the man went to the Brickdam Police

Station to make a missing person’s report when ranks requested that he visit Lyken Funeral Home. His worst fears were confirmed

as he was shown his daughter’s body, hence positively identifying her. Up to press time, Police were still investigating the matter in the hope of contacting the family of the young man.

This newspaper was told that Ackloo was a store clerk at Sharon’s Mall, King Street, Georgetown. Her father confirmed that she would have celebrated her birthday on November 5.

The couple was found on the seawall by joggers at about 17:00h on Monday. They were found lying close to each other. Police suspect that they both died as a result of suicide.

At the time of the sighting, the young man was wearing black demin pants (jeans), a white armless vest and black socks, while Ackloo was wearing green demin pants and a black T-shirt.

The bodies are currently at the Lyken Funeral Home. The Police have since reviewed a number of missing person’s reports in an effort to identify the young man.

Sparking wire causes panic, alarm at Mae’s Schools

Alarm filled the Mae’s Schools in Subryanville, Georgetown as the fire drill bell sounded in the school building early Tuesday morning.

The Director of the Primary department, Mayglen Charles said that about 08:30h, she received information that a wire was sparking in front of the building, just above the entrance.

She said she immediately initiated the fire drill protocol and the students, un-

der the supervision of their teachers, evacuated the building. The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) was called in shortly after, along with the Guyana Fire Service.

Although the Fire Service arrived almost immediately, nothing was done because the firemen had to get the go-ahead from GPL who arrived about two hours later, the Director said.

However, an employee of GPL, who was on the ground, told reporters that they came and saw it was a slack connection causing the

problem which they then remedied.

The Director disclosed that the students were being sent home in order to facilitate an overall assessment of the building by their personal electrician.

Several parents were seen collecting their children from the nearby field to which the students were evacuated. One of them said: “I was just called to collect my child. I was told there was an incident, that’s all.” School resumes today for all Mae’s students.

Dead: Kavita Ackloo

An overhead shot of the area after the fire scare

wednesday, november 4, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Albouystown execution-style killing...

Second suspect charged

Another suspect in the executionstyle murder of Senassie Lewis was on Tuesday charged with murder and remanded to prison when he appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Twenty-three-year-old Clive Forde, of Adelaide Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, was not required to plead to the indictable charge which read that on Friday, September 4, at Albouystown, Georgetown, he murdered Senassie Lewis. Lewis, 22, of Vlissengen Place, East Ruimveldt, Georgetown was shot at least nine times by two men who appeared in

front of the Ghetto Flex Bar at the corners of James and Albouys Streets, Albouystown, Georgetown on September 4. According to information received, Lewis was among a group of people at the Albouystown Bar when a car drove in front of the night spot. Two men exited and opened fire indiscriminately, hitting the four men. From all indications, Lewis was the target. The two gunmen then calmly walked back to the car and left the scene. The injured men were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where they were admitted. According to reports, Forde was captured by Police on Friday

during a Police operation. According to a source, the defendant has been previously charged for the possession of guns and ammunition, and has also been linked to several armed robberies.

Keron Taylor, 24, also of Charlestown, Georgetown was previously charged for the murder before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in Court Two. Police Prosecutor, Inspector Shellon Daniels made an application for both defendants to be charged jointly; however, this was denied. The defendant was remanded and the matter was transferred to Court Two for November 12.

Duo charged for cutlass robbery

Two teenagers were on Tuesday remanded to prison by Magistrate Judy Latchman in Court Three of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with robbery under arms.

Jermaine Scott, 19, and Shemar Singh, 18, of 67 Durban Street, Georgetown, both denied the allegation which stated that on November 1 at Georgetown while in the company of others and being armed with an offensive weapon, that is a cutlass, they robbed Chris Forde of $2000. They also denied the charges which read that on the same

occasion, the relieved Jeremy Jarvis of one backpack, a hat, a shirt and a cellular phone, all to a total value of $31,000.

The particulars surrounding the charges were not divulged in court, however, it was revealed by Police Prosecutor, Corporal Deniro Jones that the cellphone was recovered from Singh – it was found on his person – and the defendants were apprehended by the Virtual Complainants after they fled the scene.

Attorney Paul Fung-A-Fat who represented both individuals stated that the

articles were not recovered on his clients. He also alleged that they were not placed on an identification parade nor were they positively identified. He made an application for bail, citing the fact that the offence is highly bailable. However, the Prosecutor objected to bail on the grounds of the seriousness of the offence, given that an offensive weapon – a cutlass – was used. Bail was refused and the men were remanded to prison. The matter was transferred to Court Two where it will be heard before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on November 12.

Eyew tness

When you gotta go…

… you just gotta go

While quite earthy, literally and figuratively –the old people’s warning about the dangers of waiting to “build latrine when you just gotta go” should be apparent to even the tiled bathroom generation. Waiting until the threat is nigh upon you can get you in a big mess. And that’s exactly where we are with our rice industry.

When this Government took over in May…it knew the need of the rice industry was to find markets for the ever-increasing production being achieved. The 600,000 tonnes in 2014 and the projected 700,000 tonnes for 2015 were never any deep dark secret. In fact, the coalition specifically promised in its manifesto to engage immediately in the “Negotiation of additional new international markets for rice from Guyana”.

That was the need of the hour. But a funny thing happened on the way to the “good life” for rice farmers after the elections euphoria. We “ lost” the 200,000 tonne Venezuelan market. Prezzie shrugged that was no big deal – it was “only” one third of our export!!

But, as reality kicked in on the farmers –millers weren’t going to give them the premium Venezuelan prices – they started to make some noises. What the heck would they do with all that paddy on their hands? So they asked the Government the reasonable question. “ Where were the new international markets promised?”

But, quick as a labaria striking came the answer: “Markets?? Marketing?? Not our job, man!” Never mind the Government was taking a $600 million rice levy on exports via the GRDB for it to find markets. So the farmers started marching up and down in front of the Presidential Office. The stuff that usually went into latrines was starting to hit the fan!

And out came the new promises: the Foreign Service would open up a marketing desk at each of our embassies and they’d sell our rice. Minister Carl Greenidge made some noises, looked resolute and….nothing! The country’s still waiting to see a single contact made by the Foreign Service.

Then the Government brought out its secret weapon –one who would build the latrine to save rice farmers from the imminent deluge of the rice-induced constipation: PM Moses Nagamootoo!!

And off to Mexico he flew…on a wing and a prayer. First he announced Mexico would assist with the “commercialisation” of paddy. When this was exposed as mere “Larwah”, he then promised “markets for paddy”.

This Eyewitness will just say, he’s not holding his breath for that wish to materialise! After all, this is Nagamootoo, even though this time he will let out more than hot air!!

...go to Venezuela

While most folks don’t know it…the US also has a large rice industry. And like any industry, it’s always looking for markets. But unlike Guyana – the US – the bastion of the free market system - doesn’t say, “You’re on your own Budday!!” No sir. First of all, it funds a PL480 programme that buys up rice that can’t be marketed and gives to places like Haiti – which used to buy our rice – as “aid”.

Then it gives more than US$1 billion to agencies to market farm products like rice. So when you see all those high-flying delegations hocking US rice in the Third World, it’s Uncle Sam footing the Bill. But as opposed to our Government in dealing with a belligerent trading partner – Venezuela – even though the US has been pushing regime change in that country for over a decade, guess which country picked up the slack with the Venezuelan rice gap?

Go to the head of the class – yup…the US!! There are no permanent friends or permanent enemies. Just permanent interests.

We wish our Government would appreciate that.

…watch out for BS

The Chronic screamed “Markets aplenty for rice!!” And attributed it to the Min of Agri, who seems to be an amiable guy. But please Mr Holder – you should know you’re being set up.

Ain’t no markets …and you’ll just be the fall guy.

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

Armed bandits rob America Street ‘money changers’

Gun touting bandits on CG motorcycles on Tuesday evening robbed three money changers on America Street, Georgetown.

The busy area turned into chaos at about 20:00h when the gunmen opened fire indiscriminately before snatching an undisclosed sum of foreign and local cash from the money changers.

Fortunately, no one was injured, although the area was crowded with commuters.

An eyewitness told Guyana Times that the money changers are lucky to be alive since the bandits opened fire without care. According to the eyewitness, the gunmen were well organised, knew their targets and planned their escape route.

When this newspaper arrived at the scene, several Police Officers had already cordoned off the area and were picking up spent shells. Investigations are continuing.

PM, US reps discuss Venezuelan trade embargo, aggression against Guyana

The recent visit to the Open Government Partnership Global Summit in Mexico City, Mexico, by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Governance Minister Raphael Trotman, was maximised to the greatest extent.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo ably addressed the forum and informed the many dignitaries about the Venezuela controversy and that the country has now refused to buy Guyana’s rice and sell fuel to this country.

Bilateral talks

During the Summit, Nagamootoo had the opportunity to hold bilateral talks with Samantha Power, Permanent Representative of the USA to the United Nations (UN). Major discussions focused on the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy.

Nagamootoo used the occasion of his address, and talks with Power to raise the threat Venezuela poses to Guyana. He explained that Venezuela has sought to reassert a false claim to five-eighths of Guyana, which includes all of the country’s forest and mineral resources as well its exclusive maritime zone.

He detailed that Venezuela has refused to buy the country’s rice and sell fuel to it. Along this line, the Prime Minister explained that Venezuela has

even sought to block oil exploration off Guyana’s coast and gold extraction in its own territory, “all in clear violation of international law and treaty obligations;”

a point that Samanta Power touched on in her address at the Summit.

The Venezuelan rice market, the PetroCaribe deal, is set for an official closing on November 16, as was relayed to the country when Finance Minister Winston Jordan, in July, visited Venezuela. At the time, the Minister was told that Venezuela will not be renewing the oil for rice barter under the PetroCaribe deal.

Venezuela in the meantime turned quickly to Suriname for a rice deal under the said PetroCaribe arrangement. The two Heads of State – Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro and his Surinamese counterpart Desi Bouterse – just concluded an agreement on the deal ‘in principle,’ and which will be finalised very soon.

This news came right after Venezuela decided to stop buying Guyanese rice under a similar arrangement.

The 2015 Open Government Partnership (OGP) Global Summit just concluded in Mexico City. It was held under the theme, “An opening for all: Open Government as an Enabler of Sustainable Development.”

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Governance Minister Raphael Trotman with Samantha Power, Permanent Representative of the USA to the United Nations (UN)

A cordoned off section of America Street last Evening

Mother fights off gun-toting bandit

ABerbician mother faced off with a gunman who entered her home with his accomplice on Tuesday morning in an attempt to prevent them from hurting her two children.

The woman, identified as Miriam Hoosain of Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, was brutalised by the perpetrators who invaded her house around 06:00h on the day in question.

The victim’s husband had just left for work around 05:30h, while their 11-year-old son and sixyear-old daughter were upstairs in the house when the incident took place.

Reports are that Hoosain was in her hammock meditating when the two men arrived at her gate asking if her husband was at home.

She related to Guyana Times that she replied in the affirmative, stating that her husband was upstairs.

However, instead of walking away from her gate, the duo quickly rushed into her yard; one remained with her and the other signalled his intent to go into the upper flat of

her house.

“They did it so fast. By the time I realised they were bandits, the one took out a gun and I started to scream. He lashed me and the next thing I knew was that he had me in the kitchen,” she said.

According to Hoosain, she had “blacked out” briefly, but as soon as she regained consciousness, she began to shout for help. It was then that the gun-toting bandit who was standing guard over her smashed the weapon into her face while telling her to remain quiet.

“He threatened to shoot me…I heard the one upstairs opening drawers and asking the children where their mother’s bedroom is…So I get up after I catch myself again and I hold on to him and fight him and overpowered him,” the distraught mother told this publication.

She explained that the gun-toting bandit was caught off-guard and thus, having the upper hand, she held onto the intruder with a firm grip, forcing him to call his partner for help

Guyana Times was told that it was at this moment

Hoosain made the most out of the small timeframe she had to escape and ran out of her kitchen straight into her neighbour’s yard, while alerting them about the situation with shouts and screams.

This caused the two perpetrators to abort their mission and flee the woman’s house before they could be detained by anyone who might rush to her aid.

When asked why she made the daring move to wrestle with and fight off an armed man, she explained that while the blood was pouring down her face after being hit with the gun, all she could think of was her two chil-

dren alone in the upper flat of the house with an armed bandit.

When this newspaper visited Hoosain on Tuesday, the woman could barely open her eyes. She had already sought medical attention and received two stitches on her face.

According to the injured woman, the bandits did not succeed in executing their daring attempt of a robbery, since they left empty handed.

Meanwhile, her husband, Feroze Hoosain told Guyana Times that he was not allowed to leave his job and go home when he received information about his wife’s injuries and the attempted robbery at his house.

He stated that he received the information about what had occurred in his absence around 08:30h, but could not leave his work site until 14:00h.

It must be noted that he is employed as a security guard at the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

Guyana Times further understands that Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) Chairman Vickchand Ramphal visited the traumatised family and expressed his concerns over the recent upsurge of criminal activity in the community.

Geriatric power

Satiricus was very disappointed in the younger Ministers of the Government. He knew they weren't too many of them, but this was no excuse for not honouring the senior citizens who outnumbered them three to one. Satiricus had held his breath all of October because he knew this was “Elderly Month” and now he was blue in the face and had to let his breath out.

Why were they so oblivious to the disrespect they were showing their geriatric colleagues? Did they not also bleed? Did they not also have feelings? Or was it payback time? Satiricus had heard about the rift that had developed when the Cabinet voted on salary increases back in August. This was Emancipation Month and it was clear that the geriatrics were going to emancipate themselves on the backs of the young brigade.

The youth men had been led by “I is” Brokes. “We is de fyucha and we should get de mo money. We gun get mo time fuh spend it.”

Naga Man had led the argument for the geriatric brigade. “Listen, y’all” he said in that oily voice that only he could curl his tongue around. “We should get de mo money, because we gat fuh spend we money quick, quick.”

And so it went on for hours, with each side yelling, “Mo money! Mo money fuh we!”

Until finally Naga Man, panting for breath, pointed out, “Look y’all. Look how we went along with y’all and screw we fellow pensioners. We give dem $4000 wid we right hand and tek back $5000 wid we left hand.”

“And what dat gat wid you tekking $1.7 million?” asked “I is” Brokes, truculently.

“Well, maybe de rest of we geriatric set starving out dere wid deh pension,” replied Naga Man, “but at least when deh see we living it up, they can feel pride dat old people can still have a good time.”

“And why de arse dey gon feel “pride”?” snarled “I is” Brokes testily. She had been hoping to use a big raise to go into the bush to bring out more working girls. Now she would have to just walk around Regent Street.

“Well, my dear Brokes,” said Naga Man snarkily, “We old people does call it “vicarious pleasure”. Is like when we geriatrics does just LOOK at dem working girls you does bring out from de bush.”

“Well, wha sweet a mouth does burn down deh,” said “I is” Brokes as the youth brigade were outvoted three to one. “Payback is a bitch! And revenge is best served cold.”

“And that was why,” Satiricus thought ruefully, “two months later, there was no ceremony for the geriatric members of the Cabinet.”

And “I is” Brokes didn't even bring out some working girls for Naga Man and the rest of the geriatrics to ogle. That was icing on the youth brigade’s cake of revenge.

Miriam Hoosain

Linden youths disappointed, not allowed access to public facility

Anumber of members of the Future Youths Bond (FYB) group have registered their disappointment over not being granted permission by the Block 22 Community Development Council (CDC), to utilise the Block 22 Multipurpose Hall, a social recreational facility based at Wismar, Linden.

The group, which consists of approximately 17 young people from the community, targets persons interested in transforming their entertainment talents and skills into a full-time/ part-time job. One of its organisers, Michael Franklin, said since there are limited employment opportunities in Linden, the FYB, registered under the Culture, Youth and Sport Department, was recently developed to assist in this regard.

He said since the group’s funding was not much, the Multipurpose Hall was chosen since it was most suitable. He said even more frustrating was the fact that the building is presently closed to the community, and the Chairman of the Block 22 CDC, Owen DeSouza had told the group which had written seeking permission, that the building was not to be used for anything pertaining to youths. He added that the CDC Chairman further related that the building was to be used for only agricultural initiatives.

Franklin said as a result,

presently FYB members have been left with no other choice than to practice at “a rum shop”. He related further that initially, over 20 persons were registered to the group, which seeks to promote drama, modelling, singing and dance; however, a few members had left, feeling discouraged over the issue.

“We are working on promotions and that’s how we planned to give everybody involved a stipend so that they can earn something. I can’t understand why, we really need some help because it is something that can be developed but we are being stifled…The problem is, we would really appreciate it if we were granted access to the multipurpose building because it is currently unoccupied”, Franklin told Guyana Times on Monday. Additionally, he said letters were written to the Block 22 CDC Chairman and the issue was brought to the attention of several other persons in authority in Linden, including Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) Members of Parliament (MP) Jermaine Figueira and Valerie Patterson, also Region 10 Chairman Renis Morian. Franklin said the FYB was told to protest by former Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon; however, it did not wish to proceed along that path. The members of the group are pleading with the relevant authorities for assistance.

Guyana Restaurant Week launched

…aimed at promoting local cuisine – GTA Director

As part of Tourism Awareness Month, the second annual Guyana Restaurant Week (GRW) was launched on Tuesday under the theme “Explore, Eat, Repeat.”

Restaurant Week is slated to be held from November 6 to 15.

Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Director Indranauth Haralsingh told Guyana Times that this event was aimed at promoting the culinary experience in Guyana, and would provide an opportunity for Guyanese who would not ordinarily dine out at some of these fine dining venues.

Haralsingh added that the event also provided an opportunity to the restaurants to promote themselves to Guyanese and overseas visitors so that they could come out and experience the quality service and local cuisine that was available throughout the country. He added that during the “10-day extravaganza”, participating restaurants will be offering an exclusive menu at significantly reduced prices.

The GTA Director noted also that Restaurant Week would give visitors and local foods an opportunity to enjoy specialty prix fixe menus from skilled local chefs.

The multi-course dining experience starts at $2000 for lunch, and $4000 or $5000 for dinner including VAT and service charges where applicable; beverages are not included. It must be noted that a total of 15 restaurants from around Georgetown are expected to participate in the event. Although the number of participating venues is now three less

than last year, the Director stated that this was so as they were only focusing on the fine dining experience this year. Also, persons are eligible to win big prizes by dining at any five of the participating venues.

Interested persons can download or collect a GRW passport sheet at any participating restaurant and get it stamped at each restaurant they eat at, and once they acquire their fifth stamp, place it in the collection box at participating venues and they will be entered into the draw. The drawing will take place on November 14 with the first prize being one return ticket to New York from Dynamic Airlines, second prize, one return ticket to Curaçao from Insel Airlines and third prize, one overnight trip for two persons at Arrowpoint Resort from Roraima Airlines. Persons can also visit www. guyanarestaurantweek.com where they can give their feedback pertaining to their experience at the various venues.

The GTA Director also told this newspaper that the feedback from the event observed last year was all very positive. He added that many of the participating restaurants shared that they had seen an increase in patronage as a result of GRW, and he was hoping that this year the impact would be larger.

“We will also be monitoring the activity to see the returns on investments and see how Guyanese are responding,” Haralsingh shared.

He posited that the final goal of these events was to eventually have it spread across the country in different towns and villages and have a National Restaurant Week where fine dining, street food and bar foods will all be highlighted.

The participating restaurants include Angel Seafood Restaurant at Kanuku Suites Hotel, Bottle Restaurant at Cara Lodge Hotel, Caribbean Soul Food Restaurant at the Grand Coastal Hotel, Coffee Bean Eatery, Herdmanston Lodge, Ignit Bar and Grill at the Pegasus Hotel, New Thriving Restaurant, Oasis Café, OMG Restaurant, Palm Court Restaurant, Ramada at the Princess Hotel, Silhouette Restaurant, Terra Mare Restaurant at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, Windjammer Hotel and XieXie Restaurant.

It must be noted that some of the participating restaurants offer both lunch and dinner, while some offer one of the two. (jpinder@guyanatimesgy.com)

GTA Director Indranauth Haralsingh

wednesday, november 4, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com

Jagdeo attends ACP’s Eminent Persons Group Meeting

BY EDWARD LAYNE

The Leader of the Opposition and former President

Bharrat Jagdeo is among several internationally ex-

perienced and politically astute former Heads of State, Ambassadors, heads and members of international organisations and Heads of Government recently attended a meeting

of the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States’ Eminent Persons Group (EPG) in Brussels, Belgium, to finalise a report on the Future of the ACP post-2020, when the

Keeping it real

We need more civility

When Guyana Times invited me to write a weekly column, I hesitated, initially, for two reasons. One, I was conscious about the nature of Guyanese political culture, where in a small society like ours, enormous pressure exists for individuals to pledge loyalty to specific organisations or individuals.

Partnership Agreement with the European Union known as Cotonou Agreement comes to an end, under the ACP’s Eminent persons.

The EPG, of which Jagdeo is a co-Vice Chair, will present the finalised report to Heads of State and Government of the ACP when they meet in the near future.

The EPG was established by the ACP in 2013 and was tasked with assessing the ACP’s performance, with the aim of proposing a fresh vision of the ACP as a contemporary international organisation in the lead up to and beyond 2020.

The group held comprehensive consultations in the Pacific, the Caribbean, West Africa, Eastern Africa, Southern and Central Africa, as well as meetings with European Union (EU) officials, ACP Ambassadors and the staff of the ACP Secretariat. The ACP said on its website that in general, the views shared at the EPG regional consultations have been optimistic, with an overwhelming belief that the ACP Group should remain – the question is, in what form, and in which focus areas.

South-South cooperation has been a popular proposal, according to the group, especially in terms of intra-ACP cooperation, involving the exchange resources, knowledge, technology and experience between or among developing countries, with the aim of fighting poverty and promoting sustainable development.

The final report is expected to include key recommendations for revamping the ACP Group – an international organisation encompassing 79 member countries from Sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific – to be more effective in delivering results to its populations.

It will also include recommendations on how to move forward after the ACP’s cornerstone partnership with the European Union, known as the Cotonou Agreement, comes to an end in 2020.

The EPG panel is chaired by former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and coChaired by Jagdeo and former Dominican Republic President Leonel Fernandez Reyna.

Guyanese never seem to forget with whom those loyalties, real or perceived, lay. Eschewing blind loyalty to a person, cause or organisation is not my forte. Family, of course, is the exception to this rule. Two, I was concerned about how Guyanese, in opposition to each other, often resort to the kind of “cuss down” type of debate in their attempt to prove a point.

Being un-civil may have its place and time, but when it is reflected in the nation’s lawmaking body as acceptable discourse, it’s a clear sign that the vitriol has permeated the upper echelons of society. This type of diatribe, sometimes passing as acceptable discourse does not advance our knowledge nor does it promote the kind of civility or the civic culture we so desperately lack in Guyana to move us to the next level of humanity. I felt that I could make a contribution in this area, even if it’s in the smallest of ways. Perhaps, in another sense, writing keeps me rooted, if not grounded, in the land of my birth.

And speaking of civility. There are two issues that caught my attention in the last few days. The first was a public apology coming from former President Donald Ramotar. Ramotar was apologising for his 11th hour decision to pardon Ravindra Deo, a 39-year-old murderer who was accused of killing Vishnu Bhim, who at the time of his death was eight years old.

The young lad was on his way to school when he was kidnapped and taken on a bicycle by the perpetrator to the La Bonne Intention (LBI) backlands where he was “bound, gagged and murdered”. The crime has received national and international attention not only because of its heinousness, but also for the fact that the killer was not freed by the court system, but by a sitting President.

To his credit, Ramotar has acknowledged that an apology was not nearly enough to alleviate the pain and suffering caused by this trauma to Vishnu’s family. And we can only assume that he was sincere in his apology for not consulting with Vishnu’s parents before making such a controversial decision.

Article 188 1 (A) of the Constitution gives the President the power to grant pardons, but it appears that this ill-advised decision was made without serious contemplation of the consequences it brings.

In hindsight, the appropriate thing to do was for the President to meet with Vishnu’s parents to explain his reasoning for doing so. However, the manner in which the pardon was issued raises serious questions about the process by which presidential pardons are decided upon in Guyana. At a minimum, consultations should have been held with the relevant legal authorities to determine if this action could be justified.

Ramotar’s mea culpa should be a lesson for all politicians. The last time I heard a politician apologising for something done while in office was when Cheddi Jagan expressed regret over a statement he made in Canada about blacks being "at the bottom of the social ladder". In our society, where bravado and machismo run deep, apologies from politicians are a rarity. We can only hope that this kind of behaviour is contagious, for political leaders are not without their faults.

The other issue that brings to mind the issue of “civility” is reflected in not one, but two recent pieces (as of 11/3) written by Freddie Kissoon reflecting his usual “ad hominem” attacks on those with whom he disagrees. His daily column, often used as a bully pulpit, now paints with a broad brush a handful of concerned Guyanese as belonging to a group of “conspirators”, whom he now labels as “ethnic chauvinist/triumphalist”.

There have been some changes in the manner in which he has levelled his attacks. In the past, his focus has been to try to negate the influence of the “expatriates”; Ravi Dev being one of them who came in for his lashings. But now, the field of writers seems to be more crowded, and Kissoon is not the only writer who has occupied this space.

I had indicated previously that Kissoon’s diatribe is not only vitriolic, but he has used the most unkind words to describe individuals with whom he disagrees. His language in a series of missives before the election regarding Swami Aksharananda has led to verbal abuse of the Indian scholar as he was boarding a speed boat. In his most recent piece, he tells us that “Indian intellectuals” were lost because they hid behind the PPP. This can only be further from the truth. And he knows this to be true. But this needs further evaluation.

Dr Baytoram Ramharack

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo and other members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States' Eminent Persons Group (EPG) following the meeting

Former PM welcomes Hope Beach Wind Farm project

– once customers not at a price disadvantage

Former Prime Minister and Energy Minister Samuel Hinds is of the view that if and when a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) is reached between the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), and Guyana Wind Farm Inc (GWFI), it is of utmost importance that GPL and customers are not put in a disadvan -

tageous position.

“Our law requires that every PPA must be submitted to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for review and approval so that we, the consumers of electricity, should be no worse off,” Hinds said.

Guyana Times understands that a decision as it regards the construction

Unions stage peaceful protest in front of GuySuCo

–

first time workers’ unions take collective

By Kristen MacKlingaM

For the first time in Guyana’s history, the leaders of the three unions representing sugar workers throughout the country stood in solidarity outside the head office of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) on Tuesday in a peaceful protest.

This is in light of the recent position taken by the Sugar Corporation that it cannot facilitate dialogue with representatives of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) or the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) concerning wage/salary increases for sugar workers this year.

GuySuCo had met with representatives of NAACIE on Tuesday morning when this union was told the same thing as GAWU on Friday last – that the Corporation needed to be guided by the report of the recentlyconcluded Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into sugar on the way forward before talks on wage/salary hikes could take place.

According to a press release on Tuesday from GAWU, during its meeting with the sugar entity on Friday, it was advised that GuySuCo was awaiting a framework within which the negotiations would take place.

“The framework, GAWU understood, was being awaited from the Government possibly through GuySuCo’s Board of Directors. A delegation from all seven estates representing NAACIE met today (Tuesday) with GuySuCo at the Ogle Staff Club, East Coast Demerara. Like GAWU last Friday, the NAACIE was also told about the Corporation’s need to be guided by a framework flowing from what is now understood to be an incomplete CoI report,” the release stated.

Guyana Times was told that GAWU, NAACIE and the Guyana Labour Union (GLU) have all submit-

of the “farm” would await a PUC approved PPA.

The former Prime Minister explained that the Government of the day was putting the proposals for a wind farm through vigorous review before taking them to the PUC as it wanted to make sure that Hope Beach Wind Farm was going to be advantageous to both GPL and its customers.

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson has been reported as saying that “where GPL and GWF agrees to a PPA, and same is approved by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), a licence to GWF to sell the power to GPL may be granted by the Minister”

stand

ted wage and other proposals during the first quarter of this year (2015) for GuySuCo to consider and engage in collective bargaining.

GAWU maintains that although there was a law established in 1997 known as the “Trade Union Recognition Act (TURA)” through which Section 23(1) makes it compulsory for bargaining to take place, the “behemoth” Corporation continues to “flout it”.

It must be noted that GAWU represents thousands of workers who are employed in the fields and factories; NAACIE represents the supervisory and clerical staffers; and the GLU represents the workers at the Demerara Sugar Terminal.

“Despite appeals to the Corporation to meet at the bargaining table, the unions and by extension, their members are becoming frustrated with the stance of GuySuCo. As a red herring, the Corporation is using the recommendations of the Sugar Commission of Inquiry as the stumbling block. It appears that the Government has deemed the report of the CoI as incomplete,” GAWU contends.

The Union posited that the productive sugar workers of GuySuCo must not be used as a “football”. In the interest of the sugar industry, the Corporation and its workers, the three sugar unions are calling for the immediate engagement without further procrastination between the unions and GuySuCo.

“Minister Noel Holder is reported to have said that the report is in need of “tightening”. What then will be GuySuCo’s new excuse for not talking and negotiating? There needs to be an engagement with the view to bring a speedy resolution of the wage/salary hike for all sugar workers for the year 2015,” GAWU President Komal Chand told this newspaper on Tuesday evening. (kristenm@guyanatimesgy.com)

Hinds went on to say that “the wind farm needed to be studied fully: very

detailed studies had begun which would have taken account of, amongst other things, the additional costs that GPL would have incurred to maintain stability in the grid. For example, the cost of maintaining a number of spinning reserves to meet the rising and falling of the varying speed of the wind which would have had to be discounted against the savings in heavy fuel oil purchases (avoided costs).

Based on reports, it has been established that the International Pharmaceutical Agency (IPA),which is one of the investors in the Hope Wind Farm Project, expects the facility to reduce the coun -

try’s fuel bill by US$5 million (G$1 billion) annually. As the current Administration continues to look into alternative energy, it is plugging away at projects where the vital ground work had already been laid by the previous Government. In this regard, it should be recalled that the Amaila Falls was identified in the 1980s as one of the very best locations to meet local electricity needs.

And most crucial, as Hinds reiterates, the construction of Amaila at this time would provide a huge fillip to national spirit and economic activity, making up for the downturn in gold and other sectors.

Former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds

Regional

Dominica celebrates 36 years of political independence

Dominica observed its 36th anniversary of political independence from Britain with the traditional military parade, honour of nationals and a message from Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit that the anniversary provides the opportunity to highlight and showcase the many attributes that define their character as Dominicans.

“It is an occasion to recapture and project our folklore, our song, dance, music, dress cuisine, and many of the other traditions that make us unique. But it is also a time to pause, to reflect on the progress we have made, to assess where we are, where we want to get to and determine how we can get there, remaining united, peaceful and strong,” Skerrit said in

Trinidad Minister condemns attacks on national security officers

Trinidad’s National Security Minister Edmund Dillon, has strongly condemned the recent increase in homicides in Trinidad and Tobago, especially the spate of attacks on the lives of national security officers.

Dillon expressed concern that officers who dedicate their lives to protect and serve the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, are apparently being targeted by criminal elements.

Corporal

Shervaun Charleau of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force and Superintendent David Millette of the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service were fatally attacked over the past three days.

Dillon gave his assurance that law enforcement officials are treating these instances of violence against serving officers seriously, and are working assiduously to resolve

these cases and bring swift justice to the perpetrators.

He also assured members of the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service that the Government will be giving priority attention to strengthening the safety and security of its officers. A meeting that was scheduled last week for the Mminister to hold discussions with the Prison Service executive on prison management will take place today. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

his Independence message to the nation.

The celebration is being held under the theme “Our Nation, Our Responsibility”, and Prime Minister Skerrit said it also provides for citizens to question whether or not “we have been faithful in discharging our responsibilities to ourselves, our families, our communities and to our country”.

Skerrit said as leader of the country while his administration had laid the groundwork for creating opportunities for the socioeconomic development of Dominica, there is still a lot to be accomplished.

“One of the characteristics of a truly independent nation, is to be found in the recognition it gives to citizens who have blazed a trail of excellence and who have made profound sacrifice in service to the country and to the global community,” he said.

(Jamaica Observer)

OAS Electoral Mission to observe Belize elections

The Organisation of American States (OAS) has sent an Electoral Observation Mission (EOM) to monitor today’s General Elections in Belize.

The delegation, headed by Ambassador Jacinth Henry-Martin, Chief-ofStaff to OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro, is comprised of 13 observers

IDB to invest $65M to improve transportation in Haiti

Haiti will improve the efficiency and safety of its transportation systems and will advance regional and international integration with a US$65 million grant from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

The five-year programme, which will be carried out by the Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Communications (MTPTC), will increase competitiveness, connectivity and accessibility by reducing transportation costs, improving safe transport services and enhancing the country’s regional and international integration.

Specifically, it will rehabilitate a 29.5 km stretch of the RN1 highway; between Camp Coq and Vaudreuli.

The grant also includes resources necessary for the rehabilitation, improvement and or maintenance of Haiti’s primary and secondary road networks.

Haiti has a road network of 3572 kilometers, of which just 15 per cent is in good condition. Road safety is complicated not only by the poor conditions of roadways and vehicles, but also by the lack of signage and enforcement of transit regulations.

Road transport is the leading mode of transportation for cargo and passengers in Haiti, making improvement of infrastructure fundamental for economic development and for enhanced integration of the country’s regions.

(Caribbean360)

Information Minister sides with ECTEL against Digicel

Antigua and Barbuda’s Information Minister supports the decision by the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) to oppose Digicel’s plan to filter advertising content, via the Internet.

The telecommunications regulatory body, for five Eastern Caribbean States, on the weekend, cautioned against the implementing of the proposed control.

The warning was contained in a letter that ECTEL dispatched to Managers of Digicel in all five member states. Information Minister Melford Nicholas said the decision by ECTEL is in the best interest of consumers.

rier level,” Nicholas said in an interview.

The Minster said while Antigua and Barbuda is not a member of ECTEL, Digicel provides service to customers here and its decision would affect users.

from 11 countries – Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Barbados, Bolivia, El Salvador, France, Mexico, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and the United States.

The first members of the Mission arrived in Belize on October 27.

The Mission will focus its observation on electoral or-

ganisation and other issues in the electoral process. It will also gather information about the status of the recommendations made in the last OAS/ EOM to Belize in 2012.

The Chief-of-Mission Henry-Martin and her team will be meeting with electoral authorities, representatives of political parties, Government officials, and members of the media and civil society organisations, amongst other stakeholders, to discuss perspectives on the electoral process. Following a training session, members of the OAS/ EOM will be deployed in the field and the Mission expects to have a presence in many of Belize’s six electoral districts. On Election Day, observers will visit polling stations across the country at every stage from the opening of the polls to the counting of votes and the publication of results. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Chile miners sue lawyer for fraud over underground ordeal

Nine of the 33 miners who in 2010 were trapped by a rockfall in a mine in Chile for 69 days before being rescued are suing their lawyers. The group accuses the lawyers of cheating them out of money.

The lawyers negotiated the rights relating to films, TV series and books based on the miners’ ordeal.

The plaintiffs allege that they were badly advised by the lawyers, who they say conned them into signing away their rights.

The plaintiffs said that lawyers Remberto Rodrigo Valdes and Fernando Garcia “misled the 33, making them believe they would manage their own company, only to harm them and appropriate monies that rightfully belonged to them”.

Luis Urzua, who was the

shift leader when the rockfall happened, said at the courthouse that “today we’re being rescued for a second time”.

“The contracts we signed were not what the lawyers said they would be, for example of the US$150 million [£97 million] paid to our company, we only received 17 per cent,” Urzua said. He also said that he hoped that by bringing the lawsuit the remaining 24 miners would be convinced of the validity of the plaintiffs’ claim.

“Now they’ll see that we’re not acting on a whim.”

But Mario Sepulveda, one of the miners who has not joined the lawsuit, said the plaintiffs were “letting themselves be led astray by people who haven’t read the contracts properly”. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Jamaica’s Health Ministry signs J$253M contracts to improve newborn care

“The users do have that flexibility to be able to filter what they do not want to

see, and I think that is the way it should be done at the user level and not at the car-

He also added that the concerns by ECTEL are valid. The carrier said in September it intended to deploy an ad control technology at the network level across the globe, to improve customer experience and encourage major international companies such as Google, Facebook and Yahoo to help connect 4.2 billion unconnected people. (Excerpt from Antigua Observer)

Jamaica’s Health Ministry on Tuesday signed contracts valuing approximately J$253.1 million, for the provision of services aimed at improving the quality of care for at-risk newborns including premature infants and high-risk pregnant women.

The contracts are part of the US$2.9 billion Programme for the Reduction of Maternal and Child Mortality (PROMAC), which is funded by the European Union.

The programme is dedicated to help Jamaica realise Millenium Development Goals four and five, as it relates to maternal and child mortality rate.

Some of the programme’s features include infrastructure upgrade, provision of medical equipment and training of doctors and nurses.

The funds will be used for the design and equipping of 11 maternal and neonatal high dependency units in six hospitals. (Jamiaica Observer)

The celebration is being held under the theme “Our Nation, Our Responsibility”

Ambassador Jacinth Henry-Martin, Chief-of-Staff to OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro, is leading the missiong

Trinidad’s National Security Minister Edmund Dillon,

Afghan woman stoned to death for alleged adultery

Avideo has emerged of what appears to be a young Afghan woman, married against her will, stoned to death for trying to elope with another man.

In a graphic, 30-second video, which has not been verified, a group of men are hurling stones at what seems to be a woman reciting the Islamic creed of faith from a neck-deep pit.

A group of people are

watching the stoning as the men throw rocks with increasing speed, without betraying any visible emotion. The video cuts before the woman is killed. The incident occurred in Ghalmeen, a village outside the capital of the central Afghan province of Ghor, which is under the control of armed opposition groups, according to the provincial governor, Seema Joyenda.

As morgue fills, aid group pledges more money for refugees in Greece

An international aid organisation on Tuesday pledged more aid for thousands of refugees streaming through Greece and said allowing them legal passage across the Aegean would help save lives and stop traffickers profiting from their misery.

At least 435 migrants drowned in the Aegean Sea in the first 10 months of this year, out of more than 580,000 estimated to have crossed from Turkey to European Union member Greece, many of them fleeing Syria’s civil war.

The advent of more wintry conditions has not stemmed the flow, and the number of border crossings in the last 11 days of October was up almost 40 per cent on the previous

11 days, the International Committee for Migration said.

On the island of Lesbos, which receives the most arrivals, one witness told Reuters about 40 vessels laden with refugees had arrived on Tuesday alone.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) promised to provide 12.7 million Swiss francs ($12.8 million) for the refugees in Greece over the next seven months, after giving three million in September.

In Athens, IFRC Secretary General Elhadj As Sy called for a loosening of travel restrictions to allow the refugees to move legally, echoing a position long held by Greece. (Excerpt from Reuters)

The woman, previously identified as Rokhshana, 19, was stoned last week, accused of adultery with a man much younger than the person she was forcibly married to.

According to Joyenda, who has staff members from the village, Rokhshana first ran away several years ago to Iran after her family tried to marry her off to an old man. After they brought her back, they forcibly married her off to another old man. When she ran away this time, she did so as a married woman, and was punished with stoning, Joyenda said.

Local officials, including the Police chief and the head of Ghor’s department for women’s affairs, Masooma Anwari, have blamed the Taliban for the killing, claiming that the sentence was decided in a Taliban court. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

Around the world

India Uber driver given life term for Delhi rape

An Indian court has sentenced an Uber taxi driver to life imprisonment after he was found guilty of raping a female passenger last year in Delhi.

Shiv Kumar Yadav was also convicted of criminal intimidation and kidnapping.

The 26-year-old woman was taken to a secluded area and raped after booking a journey home with Uber in December.

Delhi later banned Uber and several other web-based taxi firms for many months, accusing them of failing to carry out adequate driver checks.

The company apologised for the incident at the time and acknowledged that it “must do better”.

The woman had also filed a lawsuit against the service in a US court, which was later settled out of court.

Yadav, who was wearing a white checked shirt, wiped away tears as the judge read

out his sentence, the longest possible jail term for rape, reported AFP news agency.

“He will serve regressive imprisonment, which shall mean imprisonment till natural death,” judge Kaveri Baweja told the court in Delhi.

Yadav’s lawyer, DK Mishra, said he would appeal against the sentence in

a higher court. “My client is innocent,” he told reporters. The issue of sexual assault has been high on the agenda in India since a 23-year-old student was gang-raped and murdered on a bus in Delhi in December 2012.

The case prompted global outrage and a tightening of laws on sexual violence.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

‘Heat flash’ recorded over Sinai at time of plane crash Google will let artificial intelligence reply to your email

AUS infrared satellite has reportedly detected a heat flash at the time a Russian passenger jet went down in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, a US official has said, as the investigation into the deadly plane crash continues.

The official told NBC News on Tuesday that the US intelligence community believes that it could have been some kind of explosion on the plane itself, either a fuel tank or a bomb.

The same satellite imagery ruled out a surface-toair missile attack, the news channel reported. “The speculation that this plane was brought down by a missile is off the table,” the official told NBC News.

The jet crashed on

Saturday, killing all 224 passengers and crew on board.

Investigators are examining all possible causes as part of an Egyptian-led probe into the disaster that also involves experts from Russia, Airbus, and Ireland, where the aircraft was registered.

Analysts have dismissed claims that the jet was shot down by a group affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) if it was flying at a cruising height of 9000 metres, but did not rule out that a bomb might have been planted on board.

A second US defence official also confirmed that the US surveillance satellite detected a “flash or explosion” in the air over the peninsula at the time of the crash, NBC News reported. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Google is putting a different twist on the concept of “automated reply” with a new tool that aims to write artificially intelligent responses to your email.

The technology is part of an update to Google’s Inbox app for managing and organising email. The feature announced Tuesday is the latest example of Google’s effort to teach machines how to take over some of the tasks typically handled by humans.

The most conspicuous example so far has been Google’s six-year-old project developing cars that can drive without a human steering the wheel. Google also has been using an ar-

tificial intelligence program called “RankBrain” to help determine the pecking order in its influential Internet search results.

In this instance, Google says it has created a program that identifies which incoming emails merit quick responses and then figures out the appropriate wording. Up to three choices will be offered as a reply before it’s sent. The responses that people select are supposed to help Google’s computers learn which ones work best. Google expects its new “smart reply” option to be particularly popular when people are checking emails on smartphones equipped with smaller, touch-screen keyboards.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Zambia raises interest rates to 15.5% in inflation busting effort

Zambia’s central bank has pushed up interest rates from 12.5 per cent to 15.5 12.5 per cent in an effort to curb soaring inflation. Consumer prices nearly doubled in October to 14.3 12.5 per cent from 7.7 per cent in September as Zambia’s currency weakened sharply.

Zambia’s kwacha has halved in value against the dollar this year as lower copper prices have hit Africa’s secondbiggest producer of the metal.

In October the country held a national day of prayer to try to counteract its economic crisis.

The increase in Zambia’s benchmark lending rate was the first by the southern African nation since November 2014. “In arriving at our decision the committee took into account the inflationary outturn. Keeping inflation expectations anchored in single digits is critical,” central bank governor Denny Kalyalya said.

The kwacha rose around 0.6 per cent against the dollar following the announcement. Globally, copper prices hit a six-year low in August. Growth in demand for the metal has slowed as China looks to reposition its economy towards consumer-led growth and away from exports and investment.

Zambia’s kwacha has been hit in the past year, falling more than 50 per cent against the dollar, and around the same against the pound. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Taiwan leader ‘to meet China’s President Xi Jinping’

Taiwan says its President Ma Ying-jeou will meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Singapore on Saturday. It would be the first meeting between leaders of the two countries.

A Taiwanese spokesman told the BBC the men would discuss relations across the Taiwan Straits. There was no immediate word from China. China has claimed sovereignty over Taiwan since 1949, when the Nationalist government fled to the island after defeat by the Communists.

The Chinese Government claims Taiwan as part of its sovereign territory and threatens to counter any move to outright independence by military force.

Taiwanese spokesman Chen Yi Hsin said President Ma’s aim was “to promote peace cross the Taiwan Strait and maintain status quo”.

“No agreement will be signed, and no statement issued,” he said, adding that Ma would hold a news conference on Thursday to explain his decision. Relations with China have warmed under Ma Ying-jeou, who leaves office next year. (BBC News)

A video still of men stoning a woman in Ghor province, Afghanistan

Uber driver Shiv Kumar Yadav (centre) was found guilty of rape, kidnap and criminal intimidation

A woman holds the wrapped body of a migrant baby girl, who was said to have been onboard a wooden boat carrying refugees and migrants that sunk at open sea near Lesbos on October 28, at a beach on the Greek island of Lesbos, October 30

wednesday, november 4, 2015| guyanatimesgy.com

Govt’s actions led to farmers’ protests – PPP/C

BY KRISTEN MACKLINGAM

The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has denied that the recent protests by rice farmers countrywide and the strike action taken by sugar workers less than two weeks ago were part of any of the Opposition’s “plans”.

General Secretary of the Party, Clement Rohee, on Monday told media operatives that these proceedings occurred as a direct result of the actions of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government in failing to address the issues of these farmers.

He stated that as a result of the lack of attention by the Administration in addressing the major difficulties and complaints repeatedly aired by both the rice farmers and sugar workers, these individuals reacted in protest and strike actions respectively.

The PPP/C General Secretary opined that the priority should have been to “pay more attention” to the productive sectors so that the wealth creation in Guyana would continue to grow and expand, thereby

allowing the non-productive sector to benefit from this as well.

“But if you continue this way it would mean that the productive sector being treated in the way they are being treated, will obviously be seriously affected. As a result of which the productive sector will not grow and this will compound the entire situation in the country economically and so forth… The reaction of the rice farmers, the reaction of the sugar workers is as a result of the actions taken by the Government towards the productive sector. These people produce wealth, why are you treating them like that?” Rohee also questioned.

He maintained that the protests and strike were not plans developed by the PPP/C, although there are certain individuals with their own political agenda inferring that the recent strike action in the sugar in-

dustry was “politically instigated”.

Rohee explained that such claims about sugar strikes are “not something new”, referring to the 1960s and 1970s where such statements were made about sugar workers’ strike actions.

“Anytime the Guyana Agricultural and Workers Union (GAWU) decides on its own without political direction from the PPP/C, based on consultations from the General Council and their representatives and their assessment of the situation... they decide to call a strike. It is always deemed political as though GAWU and the sugar workers don’t have an entitlement to strike. But everybody else could strike except GAWU and the sugar workers,” reporters were told.

The PPP/C General Secretary noted that when one observed the situation as it was evolving, politically, paying keen attention to the rice industry and the struggles and difficulties that the rice farmers were enduring, it would have been clear that they would have taken some form of action.

“We didn’t plan what happened in rice, we didn’t plan the cessation of the PetroCaribe agreement.

That took place as a result of the Government’s actions and then the rice farmers began to react to it. Now in respect to the sugar industry, we didn’t plan that the Government would set up a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) and we didn’t plan that there would be privatisation or selling out of the sugar factories,” Rohee further stated.

According to Rohee, if the privatisation of the sugar industry were to become a reality and/or the sugar factories across the country are sold, then this would not bode well for the sugar workers and their families on a whole. (kristenm@ guyanatimesgy.com)

Ramsammy’s Ruminations

Militarisation of the State,

a stark reminder of the horrors of the PNC years

Clearly, the State is being militarised again in Guyana. Burnham and the People’s National Congress (PNC) militarised the State to have an ironfisted control of the people and of the State in Guyana between 1968 and 1992. The military was used to rig elections and to intimidate the population. The PNC dictatorship between 1968 and 1992 was only possible through the brute terror of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). This is a nasty, indelible stain in the 50 years of the GDF. A thug image developed in the first 25 years of the GDF.

Dr Leslie Ramsammy

I still vividly remember the week before the 1973 General Election. Whole communities were terrorised by the Army in which David Granger played pivotal roles at the time. We were daily gathered and beaten and terrorised for allegedly defacing painted PNC slogans. On Election Day 1973, the Army murdered two young men at Number 63 Village, on the Corentyne. On that day, communities after communities were terrorised on the Corentyne and other parts of the country, as the Army took possession of the ballot boxes. Nagamootoo wrote and spoke extensively about such things in almost 40 years with the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), even if he feels compelled to rewrite that history now.

It is disturbing, therefore, to witness the rapid militarisation of the State and the Government of Guyana by the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) since the May 11 Election. This is in direct contrast to the efforts of the PPP Government between 1992 and 2014 to professionalise the Army.

This past week, David Granger announced that November 1 each year will be National Defence Force Day, giving the country another signal that the military is again becoming pre-eminent in our nation. This is a stark reminder that APNU/AFC, like its parent, the PNC, sees the Army as its main instrument to wield power. As APNU/AFC seeks to reinvent party paramountcy, the GDF is seen as a critical part of the equation.

The previous week, we saw the induction of almost 400 young men and women into the Army. Almost 100 per cent of the new inductees were of Afro-Guyanese descent. The Army was, of course, always mostly made up of Afro-Guyanese, but the number of non-African Guyanese entering the Army increased between 1992 and 2014. True, the numbers of non-Afro Guyanese that entered the Army represented a mere sprinkling of other ethnic groups during this period, but clearly room was being created for ethnic groups other than Afro-Guyanese during the 1992-2014 period.

Already, it appears evident that APNU/AFC will close the door for other ethnic groups being recruited into the Army. As APNU/ AFC implements its programme to expand the size of the Army, new inductees will reflect a party loyalty rather than the multiethnic make-up of Guyana’s population and any interest in social cohesion.

If the expansion worries us, the way the new recruits have been inducted worries us even more. There was no transparent recruitment process and we suspect that most of them are coming from Congress Place, the headquarters of the PNC. There was no transparent process in advertising for new recruits and the selection process was a secret.

A few weeks ago, David Granger and APNU/AFC announced the re-establishment of the People’s Militia. The People’s Militia was very active in the years of the PNC in authority. They were used as part of the authoritarian and military harassment of people and were most active during the rigged elections between 1968 and 1992. Then as it is now, bullying by Venezuela and Suriname were used as excuse for militarisation.

The emergence of an aggressive militarisation of the State and the Government in fact starts right at the Office of the Presidency. In addition to the top-two persons in the Government being from the Army, there is an overwhelming number of former military bigwigs who sit as advisors at the Office of the Presidency. We know that there is at least one of those military advisors who came through the PNC ranks from the Young Socialist Movement. We believe that he is at least instrumental in ensuring that young activists of his party are being placed in the Army.

There are also former Army people in the various ministries and State agencies, such as the Guyana Revenue Authority. They have been placed everywhere as watchdogs and being prepared to take control of the various state apparatus.

Clearly, a signal as bright as the brightest day is being broadcast by APNU/AFC. The military in Guyana is the arm of power for APNU/AFC, as it was with the PNC. Given that the Guyana Elections Commission is also strongly influenced by the Army’s presence, Guyana is firmly on the path again of a militarised State.

PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee

50th Guyana Independence Anniversary Celebrations

Lawyer, law firm offering probono services – Committee

...slams Nandlall’s accusations

The50th Independence Anniversary Celebration Committee (New York) has refuted claims that the volunteers, who comprise this team, are being paid excessive sums by the Guyana Government to plan the country’s anniversary celebrations in New York City.

According to the Committee’s Director of Communications, Nevlon Duguid, the members are dismissing what they deem to be “false claims” made by former Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall in the Guyana Times November 2, 2015 Monday edition titled “Extravagant Govt spending outrageous –Nandlall.”

This newspaper understands that Rovin Rozario, a Guyanese Attorney in New York City is a member of the said Committee as well as a cochair of a sub-committee, who is volunteering his legal services to the 50th Independence Anniversary Celebration Committee (New York).

Duguid informed Guyana Times on Tuesday that Rozario also has made a substantial monetary donation to the

Committee, which has attracted the attention, commitment and enthusiasm of a number of talented Guyanese, all of whom are volunteers.

In a letter to this publication, Duguid stated that the article published is replete with false information making reference to Nandlall’s expression of disgust that “The Guyana Government has hired New York law firm ‘Rozario and Associates’ to represent Guyanese-Americans on a commemoration committee which was established for the purpose of planning” the 50th independence anniversary celebration in New York City from June 4th through June 12th, 2016.”

According to the Committee’s Director of Communications, Nandlall’s claims that the administration is “finding money to spend on a grand inauguration ceremony and now they are spending millions locally on this independence commemoration activity. And coupled with that, we now learn that they retained the services of a law firm to plan commemoration services in North America” are neither sensible nor factual.

Guyana Times was further told that the Committee has not retained, or seen the need to retain, any professional services company.

“Nandlall is a former AG and should, therefore, know that making unverified and intentionally false claims particularly about another member of the legal fraternity is not only unscrupulous but unethical and reprehensible,” the Committee said in the statement. It added that Rozario’s “willingness to volunteer his professional services to his country should be commended and encouraged”.

In an interview with Guyana Times, Nandlall had said that millions of taxpayers’ dollars are being drained from the treasury and pumped into making Guyana’s 50th independence anniversary celebrations locally and abroad as extravagant and exceptional as can be.

Nandlall slammed the current Administration for focusing on spending enormous sums of taxpayers’ monies on “parties” and “fetes”, while the economic sectors of the country continue to suffer tremendously.

Diwali preparations

Diwali or Deepawali, the festival of lights, is one of the biggest and brightest festivals in Guyana and celebrated across the country as a symbol of victory of good over evil. The date for Diwali is decided through the Hindu lunar calendar and this year it falls on November 10 or 11.

You’re busy – just getting adjusted to the end of year schedule – and BAM, you realise Diwali starts in less than a week! In a perfect world, if you had all the time you needed to prepare, your house would be immaculate, lit-up inside and out with diyas and string lights and you would have 10 dishes prepared to feast on after the puja.

The things you could do to prepare for such a big holiday are limitless in number. But don’t be overwhelmed and let Diwali slip by.

Here are nine simple things you can do over the next few days to make Diwali a special event in your home:

• Clean! At least just one room. Or even your patios/verandahs and hallways. There is something spiritually therapeutic about clearing up dust and clutter.

• Decorations: Put up at least one special decoration – be it a craft you make with the children or something festive that you can purchase – string some fairy lights.

• A small present for children: This doesn’t have to be elaborate – but something small that will put a smile on their faces and for them to remember Diwali. A new book signed and dated is one idea.

• Distribute sweets: To your neighbours and/or your children’s classmates. This warm act of kindness is what makes Diwali special.

• Do something good: Donate your time or money to your local temple or other preferred group. Or have your children donate their unused books and toys.

• Family, time: On the day of Diwali make it a “family day.” Take the day off if you can, or at least bring the children home early. Cook together or go out to dinner.

• Puja: You can make this as short or elaborate as you like, but nothing brings Diwali into a home like the ring of a prayer bell.

• Special meal: Plan it out by devising a menu. Create a beautiful table setting with diyas or candles.

• Take pictures! Get dressed up, have fun with sparklers and take family pictures.

• So get started – what are you waiting for?

Hindu for Selfless Service (HSS) will be doing its part by giving tips, recipes and loads more information on this festive holiday.

SUDOKU

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

(May 21June 20)

You will gain recognition if you take a leap of faith. Summon up your courage and put all your cards on the table. A professional opportunity is imminent.

Money matters will be unsettling. Steer clear of anyone looking for a handout or donation. Rely on your instincts, and when in doubt, don’t hesitate to walk away.

Make a positive transition. A residential move or change in vocation will work out to your advantage, provided you do your homework first to avoid any unwanted surprises.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

You can improve your current position and maintain your integrity by fulfilling your responsibilities without squabbling. Do the best job you possibly can and you will be recognised and rewarded. Do something you haven’t done in years. Play an oldfashioned board game or cards and have some fun with friends or family. The time spent will help relieve stress and strengthen bonds.

Love is on the rise, but you are best to use affection, not words, to seal the deal. You will find the answers to any questions you have if you listen and observe.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Keep the peace. Even if you are in total disagreement with what is being said, give whoever you are debating a fair chance to air his or her views.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Trying to convince someone who has different beliefs to see things your way will be futile. Don’t waste your time when you should be taking care of your responsibilities.

CAPRICORN (June 21July 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

If someone from your past wants to reconnect, speak from the heart. You are best to cut your losses rather than make the same mistake twice. Protect yourself this time around.

(Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

If you agree to take on someone else’s responsibilities, make sure you are fully aware of what’s expected of you. You’ll be put in a compromising position if you aren’t careful.

AQUARIUS

PISCES

(Feb. 20March 20)

Share your feelings. Honesty will help keep a troublesome relationship issue to a minimum. Don’t allow someone’s negativity to prevent you from accepting an appealing offer. A change will do you good.

Deal with distressing news regarding a senior citizen you know with compassion. Do all you can to keep family ties from unraveling. Compromise will be crucial to maintain peace.

CANCER

GEMINI

Peanuts

Calvin and hobbes

dilbert arChie

Rahaman brothers ready for November race meet

By Akeem Greene

The racing sibling duo of Ryan and Javid Rahaman are putting all systems in place for their vehicles to be in top shape as the 2015 Seaboard Marine race meet approaches later this month.

The younger of the two Javid is brimming with confidence as he puts his Toyota Vitz to the test in what will be his second race meet.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sport at their garage in Sandy Babb Street, Javid revealed that it is

key for him at this stage to be constantly racing as the more he learns his car the better the performances. The young Rahaman explained that his car needs to be striped and return to the conventional race model. He further explained that the mechanic is soon to arrive from Barbados and he will be looking to get as much speed from his 1500cc engine car in Group 1. Despite his inexperience, Javid looks to be focused and eager to achieve success.

On the other hand, Ryan the elder brother is banking on his experi-

“Silver Fox” headed to Guyana

While the younger generation might not be familiar with the white hair, beard and moustache, Hwang Jang Lee also known as “Silver Fox” was a top Chinese star in martial arts movies in the 90s.

Lee will now grace Guyana with his presence on Friday, November 13 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall as part of a training seminar and workshop organised by the Academy of Contemporary Martial Arts (Trinidad) and the Harpy Eagles Martial Arts Academy (Guyana) in association with Maximum Sports Combat and Strength.

The general public is invited to watch the popular actor showcase his talent

Hwang Jang Lee

for the small price of $1000, while martial artists around Guyana will have to pay an entrance fee of $2000. Children under 10 will have to pay $500. The event is set to start from 16:00h.

ence to allow him to push for a poll position. When quizzed about whether he in position to finish in the top three spots, the driver responded “not yet” but said he will looking to have as much fun possible.

Ryan who has over 15 years of experience at various race meets will be putting his Ford Escot to the test. “We have not done any major additions to the car but I think we might underpowered considering the upgrades of the other drivers especially those Honda vehicles”, the driver said. However, Ryan is no way short of confidence, is of the opinion, that his experience can be enough to

get him over the line and within poll position, “ you never know what can happen come race day, the weather could play an issue, so that will bring something different into the equation”. The other Group 2 racers can expect stiff competition despites Ryan’s shortcomings in speed.

The two brothers come from a long line of racing experience as their father Rahaman, whose father Jad Rahaman, along with cousins and uncle Ray all have been involved in the sport for a numerous years. (akeemg@guyanatimesgy.com)

GCB/Scotiabank Kiddy Progression One Cricket… St Margaret’s Primary and No.5 Primary storm into final

St Margaret’s Primary and No.5 Primary secured victories recently, booking their place in the final of the North Georgetown Zone and West Berbice District respectively in the GCB/Scotiabank Kiddy Progression One Cricket.

According to a press release, St Margaret’s Primary became the first team to reach the final of the North Georgetown Zone when they defeated Green Acres Primary School by 54 runs at the Racquet Centre today. Batting first, St Margaret’s Primary racked up 170/3 in their 14 overs.

Leading the way was Shameer Haynes who struck a brutal unbeaten 42 which included six fours and two sixes. He was supported by Michael Morgan who contributed 24 not out. Bowling for Green Acres, Jeron Payne took 2/2.

In reply, Green Acres Primary openers Shawn Thompson and Omish Balgobin, got them off to a quick start; they were 20 in just 1.5 overs. However, although they threatened St. Margaret’s Primary’s total for the first half of the run chase, they were eventually held to 116/6 when their overs expired. Shawn Thompson finished with 30. Haynes followed up his brilliant batting with excellent bowling figures of 2/5.

Playing at the No.5

Blairmont Primary could only manage 108/6 with Veera Farhad making an attractive 34 while Jameer Elgin contributed 29. They were held to their final score by Leron Smart and Nalessa Johnson as both took two wickets for two runs.

The home team backed by their supporters, eased to their target of 110/2 in 12 overs. Leading the way was Ronell Savory with 54 which included four boundaries and five huge sixes. Maisha Jameer took the only two wickets to fall for five runs. No.5 will now play Hopetown Primary in the final on a date to be decided.

Meanwhile, Redeemer Primary dispatched Rama Krishna Primary by 13 wickets in the East Georgetown Zone. Rama Krishna Primary who won the toss and decided to take first strike made 92/8. Bryan Gordon was the only batter to get to double digit, making 11. They were aided by 44 extras. Linden Ogle took two wickets. When Redeemer Primary took to the crease, they blasted their way to 93/1 with Sharlon Millington smashing an unbeaten 50 which included eight towering sixes, one of which ended match. Linden Ogle completed an excellent all round display by also smashing 36 runs which were all scored in sixes. Kenisha Sandy took the lone wicket to fall.

Javid Rahaman posses next to his Toyota Vitz

Ryan and his Ford Escort

ground,

Management of National Schools cracking down on districts

The National Schools’ Championships will be conducted under some stringent rules in order to ensure that the event is successful.

This is according to a press release on Tuesday from the Management Committee for the upcoming National Schools’ Cycling, Swimming and Track and Field Championships which is scheduled to run off from November 23-27.

Penalties will be in place for defaulting Districts that do not adhere to the rules, the release noted.

According to the President of the Guyana Teachers’ Union Mark Lyte the championships will go on without any district once deadlines aren’t kept or cheaters are found.

“No one should feel that we cannot have these Championships without them”. Lyte quipped.

With the starting time set for 09:00h on competition day, Lyte noted that the competition will com -

mence promptly whether or not all the teams arrive at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence on -

time. “If athletes and officials are not on time, the events will go on without them. We have to enforce the competition rules,” Field Secretary within the Teachers’ Union, Lance Baptiste stated.

In addition, Baptiste highlighted that the district representatives and managers will be held accountable to the Management Committee during the Championships.

The press release further noted that work began weeks ago in an attempt to perfect every system for the smooth running of the championships.

The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) has unveiled some major programmes/projects that the club would be undertaking over the course of the next 12 months.

The ambitious list was announced by Secretary/ CEO, Hilbert Foster, during a comprehensive report on the history and achievements of Guyana’s leading

youth and sport organisation, which was founded by the St Francis Community Developers in September 1990.

His Excellency, President David Granger, Minister of Sport Nicolette Henry, Director of Sport Christopher Jones and Regional Chairman of Region Six David Armogan were among the special invitees at the Silver

Jubilee Tribute to Heroes Programme held at the club’s Training Centre.

Foster reminded the audience that the RHTY&SC was founded by 17 friends at the Port Mourant Community High School and lost its first 18 cricket matches until it defeated Fyrish by two wickets.

The club was granted status by the Berbice Cricket Board in 1992,

The Swimming Championships will be held on Monday, November 23 at the National Aquatics Centre at Liliendaal. In addition to the swimming competition, two field events, Long Jump and Shot Putt along with the 10km Road Race, 40km and 25km Cycle Road Race will also take place on Monday, November 23. The Games Village will be established on Woolford Avenue. Tutorial High, North Georgetown Primary and Secondary Schools and Richard Ishmael Secondary will house the 16 Districts from across Guyana that will compete at the Championships.

The Games Secretariat has been officially opened at GTU Headquarters, Woolford Avenue with Districts submitting their entries. The Opening Ceremony for the Championship is scheduled for Tuesday, November 23 at 10:30h.

RHTY&SC unveils massive plans for next year

and in September of the same year won the Sydney Sabsook Second Division title. Since then, the club has won over 45 titles at all levels and has produced over 90 players for Berbice, Guyana and the West Indies. These players include Assad Fudadin, Royston and Esaun Crandon, Rajiv Ivan, Clinton Pestano, Khemraj Mahadeo, Major James Fraser, Neil Williams,

Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Shawn Grant, Abdel Fudadin, Delbert Hicks, Jason Sinclair, Shawn Pereira, Akshay Homraj and Plaffiana Millington.

The club has also won two national male cricket championships, one female national cricket championship and four Guyana Cricket Board’s Club-of-theYear awards. The club over

the years has also successfully completed a total of 5,104 projects/programmes under a series of sub-headings. The RHTY&SC had targeted a total of 200 programmes for its year-long anniversary celebration and by mid-October, the target was achieved. The management of the club has since revised the amount to 300 for the year.

Regional Chairperson for Region Four, Genevieve Allen (seated, centre), in whose Region 2015 National Schools’ Championships will be held, joins members of the Management Committee to discuss preparations on Tuesday

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The 2015 New Building Society Second Division 40-over cricket competition in Berbice continued recently, with Belvedere Battle Steele, Bush Lot Challengers, Port Mourant, Tain Block Four and Chesney came out victorious.

Summarised scores from the matches played as follows:

At Belvedere, Belvedere Battle Steele beat Toopoo Rising Star by 1 run.

Belvedere Battle Steele made 221-3 in 20-overs, with Michael Subadhar 127 and Neil Pike 76.

In reply, Toopoo Rising Star reached 220-7 in 20-overs, with Yoganand Permaul 122 and Naresh Mohanlall 33 not out. Nkeel Kevin took 3-34.

At Bush Lot in West Berbice, Bush Lot Challengers beat Bush Lot United by 119 runs.

Bush Lot Challengers posed 261-6 in 30 overs, with Asif Khan 56, Joel Dilchand 52, Imran Khan 3-54 and Nivendra Persaud 2-40.

Bust Lot United in reply were bowled out for 142 in 23.5 overs, with Winston Joseph 38, Paul Dipnarine 30. Brandon Balkissoson took 4-15, Rajbance Hemraj 2-8 and Joel Dilchand 2-37.

At Port Mourant, Port Mourant beat Letterkenny Young Star by six wickets. Letterkenny Young Star were bowled out for 105 in 20-overs, with Satesh Budho 26. Exekiel Kempadoo took 4-22 and Loyydel Lewis 4-28.

Port Mourant, in reply reached 108-4 in 32-overs, with Darmesh Seenarine 49. At Whim, Tain Block Four beat Whim National by three wickets. Whim National were bowled out for 140 in 34.3 overs, with Arnold Deosarran 30. Madankumar Budhram took 3-24, Mahendra Baldeo 2-10 and Jaipersaud Rawana 2-31.

Tain Block Four reached 141-7 in 31 overs, with Madankumar Budram 39. Parasram Tilkuram took 3-34.

At Chesney, Chesney beat Sand Reef by 37 runs. Chesney 176 in 35.1 overs, with Yourdhan Gurdyall 41, Dinesh Harilall 35. Shivnarine Sahid took 4-28 and Anand Singh 2-22.

In reply Sand Reef were bowled out for 139 in 33.4 overs, with Anand Singh 32 and Mohan Jagmohan 25. Narine Deonarine took 3-23, Dinesh Harilall 3-21 and Safraz Bacchus 2- 8.

RHTY&SC unveils massive...

Among the numerous plans announced is expansion of the club’s Under-15, Under-17, Under-19 and female cricket teams, with special emphasis on coaching to be conducted by coach Collis Butts. The club, on a monthly basis, would also be organising a series of tournaments for its members such as seven-a-side, double wickets and female one-onone in an effort to develop all-rounded cricketers.

Emphasis would also be placed on providing cricket gears for junior cricketers and assisting them to improve in their academic studies. A performancebased scheme would also be established for junior cricketers with a monthly financial award for the RHTY&SC Junior Cricketer-of-theMonth.

The awardee would be solely selected by the coach based on personal discipline, attendance at practice, commitment at training sessions and performances in matches. To make sure that cricketers make education a priority, the awardees must also have 90 percent attendance rate in schools.

Other cricket related plans announced include the hosting of a tournament

for secondary schools in the area, which would serve as a nursery for the club’s junior section. The Cricket Development Committee of the club would also be installing nets for practice in an effort to overcome the major problem of footballers using the Area ‘H’ ground, at the same time as the cricketers.

Off the cricket field plans were also unveiled for the hosting of Berbice first-ever Christmas Village in the Rose Hall Town Primary School compound and a multi-million charity programme for Christmas from December 8-19.

Among the other programmes that the RHTY&SC would be hosting in 2016 are a three-day Cavalcade of Sports for Republic Day, a Rose Hall Town Exhibition and Nite, Berbice Fashion Designers Show, a Region Six Educational Awards Scheme for teachers and students, assisting over 100 clubs and schools with educational materials and sport gear.

The club’s highly successfully “Say No to Drugs, Crime and Suicide and Yes to Education and Sports” programmes would be expanded to Region Five to

include schools, while the charity programme would also be expanded to include more single parent households and less fortunate families.

The RHTY&SC would also be hosting several medical outreach programmes for residents in the Lower Corentyne area, while a family recreational park for families would be constructed in front of the Area ‘H’ ground at the cost of $2.5 million.

Foster announced that the RHTY&SC would be setting a target of 225 programmes for 2016, and stated that the club would always strive for excellence.

Noting that the club started as a mere cricketing organisation, the Secretary/ CEO praised the membership of the club for working beyond the call of duty to transform the club into Guyana’s most dynamic youth and sport organisation.

Special mention was made of former Patron Hugh Desmond Hoyte, Peter Ramsaroop, June Mendes and current Patron Beverley Harper for their guidance and advices to the management over the years.

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ECDCA/Premium Beer T20 knockout competition Habib, Mohamed lead Enterprise

A to huge win

Enterprise A defeated Mahaica Sports Club by 109 runs on Sunday when action commenced in the East Coast Demerara Cricket Association (ECDCA) inaugural Premium Beer T20 knockout cricket competition on the East Coast of Demerara.

Nine matches were played across the East Coast corridor, and also recording victories were Lusignan B, Enmore, Perseverance, Fairfield, Strathavon, Lusignan A, Enterprise Legends and Tiger’s XI.

Arif Habib of Enterprise A led the individual performances, scoring the competition’s first hundred, 106 not out versus Mahaica. Also among the runs were Mankato Balkissoon (69) of Enterprise Legends, I. Khan (57) of Amazon Super Kings, Rafael Estriado (56*) of Perseverance, and Somnauth Bharat (51*) of Lusignan A.

Kevon Roberts of Golden Achievers had the best bowling figures of the first round, bagging 5-20 against Lusignan B, while former national First-Class allrounder Zaheer Mohamed picked up 4-15 for Enterprise A against Mahaica Sports Club.

Below are the summarised scores from the

games played.

At Enterprise: Enterprise A defeated Mahaica Sports Club by 109 runs. Enterprise A 214-2 (Arif Habib 106*, Rajendra Chandrika 46*, Vivian Albert 34, Suresh Chamandatt 1-48) Mahaica Sports Club 105 all out (Prakash Choti 34, Kamesh Yadram 3-17, Zaheer Mohamed 4-15, Vivian Albert 2-6).

At Enterprise: Enterprise Legends defeated Strathavon B by seven wickets. Strathavon B 1136 (Omesh Arjune 38, Syed Khan 23, Bhaskar Deodat 1-23, Devanand Persaud 1-10) Enterprise Legend 117-3 (Mankato Balkissoon 69, Hansard Sukdeo 18, Devanand Persaud 18*, R. Arjune 1-20, Jermain Persaud 1-17).

At Enmore: Lusignan B

defeated Golden Achievers by five runs. Lusignan B 93 all out (Robin Williams 15, Tameshwar Motiram 17, Chetram Jeenarine 18, Kevon Roberts 5-20, Seon Walcott 2-14) Golden Achievers 88-8 (Winston London 28*, Premchand Sookdeo 21, D. Agrado 2-12, Tameshwar Motiram 1-5).

At Enmore: Enmore defeated Mon Repos by 77 runs. Enmore 134-7 (Amir Khan 32, Richard Woolford 28, Ranjeet Hiralall 20, R. Vishal 2-20) Mon Repos 57 all out (Prem Lall 2-33, Richard Woolford 1-30).

At Fairfield: Perseverance defeated Helena by right wickets. Helena 87-8 (H. Kumar 25, Nandram Persaud 21) Perseverance 88-2 (Rafael Estriado 56*, Ranole Bourne 14, P. Persaud 1-15).

At Fairfield: Fairfield defeated Unity by 26 runs. Fairfield 158-7 (Leon Tarjoonchandra 47, Deonarine Chatura 44, N. Dhanraj 2-19, I. Persaud 2-24) Unity 1328 (M. Hoiril 28, R. Dyal 19, Richard Chatura 3-15, Leon Targoonchandra 2-13).

At Strathavon: Amazon Super Kings defeated Strathavon by 14 runs. Strathavon 1658 (Sewchand Budhu 48, Kenimo Alphonso 25, I. Khan 3-27) Amazon Super Kings 151-5 (I. Khan 57, Chabinram Hemraj 3-37).

At Ogle: Lusignan A defeated Ogle Masters by 114 runs. Lusignan A 197-3 (Gavin Boodwah 37, Leon Morgon 38, Somnauth Bharat 51* Steve Ramdass 45, Brian Sukhram 1-23, Robin Sivanand 1-30) Ogle Masters 83 all out (Brian Sukhram 20, Dylan Conelly 20, Ferron Kadir 3-20, Steve Ramdass 2-17, Rajendra Naikbaran 2-5).

At Ogle: Tiger’s XI defeated Ogle by 27 runs. Tiger’s XI 136 all out (Shivnarine Chanderpaul 37, Tagenarine Chanderpaul 34, A. Joseph 3-18, Chris Patadin 3-24) Ogle 109-9 (S. Sanichar 31, Wasim Haslim 13, S. Mohamed 3-29, Akshaya Persaud 3-18).

Thrilling day see victories for Omesh XI, Crossbreed XI and Cornelia Ida Primary

The Mobile Wizard 10/10 continued over the weekend at the Ruby Ground as every team played their heart out in a scintillating display of softball cricket.

The day’s proceedings started with a display by Cornelia Ida that left all buzzing about talent.

Leonora Primary won the toss and elected to bat and were off to a horrible start with Irfaan Hack being run out with nine runs on the board.

Thaddeus Lovell tried to settle things by counter attacking and lifting the run rate in the face of some accurate bowling from the Cornelia Ida bowlers. The bowlers stuck to their task and with the score on 36 Lovell played a false shot and lost his off stump.

Three more quick wickets including another run out saw Leonora primary being hustled out. They eventually made 56 in 7 overs. Man of the Match Shazad Zaman was the pick of the bowlers with 4-7 from 2 overs. Cornelia Ida also had a torrid time at the crease and were struggling at 40-9 when Christopher

Linden (6) and Tychand Sirjohn (13) saw them home. Zaman was the recipient of a bat compliment of a bat maker Ishmael. In another close encounter, Vipers XI defeated Young Guns by one wicket in a thriller. Young Guns won the toss and batted scoring 104 all out in 8.2 overs with Shankar Mortimer clobbering 44 off 16 balls laced with 3 sixes and 3 fours. Bowling for Vipers XI was Munaf Azeem with 5- 21 off 2 overs and effecting a run out. In reply Vipers XI struggled to 97 with 9 wickets down but the last pair took them over the line with 3 balls to spare.

In game 3, Brickery XI made light work of Next Level XI by 8 wickets. Batting first, Next Level XI limped to 82 in 9.4 overs with Kishan Ramlasandol scoring 17 (2x4s). The wickets were shared among all the bowlers. Brickery XI in response raced 84-2 in 5 overs with Frederick Willkie making a brisk 40 (4x4s, 2x6s) In what was seen as a dominant display by the United Muslim Youth

Organisation as they humbled Meter- Mer- Zorg XI by 10 wickets. Meter-Mer-

were limited to 73 all out in 8.4 overs. The fielding of United Muslim Youth were

Zorg took first strike and were never allowed to settle as they lost wickets regularly. In the end they

exemplary as they made it difficult for the batsmen to score. Jermain Maxwell took 3-10 in 2 overs. In re-

BCB congratulates Motie on senior call-up

The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) is one of the first organisations to offer congratulations to left-arm spinner Gudekash Motie, who was on Monday called to the Guyana Jaguars squad to face the Windward Islands Volcanoes when the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional Cricket League (PCL) bowls off on Friday.

A release from the BCB

porters of Berbice Cricket and promised that they will continue to see results from their investment.

The board also takes the opportunity to wish West Indies left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul a speedy recovery from his injury.

The board is confident that Motie will do a good job and fill the shoes of his Albion and Berbice team

stated that “the board was elated to learn of the selection of Motie, who is the latest Berbician to be selected for the national senior team.

The release further stated that “the BCB continues to invest heavily in Berbice cricket and Motie is a product of that investment. It was just a matter of time for Motie to make the senior team for he has impressed since he was a kid", the release added.

The board thanked all the sponsors, friends and sup-

ply United Muslim Youth raced to 75 without loss in 3.4 overs with Zahir Haniff not out on 36(2x4s, 1x6) and Younis Ali 15 (2x4s).

Competition leaders Crossbreed XI won a hard-fought game against Zeeburg Warriors by 7 wickets. Zeeburg Warriors took first strike and were limited to 85-5 in 10 overs. The ground fielding of Crossbreed XI and also the bowling was something to watch as their athleticism proved vital in their limiting of the warriors. The wickets were shared among the bowlers in reply crossbreed XI were also in the same predicament as Zeeburg Warriors returned the favor in the field and in their bowling too. They eventually crossed the line on 89-3 in 7.1 overs.

In the exhibition match Omesh XI completely humiliated a Linden All Star XI. Linden won the toss and elected to bat making a challenging 1088 in 10 overs with Bevan Braithwaite scoring 21

mate. The board encourages him to keep his feet grounded and grab the opportunity with both hands.

The BCB is confident that Motie's elevation will inspire other young cricketer in Berbice and wishes the team good luck. Kudos were given to the selectors for selecting such a strong, balanced and performance based team. Credit should also be given to the administrators for the long and intense preparation of the players,” the release concluded.

(1x6; 2x4). The opening partnership of 36 was the highest in the innings. Omesh XI in their turn at the crease raced to 109-1 in 6.1 overs with Vickram Kissoon dropped off the first ball in their innings making them pay dearly by clobbering the bowling to all parts of the field in scoring 55 off 18 balls laced with seven huge sixes. The other opening bat Aftab Bacchus being more sedate scored 33 not out with 4 sixes. Linden only had themselves to blame dropping three catches in the process.

Meanwhile Miss Love Trading has joined the list of sponsors and will be giving one thousand dollars each week to the new game of “Manto” by GSL and other incentives in the tournament. The game “manto” involves a competitor challenging another competitor to a one ball. The one with most runs off the one ball will be declare d the winner. (akeemg@guyanatimesgy.com)

Zaheer Mohamed Rajendra Chandrika

The Dominant Omesh XI opening pair of Aftab Bacchus (left) and Vickram Kisson

Gudekah Motie

GFC, GFCA and Buxton United complete electoral process

With the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Congress drawing near, the 22 affiliate members are also pushing to have their constitutions reformed and hold elections.

During the past week, the Georgetown Football Club (GFC); Buxton United and Guyana Football Coaches Association (GFCA) completed their electoral process, thereby making themselves eligible to participate at the November 14 GFF Congress.

Jumbo Jet/ BLUTC horse race meet Registration closes on Friday

– preparations in advanced stage

By Rajiv Bisnauth

Registration for the Jumbo Jet Auto Sales and racing stable horse race meet closes on Friday and, according to coordinator Nasrudeen Mohamed Junior, no late entries will be accepted.

The meet is scheduled for Sunday at the Bush Lot United Turf Club (BLUTC) track at Arima Park, West Coast Berbice.

bred animals over six furlongs for a winning purse of $300,000. Animals classified G1 and Lower will be racing over six and a half furlongs for similar winnings.

The other races are all over six and a half furlongs.

The H1 and Lower horses will be galloping for a first prize of $250,000, while the I1 and Lower horses will be looking to take home the $200,000 top prize.

On October 28 at the GFC Club House, Ivor O’Brien was voted in as President of GFC, while Ivor English and Peter Baker were elected to the posts of Senior Vice President and Junior Vice President respectively.

Other persons elected to serve on the new executive are Roger Perreira –Honorary Treasurer; Faizal Khan – Honorary Secretary, Alicia DeAbreu – Assistant Secretary/Treasurer; Shad Fernandes – Football Captain; Gladstone Serrao – Indoor Games Captain; Charles Greaves – Committee Member and James Bovell – Committee Member.

The GFCA held its elections the following day at the GFF Secretariat, where national coach Wayne Dover was elected President. His executives include Kester Garnett – Vice President; Sampson Gilbert –Secretary; Mariska Williams – Treasurer; Challus Mc Kinnon – Assistant Secretary/Treasurer; Eyon Wills – Committee Member; Dillion Roberts – Committee Member; Lennox Adams – Committee Member and Mark Charles – Committee Member.

On October 31 at the Friendship Primary School,

East Coast Demerara, the Buxton United Football Club welcomed Curbette Victorine as President for the next term. Other executives elected are George Gibson, Aminika Armstrong, Eton Moses, Kevin Crandon and Shawn Adams. All of the elections of the 22 Member Associations should be completed by this weekend, allowing the bodies to fully participate in next weekend’s GFF Congress, which will be contested by two slates – the Nigel Hughes-led Team Unity and Wayne Forde’s Team Integrity.

Crandon gives squad vote of confidence

– says squad focused on job ahead

B y R ajiv B isnauth

Guyana Jaguars

Head Coach Esaun Crandon said he was happy with the 13man team selected and was optimistic about the players giving a good account of themselves when the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Professional Cricket League (PCL) FourDay Tournament bowls off on Friday.

Cricket Guy Inc (CGI) on Monday announced the squad for Guyana’s first game of the 2015-2016 season, with former West Indies Under-19 left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie the lone newcomer.

“Yes, we have put together a very good squad, and if you look at the 13, most of the guys have featured in the last tournament, so I am really happy with the bunch of guys we have.

“I think we have a decent mix of experience and young players which I’m satisfied and prepared to work along with,” Crandon revealed on Tuesday during an exclusive interview with Guyana Times Sport

The squad includes four players with Test experience, among them the

Caribbean’s most capped Test batsman, Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

However, with the absence of spinners Devendra Bishoo and Veerasammy Permaul along with Test batsman Narsingh Deonarine, Crandon said they would be counting on the younger, less experienced players to put their hands up and make use of the golden opportunity.

“I’m confident they (the younger players) have the ability to fill those spots. We are banking on their ability. Some of them have been around a couple of years, but they don’t have the playing experience, so it’s an opportunity for them to showcase what

they have,” Crandon pointed out.

The Jaguars have been working hard over the past months and Crandon, a former national player himself, knows the worth and value of putting in the hard work, especially as time winds down to the start of the competition.

“We have placed a lot of emphasis on our preparation: we want to do the things we expect our opposition to came against us with, so we want to prepare ourselves accordingly,” Crandon revealed.

The Guyana Jaguars will face off with the Windward Islands Volcanoes from Friday at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, as they begin the journey to defend the title they won in the inaugural edition of the PCL.

The squad reads: Assad Fudadin; Rajendra Chandrika; Leon Johnson (Captain); Vishaul Singh (Vice Captain); Shivnarine Chanderpaul; Christopher Barnwell; Raymon Reifer; Anthony Bramble; Steven Jacobs; Gudakesh Motie; Shimron Hetmyer; Keon Joseph and Ronsford Beaton. (rajivb@guyanatimesgy.com)

On Tuesday, Mohamed Junior said that interested horse owners have until 10:00h on Friday morning to have their animals enter Sunday’s race meet.

In excess of 50 horses have already been registered.

Eight races are listed on the card, and over $7 million in cash, trophies and other incentives are up for grabs.

The feature event will see the Four-year-old West Indies bred and the E1& Lower horses battling for a first prize of $600,000 over a distance of one mile.

Also sharing top billing is the race for Three-yearold West Indies bred animals also over a mile for a winning take of $400,000.

There is also a race for Two-year-old West Indies

J1 and Lower horses will race for a pole position taking of $150,000, while the final race is for animals classified K and Lower, with the winner set to take home $100,000.

In an invited comment on Tuesday, coordinator Lakeram Sukhdeo said that the track was in excellent condition.

The horse race meet will be conducted under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority. Race time is 12:00h.

Interested horse owners can make contact with Mohamed Junior on 6544060 or Chandu Ramkissoon on 624-9063/ 232-0633 for further information. (rajivb@guyanatimesgy. com)

Guyana Jaguars Coach Esaun Crandon

GFCA President Wayne Dover (third right) with members of his new executive and officials of the Normalisation Committee of GFF

Hwang Jang Lee aka “Silver Fox”