Devotees igniting the flame as they chant mantras and worship Lord Shiva at the Cove and John Ashram where thousands gathered to celebrate Maha Shivraatri on Tuesday (Carl Croker Photo)
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, February 18 – 14:30h-16:00h and Thursday, February 19 – 05:00h-06:30h
The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, February 18 – 16:00h-17:30h and Thursday, February 19 – 16:50h-18:20h
FERRY SCHEDULE
Ferries will be departing the Parika and Supenaam stellings at 05:00h and 16:00h
WEATHER TODAY
Winds:
AFC/APNU coalition:
AFC got more than was expected – Trotman
By Janelle Persaud
peaker of the National Assembly and one of the Founding members of the Alliance For Change, Raphael Trotman has admitted that the minority opposition party has gotten more than they had expected during the coalition negotiations with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).
He said too that despite fears that the party would be decimated should the coalition loses the election, the AFC has been assured of 12 seats in Parliament as per the Cummingsburg Accord and this is enough to help it regain itself from any fallout. Several top political commentators have already said that the AFC was able to squeeze out much more than it deserves from APNU. There have also been grumblings within APNU about the wideranging concession it agreed to for the AFC.
The AFC trails APNU by 19 seats in the National Assembly polling just about 10% of the votes in the last elections comparing to APNU’s 40%. However during the negotiations the AFC had insisted that it must lead the coalition and having not succeeded in wresting this from APNU they were able to field the Prime Ministerial candidate in the person of Moses Nagamootoo. In addition to being assured of 12 seats in the National Assembly, the party will be allocated two Vice Presidents both of whom will be members of the Cabinet.
Further, according to the Accord “In reflecting the thinking and commitment to and for future constitutional reform it has been agreed that the Presidency will be reorganised along the following lines; the President
as Head of State, Head of Government, Commanderin-Chief of the Armed Forces and shall have responsibility for; the appointment of Constitutional Agencies and Commissions with the required and agreed democratic mechanisms of consultation and appoint; Foreign Affairs, International Relations and Non-Commercial Treaties; National Security Policy, the Defence Board, the Joint Intelligence Committee and the Guyana Defence Force. However, if the coalition
has been allotted more than its electoral strength from the last election. This would offset the fact that it did not get the symbolic leader slot which it went into the negotiations thinking was crucial to both the success of the coalition and its own ability to convince its mainly Indian Guyanese supporters of its correctness.” Besides, the AFC has also been warned of a possible collapse if its marriage to APNU does not succeed. In an interview with Guyana Times on Monday Former Speaker
succeeds, AFC’s Nagamootoo will be responsible for running the domestic affairs of the country; Chairing Cabinet; recommending ministerial appointments and providing the organisational structures of ministries for the approval of the President. He will also appoint heads of agencies and non-Constitutional Commissions with the required and agreed democratic mechanisms of consultation and appoint. Besides, the AFC will lead the Home Affairs Ministry and will make up 40% of the Cabinet.
More than electoral strength Political Scientist, Dr David Hinds alluded to this in one of his recent commentaries, stating that “The AFC
of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran opined that the party, once considered a “third force”, stands the risk of being “wiped out” if the outcome of the elections is unfavourable. He reasoned that APNU will maintain its support base and has nothing to lose as a consequence of the coalition but noted that the AFC could lose everything. “One of the big problems would be, if the Indians would say well this is the PNC back in power and while we were prepared in 2011 to give the AFC our vote, with the expectation that the PPP/C [People’s Progressive Party/Civic] will win …we are not prepared to give you our vote if it means the PPP/C would lose the
election,” Ramkarran reasoned.
However, Trotman believes that the AFC would be in a good position to recover, should such an outcome be realised. “I don’t see it (AFC) becoming a spent force or becoming a discarded entity or go the route other parties have gone because with 12 seats in Parliament you will be able to find yourself and regain your footing,” the Former Presidential Candidate stated.
Building foundation
Meanwhile, speaking on the issue of the coalition, Trotman noted that it would be beneficial for Guyana as it would be building on a foundation laid by through the mandate of the AFC. “AFC is supposed to be that bridge which would allow people to come from the right bank and the left bank of a river and meet in the middle and be able to work together,” he outlined. “I believe that the coalition is actually what Guyana needs.”
For Trotman, the necessity lies in the fact that Guyana has only changed governments once in five decades, which according to him stagnates democratic growth. “Our democracy can’t develop if we don’t have a regular change of government; one term, two terms maybe but to have 28 years of one party and 23 of another is just not good enough,” he added. According to the practicing Attorney, the inclusion of members of the ruling party in this could only augur well for the nation. “I would encourage the coalition that is emerging not close the door to members of the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic if they wish to join it, so that we really have a government of national unity.”
Labourer pleads guilty to assault charges
Terrence Boodhan pleaded guilty to the charge of unlawful assault on Tuesday when he was brought before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Police Prosecutor Michael Grant stated the
facts as being that Boodhan was employed by the Virtual Complainant (VC) as a labourer when on the same day the defendant pushed the VC in the face during an argument that had erupted between the two.
Prosecutor Grant continued by telling the court that the defendant, along with
a friend, had also thrown six buckets of water on the Complainant. It was also stated in the filed statements that the defendant had also thrown faeces on the VC.
To this, the defendant responded in the negative. He said that the Complainant was “making up story.” However, he admitted that he did assault the Complainant, explaining that he was intoxicated at the time.
The Chief Magistrate placed him on a one-year bond to keep the peace, stating that if the defendant breached the bond, he will be sent to jail for two weeks.
Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman
Editor: Nigel Williams
Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134
On Saturday, APNU and AFC formally announced that they have formed a pre-electoral coalition to contest the upcoming May 11 elections. They also signed the Cummingsburg Accord which they said would see an end to winner takes all politics in Guyana, and herald the formation of a Government of national.
At the press conference, the leadership of both parties tried desperately to sell the new coalition as the only viable option of unseating the ruling the PPP/C. They insisted that together they could herald an era of constitutional reform which they argued is badly needed, healing and reconciliation, socio-economic change and creation of a new political system aimed at ending race politics.
Interestingly, the new coalition which has not yet done basic things such as choosing a name and symbol, vowed not to lock out the PPP/C from its governance structures if it wins the May elections.
It was clear from the tone of the comments made by the leaders of both parties that they have neither given any significant thought to some of the promises they have made to the Guyanese public at this infantile stage.
How does the new coalition coalition intend to address the ethnic insecurities in Guyana? How do they plan to campaign?
To add insult to injury, the media was not given a copy of the Accord which was signed so that an independent analysis could be done of its strengths and weaknesses, policies, and thrust. Recall, that these two political parties chose to negotiate in secrecy and away from the watchful eyes of their supporters and financiers.
Even after the signing of the agreement, their supporters and by extension the general public, were unaware of what concessions were given up to arriving at the deal. This in itself smacks of a lack of transparency and accountability.
It has failed to dispel the rumours that the AFC’s bargaining chip was its ability to convince East Indian Guyanese that they could trust a coalition with the PNCR and APNU given their own history.
The leadership of the two sides has also failed to remove the suspicions that the AFC promised to deliver 11 per cent or more votes from PPP/C strongholds to the coalition in return for the conferral of more powers on the Prime Ministerial post.
The Accord is not historic, and its signing is anything but a water shed moment in Guyana’s political landscape. It appears opportunistic and convenient, but not the only option of unseating the ruling Government and creating an administration of national unity.
If either of these parties wanted to form a Government of national unity, their negotiations should have been done in the public. If that was not possible, then the minutes of their meetings and the newly inked Accord should have been widely disseminated for perusal.
The PPP/C, which remains the largest and most influential political actor in the country should have been formally invited to the talks. The truth is, there can no Government of national unity or no shared governance agreement without the PPP/C, regardless of how it is viewed by other actors in the political sphere.
Edmund Burke is quoted as saying that “those who have once been intoxicated with power, and have derived any kind of emolument from it, even though but for one year, never can willingly abandon it. They may be distressed in the midst of all their power, but they will never look to anything but power for their relief”.
Sadly, following their display and posture in the 10th Parliament, the statement above appears as gospel when one considers this new Accord and the new coalition arrangement. The Cummingsburg Accord should be seen for what it is worth. It is a mere power sharing arrangement between the AFC and APNU should they get into office.
It does nothing for the people of Guyana and offers no new hope that would not have been promised by the two main parties had they decided to go to the polls alone come May 11.
The great hunger for votes
Dear Editor, Moses Nagamootoo in his capacity of Presidential Candidate has strongly advocated the fact that his party would legalize marijuana use. He was making a passionate appeal to, the mainly youthful section of the population as well as to other ardent users and abusers of the drug to vote for them.
The campaign slogan is, you put us in office and we will legalize it. This impassioned plea, that we are going to decriminalize, legalize, or what have you ganja, is the latest cry for votes.
The AFC and Nagamootoo are on the
campaign trail wooing voters with this call. How successful this solicitation campaign will be is anybody’s guess. However, let’s just pause for a moment to analyze how we’ve arrived at this juncture.
In the first place, the people of Guyana have seen a dramatic turn of events on the political landscape, persons who were once enemies are now close friends and associates, “comrades” once again.
I speak of bitter enemies, persons who were accused of crimes such as torture and murder, yet these individuals and groups are in one
combined whole moiling around in apparent unity. It is a marriage of convenience that is very obvious for all to see, politics do make strange bedfellows.
So, the next convenient strategy is to appeal to drug users out there. From marriage of convenience to mass appeal to decriminalize ganja, where will it end! And who said that smoking weed is good for your health?
The mere fact that these people want to “smoke” ganja is indicative of fostering poor health. Smoking is dangerous to one’s health why push for something that is injurious to health?
My understanding of going easy on ganja is that it is an ethno-medicine if imbibed as a warm beverage is a cure for asthma and other heart ailment. It is not for smoking ... period. But it comes back to the point, say anything for the vote.
How the latest marijuana crusade will translate into actual votes is minimum at best. With that glaring deception fostered by the combined opposition ever before the people I do not think the marijuana madness will make any headway.
Neil Adams
History is repeating itself
Dear Editor,
I read with interest an Editorial in as local newspaper, headlind captioned, “The Cummingsburg Accord”.
I agree with the view advanced in the editorial that coalition politics in Guyana have not fared well. The PNC-UF coalition folded up a mere three years after its formation.
One factor that was responsible for the collapse of the coalition Government, which was not sufficiently highlighted, was the fact that there was no agreed
programme on which to take the then colony of British Guiana forward.
The only thing the two parties had in common was a common desire to remove the PPP/C from office. It was for all practical purposes a marriage of convenience.
Ideologically, the two parties were poles apart with the United Force unapologetically capitalistic and the PNC at some unspecified location in the left of the ideological spectrum.
History, it would ap-
pear, is repeating itself. Another marriage of convenience has taken place ironically on Valentine’s Day, between the PNC and the AFC, with one common objective, namely, the removal of the PPP/C from office.
Apart from how to apportion parliamentary and cabinet seats in the highly unlikely situation of an electoral victory, there is hardly any mention of concrete measures of a programatic nature on the way forward.
The Editorial was un-
fair to the PPP/C by stating that there were hardly any transformational projects undertaken by the administration. Indeed, it would have been much more correct to say that the administration’s plans to modernize Guyana was obstructed by an unsupportive Opposition which has now morphed into a political organism, not dissimilar to that of the ill-fated PNCUF coalition.
Hydar Ally
Georgetown as seen from a room in the spanking new Marriott Hotel (Carl Croker photo)
Urgent need for missing NIS information to be corrected
Dear Editor,
After the revelation made by the NIS about the missing information to update the records, thus eventually causing pensioners especially to lose, there is a need for this to be corrected, according to the Act and policies.
As a workers’ representative, we feel it is our responsibility to assist in finding answers. We are almost certain that the contributions would have
been accompanied by the names of companies, the Ministries and all other employers.
These contributions also would have been dated. I would like to suggest that public notices be made of the names of employers and date of contributions. This can cause former employees to investigate their contribution during the period and places they worked.
This will possible re-
Time to leave
Dear Editor,
With all the election fever catching on – I would just like to lend my voice to express the views of myself and young Guyanese citizens (who have attained the required age to vote).
There has been numerous atrocities under the PNC which our parents and foreparents have lived through and survived! But it is long past the time to leave the past behind where it belongs – in the past!
Anyone who is intelligent enough know that to succeed and move forward in life one must always look ahead; and not continue to dwell in the past; only
Incident at Suddie Police Station being investigated
Dear Editor,
duce the rewards from the 1.1 million contributions made by pensioners.
This contribution to former employees along with encouragement from self employed contributors, the arresting of non payment of deduction from workers salary by employers can make the NIS healthier and acceptable to the nation’s workers and pensioners.
NAACIE
the past behind
to take the lessons learnt and strive not to make the past hinder our success. We all know the Biblical story of the Prophet Lot’s wife – I am certain we all remember what became of her after she could not refrain from looking back.
Another noteworthy point is Guyana is made up of six races – each of these with their own culture which creates that uniqueness to our beautiful country and even though our skin colours are different we all have that precious life giving blood flowing through our veins and belong to the same human race which was created by that Supreme Being.
In closing, I ask my brothers and sisters in humanity to please go out on May 11 and vote. Vote with your conscience rather than your emotions; but do exercise your democratic right once you are of legal age and are registered to vote.
Brothers and sisters, it is my sincere hope that we all can live in racial harmony regardless of our race, religion or social status for no race is superior to any other. I would also like to advocate for all to keep the peace no matter what the outcome is on May 11.
Juliet Dukhi
We must learn from our past and not repeat the mistakes
Dear Editor,
There are some people who are of the view that we should not go back to the past but focus instead on what we can do now to make this country a better place.
The argument advanced that is no good can come our way by invoking the ‘ghosts’ of our past and therefore any mention of the past should be avoided.
History, however, is a great teacher. And while I share the view that we have to be forward looking I also believe that we
cannot ignore our past as though it never happened.
This is why we have commemorative activities every year to remind us of the horrors of our past history such as slavery and indentureship which are considered as aberrations in our history which we should all resolve to prevent from recurring. In like manner we should not ignore what transpired during that dark period of dictatorial and undemocratic rule when our basic and fundamental rights were taken
away from us by the PNC regime.
The pain and sufferings of our ancestors are kept alive in our collective memories through reference to our past history. We must learn from our past and use the lessons of the past to ensure that we do not repeat our past mistakes.
As Jim Jones of the notorious Jonestown People’s Temple reminded us ‘those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it.’
Hydar Ally
Another 21 persons charged for touting
Dear Editor, The Guyana Police Force is continuing with its traffic enforcement efforts, along with focus on traffic education, as it seeks to maintain safety on our roadways.
Unto February 16, there have been 11 road fatalities, compared to 17 for the corresponding period last year.
During the period February 9 to 15, a number of cases have been made against motorists for breaching the traffic laws.
These include speeding (597), driving under the influence (46), breach of condition of Road Service Licence (66), careless driving (15), dangerous driving (10), failure to wear safe-
ty helmet (four), failure to wear seat belt (34), and prohibition of the use of hand held mobile phone (17).
In addition, 21 persons were charged for the soliciting of passengers (touting).
Ivelaw Whittaker
Police Public Relations and Press Officer
In response to an article published in the Guyana Times on February 16, under the headline, “I was chased out of the Suddie
Police Station”, the Guyana Police Force wishes to advise that the matter is under investigation and a statement has already been taken from the complainant
Mickey Pilgrim.
Ivelaw Whittaker
Police Public Relations and Press Officer
An affront to the nation’s football
Dear Editor,
With December 31, 2014 being the last working day for the General Secretary of the Guyana Football Federation, automatically a vacancy existed.
However, what is most mind boggling is the length of time the Secretariat operated without the services of the individual – in excess of one month! That, with Guyana being a sovereign state occupying an area of 83,000 square miles; a population of approximately 740,000; and ten administrative regions.
It remains a “gross insult” on the intelligence of this nation for a Trinidadian to be appointed as the Federation’s General Secretary! Are we a nation of dunces and functional illiterates? Is this a mandate of FIFA/CONCACAF? If, this logic becomes applicable, then a conflict of interest exists.
By the waym did the Trinidadian apply for the job? What are his qualifications, and if they are acceptable, then why is it he is no longer employed in his native country? By the way maybe the Guyanese public can be apprised of his recent services in Trinidad!
It would be remiss of me not to enquire if at no juncture whatsoever did the Normalisation Committee, in its “infinite wisdom”, attempt to review all previous appointments of paid administrators, not inclusive of General Secretaries.
And definitely, I can attest that two former employees of the GFF, in their respective categories of FIFA funded/sponsored GFF National League, Coordinator and the GFA Office Manager – both individuals were overly honest in their deliberations, compounded by an extremely high degree of efficiency and professionalism, in addition to the relevant academic qualifications.
Within this context, what more must the Guyanese public ask for? Moreover, since with the Trinidadian’s appointment, apart from a triple digit salary; accommodation, meals and transportation (internally) would have to be provided and paid for, while not foregoing modern amenities, in relation to accommodation, that is hot and cold water, cable TV, maid/cook, and possibly a gardener depending on the location!
So, from all indications the Normalisation Committee is subservient to the ‘whims and fancies’ of FIFA/CONCACAF. Then in actuality, the Chairman of Blue Caps is shooting himself in the foot, since he is promoting national interests, youth development, transparency and accountability have all been swept under the carpet, meekly surrendering to the dictates of a foreign domination!
Can it be ascertained if of all the local applications for the post of General Secretary failed to fulfill
the requirements, including retired Army Officer Frankie Bispham, a former PS? Surely, the late Aubrey Henry, former GFF Treasurer, would be turning in his grave to envisage hiring a General Secretary, from Trinidad, is amounting to approximately G$1M monthly!
Finally, as regards the appointment of others who engaged representatives of FIFA, over a two-day period, once again the cart is being placed before the horse with the two attorneys who are both devoid of constitutional expertise.
Underdevelopment is continuing as a norm in the capital city, both administratively and in terms of lack of competitions continuously.” So, in actuality, to appoint the two lawyers, along with another person, who is not publicly known for his constitutional knowledgeable, is a clear manifestation of “nepotism”.
This is a crucial juncture in our nation’s football history, which coincidentally is older than Trinidad and Tobago in excess of 100 years, with Guyana achieving the milestone first! When will the affront on national football cease to exist? Where is the collective voice of the GGF General Council? Are they once again being reduced to toothless poodles that ‘meow’ like domestic cats?
Lester Sealey
Page Foundation
By Emmy RainwalkER
Listening
Being listened to is important. We still have high hopes (maybe a bit buried) for our relationships with our children and grandchildren. Getting a chance to talk about our joys and challenges can be a first step in making things go more smoothly. When we can talk about the challenges that come up, it can ease tension and open our thinking to fresh solutions.
Taking time with someone we trust to talk about our lingering regrets as parents, our worries about health, feeling unappreciated, disappointments in our children, and other issues that come up, can be helpful. When someone listens to us with attention and compassion, we have more ability to then listen deeply to others. This can help us listen to our children and what parenting is like for them and bring us closer to being the caring and kind parents and grandparents we have always hoped to be.
When we create this climate of safety in listening, unexpressed emotions can come to the surface. Growing more comfortable with showing feelings and accepting the expression of feelings in others is an important ingredient in building connection and closeness with our loved ones. However, confusion can arise when we get more
comfortable with children’s expressions and the other people around us don’t agree that this is a good thing.
We live in a society which does not encourage the expression of emotions and which expects parents to keep children “under control”. This is especially difficult when our children do not hold the same attitudes as we do. For example, you may get comfortable with your grandchildren crying or showing anger and their parents may not like that. Or the opposite may be true. The parents may encourage the children to cry and show anger and you might feel that they are not disciplin ing the children properly.
I was on a crowded train recently with my nine-yearold and four-month-old grandsons and their mom, my daughter-in-law. She was holding the baby and he began to cry. We had just spent several hours in a museum, it was getting late, we were all tired. As the baby cried, his mom tried the usual ways of comforting him, giving him a bottle and pacifier, but he would have none of it and she realised he just needed to let us know that he was not happy at that moment. She gave him her undivided attention, saying gentle things and letting him know she was listening. Meanwhile, I watched the people on the train growing nervous. One woman came up to us and
tried to figure out why he was crying. I explained that we had had a long day and he was fine, just needed to complain a bit. She became more vocal about stopping him from crying and I politely but firmly told her all was well and we had it under control. Many people in the train looked concerned, around us.
The baby began to cry. I followed the routine his parents established with him. I talked to him and let him know I was there. He kept crying. I asked him if he was hungry and tried a bottle. He pushed the nipple of the bottle out of his mouth with his tongue. Finally I gave him a pacifier and he began
not me. I got to make decisions about how to raise my children (often against my own parents’ advice) and they need to trust that I respect their decisions. And, I have seen pacifiers in a new light, without being so hellbent against them, thanks to the patience of the parents sharing their thoughts
Knowing how to navigate the divide between our ideas and our children’s ideas of what is best for our grandchildren is not always easy.
I was sitting with my little grandson in my lap and talking to a close friend.
since it seems to me they prevent babies from showing their feelings. I told her that it is true that I have big reservations about pacifiers, and I have talked to my children about my reasons for that, but they have found it useful with their baby and they get to decide,
Grandmothers and grandfathers are vital members of growing families. When we were parenting, we learned a great deal about love, relationships, responsibility. We can continue to learn about these things by doing the wonderful and important work of grandparenting.
I told my sons, and their wives I was going to write something about grandparenting and asked what they think is important. Here are their responses:
* “Reassure us often. It’s hard and confusing and we don’t usually feel like we are doing a good enough job.”
* “Give us a break sometimes by taking the children for us.”
* “Don’t think that because you have more experience, that we don’t know what we are doing.”
take that as a signal to let him cry. What is important to remember is that our children love us and they need to figure out how they want to be as parents. They may be willing to listen to our point of view if they feel they can trust us. And they may not. Spending time listening to them and accepting their feelings without criticising them can pay off with more trust. Finding time to nurture our relationships with our children may not be easy given the differences in opinions, old tensions, and mistrust. Remember that our children still want us close, but may not show it. Taking time to appreciate their hard work and struggles as parents may be awkward or uncomfortable, but it means a great deal to them to have our support and approval.
* “Listen to us. We are the parents. Even if you don’t agree with us, respect our wishes.”
And here is what a close friend said about her mother-in-law:
“When she is more respectful of my thinking, and asks me what I think about things, or acts like she wants to hear how I plan to do things, then I can be more willing and interested to hear her opinion. And the truth is, you guys DO have a lot to offer. You ARE more experienced, and able to see things from an outside perspective, so in fact your thinking is very valuable. It is actually a pity when parents can’t use the knowledge of grandparents because they’re feeling too disrespected to be open to it. “
* And finally, this sweet exchange with my nineyear-old grandson:
* “What should I say to grandparents?”
* “Just tell them to do what you do.”
* “What do you mean, like what?”
* “I don’t know, just tell them to do what you do. Now can we finish the Monopoly game?” (www.handinhandparenting.org)
(Continued from tuesday)
AFC has signed its “death warrant”– Rohee
… forced to eat ‘humble pie’
General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party’s Civic (PPP/C), Clement Rohee has said that the Alliance For Change (AFC) has signed its ‘death warrant’ by agreeing to a preelection coalition with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).
Speaking at the party’s weekly press conference on Tuesday morning, Rohee related that the coalition has come as no surprise since the two parties have consistently worked together against the government’s developmental agenda. According to him, the AFC has been forced to eat ‘humble pie’ since its leader, Khemraj Ramjattan had promised supporters that there will be no coalition and even if there was, the AFC would have had to lead; none of which he has upheld.
“The PPP is not surprised by this move by the two parties which were already working in tandem to destabilize the developmental agenda of the PPP administration since the 2011 elections. The AFC has signed their death warrant. It is crystal clear that the AFC is in no position whatsoever to call the shots and is now forced once again to eat the proverbial humble pie,” he said.
He noted that the party was given and chose to accept the Prime Ministerial candidate since it was hungry for power and wanted to fulfil its ‘selfish’ interests while accusing the Prime Ministerial candidate, Moses Nagamootoo of being an opportunist.
“What the PPP finds most nauseating is the level at which the AFC has sunk in their attempt to seek political power. This insatia-
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee
ble appetite for power has forced the AFC to swallow their pride having stated that it would never, ever enter into a coalition unless it gets the Presidential candidate…they were given the Prime Ministerial candidate, a post the former PPP member opportunistical-
11 road fatalities recorded thus far for 2015
With road safety becoming a major concern, the Guyana Police Force has reported that there have been 11 road fatalities as of February 16. This is a reduction when compared to 17 road deaths recorded for the same period last year.
According to the Police, the Force’s Traffic Department is continuing with its traffic enforcement efforts in an attempt to maintain safety on the country’s roadways.
In a release, the Police said that during the period February 9 to 15, a number of cases have been made out against motorists for breaching various traffic laws.
Some 597 cases have been filed against persons
for speeding and another 46 for driving under the influence of alcohol. These two are said to be the major causes of road accidents.
Additionally, there were 66 cases filed against persons who breached the conditions of their road services licence while another 15 were charged for careless driving and 10 for dangerous driving.
Meanwhile, four persons were charged for failing to wear safety helmets while another 34 were prosecuted for failing to wear seat belts and 17 for using mobile phones while driving. Additionally, some 21 persons were arrested and have been charged for soliciting passengers commonly known as touting.
The most recent road fatality occurred on Monday afternoon during which 43-year-old Vidwattie Persaud of Number 43 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, was killed. According to reports, the woman was travelling in a Route 63 minibus with her daughter when it overtook a truck on a turn and crashed into another bus that was crossing the road at the same time.
Persaud was reportedly thrown out of the bus upon the impact. She was rushed to the Port Mourant Hospital and subsequently transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital where doctors were unsuccessful in stabilising her. Some nine other persons were injured as a result of the collision.
ly accepted…this so called ‘Cummingsburg Accord’ would be remembered down the halls of shame with time as the day of betrayal of principles on the part of the AFC which has through its leader; Ramjattan had vowed that it would never join the APNU,” the PPP general secretary stated.
Rohee further stated that the Alliance For Change stands to become the biggest loser from the partnership if they do not succeed at the May 11 polls.
Rohee opined that the AFC will lose the supporters it had managed to accumulate during the 2011 elections since it would no longer be seen as the middle ground for those who distrust the People’s National Congress (PNC)/APNU.
He pointed out that with the coalition, the AFC would have no other choice but to follow the dictatorial
rule of the PNC/APNU.
“Their [AFC’s] supporters had already begun returning [to the PPP] and the coalition process has placed impetus on this…the people weren’t convinced back in the day of a coalition between the PNC and the TUF and they won’t be convinced now. Who don’t end up dead politically will end up badly wounded,” Rohee vowed.
He issued a call for the population to denounce what he called the “modern day Judases” of the political parties and to give their votes to the PPP since according to him, it is that party which will be working to ensure that poverty is reduced in the country.
“The PPP calls on all Guyanese to learn from the lessons of history and not to allow themselves to be duped to sacrifice the good of this nation by their lust
for power. The party urges one and all that these ‘modern day Judases’ who would have no difficulty whatsoever in selling their hearts and souls for pieces of silver in a quest to enter the political kingdom, There is only one party that can deliver this beautiful nation out of poverty and has a proven track record of progress and good governance. That party is PPP”, Rohee expressed.
The AFC and the APNU had on Saturday last, signed the ‘Cummingsburg Accord’ signaling the consummation of the pre election coalition partnership following talks during which the AFC was given the Prime Ministerial candidate, two Vice Presidents and a guaranteed 12 seats in Parliament should the coalition succeed at the May 11 polls.
Ex-employees get bail for robbing DSL
Ivor Waddle and Rolex Jones, former employees at Distribution Services Limited (DSL) were released on $50,000 bail each on Tuesday, when they appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.
The defendants are accused of stealing five cases of Nestle and Johnson and
Johnson products from DSL worth $66,465 on January 17. Police Prosecutor Michael Grant in presenting his case to the court, read the facts of the case which stated that Waddle, of lot 56 Second Street, Prospect, East Bank Demerara, and Rolex Jones of 40 Goed Intent, while employees of the DSL, robbed
the establishment of the articles mentioned. Both defendants were unrepresented and offered no evidence in their defence. The Prosecution had no objection to bail being granted to the defendants and it was granted by the Chief Magistrate. The men are slated to make their next court appearance on March 27.
Eyew tness Guyana...
...and press anarchy
Guyana was bumped up five points on the World Press Freedom Index. We’re ranked by that organisation as 62nd out of 182 countries. Now from that statistic right away you know something’s wrong with their criteria. Now let’s be fair...in which country of the world can you say the things the Muckraker and its owner regularly spews and get away with it?? Nowhere!
Do you think in the US, the owner of the New York Times can cheat on his taxes, cut a deal to have it settled and then print that he wasn’t even slapped on the wrist?? Do you think the owner of the News of the World, Murdoch - the world biggest newspaper mogul - can hack his employees’ phones to gather private data and not even be slapped on the wrist?? Well we know that Murdoch’s paper - the oldest in the world - had to shut down. And several executives are behind bars.
But in Guyana, a newspaper tax cheat doesn’t even have to show up in court though the magistrate demanded his presence - and the date for him to appear was set months ago. The fella’s having a vacation thumbing his nose at the judicial system - because the authorities are all afraid of the power of his press.
Now for that to happen, we don’t just have “press freedom” in Guyana - but press power. That is, of course, for those presses willing to practice yellow journalism and character assassination to intimidate, like the Muckraker. Freedom of the press is a right ... But because of its power, it imposes an obligation of its practitioners. However, with our authorities not insisting that these obligations be fulfilled, we have so much press freedom that it amounts to “press anarchy”.
Take the recent brouhaha the Muckracker created about “press freedom” to the world press associations - screaming that its “sensitive financial information” was released by the GRA. Fact of the matter is - if the information printed by the Muckraker itself is to be believed - the GRA actually published sensitive information on THIS newspaper and the Stabber News!! Imagine that!!
And the Muckraker’s pissed the Stabber’s requesting details of the deal that was struck!! Chutzpah! Another claim by the barefaced Muckraker is that this newspaper gets more Government ads that itself and its “press freedom” is being violated.
Truth is, this newspaper gets the least amount of Government ads of the four newspapers in Guyana. What’s the score for permitting so much disinformation being published??
...and a new British Ambassador
We should know the “big ones” are getting serious about getting out some of those billions of barrels of oils that’s been submerged under our shore for eons. The Big Oil Daddy of them all - Exxon Mobil - has one of its largest rigs heading our way. All along the old folks been saying that if there’s oil on our west (Venezuela) and on our East (Suriname) then why would the bonanza bypass us completely??
Well, this Eyewitness isn’t going to subscribe to any conspiracy theory about waiting for the Government to be changed until the big gushers are tapped. But it does make you wonder, doesn’t it?? One titbit adding to the sense of wonderment is the newly announced British High Commissioner. Relations from that direction have been testy of recent, no?
Well, the new fella has an interesting portfolio connected to oil. He was posted to Washington when Bush invaded Iraq for oil (and democracy!!). He was even seconded to the US State Department. Then he went to Kazakstan where he oversaw the quadrupling of British interests in Kazakhstan oil.
And now here he is in Guyana!
...monitoring media during elections
Yesterday, GECOM inducted Editors into the rules governing media coverage of the upcoming campaign. Shouldn’t they begin by pronouncing on the AFC’s promise to bring “Indian” votes to PNC/APNU?
Is GECOM allowing voting from India??
wednesday, february 18, 2015 |
Walter Rodney CoI:
Witness claims WPA members corrupted truth of Rodney’s death
Guyanese Social and Political Activist Holland
Gordon Yearwood told the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) probing Dr Walter Rodney’s death he was convinced that the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) executive members have “corrupted the truth” about the party’s co-founder’s demise.
Yearwood, also called “Jomo” and “Nigerian”, on Tuesday even pinpointed who he perceived as the guilty parties as he testified in the Walter Rodney CoI. The activist, who currently resides in French Guiana, was an independent political activist from Lot 6 Second Alley, Wismar, Linden, during the period 1978 to 1980. He told the Commission of events prior, during and after the death of Dr Rodney. The witness said he had no affiliation to any political party at the time, but would sometimes work with Dr Rodney, who was then Leader of the WPA.
After Yearwood made the statements about “corruption of the truth on the reality of how Walter Rodney died”, CoI Chairman Sir Richard Cheltenham asked the witness whom he thought was responsible for the corruption. Yearwood replied the executive members of the WPA, naming Dr Rupert Roopnaraine and Eusi Kwayana.
Yearwood had earlier related to the Commission that one year after Dr Rodney’s death in 1980, he migrated to the French territory and about three months after, he was informed that Gregory Smith was living there under the alias of Cyril Milton Johnson called “Jonno”. Smith, a former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) rank, has been fingered as the one who planted a bomb in the walkie-talkie device that exploded, killing the political activist and historian. Smith died in 1999 still living in Cayenne, French Guiana.
The witness recalled that he collected evidence of Smith’s presence in French Guiana, including photographs of his passport and in November 1981, he approached Dr Roopnaraine and two other WPA members, David Michael and Kwame Opata, both of whom were residing in Suriname. The activist said that the men had confirmed that the person was indeed Smith and together the four of them planned an operation to get Smith over to Suriname so that he could be captured.
Treachery He noted that in December he was supposed to collect two operatives at St Lawrence, French Guiana, who were tasked with getting Smith over to Suriname so that he can be captured
and placed before an international tribunal. However, the men never showed up so he left the operations down, but in March the following year he was visiting a friend in Suriname and had contacted David Michael, who then invited him over for dinner with himself and Opata.
During dinner, Yearwood disclosed that he was told “Brother Jomo, the man that you had identified and living in Cayenne is not Gregory Smith. Gregory Smith has been seen and positively identified in other South American country, leave the matter as it is!” The witness said that the two men were instructed by Central (WPA in Georgetown) to relate that information to him.
On this note, the witness fast tracked to 1986 when Smith has invited him to his house. During his visit, Yearwood revealed, Smith had confided in him his involvement in the activities that led to the death of the political activist and further cautioned him that Central would not let him pursue the matter.
“He said “Brother Jomo, if you should contact Central, I’m sure they would tell you leave the matter as it is… that had corroborated with what David Michael had told me,” the witness told the Commission. He further added that during his visit with Smith, the suspected killer narrated to him his life’s events such as meeting Dr Rodney, leaving Guyana after Rodney’s death and being stranded in Trinidad for three weeks , then returning to Guyana and moving to French Guiana.
Revelation
According to Yearwood, “in a whole context, he was saying that it was the WPA that was responsible for taking him through the whole situation and bringing him back from Trinidad to Kwakwani (Linden, Guyana) to Suriname where his passport was given to him by the WPA and a visa to travel to French Guiana.”
The witness continued detailing the conversation between himself and Smith, stating that he did not ask any questions, since he was stunned by what was being narrated to him. However, he admitted to the Commission that he asked one question on an issue that interested him.
“When he touched on the point of the detonators, I stopped him. I said can you give me a description of the detonators? … he did much more; he drew what a detonator looked like and passed it to me. My exact response to that was “Gregory, do you know that this was responsible for breaking up my home?”…” the witness recounted.
Earlier in his testimony, Yearwood had revealed to the Commission that some three weeks prior to his death on June 13, 1980,
Dr Rodney had gone to his house and they were conversing, when the then WPA leader passed something to him and asked “Brother
Jomo, can you put this into a circuit?”. The witness said that at the time he had no idea what the item was.
“I took it and I had it in my hand, then I asked what are they, his exact words were firing caps detonators ... I passed it back onto him because I told him I can’t bound it,” he noted. The man further mentioned that this incident caused problems between him and his wife and so he left the home to stay with his brother in Grove, East Bank Demerara. He added that while there he was heard about Dr Rodney’s death.
Yearwood went on to tell the Commission that after Smith’s death, his sister Anne Wagner contacted him and asked him to record some of his encounters with her brother. He noted that he did so and sent her the
recording via Smith’s wife, Debra Johnson, but the sister contacted him again sometime after.
He said that she had asked him to add some “more situations” to his recording, but he was not prepared to do that “because I was not prepared to give her something that I don’t know of”. The witness further explained that the sister wanted him to corroborate statements to show “the side of her brother”.
“Gregory Smith said yes that he had assisted Walter Rodney in putting the detonators in the device… she wanted me to deny that situation but I could not have,” Yearwood affirmed.
The CoI will continue today with the brother of Dr Rodney, Donald Rodney, returning to the stand to give further evidence in chief.
Guyanese activist Holland Yearwood
UGSS calls for resumption of negotiations
The University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS) is now calling for the Turkeyen Campus to return to a state of normalcy to allow for negotiations to resume.
In a statement issued recently, UGSS proposed that classes be resumed for a period of one week to pave way for negotiations to resume between the Labour Unions and the University’s Administration. But if this is not possible, the society said that the entire University should be shut
down to allow for the issue to be resolved.
The two-part proposal was presented to the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA), the University of Guyana Workers’ Union (UGWU) and the University’s Administration during a meeting held with the student body last Friday.
Though absent, the University’s Vice Chancellor, Dr Jacob Opadeyi was represented by the two Deputy Vice Chancellors during the tri-
partite meeting while the Unions were represented by UGSSA President, Dr Melissa Ifill and Economics Lecturer, Dr Thomas Singh.
The first proposal called for the return to normalcy between Monday to Friday for a week of negotiations to be possible between the Administration and the Unions. However, no specific Monday or Friday was detailed.
“If by Friday there is no agreement, the parties to the labour dispute should expect the inter-
vention of the Ministry of Labour through the mechanism of conciliation, pursuant to the statement of the Minister of Labour,” UGSS said in its release.
To also achieve the resumption of negotiations, the second proposal by the student society suggested that the University be closed for one week “for the primary reason of facilitating negotiations between the Unions and Administration, as well as to reduce the level of student disenfranchisement and inconvenience.”
In response to the proposals, the Unions indicated that were willing to work with the Administration for an interim offer so classes can be resumed.
The Administration had indicated that both suggestions by UGSS had merit. However, it was indicated that, no single party in the dispute has full control over all the factors in order to produce a “coherent package” and thereby a solution to the problem at hand. It was stated that once the agenda has been perused a response will be made.
It has been a month since UGSSA and UGWU have been protesting for better working conditions and increases in their wages, salaries and benefits. However, the last meeting between the Unions and the Administration ended on a sour note with the Administration refusing to resume negotiations under duress.
In order to achieve the objective of full resumption of normal classes, the UGSS Executive established a special committee (SC) which is charged with the mandate to achieve 100 per cent class resumption as soon as possible.
The Invisible Man
Satiricus was perplexed. “Flummoxed would be more like it,” he thought. He was wondering how the heck a fella could be made invisible! He just couldn’t figure it out. But the living proof was there for all NOT to see: the TrotterMan had disappeared.!! And he Trotter wasn’t exactly anorexic to begin with!!
As a kid, Satiricus had read about this Englishman who’d invented a way to make himself invisible. It had something to do with “refraction” and other such things that had made young Satiricus’ eyes glaze over in school. Physics (among most things that called for “maths”) wasn’t exactly Satiricus’ strong point.
Problem was, the Englishman didn’t know how to reverse the process and discovered that an “Invisible Man” just can’t have a life. While it was attractive for a while, that quickly wore thin…and he had to turn to a life of crime to survive. And Satiricus realised that TrotterMan was literally living out the story of the Invisible Man.
Here it was TrotterMan was a very prominent leader... being a co-leader of the KFC party and everything. He and RumJhaat had agreed to rotate leadership, but when RumJhaat’s turn came, TrotterMan balked. “Why should I step aside for that uncouth moron,” thought TrotterMan as he pouted and refused to step down.
But when he called for a vote, he lost and this infuriated the TrotterMan even more. Couldn’t they see how superior he was to RumJhaat??
He would never wipe his nose with the back of his hand! So he decided to make himself invisible - that would teach RumJhaat and all the other ingrates a lesson!! TrotterMan announced he had a “mysterious illness”, but it was actually self-induced, to create invisibility.
So gradually the TrotterMan was not seen nor heard from. He would show up at events but on account of his invisibility even cameras couldn’t pick him up for the news.
But RumJhaat saw the TrotterMan’s departure as an opportunity to remake the KFC in his image. He brought in his buddy, the Nagga Man, who not only wiped his nose with the back of his hand, but picked his nose and rolled the boogers with his fingers!
And lo and behold, GrainJa of the Pee-an-See saw value in their crassness since he felt that there were a lot of crass people out there who’d vote for Pee-an-See with them aboard. He made an offer that RumJhaat and Nagga Man couldn’t refuse.
And the TrotterMan was suddenly wishing he could be back in the KFC. He was even willing to wipe his nose with the back of his hand.
But he just couldn’t reverse his invisibility. He had lost corn and husk. “Would he now turn to a life of crime, like the original Invisible Man?” wondered Satiricus.
One of the many protest actions staged by UGSSA and UGWU
PPP/C peruses Berbicians’ petition to make Jagdeo PM
As campaigning for Elections 2015 intensifies, a group of Berbicians have signed a petition calling for former President Bharrat Jagdeo to be selected as the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Prime Ministerial candidate.
This comes weeks after a motion was filed in the High Court challenging the constitutionality of the two-term limit which was imposed on Guyanese Presidents since 2001.
PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee said the Party was examining the document and will make an announcement soon.
According to Rohee, the Party received a copy of the petition signed by residents in Regions Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), but there were several matters which it felt had to be clarified and as such, the Executive had arranged a meeting with the petitioners
for those matters to be addressed.
Rohee disclosed that this was accomplished and the petition, along with the information which was garnered from the residents, was subsequently submitted to the PPP/C’s Executive Committee for further discussions to take place.
Questioned by reporters on when a response can be expected, the General Secretary expressed that a response would be publicly given when the Party began its campaign for the upcoming General and Regional Elections scheduled for May 11. However, he could not state when the campaign would be launched.
According to the petition, the residents would like to see the former President given the portfolio of Prime Minister with responsibility for the Ministries of Agriculture and Natural Resources since they are of the opinion that he is the
Lindener refused bail on drug possession charge
Leroy Gunpatt of St Cuthbert’s Mission was refused bail on Tuesday for being in possession of 500 grams of cannabis on February 14. According to his Attorney Latchmee Rahaman, Gunpatt was being set up. She detailed that on Saturday, the 22-year-old man was in a car on the Linden highway with three other persons when the vehicle was searched by Police Officers.
She stated that the car was stopped around 19:00h, searched along with the men but no drug was found.
Attorney Rahaman stated that she is unable to understand how her client was charged from among the three men in the vehicle with him at the time and why he was charged, considering no drugs were found in the car he was in.
She explained that the Police had found the 500 grams of cannabis about 13 feet away from the car. The Attorney also added that a Police Officer had also stated that he had not seen anything thrown from the car. She stated that she would like to know the name of the Police Officer who would
have said otherwise.
Further, Attorney Rahaman opined that the story being told by the Police Officers appear to be a concoction, as no explanation was offered for the delay of the matter being brought to the court since the incident occurred on February 14. Also no explanation was offered regarding why the three other men were held with the defendant, if it was accepted as he was the one in possession of the drug by the Police.
However, Police Prosecutor Michael Grant stated that Gunpatt admitted to Police Officers that he had thrown the bag of cannabis out the window of the car.
Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, queried the distance the drug was found from the car the defendant was in. Once this was clarified, along with the filed statements from the prosecution, Chief Magistrate SewnarineBeharry refused Attorney Rahaman’s request for bail. She told the defendant that his trial was set for February 24 and the matter transferred to the Christiansburg Magistrate’s Court.
Alexander Village man pleads guilty to verbally abusing Constable
First Street Alexander Village resident, Muneshwar Persaud on Tuesday pleaded guilty to the charge of using abusive language against Rural Constable Castello when he appeared at the Georgetown
only person who can solve the mountain of issues plaguing the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).
Meanwhile, Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Anil Nandlall and Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman, the defendants in the case challenging the constitutionality of the presidential term limit, have responded by filing their Rights to Appeal.
In the writ filed February 2, the plaintiff 50-year-old Cedric Richardson claims
that Act No 17 of 2001, passed by two-third majority of members of the National Assembly that altered Article 90 of the Constitution, “curtails and restricts the sovereign and democratic rights and freedom as a qualified elector to elect the person of former President Jagdeo as the Executive President of Guyana”.
The former Head of State is the only one to whom the constitutional provisions apply, since all other former Presidents have passed away.
Man gets 15 hours community service for illegal garbage dumping
Ernest Jarod who lives in Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara, was sentenced to 15 hours of community service after pleading guilty for depositing waste in the public viewing on Hadfield Street, Georgetown, on Saturday.
Jarod was called before Magistrate Geeta ChandanEdmond in Court 10 of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday, where he pleaded guilty to the charge.
Magistrate ChandanEdmond sentenced the de-
fendant to community service after he stated that he would not do it again.
She detailed that the defendant is to report to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts everyday between 09:00h and 16:00h until his sentence is fulfilled.
Jarod asked to be excused for Tuesday as his finger needed medical attention. Magistrate Chandan-Edmond granted his request. He starts his community service today.
Magistrates’ Courts. Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry placed him on a one-year bond to keep the peace.. If this is not done, the defendant faces two years imprisonment.
“OmNamah Shivaya” was chanted throughout the day Tuesday, as Hindus across Guyana and around the world observed Maha Shiv Ratri (the Great Night of Lord Shiva). This sixsyllable mantra is considered to be one of the most powerful mantras and is sung by devotees in prayers and meditation with divine love, grace, truth and blissfulness to the supreme Lord Shiva. Shiva is known as the Destroyer, the most powerful god of the Hindu pantheon member of the Hindu Trinity, the other two being (the Creator) and Lord Vishnu (the Preserver). names – Mahadeva, Pashupati, Nataraja, Bhairava, Bhole Nath – Lord Shiva is perhaps ities.
Appearance and attributes
The Trishul (Trident) in his right hand represents knowledge, desire and implementation.
- Maa Ganga on his head represents the fying the flow of scriptural teachings generation to the next.
- The crescent moon, tucked the Lord is the master of time and
- He is often referred to as Tryambaka third eye of knowledge which, if person in its vision. It is the and ignorance.
- He wears the tiger fearless.
- The Rudraksha mala in the right tion.
- The serpent on his neck signifies the ego which once mastered can be worn as an ornament.
- The Damroo (Drum) symbolises sound, which represents the words of the Vedas, the Holy Scriptures given by the Lord to guide us through life.
- Nandi is the Bull of Lord Shiva and is said to be his vehicle. The bull is a symbol of both power and ignorance, which suggests that Lord Shiva removes ignorance of his devotees and gives them the power of wisdom.
Significance of Shivratri:
It is believed that on the day of Maha Shiv Ratri, Lord Shiva revealed his Lingam form.
- Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati got married on
- He drank the poison Halahal that emerged churning of Kshir Sagar (the milky ocean) and world from humanity on this day. As an effect of son, his throat turned blue.
- Lord Shiva is known as Nataraja (the Dance) and on the night of Maha Shiv Ratri, he reveal Tandava Nritya (Dance). The Tandava divine dance performed by Lord Shiva. Shiva’s orous dance that is the source of the cycle of creation, lution. This dance depicts his violent nature as - Also, on this day Maa Parvati performed strict Shivratri is considered auspicious en. Married women pray for bands and sons, while an ideal husband like Maa Parvati.
Devotees of Lord ship of Shivratri with care serve day and night fast and Shiva Lingam with honBut generally it is who utters the ing Shivratri devotion is He or she Shiva and is libcle of birth and May the blesswith you on this auspiand may his glorious tributes remind us of strive to lift ourselves
A religious performances at the Cove and John Ashram
A young lady performing hawan at a mandir in Diamond, East Bank Demerara on Maha Shivratri Night
Namah Shivaya” (Devika
A young lady collecting her sweetmeat before she departs the Cove and John Ashram after receiving her blessings
Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy Bryan Hunt attending the celebrations at the Cove and John Ashram
A group of ladies worshipping Lord Shiva at the Cove and John Ashram
The beautifully dressed ladies wait their turn to pray to Lord Hanuman, an avatar of Lord Shiva
A young St Joseph High School Student took time off from school to receive her blessings at the Cove and John Ashram
Many gather at the entrance of the Cove and John Ashram
throughout across world obGreat sixconsidered powerful devotees with diblissful-
Shiva. Destroyer, the Hindu pantheon and the third the other two being Lord Brahma Vishnu (the Preserver). Known by many Pashupati, Nataraja, Bhairava, Vishwanath, Shiva is perhaps the most complex of Hindu de-
Appearance and attributes of Lord Shiva: his right hand represents the three powers of implementation.
head represents the Ganges (the holy river) signiscriptural teachings passing wisdom from one the next.
crescent moon, tucked into his hair, symbolises that master of time and is himself timeless. referred to as Tryambaka Deva, because of his knowledge which, if opened, reduces to ashes the vision. It is the symbol of the destroyer of evil ignorance.
- He wears the tiger skin, as he is said to be fearless.
- The Rudraksha beads denote purity. The mala in the right hand symbolises concentration.
- The serpent on his neck signifies the ego which once mastered can be worn as ornament. symbolises words of the given by the Lord Shiva and is bull is a symbol which suggests ignorance of his devopower of wisdom.
Shivratri: day of Maha Shiv Lingam form.
Parvati got married on this day. Halahal that emerged during the milky ocean) and saved the day. As an effect of the poi-
as Nataraja (the Lord of Maha Shiv Ratri, he is said to (Dance). The Tandava dance is a Lord Shiva. Shiva’s Tandava is described as a vigof the cycle of creation, preservation and dissoviolent nature as the Destroyer of the universe. Parvati performed strict penance for Lord Shiva. auspicious especially for womfor the well-being of their husunmarried women pray for Shiva, who is the spouse of Shiva perform the ritual worcare and devotion. They oband give sacred baths to the ey, milk, and water, etc. believed that anyone name of Shiva durwith true and pure freed from all sins. reaches the abode of erated from the cydeath.
Devotees celebrate Maha Shiv Ratri
Thousands of Hindu devotees thronged temples and offered special prayers across the country on Tuesday to mark the auspicious occasion of Maha Shiv Ratri.
Many gathered among friends and families in temples throughout the country as they observed this holy day.
The Cove and John Ashram, also known as the Guyana Sevashram Sangha, attracted a large number of devotees who came out since 05:00h to offer prayers to the Lord Shiva.
Devotees also used this opportunity to worship the other gods in the Ashram, including Goddess Mother Latchmi and Lord Hanuman.
Among those in attendance
during the celebrations were First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy Bryan Hunt, and former Finance Minister Sasenarine Kowlessar.
Many gathered to listen at the Ashram to the beautiful speeches of love, peace and harmony, melodious bhagans and the chanting of mantras such as “Om Namaha Shivaya”.
In addition, sweetmeats and the famous delicacy – seven curry were distributed to everyone who attended.
According to Hindu mythology, Maha Shiv Ratri is associated with the marriage of Shiva and Parvati and is observed on the 13th night-14th day of the Hindu month of Phalguna every year.
The proceedings will continue until daylight today at 05:30h, concluding the celebrations with a guru and aarati. (Devina Samaroo)
ings of Lord Shiva be cious occasion and always, and divine power and atour own abilities as we to greater heights. “Om Rajkissoon)
Devotees throwing rice in the fire as they worship Lord Shiva at the Radha Krishna Mandir on Maha Shivratri Night
A large crowd at the Radha Krishna Mandir as they listen to the meaningful sermon
A pandit delivering a powerful message about peace at the Radha Krishna Mandir
A devotee performing aarati on Lord Shiva at the Radha Krishna Mandir
Several children worshipping Lord Shiva and Maa Pavatri at the Radha Krishna Mandir
Worshippers chanting as they wait their turn to receive blessings from Goddess Latchmi
3 days of mourning for Haiti carnival float victims
Three days of mourning have been declared in Haiti after a power line fell on to a carnival float in the capital, Port au Prince.
At least 16 people died in the accident, prompting officials to cancel the final day of the carnival.
Witnesses said someone on the float used a stick to move the power line to let the float pass, the Associated Press news agency reported.
Some of the victims were electrocuted while others died in the ensuing panic. Officials said a further 78 people had been injured.
Haitian Prime Minister Evans Paul said a silent parade would be held later on Tuesday to honour the dead.
Those in attendance will wear white and march along the Champ de Mars where the accident occurred.
The three days of mourning will officially begin today, with flags to be flown at half-mast. A state funeral will be held for the victims on Saturday.
The float, one of 16 in the parade, was sponsored by the Haitian hip-hop group Barikad Crew.
The power line struck the group’s singer Fantom, who remains in hospital in critical condition.
Hundreds of people were reported to have gathered outside the hospital, waiting for news of their loved ones.
Haitian President Michel Martelly gave his condolences to the victims on Twitter.
“My sincere sympathy to the victims of the serious incident at Champ de Mars on the second day of carnival,” the President tweeted in French.
Witnesses said some people managed to jump off the float, causing panic amid the crowd surrounding it. (Excerpt from BBC News)
US, Cuba to meet Feb 27; Senators see path for end to embargo
The United States and Cuba will hold a second round of talks in Washington next week aimed at restoring diplomatic relations, the State Department said on Tuesday, as US Democratic senators visiting Havana said there may be enough support among Republicans to lift a trade embargo on Cuba.
“The talks will be held on the 27th (of February) here at the State Department,” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told a daily briefing for reporters.
The sides held historic negotiations in Havana last month and the next round is seen by US officials as critical to fleshing out details on re-establishing ties.
In particular, the United States wants to reopen the US embassy in Havana be-
fore Cuba is officially removed from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism. It also wants travel restrictions on US diplomatic staff in Cuba lifted.
Cuba made clear in last month’s talks that it first wants to be removed from the terrorism list and wants Washington to halt support for Cuban political dissidents, a step the United States has firmly rejected.
The two countries agreed on December 17 to begin the process of restoring ties after more than five decades of hostility. US President Barack Obama has already started to lift barriers to trade and travel.
While renewing diplomatic relations could happen quickly, the process to normalise, including removing the US trade embargo, will take far longer. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Opposition alliance ousts Denzil Douglas in St Kitts and Nevis
An alliance of three opposition parties won parliamentary elections in St. Kitts and Nevis, denying the former governing party and its prime minister a fifth consecutive term in power, officials said Tuesday.
Outgoing Prime Minister Denzil Douglas conceded defeat late Tuesday afternoon, extending his congratulations to the Team Unity coalition led by Timothy Harris, a former minister in his Cabinet. “I wish our newly elected government well,” said Douglas, who had been prime minister since 1995.
Harris, the Prime Minister-elect for his bloc as it prepares to begin a fiveyear term, called it a “great day” for the twin-island country, which is one of the smallest nations in the world with roughly 55,000 inhabitants. Final results from Monday’s election were still pending, but the Team Unity alliance said it won at least seven of the 11 seats in Parliament.
Elections Supervisor Wingrove George was widely criticized earlier Tuesday after
he suspended reporting of partial results. The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States and other observers called for ballot counting to be expedited. Political leaders from other regional nations said George’s office needed to hurry up and deliver the results, which had been expected early in the day since St. Kitts and Nevis has only about 36,000 registered voters. “The region’s reputation for democracy and for free and fair elections will be under threat as long as this issue in St. Kitts and Nevis re-
mains unresolved,” Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said in a statement.
George told state-owned radio and TV station ZIZ that some candidates were contesting preliminary results, slowing an official announcement from his office. “We don’t want to hurriedly make decisions and determinations that we can’t recall,” George was quoted as saying.
Several groups and regional Prime Ministers had expressed concerns over the delay in announcing the results.
CARICOM Chairman, Prime Minister Perry Christie of The Bahamas said the Caribbean Community was extremely concerned that the results of the preliminary count of the elections has not been officially declared, and he has called on the Supervisor of Elections to do so without further delay. The CARICOM Chairman had also called on all concerned to fulfil their obligations in the electoral process, respect the will of the people and ensure that
Jamaica: Ministry targets 195,000 children for measles immunisation
Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Marion Bullock-DuCasse moved to reassure the President of the Paediatric Association of Jamaica that children in the four to six age group will not be excluded from the national Measles Prevention Campaign that is set to run from February 16 to May 8, 2015.
The J$54.4 million mass immunisation campaign, which was launched at the Office of the Prime Minister
in Kingston on Monday, will target 195,000 children from ages one to six for vaccination. The three-phase campaign will run concurrently in all parishes.
President of the association, Tracia James-Powell, Monday questioned whether the Ministry’s push to offer the booster dose of Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine at 18 months, instead of the original four to six years, will affect
the immunisation coverage for that age group. She raised the concern in relation to the disclosure made by Minister of Health Dr Fenton Ferguson that there is a gap, as current immunisation statistics reveal that measles vaccination has fluctuated from a low of 81 per cent in 2011 to a high of 94 per cent in 2013, with the coverage for the second dose being even lower.(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)
the democratic traditions of the Caribbean Community are upheld. Prime Minister Christie congratulated the people of St. Kitts and Nevis for the peaceful manner in which the voting was conducted, despite some challenges.
The CARICOM Observer Mission commended the people of St. Kitts and Nevis for
their enlightened response to the challenges connected to Monday’s general elections. The Mission said the maturity of their response resulted in the satisfactory conclusion of all the activities on Elections day. The CARICOM Secretariat, at the invitation of the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, sent a Mission to observe the national Elections that were held on 16 February 2015. The CARICOM Observer Mission comprised Ambassador Rudy Collins Head of Mission and former Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission and Mr. Anthonyson King of the Elections Commission of Antigua and Barbuda. The Mission, which arrived just two days before Election Day, focused on the conduct of the Elections itself. It visited all of the constituencies in St. Kitts and the electoral districts in Nevis and observed the activities at over
fifty polling stations. The elections process, the Mission said in its legal, institutional and operational aspects, presented numerous challenges that had the potential to disturb and even disrupt the electors’ peaceful exercise of their franchise. “The CARICOM Observer Mission wishes to commend the voters and indeed the people of St. Kitts and Nevis for their enlightened response to these challenges. The maturity of their response resulted in the satisfactory conclusion of all the activities on Elections day, free of any significant incident that would inhibit the exercise of their democratic right to vote for the candidate of their choice. Against this background therefore the CARICOM Observer Mission is deeply concerned at the delay in publicly communicating the results of the respective choices made by the voters on Elections day.”
Argentina asks US to include 1994 bombing in Iran nuclear talks
Argentina wants the United States to help it get to the bottom of a deadly 1994 bombing at the heart of a current political scandal by including the crime in the US nuclear talks with Iran, its Foreign Minister said on Tuesday.
Argentine courts have accused a group of Iranians of planning the attack on the AMIA Jewish community centre that killed 85 people.
The unresolved crime was the backdrop for the January 18 death of the prosecutor who headed the AMIA investigation, a mys-
tery that has damaged confidence in Argentina’s justice system and thrown the Government into turmoil.
Foreign Minister Hector Timerman released a letter to his US counterpart John Kerry in which he said Argentina had made the request before.
“I am asking you again that the AMIA issue be included in the negotiations with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” it said.
Days before being found shot dead, Alberto Nisman had accused President Cristina Fernandez of con-
spiring with Iran to whitewash the crime in order to clinch a grains-for-oil deal.
The death shocked Argentina as election season approaches and the economy teeters on the brink of recession. Pressure is mounting on Fernandez to find a way out of the scandal in time to help allied candidates in the October General Election.
The United States and its partners in the nuclear negotiations with Iran have sought to keep talks strictly focused on concerns over Iran’s atomic programme.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
The float was struck by a power line, electrocuting several people
Outgoing Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr Denzil Douglas
Incoming Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Timothy Harris
Around the World
US judge in Texas blocks Obama’s immigration plan
AJudge in Texas has temporarily blocked President Barack Obama’s orders to shield millions of people who are in the United States illegally, backing 26 states that argued Obama had overstepped his legal authority.
The White House said on Tuesday
that the Department of Justice would appeal the action by US District Judge Andrew Hanen in Brownsville, a city along the Texas border with Mexico.
Hanen has previously issued opinions critical of the Obama Administration’s enforcement of immigration laws. An appeal of the judge’s
temporary injunction would go to the majority conservative 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.
It was not immediately clear what impact Monday’s injunction would have on the fight in the Republican-led US Congress over legislation passed by the House of Representatives to allow funding for the Department of Homeland Security only if Obama’s immigration actions were nullified.
Hanen blocked the federal Government from carrying out executive orders announced by Obama on November 20. The judge hemmed in Obama’s exertion of executive power that has drawn the ire of Republican elected officials who say he exceeded his constitutional authority.
“Judge Hanen’s decision rightly stops the president’s overreach in its tracks,” said Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott, whose state spearheaded the lawsuit.
Obama’s executive orders would let up to 4.7 million of the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States stay without threat of deportation. It was aimed mainly at helping 4.4 million people whose children are US citizens or legal permanent residents. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Ukraine truce unravels as battle rages, arms pullback stalls
Pro-Russian rebels and Government forces fought street-to-street in a strategic town in east Ukraine on Tuesday and refused to pull back their heavy guns, all but scuppering hopes that a Europeanbrokered peace deal will end months of conflict.
Two days after a truce went into effect, the agreement reached at all-night talks in the Belarussian capital Minsk last Thursday
was unravelling rapidly.
The Moscow-backed rebels say the ceasefire does not apply to the main battle front at the town of Debaltseve, astride a railway hub, where they have a Ukrainian military garrison surrounded. They have continued an all-out assault.
Kiev acknowledged that rebels had fought their way into the town and captured some of its troops defending it.
Both sides had been due to being withdrawing heavy guns on Tuesday, but Kiev says it cannot do so as long as the rebels show no sign of halting their advance.
Reuters journalists near the snowbound front line said artillery rounds rocked Debaltseve every five seconds and black smoke rose skywards as Grad rockets pounded the town.
“Eighty per cent of Debaltseve is already ours,”
said Eduard Basurin, a rebel leader. “A cleanup of the town is under way. Kiev’s military denied the town, which had a peacetime population of 25,000 but is now a bombed-out wasteland, had fallen but acknowledged losing control of some of it.
Some Ukrainian soldiers had been captured, it said, but denied rebel reports that up to 300 had surrendered or been taken prisoner. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Egypt calls for foreign intervention in Libya
Egypt has called for a UN resolution mandating international intervention in Libya a day after its jets reportedly targeted fighters in the wartorn country pledging allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said “there is no choice” but to create a global coalition to confront Libya’s rival militias, in an interview aired on Tuesday with France’s Europe 1 radio.
“We have abandoned the
Libyan people as prisoners of the militias ... the militias have to give up their arms and must work in a civil context.”
Authorities in Libya have struggled to confront the armed groups which fought to oust long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi, who was overthrown and killed three years ago.
Rival groups have battled each other amid disputes over ways of governing the country and sharing its oil wealth. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
Indian PM warns against religious attacks
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to protect all religious groups after a string of attacks on churches in Delhi.
Addressing a Christian audience in the capital, he called on all religious groups to show restraint and respect.
Since December, five churches have been attacked, but this is the first time Modi has commented on the issue. Critics say his Government is not doing enough to stop the targeting of minorities.
“I condemn violence against any religion. We will act strongly against
such violence,” Modi said at a conference organised by Christian groups in Delhi on Tuesday.
“My Government will not allow any group belonging to majority or minority to incite hatred against other communities.”
Modi also said that “ev -
Blasts at Opposition rally in Nigeria’s Rivers State
Gunfire and explosions have rocked an Opposition rally in Nigeria’s oil-rich region of Rivers State, the Governor of the southern state has said.
Al Jazeera’s Yvonne Ndege, reporting from Abuja, said that the Opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) had been holding a rally in the state.
Five explosions and a burst of gunfire hit the rally of Dakuku Peterside, the APC candidate for Governor in the town of Okrika, with his supporters running for safety.
Several people were wounded, witnesses and the APC incumbent governor of the state, Rotimi Amaechi said.
The cause of the explosion was not immediately known but caused chaos just as the campaign rally was set to start, witnesses said.
Political tension has raged in Rivers since outgoing Governor Rotimi
Amaechi defected to the APC from the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2013.
Separately, eleven people were killed near the northeast Nigerian town of Biu on Tuesday, where at least three explosions struck a military checkpoint witnesses and vigilantes told the AFP news agency.
Witness Auwalu Ibrahim, a local pro-Government vigilante, told the Reuters news agency on Tuesday that there were children around the checkpoint when the blasts went off.
Gana Sheriff, another vigilante, said the attack happened at about 13:00h (12:00 GMT) at Yamarkumi village, four kilometres from Biu in Borno state.
“It was a suicide attack by three men in a motorised tricycle,” Sheriff said.
“They killed 11 people, including Civilian JTF (Joint Task Force) and child vendors at the checkpoint. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
Myanmar declares state of emergency in war-torn region
Myanmar has declared a state of emergency in a conflict-torn border region where fighting between the army and ethnic rebels has forced tens of thousands of civilians to flee.
“A serious situation has developed that has put people’s lives at risk, so a state of emergency has been declared starting from today,” the country’s Ministry of Information said on Tuesday, in a statement outlining the measures in the Kokang region of Shan state.
eryone has the undeniable right to retain or adopt the religion of his or her choice without coercion or undue influence”.
Christian groups accuse hard-line Hindu of carrying out the recent attacks, but Police say there is little evidence for this.
(Excerpt from BBC News)
In a separate announcement, the Ministry said Myanmar’s army chief now had full control of “rule of law and stability” in the area.
Tens of thousands of refugees have fled Kokang into the neighbouring Chinese province of Yunnan over the past week, amid the ongoing fighting.
Lin Sen, a volunteer helping refugees in Yunnan,
told the AP news agency on Tuesday that he estimated 30,000 to 50,000 refugees had escaped the conflict in Kokang over the past week. Also on Tuesday, the Reuters news agency reported that Red Cross volunteers, who are helping the refugees, came under attack from unknown armed men, resulting in two injuries. Kokang is dominated by ethnic Han Chinese, and the region has been embroiled in fights since conflicts between the armed group Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and government troops intensified on February 9. At least 47 Myanmar soldiers and 26 fighters have been killed since fighting broke out.
Htun Myat Lin, the rebel group’s General Secretary, told AP that the group is seeking autonomy for Kokang and its ethnic Han Chinese people. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)
The executive orders would let up to 4.7 million of the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States stay without threat of deportation
Rebels have complained that the ethnic Han Chinese have been treated as second-class citizens in Myanmar (Reuters)
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi
wednesday, february 18, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com
NAPS corrects KN report on HIV/AIDS funding
The Ministry of Health’s National Aids Programme Secretariat (NAPS) has dismissed, as misleading an article, published in the Kaieteur News, on Sunday titled “US$9 million HIV funding hinges on Guyana’s drug procurement practices.”
Speaking to the media at NAPS’ boardroom on Tuesday, Director, Dr Shanti Singh, pointed out that the article touched on many areas and the information was totally incorrect. On the first, which was ‘transparency and accountability,’ she said that it was stated in the article that Guyana had received additional funding, which was hinged on “transparency benchmarks.”
She dismissed this statement by pointing out that while the country had received approval from the Global Fund for a US$9M grant; it is not hinged on such benchmarks. Dr. Singh explained that the first grant agreement, between NAPS and Global Fund was signed in 2005; this agreement was for a five-year period, after which application for another grant would have been needed. However, due to the country’s good performance, Global Fund suggested that Guyana submit a rolling continuation channel, and not a
new proposal for additional funds.
This agreement was signed for a six-year period, and was supposed to have come to an end in 2014, but Global Fund once gain requested that the country re-programme its grant, extending it to 2017.
She added that globally, all Principal Recipients (PR) of Global Fund are guided by clear benchmarks for transparency. Also governance for all programmes in Guyana is given through the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM), which is an independent board, comprising members from the government, faith-based organisations, HIV patients, and civil society organisations.
In relation to the
procurement of AntiRetrovirals (ARVs), Guyana receives these drugs from the Global Fund’s Voluntary Pooled Procurement (VPP), which is a strategy that was developed to support countries. The only role that the country plays in this process is quantifying the amount required, and submitting the proposal to the VPP. This process takes into consideration the amount of ARVs in stock at the treatment centers and Materials Management Unit (MMU), and then a proposal is made on how much the country would need for a five- year period.
Despite the country receiving this medication for a five- year period, an annual exercise is conducted, as more persons are diagnosed and placed on treatment. Approximately US$450,000 worth of ARVs is utilised annually. The Guyana HIV programme has made significant progress in reversing the HIV epidemic with reduced National HIV prevalence of 1.3 %. HIV prevention initiatives have ensured that more Guyanese knowing their HIV status. The prevalence among antenatal attendees decreased from 2.3% in 2004 to 0.8% at the end of 2013. (GINA)
“Mash
up the Bank” activities set for this weekend
In an effort to promote the hotel and bring Mashramani celebrations to the East Bank of Demerara, the Park Vue Hotel and Lounge is set to host a round of activities this weekend under the cap-
tion “Mash up the Bank.” Come Saturday, the “Mash up the Bank” celebrations will kick off with energetic performances featuring Jumo ‘Rubber Waist’ Primo, Kwasi ‘Ace’ Edmondson and Mr Freeman with music
Corentyne smash-up:
powered by Power Tech.
The following day, Park Vue will host a grand pool party to usher in the Republic Day celebration.
Marketing Manager Clinton Rutherford said the idea is to create an activity similar to J’ouvert. J’ouvert is widely recognised in the Caribbean as a massive celebration during carnival season.
The event, which will be free, will cater for both children and adults.
There will be SpongeBob and face painting for the children, and cool, refreshing drinks for the adults. The Park Vue Hotel and Lounge is located at Farm, East Bank Demerara.
Mother, baby flung out of bus
Four persons are still hospitalised following the accident at Wellington Park public road Corentyne Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) which left one woman dead on Monday.
Two of the nine injured are currently receiving medical attention at the New Amsterdam Hospital while two have been transferred to the Georgetown Hospital for further evaluation. Among them is a one year old baby.
Those injured are Dhanwattie Sahial 52, of Number 47 Village Corentyne, Filoleena Charlene 1-yearold and Adisha Khedaroo 24, both of Brighton Village Corentyne, Michael Guverus 32, of Skeldon, Boodram Sahadeo 35, of Number 46 Village Corentyne, Trellon Archibald Number 30, of 53 Village Shonette Prince 20, of Brighton Village Corentyne, Meenawattie Bissember 21, of Bush Lot Village Corentyne,
Minnow fissions:
Naomi Mc Bean 35, of Kiltern Village Corentyne, Erwin Scarville 25, of Nicolay Street New Amsterdam.
Dead is Vidwattie Persaud 43, called ‘Bedoo’ of Number 43 Village Corentyne.
Meanwhile, one of the survivors Adisha Khedaroo told this publication that at the time of the accident she was nursing her 1-year-old baby. “When the bus lash we bus, me an me baby fling out because we was just behind the conductor… Me pelt out ah de window and end up underneath the bus.”
The infant received injuries to the head, including lacerations to the left eye.
The baby Filoleena Charlene was later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital. Dhanwattie Sahial who was also transferred to the city is said to be in a stable condition. Meanwhile Khedaroo and Trellon Archibald remain pa-
tients at the New Amsterdam Hospital.
The others who were injuries have been treated at the Port Mourant Hospital and sent away.
Archibald was driving a minibus BSS 2229 at the time of the accident. According to the police, the minibus was being driven at a fast rate of speed travelling east when another minibus plated BRR 6403 traveling in the opposite direction, in the vicinity of Wellington Park Primary School suddenly swerved across the roadway to put off a passenger.
Minibus BRR 6403 is owned and driven by Ghirdial Heralall 41, of Number 51 Village, Corentyne. Meanwhile as police continue to investigate one driver is in custody assisting with the investigation.
A post mortem examination is expected to be conducted on the body of Vidyawattie Persaud shortly.
URP split over ganja stance
...new party to contest elections
Ras Leon Saul has walked away from his position as General Secretary of the United Republican Party (URP) due to differing views over the legalisation of marijuana and has since formed the ‘Healing the Nation Theocracy Party’ (HTNTP).
The presidential candidate of the URP Vishnu Bandhu and the possible presidential candidate of HTNTP Ras Leon Saul both insisted that the parting was amicable. In explaining the conflict, Bandhu said Saul had vied for the legalisation of the drug on the grounds that it is a customary practice in the Rastafarian community but he was entirely against it.
“We don’t want to legalise marijuana. He wanted to so I told him that if that’s what he wanted then he can go form his own party,” Bandhu
told this publication.
Bandhu asserted that the legalisation of such a drug in a vulnerable society like Guyana will only bring chaos.
“People are not going to use it for medical purposes, they are going to abuse it and then we will have mad people on the roads because that’s what it does to you. Maybe in the future we may look at legalising it, but for medical purposes, not to smoke whole day.”
Bandhu further rebuked other political parties who have announced their intent to go this route. “Those parties want to legalise it but it’s not the same like alcohol and cigarette like they said. It’s much more dangerous, it’s stronger and I don’t know why they would want that in our society.”
Meanwhile, Saul said disagreement on several other issues have contributed
to his departure and eventual formation of a new political party. He disclosed that the HTNTP registered at the Guyana Elections Commission on January 23 and will be contesting the General and Regional Elections slated for May 11.
“Myself and other brothers from the Rastafarian community came together and decided we wanted this,” Saul told Guyana Times Their symbol which is a lion, intends to represent “a lion of a different roar”.
According to a press release, “Healing the Nation Theocracy Party will eradicate poverty in Guyana and legalise ganja! Jah Lives!” Alfred Park, famous for his weekly programme “Healing the Nation” on HBTV Channel 9, is the Chairman of the newly founded party while Saul again General Secretary.
The Park Vue Hotel and Lounge
NAPS Director, Dr Shanti Singh
Labour Ministry willing, able and prepared to mediate in UG stand-off
Dear Editor,
We wish to refer to several utterances which have been attributed to officers attached to the unions operating at the University of Guyana (UG) and which have appeared in various sections of the media.
While we are still awaiting a formal response to our letter dated 11th February, 2015 to the president of the University of Guyana Workers’ Union (UGWU) which was copied to the other union, we take this opportunity to respectfully respond to some of the inaccuracies and innuendoes, ascribed to them. At best the union’s comments can only be described as unfortunate.
Without hesitation, we wish to make it absolutely clear, that the contents and intention of our aforementioned letter were intended to foster an amicable resolution to the current impasse between the Unions and the University’s administration.
We note with much concern, the unfounded and unsubstantiated accusation that our letter merely reflected the positions of the Minister of Labour.
As a matter of fact, we would not only submit that such an accusation is baseless and without merit, but we would conclude, also that it stands in contradistinction to the fact that the Ministry of Labour in
general and the Labour Department in particular functions in a most ethical and professional manner.
We are not in the habit of discussing or debating with anyone via the media, but we take this opportunity to invite the union officials or anyone else for that matter, to point out at least a single instance or one area in which our letter is,in any way related to anything which the Hon. Minister of Labour, may have said in connection with the issue under focus.
We wish to reiterate that impartiality and neutrality have always been and will continue to be the hallmark of this Ministry’s conduct.
A careful reading of our letter would reveal that we merely sought to highlight where that Unions would have violated the tenets of prudent industrial relations practices.
Rather than embarking upon ill-advised and ill-informed accusations against this ministry, the Unions may find it more productive and useful to examine their own roles and agendas in the matter under the spotlight.
We wish to reiterate that it may not be useful for this Ministry to intervene in any dispute until and unless both parties in such a dispute have indicated that they have a genuine willingness to discuss
whatever is the issue at hand.
In view of the foregoing, we are pleased to advise that the Ministry is always willing, able and prepared to meet and discuss, in an objective manner, once the parties so mutually express a desire to meet.
At no time did this Ministry abdicate its responsibility to resolve this or any other issue, no matter how small or great. We need not restate that no dispute or grievance is beyond our capacity.
May we once again indicate that we would be most pleased, if we can be of help to the parties to bring a closure to this seemingly contentious matter.
In closing, it must be emphasized that our letter of 11th February, 2015 represents a sterling effort, not only to break the current impasse, but also to present a Win-Win solution to all stakeholders.
We wish to be advised –by the unions- on any aspect of our letter which could be considered bias and against the principles of good industrial relations practices. Indeed, we are confident that our stance is supported by established norms and theories which have withstood the test of time.
We must add that advantage can still be taken of the proposed Winwin resolution, by having
an urgent cessation, of the strike and returning to the bargaining table which is the place for the settling of differences.
If only for academic purposes we must add that it is an unshakable fact that in many instances, the threat of a strike can be even more effective than the strike itself.
Indeed, the unions having made their point via the current strike action, they may find that it is
now time to move the process forward and put this matter to rest amicably.
Our guarantee relative to the following still stands: There shall be no victimization on either side, and everything associated with the status quo ante shall prevail.
After all, they will agree that nowhere in the civilized world can trade unions act in breach of the fundamental principles of Industrial Relations to the
benefit of itself and those whom they seek to represent.
Our suggestion to cause the strike to be terminated so that the process of negotiations can continue in an atmosphere of normalcy is still very much alive, and the unions may wish to take advantage of it.
Charles Ogle Chief Labour Occupational Safety and Health Officer
Preventing measles
Dear Editor,
The Ministry of Health has intensified efforts to prevent the reintroduction of measles into Guyana following the outbreak of this infectious disease in the United States of America and other parts of the world. Indigenous Measles and Rubella were eliminated from Guyana and the Region of the Americas in 2002 and 2009 respectively, but remained endemic in some WHO regions. These outbreaks, occurring since 2013, pose a threat to the Caribbean Sub Region including Guyana.
Immunization coverage nationally over the last five years is reported above 97 per cent, but varies across the regions and is lower in
rural and remote areas of Guyana, with small pockets of vulnerable persons including children and adults existing.
With this background, the Ministry would like to advice all travellers into Guyana with a fever with rash along with a cough or running nose or pink/red eye to please contact a doctor or the nearest health center within your community immediately.
Persons who reside in Guyana especially children, who may have been in contact with a traveller with these symptoms are also requested to seek immediate medical attention
We encourage visitors with the above symptoms to: avoid extensive travel around the country while
ill, and avoid close contact with especially young children (under five) in the household during the first seven days of the appearance of a rash.
Please note that good hand hygiene (washing and sanitizing), cough etiquette (cover cough) and early medical treatment can reduce the risk of measles and other infection.
In addition, all persons (adults and children over one) who have not received two doses of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella Vaccines (MMR) should visit the nearest health center to be vaccinated.
Please bring your vaccination cards to the health centres.
Ministry of Health
SUDOKU
ARIES (March 21April 19)
TAURUS (April 20May 20)
(May 21June 20)
CANCER
Join a group that will help you to develop your skills, knowledge and social ability. Extracurricular activities will keep you entertained, enlightened and interesting. Partnerships are encouraged.
Don’t allow romance to interfere with your performance. You will excel in both aspects of life if you set boundaries. Keep your love and work lives strictly separate.
The success you are after will be yours if you can employ your ability to win allies. Your charisma is an asset; don’t be shy, use it.
LEO (July 23Aug. 22)
VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)
Someone will take advantage of your good nature. Stick to what you know and refuse to let anyone talk you into doing something that could jeopardize your reputation.
You’ll have trouble making up your mind. Refrain from making a hasty decision. Get the facts first if you want to avoid backtracking. Time is on your side.
Jealousy will mount at work due to false information being spread. Don’t be too trusting or gossipy. Keep your personal details private, and don’t encourage hearsay.
LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)
Take time to do things that you enjoy. Get together with a friend or join the youngsters in your life for some playtime. Do whatever takes your mind off uncertainties and eases your stress.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)
Relationships with the people you live with will be tumultuous. Focus on putting in extra hours at work, or pursue an activity outside your living quarters. An argument will lead to sorrow.
CAPRICORN (June 21July 22)
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)
With a few changes, you will achieve your goal. Past experience will be a valuable resource when you are making plans. Discard ideas that are going nowhere and formulate a new game plan.
(Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19)
Don’t let the regrets in your life overpower you. The important thing is to let go of the past and learn from your errors so you can move forward without emotional baggage.
AQUARIUS
PISCES
(Feb. 20March 20)
Don’t take on so much that you don’t know where to start. Regroup and reorganize before you make a move. A firm agenda will enable you to finish what you start.
An older relative or friend will need assistance. Honesty will help you avoid becoming the subject of gossip. Positive, thoughtful actions will bring the best results.
GEMINI
PeanuTs
Calvin and Hobbes
dilberT
arCHie
Jagan Memorial Committee donates gear to ECCCC
club
The London-based Cheddi Jagan Memorial Committee donated a quantity of cricket gear to the Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club (ECCCC) recently.
The initiative was driven by Faizal Ally, Kamal Persaud and other members in recognition of the significant progress made by the Club over a short period of two years.
Club captain Bheemraj Ramkellawan expressed gratitude to the overseasbased group and reassured Committee representative Desmond Mohamed that the equipment would be put to good use by the many youths of the club.
He reiterated that initiatives like this serve as motivation to youths to get involved in cricket, thereby countering the temptation to get into mischief. Ramkellawan also called on parents in the community to pay more interest to the welfare of their children.
Meanwhile, the ECCCC commenced its 2015 season with emphatic wins last weekend against Golden Achievers of Golden Grove and Dundee Sports Club.
On Saturday, the ECCCC defeated Golden Achievers by 10 runs in a 25-over encounter. Batting first, the ECCCC scored 148-5 from the allotted overs, with Ranjeet Heeralall scoring an unbeaten 54 and Adrian Persaud 34.
In reply, Golden Achievers fell short of the target by 10 runs when the overs expired. I Gardener scored 40, while Kenon Ramascindo and Chaitram Ramlall took three wickets each for 16 runs.
On Sunday, the ECCCC smothered Dundee SC in a 30-over affair. The ECCCC rattled up 195-9 with Vishwanauth Ramlakhan contributing 44, Chandraban Seemangal 38, and Bheemraj Ramkellawan 21. For Dundee SC, S Barakat took 3-29. Dundee was restricted to 144-9, with Christopher Surat and Gavin Moriah of the ECCCC taking two wickets each.
As part of its 2015 activities, the ECCCC will be hosting a Double Wicket competition on Sunday and a six-a-side softball cricket competition on Monday,
commencing at 09:00h each day.
A raffle organised by the Enmore Community Centre Council will also be drawn on Sunday during the Double Wicket tournament.
BVA presents volleyball equipment to PMSS
Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA) Vice President Godwyn Allicock recently presented volleyballs and a net to the Port Mourant Secondary School (PMSS) in keeping with the BVA’s plans to promote the sport in schools and get more female players onboard.
The equipment was handed over to the school’s Sports Coordinator, Rohan Etwaroo, during a simple
presentation at PMSS. Allicock indicated that the BVA will be assisting the school with the marking of the court and erecting of the posts in time for the school’s planned end-of-themonth inter-house volleyball competition.
Principal of the school, Mark Lyte, who is also the President of the Guyana Teachers Union, said he was pleased that volleyball would be part of the school’s
sports programme and expressed his gratitude to the BVA for the donation.
The BVA has plans to assist all schools in Berbice and to also promote beach volleyball and volleyball for females as part of its 2015 activities. Allicock also called on the corporate community to assist to spread the game to schools across the county of Berbice, which produced the first national team way back in 1954.
Representative of the Cheddi Jagan Memorial Committee Desmond Mohamed making the presentation to Enmore Cricket Club’s Vice Captain Chaitram “Ambi” Ramlall in the presence of other members of the
Godwyn Allicock of the BVA presents the volleyballs and net to Rohan Etwaroo of the PMSS
NAMILCO supports young Nivendra Prasad
The National Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO) on Friday presented Berbice Under-15 cricketer Nivendra Prasad of Bush Lot Rising Stars Cricket Team with cricket equipment to enable him to participate in the current Guyana Cricket Board’s Inter-County Under-15 Cricket Tournament.
At a simple ceremony held in the Company’s boardroom, Prasad was presented with a cricket bag and protective gear by NAMILCO Financial Controller Fitzroy McLeod.
Also present were Autamaram Lakeram, Assistant to the Managing Director; Afeez Khan, Marketing Consultant; Prasad’s parents; Javed Saywack, Coach; and Robby Saywack, President of Bush Lot Rising Stars. Khan, in brief remarks, encouraged the youngster to perform to the best of his ability.
Saywack, the coach of young Prasad, said that his development was mainly due to the support and spon-
sorships the team received from NAMILCO in 2014. He emphasised that the development of Prasad ballooned after the team won a sponsorship deal from NAMILCO.
The President of the Bush Lot Rising Stars expressed gratitude to NAMILCO for the wonderful gesture to making the life of Prasad a success. The NAMILCO team wished Prasad continued success, while emphasising the importance of staying in school and acquiring an education.
Sammy offers prayer as the answer for West Indies woes
Former West Indies skipper Darren Sammy has advised current captain Jason Holder to consider uttering a word of prayer, following a difficult start to the 2015 Cricket World Cup campaign for the regional team.
Holder, who took charge of the regional team in December of last year, has had a rocky tenure in charge, with the West Indies losing five of six One Day Internationals under his leadership.
The most recent, a fourwicket loss to Ireland, the team’s opener of the World Cup sent shock waves across the region.
“I would say to Jason: stay strong, pray to the man above because He controls all things,” said Sammy after the West Indies lost at the Saxton Oval on Monday.
“If you are feeling down He (the Almighty) can turn it around because He controls all things. What I can do is reassure Jason that he has my support and the entire team wants to see him do well. But we will be on a plane back to the Caribbean if we continue
like this.”
The 23-year-old Holder, the youngest captain at the ICC Cricket World Cup, took over the post following the decision by the West Indies board of selectors not to re-appoint Dwayne Bravo, in the fallout of the team’s abandonment of the
Defending champions Demerara registered a comfortable five wickets victory over Berbice when play in the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Inter-County Under-15 Tournament continued on Tuesday.
In round two of the tournament played at the Enmore Community Centre Ground, the hosts first routed the visitors for 132 in 40 overs before reached the winning target, after losing half their line-up.
Kevlon Anderson topscored with 35. Haifa Walters, who ended unbeaten on 16, Brandon Mangal (13) and Seon Glascow (12) were the other main scorers.
Pacer Qumar Torrington (3-24); Alphius Bookie (214); and Dequain Banfield (2-29) were the main destructive forces.
The level-headed Robin Williams (54) and Bookie (38 not out) then stabilised the innings with a third wicket partnership of 76, which was the foundation of the run chase.
Glascow took 2-17 and Walters 1-18 to be the most successful bowlers in a losing cause.
Meanwhile, in the other
game, Essequibo thumped the GCB’s President’s XI by 18 runs at Eve Leary.
Essequibo scored 125 all out in 40 overs, batting first. Skipper Orlando Jailall stroked 43 (5x4) and Bomeshwar Ramdahin cracked 20 (3x4). Sachin Singh captured 3-8 and Satesh Basdeo 3-27.
The President’s XI were cruising at 78-2 in reply, before a spirited fightback from the Essequibians led by Ramdahin and Mahendra Dindyal.
Ramdahin bagged 5-29 off nine overs and Dindyal
snared 3-28 off 8.1 overs as the President’s XI were sent packing for 107 in 28.1 overs. Anil Singh scored 31, while Sachin Singh was the only other batsman to reach double figures with 12. The third round will be on Thursday. Essequibo will go up against Demerara at the Wales Community Centre Ground, while the GCB President’s XI will battle Berbice at Everest Cricket Club Ground. The top two teams will then be engaged in the final on Saturday at the Wales Community Centre Ground.
Chelsea draw with PSG in Champions League
Chelsea withstood waves of Paris StGermain attacks to claim a draw in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
Branislav Ivanovic headed Jose Mourinho's team in front after Gary Cahill's flick from John Terry's cross.
But PSG dominated the second half and scored a deserved equaliser when Edinson Cavani headed in.
tour of India.
“He didn’t ask to be put in that situation and I will try my best to help him along because captaining West Indies is very tough.
“Luckily for me I had the support of a good family when it was my time to endure hardship.”
Cavani came close to scoring a winner but prodded his effort wide after swapping passes with Blaise Matuidi.
David Luiz moved from Chelsea to PSG in the summer and performed well against his former club in midfield.
Luiz was occasionally used in that position by Mourinho during his time at Stamford Bridge but had not previously played there for PSG.
With Luiz holding, Matuidi was free to stride forward and Thibaut Courtois, returning in place of Petr Cech, was
Chelsea progressed at PSG's expense in last season's quarter-finals when they won on away goals after it finished 3-3 on aggregate. They lost the first leg 3-1 in Paris last season but withstood long periods of pressure to ensure they return to Stamford Bridge on 11 March with a slight advantage thanks to the away goal.
forced into making saves in quick succession from the French midfielder and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Belgian keeper was again called into action before half-time when he pushed Cavani's header away at the near post but Chelsea snatched the lead moments later.
Thiago Silva's headed clearance went out to Terry and the Chelsea captain's cross was flicked on by fellow centre-back Cahill for Ivanovic to steer his header beyond Salvatore Sirigu.
It was Ivanovic's fifth goal of the season but first in Europe since his winner against Benfica in the 2013 Europa League final. (BBC Sport)
Robin Williams collects his Man-of-the-Match trophy from Junior Selector Aotto Christiani
Nivendra Prasad was presented with the cricket bag and protective gear by Fitzroy McLeod, Financial Controller to NAMILCO in the presence of his parents and other officials from NAMILCO, Coach Javed Saywack and Bush Lot Rising Stars President Robby Saywack
One two-storeyed concrete building with four apartments at Fort Ordinance Canje. Size: 50 x 30 feet. Contact Indera Gupta at Telephone: 627-3095 for further details.
Two storey house in good location; Lot 55 Section ‘B’ Non ParielFirst Street, ECD ($12m or best offer. Quick sale preferred. Contact 651-8901.
Khemraj & Son -landscaping & plant nursery. Lot 77 Independence Street, La Grange, West Bank Demerara. Landscaping, planting grass, weeding, killing wood ants, killing roaches, rats & mealy bug, treat plants, coconut trees and flowers, cleaning ceiling, grafting coconut plants: 18 months bearing period, treating land, grass & spraying grass, grafted papaya plants: 6 months bearing, grafted cherry plant, sour sop & sapodilla, cutting big trees & removing, treated mould for sale & flower plants for sale. Tel 627-5969/ 603-1134
Setting up point of sales and Accounting software with on hand training. Call 669-9342
Online shopping and Logistics services in Mahaicony. Call 669-9342
Empty land for sale. 185 “B” Anaida Avenue, Plantation Eccles E.B.D. Tel 628-9119
Located in Republic Gardens, Peters Hall, EBD. Interested persons contact 231-5359 or 672-7189
Learn transcendental meditation and gain deep rest, eliminate stress, increase creativity, intelligence, improve memory, self- confidence relationship, reduces insomnia and hypertension. Bring peace and inner happiness. For next introductory lecture contact T.M. teacher Asholle 609-3701 or Elton 6093443
MetenMeer-Zorg: 275-0322, Grand Cayman Islands: (345) 943-1515 for the perfect trendy touch.
for tomorrow may be too late. Call 674-5317/ 683-5228/ 612-1975
Dutch spiritual healing in removing evil spirit; bad luck; evil sickness; spells; reuniting lovers and prosperity to business etc, Call 612-6417, 220-0708/687-5653.
Cleansing of spiritual problems of all kinds. Powerful Ifá protection against evil. Get help to overcome problems with love, relationships, legal, sexual, pregnancy, business, sickness, jobs, enemies, work, money. Call 592-690-1824 from 10:0016:00h Email:anew-life@live.com
Suriname’s Astrology, Palmist and Hindustani Spiritual Healer, solve all purpose problems, 100% confidential guaranteed. Phone: 679-4672
JUST ARRIVED: TOP QUALITY RECONDITIONED VEHICLES; TOYOTA NOAH; TOYOTA VOXY; TOYOTA IST (NEW SHAPE); SUZUKI SWIFT; DAIHATSU MOVE (660CC); MERCEDES BENZ C200 KOMPRESSOR; COROLLA AE100 WAGON; TOYOTA HIACE MINIBUS RZ; PITBULL-STYLE FREEZER VAN; LAND CRUISER (FULLY LOADED); MAZDA PROCEED 4WD EXTRACAB PICK-UP; TOYOTA HILUX 4WD EXTRA CAB PICKUPS - 3RZ, 5L, 3L SOLID DEFFERNTIAL; MITSUBISHI CANTER TRUCKS 4 TONS FREEZER; 3 TONS OPEN TRAY; 2 TONS 4WD; NISSAN ATLAS 2 TONS OPEN TRAY TRUCK. PRE-ORDER YOUR UNITS EARLY AND GET THE BEST PRICES. FULL AFTER SALES SERVICES AND FINANCING AVAILABLE. DEO MARAJ AUTO SALES, 2 CHIMNEY ROAD, CHATEAU MARGOT, ECD. 624-0762, 220-5177. A NAME AND SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST
Truck drivers & Casual Labourers at Readymix Concrete
GR Taxi, 24 hours. Phone: 2257878, 219-5000 or 227-2100
Two bedroom upstairs apartment. $60,000 monthly with parking. Couples preferable. Tel 233-2607 / 644-7089
Two Self contained single bedroom furnished apartments for rental. Self contained 7 bedroom bungalow idea for family/ guests/ students local or overseas long/ short term rental. Contact # 6227097 / 624-7111
For person with stroke and physi-
Classified Ads
$5+VAT per word Call: 226-9921
Ireland ‘no fear’ approach pays off
The hangovers will not quite have matched Kingston or Bangalore, but Ireland’s players ensured they savoured their victory over West Indies in Nelson. The coach Phil Simmons has never seen his team play better and believes the aggressive mindset, which appeared to take the beleaguered opposition by surprise, will become their trademark.
Ireland had 25 balls to spare as they chased down 304 - only a late flurry of wickets preventing the margin being even more convincing - and there was never a moment in the innings when they were losing control.
“It’s the best I’ve seen so far and it augurs well for the future,” Simmons said. “It helps that we’ve had a stable top six, that makes a big difference. It’s just the first game, but all-round,
in the field and the way we batted is the way we want to play cricket - in a positive way. It excited me the way we played.”
The stand-out individual scores belonged to Paul Stirling, whose 92 was his first fifty-plus score in ODIs since May 2013 - 12 innings previous - followed by Ed Joyce’s supremely fluent 84 and an equally commanding, unbeaten 79 from Niall O’Brien.
However, Simmons was also keen to highlight the early impact of captain William Porterfield, who pulled two early boundaries off Kemar Roach to reinforce that Ireland would not be tentative in the chase, after having been plundered for 167 in their final 15 overs with the ball.
“They played four fast bowlers, thinking we wouldn’t be able to cope with the speed, and in the first couple of overs two short
balls are pulled for [boundaries],” Simmons said. “It changes the way the team sees it. All of the top four played well. We played the fool a little at the end, but it’s great.”
Niall O’Brien, who was central to the continuation of the high octane approach after Stirling fell just short of what would have been Ireland’s first ODI hundred since Porterfield against England in September 2013, said the warm-up matches, which produced mixed results, had taught Ireland that too much caution would not get them anywhere.
“I thought we were a little timid in the warm-up games, perhaps a little careful, and it’s something we spoke about, playing with no fear and going for our shots. When you go through your shots 100%, more often or not they come off. We know we will need big scores during this tournament.”
(Cricinfo)
can help you- remove evil spirit, bad luck, blockage, reunite family and lovers, money problems, jobs, pregnancy, uplift business, skin problems, sexual problem, legal matters and much more. Call today
Questions for NZ top order after tricky chase
In the minutes following New Zealand’s crushing defeat of Sri Lanka in the tournament curtainraiser, Corey Anderson let slip a word that may have caused mild discomfort within the New Zealand camp. He said that before that match, Brendon McCullum had asked his charges to “go about our work and keep what, I guess, we’ve begun as a juggernaut - to keep rolling forward.”
Maybe it was nothing more than a slip of the tongue: a word Anderson had used with no intent to intimidate. But as this New Zealand team has breezed around the country collecting bested opponents, it has been easy to see the juggernaut in them.
They haven’t just impressed with the frequency of their wins, but also with
the manner of their unfolding. Daniel Vettori strikes when the new-ball bowlers have not cut through the top order. Top-order collapses are no more than a chance for the men lower down to show their wares. Already this year, New Zealand have broken the sixth-wicket partnership record in both ODIs and Tests. In another match, New Zealand were 101 for 5 chasing 219, before Corey Anderson shelved aggression and embraced measure, to stroke the 96-ball 81 that would win them the match. Their fans, no surprise, have never flocked in such quantities or been in better voice.
But as Scotland made dents to the hosts’ order in defence of 142, a little of the old, unsteady New Zealand side peered through their shiny new armour. This
used to be a team for which no match situation was safe. Who, not so long ago, were cleanswept in Bangladesh. They are now hailed by some as the best New Zealand team ever, but no more than three years ago, talk-back radio suggested they were the worst in 50 years.
Scotland were spirited for sure in the field, adding beef to the argument that the ICC has blundered in pruning the 2019 World Cup to 10 teams. In truth, Scotland were never really in the match.
The chance off Brendon McCullum, with the team score on 22, might have spurred them to a better result, but that catch was grassed, and though four wickets fell in a rush toward the death, each dismissal seemed 20 runs too late.
(Cricinfo)
lAnd FOR SAle
Da Silva’s Optical. For Your Eyes Only, Look Better See Better. Phillip A Da Silva OD, Shannon L Da Silva OD, Natalie Da Silva OD. 248 South Road, Bourda. Phone: 227-3529, Linden: 444-6376, Corriverton: 339-3536,
wAnTed
William Porterfield’s pulls set the pace for Ireland’s smooth chase
Kashif and Shanghai celebrates 25!
16-team KO tournament set to kick off in March
By AvenAsh RAmzAn
The Kashif and Shanghai football tournament is back, with 16 teams set to compete in a knockout competition from March 20 to April 5. This year, the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation, led by Directors Kashif Muhammad and Aubrey “Shanghai” Major, is celebrating its 25th anniversary, and judging from the elaborate launch at the exquisite 704 Sports Bar on Tuesday, the organisers are going all out to ensure the tournament is a major hit in 2015.
For starters, the two popular football promoters have been able to retain most of their faithful sponsors, key among them Mohamed’s Enterprise, Cell Phone Shack and ANSA McAL Trading.
ANSA McAL Trading
Public Relations Officer
Darshanie Yussuf said her company was pleased to
once again partner with Kashif and Shanghai for the invitational tournament.
She noted that the company’s alliance with the tournament started five
years ago, and it was looking forward to the same level of success the tournament has enjoyed to continue.
Chairman of the Normalisation Committee of the Guyana Football Federation, Clinton Urling, lauded the vision of the Directors of the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation. He said the aim of the Committee was to have football being played and it was fulfilling that role.
Co-director Muhammad was quick to point out that his organisation has aligned itself with the objectives of the Normalisation Committee, which is to regularise the way in which football is administered in Guyana.
“This 25th Kashif and Shanghai tournament marks the first occasion on which this, the longest running football tournament in country’s history, is being held outside the customary December/January time frame, and moreover, the tournament will be
staged, as is customary, on an entirely knockout basis,” Muhammad said.
“Additionally, this year, and again for the first time, the venues for the tournament will include the historic Demerara Cricket Club Ground with its new lighting, excellent playing surface and generous accommodation.”
The tournament will conclude on April 5 at the Guyana National Stadium where the winning team will be presented with $2 million. The losing finalist will pocket $1 million, third $500,000 and fourth $250,000.
The participating teams are Alpha United, Pele, Western Tigers, Riddim Squad, Guyana Defence Force, Georgetown Football Club, Victoria Kings, Mahaica Determinators, New Amsterdam United, Slingerz, Den Amstel, Grove Hi-Tech, Agricola Red Triangle, Winners Connection, Hi-Stars and Bartica Beacons.
Local referees to officiate in CONCACAF prelims for 2018 World Cup
Five of Guyana’s football referees have been appointed by FIFA to officiate in the CONCACAF Preliminary Competition for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Sherwin Moore (Referee); Venton Mars (Assistant Referee 1); Andrew Porter (Assistant Referee 2); and Sherwin Johnson (Fourth Official) have been appointed by FIFA to officiate in the St Kitts & Nevis vs Turks & Caicos match on March 23 at the Warner Park
Sporting Complex, St Kitts and Nevis.
In addition, Trevor Johnson has been appointed by FIFA as the Fourth Official for the US Virgin Islands vs Barbados match on March 29 at the Lionel Roberts Park US Virgin Islands.
Meanwhile, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) through the presiding Normalisation Committee has confirmed the participation of all the aforementioned referees to FIFA, according to a press release.
Kashif and Shanghai Organisation Kashif Muhammad (right) addressing members of the media in the company of Co-Director Aubrey “Shanghai” Major at the launch on Tuesday (Avenash Ramzan photo)
Venton Mars (right) Sherwin Moore
Team Guyana benefit from Fly Jamaica’s benevolence
In the two short years since its existence in Guyana, Fly Jamaica’s support for local sport has been well-documented and the company has continued on that path, by lending a hand to the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) on Monday.
The entity, which only this week celebrated its second anniversary in Guyana, presented 40 airline tickets to Team Guyana, which are set to compete in the opening leg of the Seaboard Marine Caribbean Motor Racing Championships (CMRC), scheduled for later this month in Jamaica.
Also reaffirming its commitment was major sponsor Seaboard Marine, an entity that has continued to offer significant support towards the sport across the Caribbean.
Nadine Hing and Jeremy Fernandes of Fly Jamaica and Seaboard Marine respectively were on hand at a simple pre-
sentation at the GMR&SC to seal the deal on Monday. Also in attendance were GMR&SC President John Carpenter; Vice President
gcB hands out kits to ecD clubs, RHty&sc
The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) countrywide cricket development outreach programme continued last weekend at the Lusignan Community Centre Ground when complete cricket gear kits were given out to Better Hope Cricket Club, Lusignan Cricket Club, Enterprise Cricket Club and Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC).
Speaking to the clubs’ representatives and East Coast Under-17 boys who were under trials for selection on the Demerara team for the GCB Inter-County competition, GCB President Drubahadur thanked the various representatives for coming out to uplift their kits and urged them to make full use and take good care of them.
He noted that with all the constraints the Board was encountering, it still managed to stick to its mandate by ensuring that all levels of cricket competitions were played within the
deadlines. The President told all present that once the GCB ironed out some, if not all of its distractions, much more help would be given to clubs across the country to help them develop their facilities and players.
Drubahadur further highlighted the good performances by recent Guyana national teams and urged the youngsters present to pay attention to these achievements and work hard to achieve same or better. He wished them well for the trials, stating that he was looking forward to a highly competitive Under-17 Inter-County competition.
GCB Secretary Anand Sanasie reminded all that this outreach started last year with the aim of having all cricket clubs across the country gain possession of the relevant cricket gear so that players who cannot afford all of them can have access to them to train and develop their skills.
He noted that so far the Board has reached Bayrock
Club and UDCA in Linden, the various associations in Essequibo, some clubs on the East Bank of Demerara and some clubs in Berbice. The Secretary stated that this outreach would continue as the executive body of the GCB was committed towards the development of cricket in Guyana.
RHTY&SC member Delbert Hicks thanked the GCB for granting their request for assistance with cricket gear as a part of their Jubilee celebrations. He said the gear would help the Club a great deal. He also assured the President and Secretary that they would use the gear meaningfully.
Representatives from the other clubs: Mustafaa Azimulla from Better Hope, Christopher Singh from Lusignan and Jitlall Jowharilall from Enterprise, thanked the Board for the donation and promised to use the gear with utmost care. They added that they hoped to be beneficiaries again in the near future.
Shairaz Roshandin Mohamed; Guyana’s representative to the Caribbean Motor Racing Association (CMRA), Ray Rahaman; executive members of the GMR&SC and competitors.
Carpenter said the Club was extremely appreciative of the kind gesture made by Fly Jamaica. He also expressed gratitude to Seaboard Marine for its sustained commitment to motor racing in the Caribbean.
Hing, in her remarks,
thanked the Club for approaching Fly Jamaica and encouraging the company to come onboard, adding that it was pleased to be part of the sponsorship team. “I urge that you all proudly fly the Guyana flag and do us proud,” she said.
Fernandes pointed out how proud Seaboard Marine was to once again collaborate as a major sponsor of the GMR&SC and the CMRC. He highlighted that the sponsorship represented a hefty
sum, informing that the company would continue to have a strong relationship with motor racing.
Rahaman, who declared he was acting in both capacities as local and regional representative, thanked the two sponsors for their support to motor racing in the Caribbean. He noted that when Seaboard came along a few years ago and added its name to the list of sponsors of motor racing, very few realised that its generosity had actually saved the series.
The CMRA official said that the cost of shuttling competitors’ machines across the various countries to compete in the championship was being borne mainly by the competitors, who also had to take into account the preparation of their machines.
Those costs, Rahaman highlighted, were having a debilitating effect on their individual financial accounts, a development that was directly affecting their ability to remain in the sport.
Mohamed, for his part, thanked the major sponsors and assured them that Guyana would be sending a very strong contingent to defend its crown.
Representatives of Fly Jamaica and Seaboard Marine, along with officials of the GMR&SC and drivers pose for a photo at the conclusion of Monday’s programme
GCB President Drubahadur hands over the kits to Christopher Singh from Lusignan. Also in photo are Jitlall Jowharilall from Enterprise (right); Delbert Hicks from RHTY&SC (second right); and GCB Secretary Anand Sanasie (left)
Kashif and Shanghai celebrates 25!
22
16-team KO tournament set to kick off in March
Members
the
Team Mullings to arrive in Guyana Thursday night
– momentum building for “Caribbean Collision” this weekend
With the aim of achieving nothing less than a victory, Jamaican boxing sensation Sakima Mullings will arrive in Guyana on Thursday night for his title fight against Dominica-based Guyanese Clive “The Punisher” Atwell on Saturday’s “Caribbean Collision” boxing card.
The duo will square off for the vacant CABOFE Junior Welterweight belt over 12 rounds.
“Sakima is due to arrive here on Thursday night with his team and international judge
Upcoming World Cup matches (with Guyana time)
Wednesday: 8th Match, Pool B - United Arab
Emirates v Zimbabwe, 18:00h
Thursday: 9th Match, Pool A - New Zealand v England, 21:00h
Friday: 10th Match, Pool B - West Indies v Pakistan, 18:00h
Clifford Browne, onboard a Fly Jamaica flight,” the Guyana Boxing Board of Control Matchmaker, Eion Jardine, told this publication on Tuesday.
On Friday, Mullings and the rest of the pugilists set to appear on the card will be involved in the weight-in, which is
expected to be held for the first time at Mike Fung’s Bar, located at the corners of Sheriff and Garnett Street.
The card, the first for 2015 in Guyana, will start with a clash between debutants Travis Fraser of Guyana and Charwin Estwick of Barbados in
a Junior Middleweight six-rounder, and will also see an eight-round Middleweight rematch featuring Edmond DeClou and Dereck Richmond.
The last time these two met, DeClou suffered a broken jaw and has not entered the ring since.
In the other two fights, Quincy Gomes will face debutant Keeve Allicock in a four-round Lightweight contest, while Dexter Gonsalves will match gloves Mark Austin in an eight-round Welterweight rematch.
The action will start at 20:00 hours at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall and admission to the venue is $3,000 (Ringside) and $1500 (Stands).
Patrons are also in for a treat as there will be three door prizes up for grabs. These are two tickets to any of three Fly Jamaica destinations, a gold cricket bracelet from Kings Jewellery World and two cases of Banks DIH beverage.
of
Normalisation Committee and representatives of a few of the sponsors pose with the coordinators at Tuesday’s launch at 704 Sports Bar (Avenash Ramzan photo)
Sakima Mullings will arrive in Guyana on Thursday night for
his title fight against Dominica-based Guyanese Clive “The Punisher” Atwell
