Guyana Times Daily

mondAY, noVEmBER 10, 2014 | guYAnAtimEsgY.com

Opposition scaremongering creating tension

– Minister Ramsammy

Senior Cabinet Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy has described the reaction of the combined political Opposition parties to the content and thrust of the announcements made by President Donald Ramotar on Tuesday, as “scaremongering” – with the aim of creating tension in the society.

Dr Ramsammy, who served as the country’s Health Minister for a decade and now holds responsibility for Agriculture, sternly and cogently rejected claims by the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) that Ramotar’s announcements contained threats to the parliamentary Opposition parties in the 65-seat Legislature.

On Tuesday, the President pleaded with the Opposition parties, which plan on moving a NoConfidence Motion against his Government today, to give due attention to several

19-year-old

Tcritical pieces of legislation that were part of the parliamentary agenda before moving the motion.

He said that the future of the Guyanese people depended on addressing some of the core aspects of the parliamentary agenda in an unimpeded manner before halting the sitting to deal with the motion.

Put people first

President Ramotar warned that if the Opposition could not handle the public’s business first and insist on proceeding with the No-Confidence Motion, then he would exercise his constitutional powers to either prorogue or dissolve the Parliament.

In a conciliatory gesture, he also announced that Local Government Elections would be held in the second quarter of 2015 after consultations were held with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

In fact, Dr Ramsammy,

who was a guest on the “Under the Microscope” Programme, produced by Television Guyana (TVG 28), said the President was within his rights to make the announcement given the fact that the Opposition sent signals that suggested that it was not going to act in the interest of the people of the country by dealing with

killed after “Fight Night” event

he front-seat passenger of a high powered Honda motor car met his demise in the wee hours of Sunday morning after the driver lost control upon hitting a ditch at Plaisance, East Coast Demerara and subsequently crashed into the St Paul’s fence.

The dead teenager was identified as Christopher Baichan, 19, a businessman of Lot 56 Oleander Garden, Ogle, East Coast Demerara. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The driver of the car sustained several injuries and was treated at a private medical institution. He was subsequently handed over to the Police and is assisting with investigations.

According to reports received, Baichan and the driver were slated to participate in “Fight Night”, a motor car drag race organised by “The Midnight Crew” just around midnight on Saturday, but due

to Police intervention, the race was called off. The race was supposed to start at Success Bridge onto to Happy Acres on the East Coast of Demerara.

Nevertheless, this did not stop the “race car” drivers from having some fun and as such, congregating in front of Tony’s Auto Sales where they had a street jam with over 200 people. It was after the two men left the “hang”, they ended up in the accident as they were on their way to the city.

Guyana Times understands that at the time of the accident, the driver of the car who was above the legal limit in terms of alcohol consumption was trying to catch up with two RX8s that were in front of him.

Driving at a fast pace, he hit the ditch and resorted to brakes which resulted in him losing control of the front-wheel drive car. Baichan was subsequently tossed out of the car, which according to reports, was badly damaged.

Persons who were at the scene refused to comment on the issue and more so,

their business first.

He went further to dismiss all the arguments made by the Opposition which suggested that by stating his constitutional options, the President was “threatening” the Opposition parliamentarians.

No threats

Ramsammy said: “It would be reckless, it would be an abrogation to ignore the dysfunctionality of the 10th Parliament of Guyana… When Parliament no longer serves the interests of the people, the President has a right to intervene.”

“He was not issuing any threats. This is not acting in some ill manner to take revenge on somebody. The Constitution says that when certain things are not in place, do these things,” he insisted.

Dr Ramsammy believes that all of the criticisms that are being levelled by the Opposition are part of its wider plan to create a phobia in the public ahead of the possible exercise of the President’s constitutional authority.

He said the Opposition

knows it is misusing its oneseat majority and will be again today seeking to undermine and jeopardise the gains made in Guyana as it pursues its own partisan agenda.

Standing firmly against the continued scaremongering by the Opposition’s decision to describe the President’s announcements as a “threat to democracy”, Ramsammy said that the President is empowered by the Constitution to act to avoid any further deterioration of Parliament.

According to him, the Government is not trying to suppress the views or political wishes of any Opposition party.

He admonished the combined Opposition in the National Assembly for its behaviour, noting that very little has been accomplished in the 10th Parliament, a fact that is well documented.

He pointed out that A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) parliamentarians have taken every opportunity to manufacture and publicise alleged “wrongdoings” of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic

(PPP/C) Government when in fact, the Government heads one of the economies in the Region with the highest growth rate as apposed to when APNU’s major partner, the People’s National Congress (PNC) was in power and Guyana was spiralling downward in terms of growth.

Pointing to Shadow Finance Minister Carl Greenidge, Ramsammy said: “You have Mr Greenidge. Mr Greenidge should be a person who wants to rehabilitate himself, to be low-profile. To be sorry for what he did in this country – the worst example of non-transparency, of nonaccountability, happened under the stewardship of Mr Greenidge….he talks about those days as if they were the golden era of Guyana.” Today, the country will know what will become of the National Assembly – whether the President will be forced to prorogue the National Assembly if the Opposition goes ahead as planned and decides to move the No-Confidence Motion against the PPP/C Administration.

Work commences in preparation for rainy season

Ahead of the heavy rainfall expected in January, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) has already commenced work throughout the country in preparation to tackle the likely floods.

In an interview with Guyana Times, NDIA head Lionel Wordsworth explained that several contracts are being executed for servicing and repairs to pumps under the Authority’s control.

the drag race that was supposed to be pulled off. On the organiser’s Facebook page, he extended his sympathy to the bereaved family and stated that he had only spoken to the now dead young man two hours prior to the accident.

This accident has left many unanswered questions as to the legality of hosting drag races along the East Coast Demerara Highway.

“Fight Night” would have been the third such event according to reports.

When this newspaper contacted Reginald Baichan, the father of the dead man, he disclosed that he was out of the country and upon receiving the news of his son’s death, he immediately travelled back home.

The devastated father said he did not wish to comment on the issue, since he did not have all the details about the accident. Baichan was reportedly the only child of his parents. His body is at the hospital mortuary awaiting a postmortem scheduled for today.

He noted that tenders were opened for the necessary works and they are currently evaluating the awards of the contracts to dredge the outfall channels.

Wordsworth went on to explain that it was more economical to wait until the onset of the rainy season to begin dredging of the channels, otherwise, there will be a build-up of silt and the entire dredging process will have to be redone.

For example, he explained that Black Bush Polder has three main outlets which rely on gravity drainage at the beginning of the rainy season.

“Because we are somewhat still in a dry period, there isn’t much water in the drainage system to operate the sluices and flush the channels to keep them clean. So there is a build-up of silt there and lots of sediment deposits,” he stated.

He continued that the NDIA is doing work in the flood-prone regions. The NDIA head noted that the three pontoons owned by the Authority are being utilised in Regions Two (Pomeroon-

Supenaam); Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); and throughout Four (Demerara-Mahaica). However, he outlined that for Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), contracts will have to be awarded to dredge the channels.

This process have begun and is currently at the procurement stage, Wordsworth said.

“So we will have these in place to execute the work at the onset of the rainy seasons,” he added. In addition, the NDIA head highlighted the importance of the outfall channels during the rainy season, pointing out that the sluices will have to be in good condition to enable effective functioning.

The majority of Guyana’s population lives on the coastal plain, which is approximately six feet below sea level. This has made that portion of the country vulnerable to flash floods and severe flooding during heavy rainfall.

The country experienced its worst flood in January 2005, which devastated the nation, crippling the economy and causing the deaths of several persons from water-borne diseases.

The flood affected some 290,000 people, which is about 39 per cent of Guyana’s population. It forced hundreds of residents from the affected areas to seek shelter on higher ground.

Ever since, Guyana has experienced minor floods, particularly in Georgetown. The flood that was experienced in January this year caused some 13 schools to close for several days to allow the water to recede.

The NDIA has also embarked on a combined effort with other agencies that use water such as the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo); the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs); and the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) in making preparations.

The majority of Guyana’s population lives on the coastal plain, which is approximately six feet below sea level and vulnerable to severe flooding

Senior Cabinet Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

The car in which Christopher Baichan was travelling when the accident occurred

Dead: Christopher Baichan

BRIDGE OPENINGS

WEATHER TODAY

until

Decision 2014: Guyanese hold breath... President likely to

By Michael younge

President Donald Ramotar will most likely prorogue

Parliament at today’s sitting of the National Assembly if the Opposition parliamentarians force their NoConfidence Motion to the top of the agenda without addressing a critical raft of legislation that could redefine the country’s future.

A prorogation of Parliament will result in the Government continuing in office for another six months without the need for Parliament to meet. At that time, the President can convene and immediately prorogue Parliament once again, or conversely can schedule general elections three months hence.

Sources close to the Office of the President are reporting that the President is hoping that the Opposition parliamentarians meet and make a decision to act in the best interest of the country by putting aside their partisan interests and goals.

Ramotar has already warned that any attempt to stymie development via the passage of a NoConfidence Motion without dealing satisfactorily with the Government’s business in the 10th Parliament will see him utilising his Executive authority under

the Constitution.

“The President is demonstrating that he will do what is legally and constitutionally necessary to work with the Opposition to find a solution to the problems and differences they have floated and which continue to hinder Guyana’s development. He does not believe that passing a No-Confidence Motion on Monday or dissolving Parliament on Monday will solve anything or should be done rashly,” the source contended.

Constitutionally necessary

On Sunday, Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon stressed that more talks were needed, as well as more time by the political leaders and proroguing Parliament could actually lead to a solution being found for all parties to work together which would result in the return of parliamentary normalcy with a subsequent sitting of the Parliament.

He still could not say definitely what actions the President would take today.

Over the past weekend, Government Ministers and parliamentarians from the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration stood in unity with the President Ramotar as they explained on a series of well-coordinat-

ed programmes, the rationale and intent of his decision.

Today’s sitting of the National Assembly will mark its first post-recess meeting after a period of confusion by the Opposition and the Speaker over who is empowered according to the Standing Orders of Parliament to set the date for the meeting.

A Partnership for

National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) have also been meeting with the public at various fora over the weekend with the aim of rallying more support for their unpopular decision to bring down the Government via the No-Confidence Motion.

In fact, both Opposition parties have agreed to suspend the Standing Orders to allow their No-Confidence Motion to be discussed first as a matter of priority, ahead of a set of critical bills related to Government’s business.

The AFC and APNU have also been meeting to strategise their collective actions to block attempts by the Government in Parliament to suppress the motion for a more constructive approach.

APNU and its ally, the AFC, up until Sunday evening gave no firm commitment to supporting the list of legislation outlined by President Ramotar before moving on to their mo-

tion nor did they signal any changes in their game plan following his announcement on Tuesday.

The People’s National Congress (PNC) – the major partner in APNU – has not won an election in 22 years. After ruling the country for 28 years, through the rigging of elections, the PNC suffered a major defeat in the 1992 General Election and has not been able to redeem itself since.

But even with the PNC Reform (PNC/R) joining with the Guyana Action Party (GAP); the National Front Alliance (NFA); the Working People’s Alliance (WPA); and the Justice for All Party (JFA) in 2011 to form APNU, it was unable

to defeat the PPP/C. The coalition only managed to secure 26 seats in the National Assembly during the 2011 General and Regional Elections. Most of the partners of the PNC are said to be “paper organisations”.

On the flip side, the AFC has never won an election –or even come close. Since its formation in 2005, the AFC has only managed to win 10.3 per cent of the vote –translated into only seven of the 65 seats in the National Assembly. Most observers believe the AFC’s claim it can win the elections outright amounts to a “pipe dream”.

The above-normal high tide advisory is in effect

Tuesday, November 11, 2014. Residents of coastal, low- lying and riverine areas are advised to take necessary precautions against possible flooding.

AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan

President Donald Ramotar

APNU Leader David Granger

Editor: Nigel Williams

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

Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown

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

Editorial

Politics more than “science of deals”

One of the most cynical definitions of “politics” is that it is “the science of cutting deals”. This view insists that the “big ones” from the political parties merely haggle over how much they can personally benefit from the “deals” over programmes originally placed before the electorate to improve the well-being of the citizenry.

In Guyana, this is the type of politics that the Opposition has insisted on since 2011, when it obtained a one-seat majority in the National Assembly.

This sardonicism about the greater good is illustrated paradigmatically with the Opposition parties’ treatment of the Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill. Even though they had long agitated for the objectives of the Bill, when it came to a vote on the floor of the Assembly, the Opposition parties refused to approve it until their own quid pro quos were delivered. They would rather blackmail the Government for their own, narrow personal and partisan reasons rather than signing off on a measure, which the domestic and international communities had pleaded, was for the benefit of Guyana.

This kind of politics would not do and the Government, under the bold and decisive leadership of President Ramotar, has refused to acquiesce in the farce, even while holding out olive branches to get the Opposition to go along with the development programme on which the PPP/C had won the right to form the Government and Executive.

After going out into the streets in Linden and Agricola in 2012, the Opposition launched a war of attrition to wear down the Government so that it would “share” the Executive with them.

Faced with the Courts’ approval of the Government’s actions as consonant with its constitutional powers, the Opposition finally showed its true colours by demanding a “No-Confidence” Vote in the Assembly to bring down the Government two years before its term of office was supposed to terminate.

This is the identical goal they achieved through violent street protests in 1999, when then President Janet Jagan was forced to truncate her term by two years. The only difference is the Opposition parties are now using symbolic, rather than physical, violence through their strident rhetoric to back up their parliamentary weapon.

Feeling they had the upper hand through their success in stymieing the country’s development and thus blackmailing the Government that was serious about bringing about progress, the Opposition actually began campaigning for the election they were going to precipitate in three months. But there was the folk wisdom about “counting chickens before they are hatched”.

The combined Opposition was totally stunned when the President announced last week that the Government would convene the National Assembly with the Opposition’s NoConfidence Motion on the order paper.

However, he pulled the rug from under their feet when he said that if they went ahead with their “No-Confidence” callous move to simply remove the Government and derail its development programme, then he would use his constitutional powers to either dissolve Parliament or prorogue it.

If the President “dissolves” Parliament, he merely sidesteps the ignominy of the Opposition precipitating the end of the Government’s term of office – but will still have to call elections within four months.

If he chooses his “prorogation” option, on the other hand, he has the option of calling for elections after six months of governing without Parliament. There is no limit on the number of “six-month” prorogations he can entertain. Within the six-month periods, of course, the Government can execute the programme on which it was elected to govern for five years to develop the country.

The two-faced Opposition is now whining because the previously accommodating President has been pushed too far and has finally decided to play the Opposition’s “hardball” politics. We recommend that the President prorogues Parliament once with a commitment for scheduling elections after the six months.

Glenn Lall uses his newspaper as a naked, shameless weapon

Dear Editor,

In my previous letter to the press, I wrote about the professional ethics involved and the use of sensational journalism by Glenn Lall and his naked and shameless weapon that he calls a newspaper.

By the way the Kaieteur has never published any of my letters, since its publisher feels that my letters are pro-government in nature and will be counterproductive to his agenda to aid and abet the Opposition in their quest to destabilise the PPP/C Government and get into power.

It should now be clear to all and sundry that the Kaieteur News has stooped to gutter level in order achieve its agenda. Mr Gildharie’s admission that he himself did the recording of the private conversation between himself and the Attorney General has proven this beyond any reasonable doubt. However, in my opinion I do believe that this admission was done in order to avoid the more serious offence of wire-tapping as outlined in the Communications Act 2008.

Albeit so, I would like

to see the reaction of all those persons who have been agitating so vigorously for the resignation of the AG with regard to this disgraceful act by a Senior Reporter, who has not only tarnished and stigmatised the journalism profession, but has transcended the bounds of human decency and international journalism ethics and protocol by publishing a conversation which, by all intent and purpose, was supposed to be private and confidential in nature.

We are not supposed to use technology to tape private conversations with our friends and publish them in the press or the social media. If so, then every person will be morbidly fearful to even answer a phone call in the future!

The Opposition letter writers seem to miss the point when they refer to the use of technology to record calls in their effort to excuse such an unprofessional act. The pertinent questions now should be: Was this reporter acting in his professional capacity at the time of the conversation? Was this an interview of which the AG has knowledge? Why

would anyone record a private conversation from the beginning to the end unless the intention was to elicit a certain response, and publish it if it is fruitful to Glenn Lall’s cause?

I want to ask the public if they have the habit of recording the conversations they are having with their friends? They would do that only if they have a sinister motive! In this case, the reporter and Glenn Lall did.

At this point, I wish to submit once again that at no time in that private conversation was there an element of threat or knowledge of any plan of an impending attack on the Kaieteur News or its owner.

Furthermore, the wilful deletion of many parts of Gildharie’s input would suggest that the AG was led and prompted by Gildharie to respond in the manner in which he did. It was an artful deception to delete Gildharie’s input in that conversation.

We cannot make a full assessment of that conversation unless we hear clearly what Gildharie was saying. This is just listening to one side of the story, and we know the many

sides a story can have. Therefore, it strains one’s intelligence to comprehend how some people can arrive at conclusive statements with regard to this infamous tape and can call for the resignation of the AG.

But the intention is clear. Mr Nandlall is among the most brilliant minds in the PPP/C Government, and he has competently and on points of law defended Government’s position on numerous occasions when the AFC and APNU have tried to twist the laws to their benefit.

He has been the proverbial thorn in their posterior so they now saw an opportunity to get rid of him, but the AG has the support of the masses and they will fail again. They have tried with the Minister Rohee and have failed as well.

Their No-Confidence antics will fail also! The ‘holier than thou’ cuss birds in the AFC will have a rude awakening soon!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf AFC Councillor Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne)

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds placing a wreath at the Cenotaph on Sunday, as Guyana joined with the rest of the world, to observe Remembrance Day also known as Poppy Day or Armistice Day with two minutes of silence dedicated to victims of the First and Second World Wars, and other fallen soldiers during major conflicts (GINA photo)

Kissoon seems obsessed with former President

Dear Editor,

I am very appalled at the behaviour of many Guyanese. There are many who are living in Guyana and overseas who have not yet repaid their University of Guyana loans, yet they are attacking the Government on a daily basis.

I am grateful for the opportunity afforded by the PPP/C Government under the then President Bharrat Jagdeo to pursue higher

studies at the University of Guyana. In fact I know many colleagues who are yet to start the process of repayment.

I have since moved on to post-graduate studies and have repaid my loan. I know that it is a revolving loan, so when I repay my loan many others will have an opportunity to pursue their education the way I did.

Freddie Kissoon seems to be obsessed with the former

President, whom he maligns in his feature column on an almost daily basis. He attacks Jagdeo, but does not seem to notice any positives that Jagdeo has put in place for Guyanese.

This is the same Kissoon who once travelled to Berbice and collected big perks to lecture at the Berbice Campus. Kissoon does not see any positives at the University yet he does not remind the thousands

who have taken their loans and have escaped to other parts of the world, like teaching in the Bahamas, to repay their loans.

Thank you Mr Jagdeo! I appreciate all you have done for Guyana. You deserve your retirement in peace. I hope people like Kissoon will leave you alone.

Yours truly,

Mahindra Persaud

Kudos to Government for education grant

Dear Editor,

Over the last few weeks, I’m constantly reminded of the relevance of a once famous calypso by the legendary Lord Canary, “De people will talk”. Fortunately, most of the people I’ve heard, have nothing but praise and gratitude for the $10,000 per child ‘Because We Care’ grant they received from the PPP/C Administration through the Education Ministry.

Only a few misguided fools that choose to see this programme as a gimmick to boost the PPP/C popularity as Guyana edges closer to new elections, have had the courage to shamelessly add their names to the few letters and articles of criticisms published in the local press.

From the time this brilliant initiative was made public by Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, and long before the AFC signaled its intention to table a vote of NoConfidence against the PPP/C Administration, I followed the process very closely.

It was clear to me that the Education Ministry had meticulously planned and implemented a strategy to withstand the most rigorous form of scrutiny that they knew would come from the joint Opposition in Parliament.

Every conceivable precaution was taken by Education Minister Priya Manickchand to avoid criticisms and to promote full transparency. Consultations were held with parents and guardians in 55 locations throughout the country to inform them of this muchneeded initiative and to hear from them, specifically:

1. How they wish to receive this money: In the form of a voucher that they can cash? Or a voucher similar to the Uniform Vouchers that can only be exchanged for school supplies.

2. Where do they wish to encash their vouchers, at a bank, the post office, MoneyGram, Mobile Money, or Western Union?

Because of the enormous risk and concern for the safety of everyone, taking large sums of money to all the distribution points

was ruled out as an option. Except for those remote areas in the hinterland, parents, for one reason or another, voted overwhelmingly to use Western Union to encash the $10,000 Education Vouchers.

This process adopted by the Ministry is in keeping with the demands of APNU Member of Parliamentarian Amna Ally, who urged the Minister earlier this year to have consultations first with the recipients and to expedite the payout of the $10,000 given to each child in the public education system.

As the Minister said repeatedly, the disbursement of the grant could not have commenced before the first week of October to allow the registration of thousands of new nursery students that would have been disenfranchised had the money been paid out earlier.

To those who unfairly criticized the distribution of the funds, I observed that the distribution process were largely marked by order, civility and efficiency, and it was the long waiting lines at Western Union outlets that gave the impression of disorder.

Let’s be fair here, how can anyone justifiably blame the Education Ministry for these lines at the Western Union outlets when it was on the advice of those very parents that Western Union was selected.

In addition, parents knew that they have until November 30 to en-cash their vouchers, but most made the deliberate choice to wait in long lines to get their money. I have not seen anyone blaming the parents for being impatient, yet they jump at the opportunity to blame the Ministry for the “chaos”.

I read Lurlene Nestor’s lengthy missive recently with some amusement, as she called the initiative “a big political gimmick”. This PNC sycophant appeared more concerned with the promotion of this programme, as it demonstrates yet another commitment to education by a caring Government

that she opposes.

Not once did she have the courage to admit that mothers throughout Guyana, especially single parents, and perhaps even members of her own family, have benefitted from this money she referred to as “hand-outs”.

The PPP/C Administration did not discriminate either. Parents that voted for PNC/ APNU and those who voted for AFC received the same amount as those who support the PPP/C.

Surely, Nestor would know that Guyanese have been paying taxes during the reign of the PNC too, and they were never given “hand-outs” from their own tax dollars. As I recall, many Guyanese migrated to other countries during the dark years of the PNC rule, leaving behind the homes they lived in to rot.

They could not sell their homes because it was Forbes Burnham’s and his ruling PNC’s policy that Guyanese leaving Guyana, would take nothing with them but for a measly $100 (US$50 then). Those were the days when, if you had a roll of toilet paper in your home, you hid it and only bring it out when

you have house guests.

Although she was part of the cabal, Nestor may have forgotten, or chosen not to remember, those days. Like so many others, many Guyanese now take the development that is evident throughout all regions of Guyana for granted. The $10,000 per child that parents received was possible because the Guyana economy can now afford it.

Former Finance Minister and former President Bharrat Jagdeo started the recovery, and the challenge to continue the reform was surpassed by the brilliance of the Finance Minister, who along with Jagdeo, deserves all the credit for transforming the Guyana economy from a bankrupt state under the PNC (now calling themselves APNU), to what it is today.

As the economy continues to grow, I feel sure that Guyanese of every race, religion or political affiliation can look forward to bigger “hand-outs” from a Government that truly cares!

Sincerely, Harry Gill

Navin Chandarpal: A true fighter all the way

Dear Editor, Navin Chandarpal carried himself so humbly that it was very easy to be unaware of all his accomplishments. The 63-year old Presidential Adviser who was also a former Minister of of Agriculture, principal of GAWU College, PYO General Secretary, Member of Parliament, and a stalwart who championed the causes of the working-class . He was known both locally and internationally. I want to epitomize this very character of Chandarpal. He came from a humble background and after all, the son of down-trodden sugar workers from Berbice.

After his death I realized that Guyana may have greatly under-valued the treasure we had. He and I talked a lot about various things while campaigning on the political platform in the Essequibo Coast, in 1992, and the role of good governance,in many ways. I think that he captures the essence of what he would have liked to see Guyana become before his death.

But we are all here for a season and a reason. He lived his life well. Like many of us, he had many challenges and heartbreaks, but the many positives and what he accomplished over the years stretches the imagination. I am very sure that even some of his colleagues were unaware of many of his accomplishments.

The late Chandarpal had a sound knowledge of the political arena and agriculture sector in Guyana. He began his consciousness of rich versus poor, of the economic and social dispar-

ity of classes, and the need for political struggles and solutions in the pursuit of social justice, even before he left to study at the University of Guyana. He had many opportunities overseas, but chose to live in Guyana, his country of birth, which he did unflinchingly. His exuberance and simplicity encouraged those who came into contact with him to be steadfast and relentless under pressure and to be hopeful while working to achieve better goals for Guyana.

He helped the late Dr Cheddi Jagan to formulate the New International Human Order. In his own aggressive and indomitable style, he has touched the lives of those who worked or associated with him in some way or the other.

But I want to make my letter a little more personal, and that hinges around phrases of my relationship with him and his wife Indra, whom I worked with at the Ministry of Housing. Many of you would not know that friendship was exceptionally forged in some ways. We had a bond and it gives you the idea of the type of pressures and difficult circumstances under which he lived his life until his death. He was indeed a true patriot to his country.

He was a bulwark of strength until his last breath. He will be remembered by all as a fighter, all the way, especially by his close friends who fought alongside him for the restoration of democracy.

Yours faithfully, Mohamed Khan

Always look at broader picture at what is right

Dear Editor,

The controversies surrounding the events of the past weeks, in which some of the major players in our society have been engaged, must prove that we can never make any progress towards agreement on any matters, national and societal, as well as development of an atmosphere of unity and harmony among us, as long as we keep adopting this confrontational stance towards those whom we consider to be our antagonists. Those involved have used every instrument at their disposal to upstage their “opponents”, with seemingly little or no desire of invoking a sense of what is basically right or wrong in these matters, or trying to look at each issue from the other party’s perspective.

This has led to confusion even in the interpretation of the civil laws, as each tries to use these to justify and reinforce his own actions and positions.

This confusion would not have been so pronounced if we were not such a diverse people, originating from so many different cultures, religious faiths and geographical areas. This dilemma would have been solved if we had all contributed and were committed to a code that was enunciated by the tenets of some system – religious, cultural or social.

As a result we would have been subscribing to one set of principles by which we should act, and any matters would have been more or less easily decided on when everyone applied these to their determination.

How then are we Guyanese supposed to take ourselves out of this rut of uncertainty and confusion about what is right or wrong in our affairs? The answer must surely lie in a situation where we would always look at the broader picture at what is right for our people and our country.

Do not develop a selfish or self-righteous stance but be willing to consider the views of others, slow to judge and try not to look at the motives of others as evil, be willing to listen and take on board the views of all concerned parties in our deliberations, use our consciences rather than what we desire for ourselves to determine the rightness of our own actions, and be compassionate and tolerant towards all our fellow Guyanese, no matter

in what “camp” we perceive them to be. If as a nation we are willing to follow these conditions over time, we will not only find that problems will be solved to the satisfaction of most of us, but that we would at the same time be developing a code of ethics which would be acceptable to all, and which would serve to guide us in our future interactions and deliberations.

I pray that my fellow Guyanese at all levels will appreciate the present problems playing out in the public arena as a do or die situation, and be willing to forego their own desires and positions and work together to unleash the full potential of our beloved Guyana.

Yours sincerely Roy Paul

Page Foundation

Parenting For Success

There have been panic and fear about the deadly Ebola disease spreading to the Caribbean ever since it became evident that this outbreak would be harder to suppress and end the previous outbreaks. Here are five things to know about Ebola and how it is spread:

The West Africa Ebola Outbreak is now the largest in history. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says around 5000 people have died from Ebola. Around 14,000 cases had been reported as of last week in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, with 20 in Nigeria (eight dead –outbreak stopped); four in the United States (one fatal); and one each in Spain, Senegal and Mali (one fatal).

Some People have survived Ebola. While the fatality rate for Ebola can be as high as 90 per cent, health officials in the three countries say people have recovered from the virus and the current death rate is about 70 per cent. Those who fared best sought immediate medical attention and got supportive care to prevent dehydration even though there is no specific treatment for Ebola itself.

Ebola can look a lot like other diseases. The early symptoms of an Ebola

infection include fever, headache, muscle aches and sore throat, according to the WHO. It can be difficult to distinguish between Ebola and the symptoms of malaria, typhoid fever or cholera. Only in later stages do people with Ebola begin bleeding both internally and externally, often through the nose and ears.

Ebola is only spread through bodily fluids

The Ebola virus is not airborne, so people would have to come into contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person. These include blood, sweat, vomit, faeces, urine, saliva or semen – making transmission through casual contact in a public setting unlikely.

Fear and misinformation though is making things worse. In each of the affected countries, health workers and clinics have come under attack from panicked residents who mistakenly blame foreign doctors and nurses for bringing the virus to remote communities.

Family members also have removed sick Ebola patients from hospitals, including one woman in Sierra Leone’s capital who later died. Police had to use tear gas to disperse others who attacked a hospital in the country. (news24)

– ChildLink’s vision is a Guyanese society where every child enjoys the right to a childhood in a safe and caring family, free from poverty, violence and exploitation

Successful intervention

Case Study – Names and places have been changed to protect persons’ privacy.

It was a typical Monday morning at the Child Care and Protection Agency when Child Protection Officers welcomed a seven-week-old baby girl whose entry into this world was a catalyst for change in her mother’s life.

Baby Tyra’s mother, a single parent and recovering drug addict, was at a critical juncture in her life when she engaged the attention of the Agency. In order to save her life and that of her newborn daughter, she had several tough, yet equally important decisions to make. Cloaked in her innocence, Tyra would prove to be the motivation her mother needed to embark on this lifesaving journey and inevitably destroy the shackles that had her bound to a life of unending misery and self-destruction.

During her 19-year struggle with drug addiction, Tyra’s mother found herself often times homeless and childless, as she had lost custody of her five older children. Separated from her family, friends and familiar world, she had to deal with her illness as well as the isolation, powerlessness and despair of having to reintegrate into the folds of a culture

and society that was now foreign territory to all the senses. Almost defeated, Tyra’s mother generated the courage to ask for help at the Child Care and Protection Agency, who in turn provided the necessary support and assistance regarding rehabilitative treatment and counselling services.

As a result of the child’s tender age and the Agency’s policy regarding institutionalisation of children under the age of three years, foster care as an alternative care option was explored for Tyra while her mother received treatment to combat her illness. Ms Rose Haley, a prospective foster parent, immediately answered the call to play the role of surrogate parent to Baby Tyra. It was a decision that derived from an

unrelenting desire to provide the motherly care and love to a child in need, with the sup-

port of her partner and family members. It was an ideal match which saw Tyra’s placement in foster care with Ms Haley on Christmas Eve for a period of six months. As the months passed, the bond between foster parent and child solidified and there was no

scepticism surrounding the care the child was receiving in her foster home. Tyra blossomed before the eyes of her foster family, biological mother and Child Protection Officers. During her monthly visits with her mother at the Agency, Tyra would always make an impression with her fashion statements while she expended her toddler energy stores, engaging with those around her, young or old. It was such that Tyra became a household name at the Agency.

In the balance

However Tyra’s fate hung in the balance, between a foster mother whose love knew no bounds as she invested herself selflessly and a biological mother who was intensely locked in a battle to maintain sobriety. As the Agency worked with the determined mother to increase the possibility of reunification as part of the overall care plan for the child, the foster mother ensured the pair made the most of their remaining time together. Ms Haley exemplified beautifully what it means to be a foster parent when the question of “if she had it to do all over again” was asked. She responded that “if/when Tyra is returned to her biological mother, I would nevertheless do it all again – I have no regrets.”

Foster care is an investment into a child’s life without expectations of a return. It means doing one of the most honourable but difficult jobs on earth for a total stranger when it is sometimes hard to do for your biological children. When you choose to help fill the gap of a biological parent, who for a variety of reasons may be unable to care for his/ her child, you are making a divine decision to act unselfishly. It is a commitment that requires you putting yourself on the altar of sacrifice to bring about change in the life and destiny of one child, day after day. It may be one of the most rewarding experiences in all your existence. Please contact us on telephone number 231-7174 or programmes.childlink@networksgy.com for any support you may need on parenting and any other challenges that you may be experiencing with your children. Or call the Child Care and Protection Agency on 227-4082.

‘My Foster Family” by foster child Lydia

Time for talks over – Granger

By Jomo Paul

Today, the spirit of compromise of the honourable men and women in the National Assembly will be tested, as for the first time in the history of Independent Guyana, the ruling Government is facing a No-Confidence Motion.

Under the current dispensation, the combined Opposition hold a one-seat majority in the House, and from all indications, Guyana will be going down an unprecedented road.

At the end of the day, Guyanese will know whether there is an impending General Election as a result of the Alliance For Change (AFC) tabled No-Confidence Motion or if President Donald Ramotar will use his constitutional power to prorogue the National Assembly.

On Sunday, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) made it clear that the party is closing the door on talks with the administration on the way forward instead of the No-

Confidence Motion, which the Government says will abruptly halt Guyana’s development.

President Ramotar has affirmed that if the combined Opposition remains resolute to its plan and forges ahead with the NoConfidence Motion, sweeping aside Government’s business in the House, he will dissolve the National Assembly.

But APNU Leader David Granger told reporters that the President’s remarks are being seen as intimidation, contending that the Opposition was not prepared to hold discussions under “duress”.

In fact, Granger told reporters “we can’t engage with a gun at our heads”, adding that “this National Assembly is a forum for national debate. It’s the voice of the people. I can’t see how he can prorogue the Parliament and expect us to have any discussions under duress. The place for discussions is in the National Assembly. If he shuts it

Pensioner killed in hitand- run accident

Pensioner Hemchand Ramjewan, 65, a labourer of Hubu Back, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), was killed in a hit-andrun accident along the De Kinderen Public Road, West Coast Demerara (WCD) on Saturday evening.

According to information received, the elderly man had visited his daughter at Leonora, WCD earlier in the day, but left in the evening, claiming that he was going to meet some friends.

Family members were not sure where he was heading on the night he was killed.

The Police have retrieved a portion of a registration plate at the scene and have since launched an investigation into the accident.

Basdeo Mohan, Ramjewan’s son-in-law told Guyana Times that his father-in-law would normally work at a logging grant with an old friend and whenever he was out of the hinterland, he would visit his children.

He explained that he was heading home on Saturday evening when he saw Ramjewan on the road, heading in the direction of Parika, EBE.

He said by the time he arrived at home, he received a telephone call informing him that his father-in-law was stuck down.

As such, he rushed out of the house and went to the scene. There, he saw his father-in-law lying on the roadway with a wound to the back of his head and an-

down, then he shuts down dialogue.”

Granger contended that previous discussions held with the President have not left room for further discussions, pointing out that “I have exhausted my discussions with the President”.

Expect resistance

The Opposition Leader made it clear that should the President go ahead with his plan to prorogue the National Assembly, “resistance is to be expected from the APNU”.

“It is not something we will accept and encourage our supporters to accept…. Heaven knows what the people will do … the people are angry,” he said, adding that “if the people choose to protest, we will support those protests…”

Already, Government officials have expressed their disappointment in APNU for supporting the motion.

Speaking on a Television Guyana (TVG) special feature of "Under the Microscope",

other under the chin. Mohan related that he died while being transported to the hospital.

“Papa Bird”, as he was commonly called, was also called the “walking man”.

Guyana Times was told that the now dead man used to drink regularly and would usually walk home after.

A niece of the dead man said he worked with a lumber dealer “Sonny” in the interior and whenever he came out, he would drink a lot.

Police, in a release, stated that they are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Ramjewan.

The man’s body is at the Ezekiel Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem examination. He leaves to mourn his wife, five children, and siblings.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand, Presidential Adviser Odinga Lumumba and People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament Manzoor Nadir collectively issued a sound warning to the Opposition parties, the APNU and AFC, of the impending deleterious consequences.

Manickchand registered her particular disappointment with Granger and Co-chair, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine for the stance taken on the No-Confidence Motion given their previous disposition.

She contended that APNU’s eagerness to support the motion is one sure way to halt the development of the country, placing their own needs before those of the country.

Manickchand posited that given APNU’s previous positions on the passage of the No-Confidence Motion, it would now seem that the party has been “outfoxed” by the AFC and tricked into joining the bandwagon

that will ultimately cripple Guyana’s development.

“I am disappointed in Mr Granger... very, very disappointed in Mr Granger. I always expected wildness from AFC, they are wild people, that is my view of them. They are hungry for power, hungry for personal kudos, so they will do wild things. They are the people, Robert Corbin, in my view, referred to as "wild men,” said Manickchand.

Immature

The Education Minister went on to say that the path chosen by the Opposition reeks of immaturity in that other methods could have been utilised.

“Let us say we go back to an election today, tomorrow, next week and the people of Guyana say, 'You know what? Y’all ain't learn y'all lesson. Go back in there and learn how to govern together in the interest of this nation.' Are we going to call an election year again or the following year… the NoConfidence Motion, if it were

to be passed, if it were to be debated… would bring an end to everything. It is going to bring an abrupt end to everything. The Education Bill goes down the drain… forget trying to break this monopoly for the telecommunications sector and all the other laws that are pending,” the Minister said.

She contended that the current state of affairs with respect to the National Assembly is a “test to see who loves Guyana and who doesn’t”.

X2 Singer injured in Norton Street accident

X2 Singer Jumo “Rubber Waist” Primo was injured on Norton Street in an early morning accident on Sunday. The accident reportedly occurred about 05:30h.

The soca sensation performed at Palm Court at Selector Carl’s Birth Night Party and was reportedly heading home on his motorcycle when the accident occurred.

He sustained a wound to his left foot and other injuries to the knees.

Primo was treated at a private medical institution and sent away.

Speaking with Guyana Times from his home on Sunday, the artiste related that while riding along Norton Street, he saw the

motor car “dancing” on the road, coming in his direction.

He said from the way the car was being driven, he knew the driver had to be drunk and could not control the vehicle.

Primo said he slowed down and continue to watch the car coming in the opposite direction in his lane. To avoid a head-on collision, Primo said he swerved out of the lane, resulting in the car making contact with the left side of his CBR motorcycle.

Upon impact, the former Carib Soca Monarch fell on to the roadway and slid

some distance before coming to a halt. It was during this time, he sustained the injuries.

The car, on the other hand, crashed into a nearby trench. There were at least three passengers in the car when the accident occurred.

Primo was rushed to the hospital to seek medical attention, while the driver of the car reportedly fled the scene. Primo said he was thankful to be alive, noting the situation could have been worse.

The Police have launched an investigation into the accident.

Bai Shan Lin partners with Sports Club for rehab work in Linden

BInternational Forest Development has announced that it will be joining forces with the community of Linden as it looks to undertake some major rehabilitation work at the Mackenzie Sports Complex Ground.

According to a release from the company, works on the ground commenced on Sunday and as part of its new Corporate Social Responsibility Programme, it purchased a number of tools for use in the initial phase of the project.

Chairman of the newly-constituted Mackenzie Sports Complex Modernisation Committee, Phillip Bynoe said the initial rehabilitation work is expected to be completed within one month.

Work will then be undertaken to increase the seating capacity at the ground by constructing an additional pavilion.

Bynoe further pointed out that a new basketball arena will also be constructed. The roof and other parts of the existing pavilion were damaged earlier this year following a storm.

The cheque was handed over by Baishanlin’s Forestry Development Department Director Eddie Wang to the Modernisation Committee’s Treasurer/

Resource Manager, Horace James.

In the release, Wang said the company was pleased to be part of this initiative and saw it as the renewal of a fruitful and productive partnership with Linden, and Region Ten (Upper DemeraraBerbice).

Echoing those sentiments, James said the committee and the community as a whole welcomed the support from Baishanlin and looks forward to building a new relationship with the company.

The company said it will continue to engage communities, particularly those in which it has a presence and remains committed to further strengthening relationships with all stakeholders.

Opposition Leader David Granger

Dead: Hemchand “Papa Bird” Ramjewan

Jumo Primo

Baishanlin’s Forestry Development Department Director Eddie Wang hands over the cheque to Horace James, Treasurer/Resource Manager of the Modernisation Committee while other officials look on

8 homeless after Ogle blaze

An early morning fire has left a family of eight making alternative living arrangements, as their two-storey wooden and concrete home at Lot 41 Ogle Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara, was completely razed. The blaze, suspected to be electrical in nature, reportedly started about 09:50h.

Based on reports gathered, a spark was seen on the electrical cable leading to the house from a lamp pole and then the entire upper flat of the house was engulfed in a conflagration. At the time of the fire, the owner’s daughter-in-law and three grandchildren were at home while the owner, Jagnarine Rupchand, was at his place of worship.

When Guyana Times visited the scene, there were at least two fire tenders and a tanker present and firefighters were battling with the blaze. They managed to prevent it from spreading to the nearby houses.

Rupchand was being consoled by close friends and family who arrived as they received news of the fire. The stunned 59-year-old man told the

Scrap

Guyana Times that he had been living at the location for the past 40 years.

Rupchand explained that he and his family were at the Mandir a short distance away from his home waiting on the rain to ease so that they could return home when someone passed by and shouted out that his house was on fire. He said he completely forgot about the heavy downpour and rushed home only to find the entire upper flat of the house on fire.

His priority, however, was to locate his daughter-in-law and grandchildren and he found them standing outside.

He explained that his daughter-in-law and grandchildren were reportedly unaware that the house was on fire until someone shouted out that fact to her. She then grabbed her children and ran through a door, safely escaping.

Neighbours, he related, rushed to the home and quickly pushed the two parked vehicles out of the yard to safety. He said that they did not have a chance to salvage anything else, noting that all of his life earnings went up in flames.

Upon querying, he was told that a ball of fire was seen on the electrical wire leading to the house, and the fire started from the ceiling of the house.

The upper flat of the house had three bedrooms along with a living room, while the lower flat had two bedrooms, the dining area, and the kitchen. Rupchand disclosed that it was hard to estimate his losses since his house was fully furnished with modern amenities.

In tears, he highlighted that several construction tools were also destroyed by the fire. On this note, he told the Guyana Times that he has a heart complication and as such, he “cannot work with people”; hence, he would take on small construction work around the area. This publication understands that the man’s son, Lenny Rupchand, is the Operations Manager of Roraima Airways.

When asked about his family’s next move, he stated that he would have to regroup and make some critical decisions as to the way forward, but confirmed that the house was insured.

iron dealer remanded on break-and-enter charge

Forty-two-year-old

Vernon Primus was remanded to prison on a charge of break and enter and larceny by Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

It is alleged that between November 2 and November 3 at Lot 33 Sheriff and Dadanawa Streets, Section K Campbellville, Georgetown, he broke and entered the dwelling of Dweyne Oderson

and stole the following items: two television sets valued $160,000, one stereo set valued $66,000 and other items valued $2,410,000.

During Thursday’s hearing, the Administration of Justice Act (AJA) was requested and applied. The defendant, of Lot 119 B Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, then denied the charge.

Police Prosecutor Dinero Jones successfully object-

ed to bail on the grounds of the nature and prevalence of the offence, and the conflicting addresses the defendant gave (Primus had told Police his address was 123 B Field, Sophia).

Primus told the court that he was a scrap iron dealer and last Monday he was passing by the yard of Oderson and the gate was opened. He said he was admiring some of the scrap metal in the yard when a

truck with Tactical Services Unit (TSU) Police ranks pulled up. He said the ranks asked him what he was doing there and carried out a search on him.

The unrepresented defendant argued that no one took any fingerprints from him and nowhere had been broken into.

The matter will be recalled on November 24 for statements.

Mango thief to perform community service

Ahomeless man accused of stealing mangoes from the Thirst Park compound was given two options after he pleaded guilty to the simply larceny charge, either to perform 10 hours of community service or spend seven days in prison.

The man appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday before Magistrate Geeta

Chandan- Edmond after the matter was transferred by the Chief Magistrate, Priya Sewnarine- Beharry.

It was alleged that on November 3 at Banks DIH Thirst Park, Greater Georgetown, around 08:45h, he, without being authorised, entered the compound and stole the mangoes.

Singh was caught by the security guard who

was on duty at the time. He was questioned as to how he gained entry into the compound and he replied that he was hungry, so he jumped the fence and made his way up the mango tree. The Police were contacted and the defendant was arrested and taken to the Ruimveldt Police Station.

In the courtroom, Singh pleaded with the

Magistrate, stating that he was homeless and hungry and the mangoes were in his sight at the time.

Magistrate ChandanEdmond then gave him the choice of performing 10 hours of community service around the Magistrates’ Courts or spending seven days in the Camp Street Prison. Singh accepted the community service penalty.

Eyew tness D-Day...

...in Parliament

Today is “D-Day” in Parliament. While maybe not on the scale of the original “D-Day” that featured 100,000+ Allied troops landing on the beaches of Normandy, the import of what’s gonna play out in Parliament will be as momentous for us as it was for that “great war for democracy”.

Let’s face it, politics in Guyana was never played by the Marquis of Queensbury rules. We owe much of this “politics as war” approach to Burnham – whose political SOPs were all derived from Machiavelli.

On one side, we have the Opposition APNU and the AFC – the local Hitler Black Shirts and Mussolini’s Brown Shirts – that’ve seized control of the National Assembly. They ignored the Constitution which mandated that the National Assembly only becomes “Parliament” when it is joined with the President. Because of their one-seat majority in the Assembly, they rebuffed the President when he made overtures to work with them in “Tripartite Talks”.

They were full of “spunks” and suddenly insisted that the President “had” to share Executive power with them. The President made many attempts to penetrate their redoubt at the Public Buildings, of course, but by their controlling all of the Committees in the Assembly, the Executive was operating with its hands tied. But like all greedy specimens, the Opposition became so consumed with seizing power that they inevitably overplayed their hand.

They forgot the Constitution was designed by Burnham, who’d figured if he couldn’t rig elections forever, it’d better allow him to govern with a minority base. A lot of people are confused about why Burnham wanted a Constitution that would place Executive power in a plurality Government. Well, by pressuring the PPP/C’s base to decamp, he’d soon obtain a plurality ...that’s why!

Burnham wasn’t wrong in his premise, but he outsmarted himself when he assumed his party could never get out enough votes – even when in the majority. And in like manner, his presidential prerogatives to either dissolve or prorogue Parliament. So like all smart flies, the PNC of his successor Granger has landed on “cow’s backside”.

This PPP/C Government can go on as long as it wants –and there’s nothing the Opposition parties can do about it.

All along they were like the criminals who assume the cops have to play by some “higher” rule and wouldn’t get into the trenches. Well, the President has shown them that two can play the “power game”!!

And today on D-Day, it’ll be the beginning of the Opposition roll-back from their control of the National Assembly. Let freedom ring!!!

...on back door

This Eyewitness likes to engage the former Speaker Ramkarran, an object lesson in the politics of “what might’ve been”. In his Stabber column this week, he taunts his ex-comrades in the PPP/C that after daring the AFC to “bring it on” with its No-Confidence Motion, the Government will be “slipping through the back door” if the President keeps his promise to prorogue Parliament.

We’re not sure what Ramkarran means by “slipping through the back door” – but if it’s avoiding the trap set by the AFC to embarrass them, did Ramkarran really ever think “bravado” rather than “discretion” exemplified good politics?? Now we know why Ramkarran and Nagamootoo have been perennial “also rans” while Ramotar is President of Guyana and will go down in history as such.

The President would have to be a fool to enter into a debate on a No-Confidence Motion knowing he doesn’t have the votes. Isn’t this what Ramkarran did when he defied President Jagdeo and didn’t have the votes to prevail??

But then you can’t teach old dogs new tricks, can you?? ...in cricket

In a matter possibly only slightly less important than the prorogation of Parliament, we have the US$42 million claim the BCCI has against the WICB. They won’t be bound by the Patterson Committee proposals?? Let them crash and burn. WI cricket will survive.

The owner, Jagnarine Rupchand (in red plaid), being consoled by a close friend as he looks at what is left of his home

6-year-old killed by speeding pickup

Apupil of the Parika/ Salem Primary School was on Sunday killed by a speeding Toyota pickup at Farm Village, East Bank Essequibo (EBE).

Saieed Mohamed Yusuf, six, of Lot 21 Hyde Park, EBE, and his father were attempting to cross the Public Road after purchasing ice cream when he was struck down by the motor vehicle which overtook another.

Due to the impact, the lad was stuck to the crash bar of the vehicle, but fell to the ground after it came to a halt some distance from the accident.

He was picked up and rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, but succumbed to his injuries on his way there.

The child’s father, Mohamed Sherriff Yusuf, told Guyana Times that his son lived with his mother in Hyde Park, but on weekends, he stayed with him.

He collected the child on Friday and was due to take him back on Sunday, but told the mother that he will keep him for an extra day since he wanted his son to spend time with him for his birthday (Mohamed’s), today.

In a flash

The father, in tears, explained that it was habitual for him to purchase ice cream on Sunday afternoon for his son from a mobile unit that passes around the area.

He said he had just fin-

ished purchasing the ice cream (and they were attempting to cross the road) when he saw the black 4-Runner speeding towards them.

He recalled holding his son’s hand when the accident occurred.

“The accident happen in a flash… me and me son bin

a cross the road and the vehicle just pick up meh son and carry he way,” Yusuf cried.

He said when he looked further up the road, he did not see his son and only saw him after the vehicle stopped.

The child, he said, had fallen from the crash bar.

His said that his son’s right foot was broken and he was bleeding profusely from the head.

The driver reportedly panicked and screamed as he exited his vehicle. He was nearly struck down as well.

The child was picked up in an unconscious state and rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital.

An eyewitness told Guyana Times that she was standing on the road when she heard a screeching sound as if a vehicle was trying to stop. As she looked around, she saw smoke and then heard “Bam!”

“I start praying that wasn’t someone but after I heard ‘Pop Eye’ (the lad’s father) start screaming, I know it had to be Saieed,” the woman disclosed.

She added that she saw the child on the crash bar of the vehicle and he fell to the ground after the vehicle stopped.

The woman said the driver was the lone occupant of the vehicle, but subsequently, his wife arrived on the scene.

He is in Police custody assisting with investigations.

The child leaves to mourn his parents and two other siblings. His body is at the Ezekiel Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem examination. Police are continuing their investigations.

Passengers’ safety in jeopardy

– with some Linden taxi drivers

By Sheldon FraSer-Sealey

Catching a hundreddollar car is a means of daily transportation for many Lindeners whether it is to work tor school. Recently, in Linden, some taxi drivers have been accused of careless driving and have been putting their passengers at serious risk.

Just last month, there was an incident involving a taxi driver and an elderly man. Before the man could exit the vehicle and close the door, the driver had already started to drive off. The man had to hold on to the door while the vehicle was in motion and was dragged some distance.

Many persons watched on in amazement. The taxi driver stopped the car, but the man’s foot had already been injured – and blood flowed from his toe.

Rush

On November 5, there was another incident involv-

ing a taxi driver, a female passenger and her child. This occurred in the vicinity of the One Mile Area, Wismar, Linden. The woman flagged down the taxi, and opened the door to get in.

Before she could close the door, the driver began to move off, causing her and her child to topple out of the taxi onto the road. Onlookers rushed to the scene to try to lift the woman into the car as, in serious pain, she struggled to get up. She and the child then had to be rushed to the hospital by the same taxi driver.

One onlooker even remarked that if the Police were on the scene, the driver would have been slapped with several charges. Apparently, it is customary for taxi drivers to try to see how fast they can get back to the park and into the line at the Wisroc Amelia’s Ward Bus Park in Mackenzie so that they can pick up more passengers

and get their “hustle on”.

Recently, the taxis were ordered by the law to move from their normal location in Pine Street, which is not too far from the bus park. The taxi drivers now have to compete with minibuses en route to Wisroc, Block 22, Amelia’s Ward and the “Three Friends” Mines. A demarcation line was established for the taxis and minibuses at the park.

Road safety

On Friday, October 31, there was a mini protest at the “five corner” in Linden by several taxi drivers because of the 20-dollar increase in toll they have to pay for crossing the MackenzieWismar Bridge. In addition, the taxi drivers parked their cars owing to the money they have to pay every time they enter the bus park to collect passengers. As a result of these occurrences, taxi drivers are trying to increase their trips.

Many of them in their

Simply the Truth

This Ancient County

It is not that someone like me can lay claim to Berbice and Guyana. It is that Berbice and Guyana can lay claim to me. I do not go to “help” or “rescue” Berbice and our nation. It is that the nation and this Ancient County rescue me from a long wandering around the world.

They save me from an almost nomadic restlessness across five continents. There are the fools who boast that they have never left Guyana, but only the lost can know truly what it is like to return home.

Back home in Berbice a few weeks or so ago, I knew again where I belonged. It is not as if I needed to be reminded, but just the air refreshed me, like reading a book once read and the book is read again with new insights since the reader has grown.

to leave again.

There are things about which we can complain about Berbice and Guyana, but when we complain, we need to know that with thought and vision and the will to act, we can solve the things about which we readily complain.

haste to get back in the queue put not only their passengers at risk but themselves.

The month of November is designated as Road Safety Month. The officers of the Guyana Police Force constantly have to appeal to drivers and road users to be ever careful when using the roadways not only during this month but at all times. Even pedestrians should be aware of their responsibilities as they are warned of the dangers involved in being careless.

It is hoped that drivers exercise the five Cs of road safety which include Care, Caution, Courtesy, Consideration, and Common Sense. Passengers using the hundred-dollar cars need to feel safe knowing that their lives are in capable hands.

There is no need to rush to get back in the queue, since the lives of passengers are more important than picking up other passengers from the park.

And new wonders are found in the new reading. It is like being in the arms of one’s beloved, arms that held you before, but hold you again, and each embrace is as something new and pure and fresh, something empty of lust and vulgarity, empty of pretence and public display.

And each good person met is like breathing new air: the Wilsons, Mr Edmunds, the Latchas, Mr Maraj, Imam Moses, Mr Scott, Miss Odessa, Mr Jagroop, Mr Thomas, Mr Armogan, Mr Poonai, Mr Fazil, Mr London, Mr Rampersaud, Miss Shazeena, Mr Mohabir, the Londons, just to name a few.

Such blessing fell upon me with each one met that my heart grew new sinew, as if it were never damaged. With each courtesy they paid to me, I was honoured.

Having returned to St Lucia, I was asked, “How was the trip back home, Professor?” It was bruising, because so much had to be done. It was wonderful, because so many good people were met again. And it was heart-breaking

Social, political and economic ills are not remedied simply by shrill complaints. Neither are they solved by soppy sentimentality and gossip. The remedy lies in thought, analysis, and action based on thought and analysis. Those who feel deeply need not wail and whine and be falsely philosophical. Philosophy takes serious work, a lifetime of work. It is very difficult to be dispassionate when one is so emotionally involved. Very few of us are capable of that. It is rather like writing – true writing. It is lonely, disciplined, simple. There are people who have written about Berbice, but Berbice becomes simply a stage upon which they strut and prance. The ego. For me, Guyana and Berbice are primary. And people like me are secondary.

I breathe because I am given life by the air that covers Berbice and Guyana. I stand up because my feet are planted upon our soil. I have stood upon the soil of some 64 countries, but I remain rooted to Berbice and Guyana and shall be so until the end of days. My beloved knows.

Professor Daizal Samad

Saieed Mohamed Yusuf and his sister last Christmas

Kaieteur News owner Glenn Lall’s illegal phone interception Staff fearful of making phone calls

Staff members of the Kaieteur News are now ever-reluctant to make phone calls on their Glenn Lall-issued cellular devices given the recent admissions by the Publisher of the newspaper that he tapes the calls of all of his employees.

On October 29, another media entity had reported that Lall admitted recording conversations on phones he had given to his employees.

Since that admission, there has been growing fear, not only among reporters, but also on the part of other staff members who are worried that their private conversations are being recorded and archived as possible ammunition should they ever have a falling out with the company.

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall was recently at the receiving end of Lall’s wrath when private banter with a reporter he considered his friend was illegally recorded, manipulated and released to suit a smear campaign by the newspaper targeting Government officials.

One staff member who spoke on strict condition of anonymity told Guyana Times that while Lall gives the impression that his staff supports his anti-Government crusade, it is quite the opposite.

The young lady explained that staff members feel betrayed about the tapping of their phones by Lall. She said that since the record-

ing of the Attorney General was released, the reporters have found it increasingly difficult to contact sources and other persons for information.

Already several persons and organisations have condemned the recent illegal act by Lall.

The Attorney General has since filed a court action against Lall, and also sued him, his Editor, Adam Harris, and the newspaper outfit for libellous publications arising from the tape.

Concerns

Since the surreptitious recording of the Attorney General, several public officials have expressed concerns about the privacy of conversations they might have had with staff of the newspaper and some have been refusing to take calls from reporters of the news outfit.

“Gotta call a Kaieteur News reporter, so I have to put on me ‘studio voice’... after all, I want sound good on

tape,” a media practitioner wrote on his Facebook page on Wednesday.

“Make sure u tell the reporter when you are ready and use words like ‘off the record’ and it’s ‘my personal opinion’ and for peace sake, do not bring up any Gun N’ Roses tunes,” another person commented.

One letter writer Faruk Mohamed, commenting generally on the illegal taping, said: “It is ... unquestionably obvious, that the kind of journalism the Kaieteur News subscribes to is devoid of any fairness or balance.”

He said within the course of one year, 50 lawsuits have been filed against this newspaper, and it is internationally recognised that the Kaieteur News is the most sued news outlet in the world.

“Is this not an indication of the type of journalism being practised by this news outfit?” he asked.

Only on Tuesday, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) had said that it was alarmed at the illegal recording.

FITUG said it has been following, in a general way, the public brouhaha which has stemmed from the taping of the conversation and many of those views focused on the content of the purported tape, which, seemingly, is providing a grand opportunity for essentially the politically-inclined to do some personal bashing.

“But those who are hastening to take a passing

advantage at this turn of events should not be shortsighted nor should they allow any exultation at this act obscure to its graver implications.”

For FITUG, certain concerns have come up. The Union said there was the disgusting and illegal nature of the taping of a private conversation by two persons, in this case, school chums.

“It is scary to know that in our midst are persons who will not hesitate to violate our right to privacy, in this instance, that of our AG.

“It may be germane to ask: If the Attorney General of our country can be so easily targeted and illegally taped, who else within the higher echelons of our state apparatus – Government and/or security forces – are being targeted at this time and so on?”

FITUG said it found it instructive that the voices shunning intrusion of privacy were not as strong as “one should expect”.

Former News of the World Editor jailed for phone hacking

In sentencing remarks on jailing Ian Edmondson for eight months, a judge said that the former News of the World news editor pleaded guilty at a "very late stage", ITV news reported.

The judge added: "He pleaded not guilty and maintained that plea during the main trial until I discharged the jury from returning a verdict in his case due to his ill health.

"He played no role in the hacking of Milly Dowler's voicemail which ultimately led to the closure of the News of the World."

According to the BBC, it was some nine years ago that the News of the World published a story about

Prince William's treatment for an injury, based on information that it could only

have come by because one of its journalists had listened to the prince's voicemails.

The ensuing Police investigation, which uncovered "a vast number" of other victims, would begin the saga that led to the conviction of News of the World Editor Andy Coulson and other news personnel, the closure of a newspaper bought by millions every week and moves to change the way newspapers are regulated.

Edmondson, 45, admitted his part in the plot to hack phones last month, becoming the eighth person from the now-closed Sunday tabloid newspaper to be convicted.

The Old Bailey heard he lost his home, became depressed and was now dependent on alcohol because

Guyana gotta local Muddoch

One headitor in de You-K just get jail. He was a wicked man. He was a evil man, just like some people in Guyana. He, he boss man and he reporters dem used to listen to people phone calls and voice messages.

Dem had a complicated system of evesdroppin pun innocent people, just like dem in Guyana. Old people woulda seh dem fast no a**. Dem is de kinda people who gon give up even dem a** just to be fast, just like dem ones in Guyana. Dem is only boys from de front, but some ting else from de back.

Dem in de You-K used to pay big ones all over de place to get into people phone and email. And because dem fast no a** dem used to pay big money to hack de big people phones. Seven of dem done get jail and this now is de eighth one. But de Guyana list more long.

Even Prince William ain’t get spare from de phone hackin and de phone tappin. Plus dem hackers had celebrities, sports stars, and even politicians on dem hack list and hit list, just like dem hackers and hit men in Guyana.

And is also just like dem ones in Guyana who playin Muddoch. Dem hackin, dem tappin, dem tapin, dem peepin and dem spyin. One of dem spy till he see a man goin in he own bedroom. Now poor he like a korehe can’t go in he own bedroom.

So he sleepin inside, but yet he outside. And talkin bout outside, not even outside help gon be able to help he this time. In fact, he gon soon only be able to watch de outside from de inside.

Well, as soon as de news bout de News of de World hit de world news dem ones in Guyana start shakin. Right now dem still tremblin and dem teeth knockin, even though place hot day and night.

Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! But dem gon soon getta different kinda knockin when dem get move from Saffon Street to Camp Street!

of the case.

Among those hacked were sports stars, celebrities, royalty and politicians.

Edmondson, a senior editorial figure at the News of the World between 2005 and 2010, admitted conspiring with private investigator Glenn Mulcaire to listen to victims' voicemail messages.

Sentencing him on Friday, Justice Saunders said he only had himself to blame.

Edmondson had been in the dock at the beginning of the eight-month trial which saw his former boss Andy Coulson jailed for 18 months and former Chief Executive Officer Rebekah Brooks cleared of any wrongdoing.

But after 29 days of evidence, he was excused attending court each day due to ill health.

Justice Saunders said: "I am satisfied that he is suffering from depression as well as having other medical

problems. Mr Edmondson was dismissed from his job at the News of the World and he has lost his reputation as a journalist."

The court heard that Edmondson tasked Mulcaire with hacking some 334 times.

Phone records show that there were 900 calls and texts between Mulcaire and Edmondson between July 2005 and August 2006 , demonstrating their "close working relationship", Prosecutor Mark BryantHeron QC said.

Edmondson was suspended from the tabloid in 2010, when emails emerged implicating him in phone hacking, he was sacked in 2011.

The three emails, which were handed to the Metropolitan Police by News International, triggered the phone-hacking investigation, known as Operation Weeting. (Excerpt from ITV and BBC News)

News of the World News Editor Ian Edmondson

Kaieteur News Editor Adam Harris

Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall

Times Notebook Treatment of AG exposes double standards

The Attorney General (AG) has apologised for his inappropriate discourse with a person he thought was a “friend” and had no idea that this person who treacherously posed as a friend had taped their mutual bantering.

There can be little doubt that the AG was betrayed and paid a price for being trusting. He was as flamboyant as ever with his “close friend”, not knowing that his “Judas” was setting him up.

Many of us are often guilty of saying things in friendly banter that we would not want taped and played for the hearing of anyone else. Innocent, friendly discourse could sometimes be explosive and embarrassing if played to others.

Sometimes people use

flowery, flavoured and loose language to emphasise a point. We often ignore political correctness in discourses with trusted friends. Now the AG and all of us know we ought to be more guarded in our private discourses.

Indeed, the AG has publicly expressed his embarrassment. Those closest to the AG have placed him in purgatory for this conversation. But he did the right thing in contritely apologising for inappropriate and loose talk.

There are many commentators and politicians, organisations and political parties today calling for charges against the AG and calling on him to resign. Granger, Ramjattan, Nagamootoo, and others have called on the President to sack the AG.

Tune has changed We will not defend or join the chorus of criticism of the AG. We simply want to ask why the very persons and those organisations that want to sack the AG for what is admittedly an inappropriate but private discourse, were and still are so silent about another private conversation that was taped and played publicly.

In 2006, a private conversation between two pres-

ently serving Members of Parliament was taped and played publicly. The participants were Basil Williams, Chairman of the PNC, and Winston Felix, the then Commissioner of Police.

The then conversation was far from merely friendly banter. It was, in fact, a conversation about some disturbing activities with crim-

inal connotations. At the very least, these two public figures should have been called upon for an explanation.

Instead, their friends who are demanding the resignation of the AG today argued that those who did the Felix/Williams tape committed a crime. They believed that what was said by Felix

and Williams in a private discourse was no one’s business and that the persons responsible for the taping should be found and punished. The argument was made that the contents of the Felix/Williams conversation were not questionable because the taping was a crime.

Today, the tune has changed. Felix, Williams and their friends, such as Granger and Ramjattan, posit that taping the private conversations of public figures is a right. The credibility of individuals like Granger, Ramjattan and others must be seriously questioned.

Had these persons taken a position that, however, the taping was done in 2006, the action of Williams and Felix should have exposed them to greater scrutiny, they would have had a moral right in making their argument against the AG today.

Some have argued that the AG’s friends and colleagues who today defend him also had been definitive in calling for the resignation of both Williams and Felix in 2006 and are, therefore, similarly guilty of double standards.

But there is a big difference. The friendly banter between the AG and his

“friend” did not contain any talk of a known crime and of any cover-up for which anyone took credit. The 2006 conversation clearly contained information about a cover-up of a crime.

Taping of private conversations without legal authorisation or without the knowledge of the participants was not a crime in 2006 and it is a crime today.

Taping anyone either without their consent or without legal authorisation remains an invasion of privacy, is against national and international legal conventions, and is a crime that is punishable.

In 2006, the taping was done by someone unknown, but in the present case involving the AG, we know who committed an invasion of privacy and who contravened all known legal and standard rules and laws.

Gildharie, the AG’s “friend”, and his employer, Glenn Lall, of the Kaieteur News are guilty of a crime, no less than the person or persons who might have been responsible for the Felix/Williams tape With the AG, the conversation itself is pure loose talk by two people, one who betrayed the trust of a perceived friendship. In the Felix/Williams tape, the conversation points to serious offences that remain offences. The facts of the two cases point to a double standard that is inimical to our democracy.

Readers are invited to send their comments by email or Facebook to times. notebook@gmail.com

The defenders of the AG have maintained that position while the defenders of Williams and Felix see the unauthorised taping of the Felix/Williams conversation as a crime, but the unauthorised conversation of the AG as a right of citizens. This is a glaring double standard and exposes the recklessness of people like Granger, Ramjattan and others.

Hope Canal Project on track for year-end completion

– NDIA CEO

National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lionel Wordsworth is confident that with works moving apace, the completion of the Hope Canal Conservancy Project is on track to meet its year-end deadline.

In an interview with Guyana Times, Wordsworth disclosed that the overall construction of the channel and embankment is about 93 per cent complete. He noted that the remaining seven per cent mostly has to do with the connection of the channel to the head regulator.

“Work has started on that already and connecting the channel to the high-level discharge sluice, but we cannot make that connection to the high-level discharge sluice, because work is still ongoing on that structure,” he stated.

Additionally, access routes were created to allow for the transportation of workers and materials to the site; however, the removal of these for the operation of the canal has been catered for in the remaining works to be done.

According to the NDIA head, 70 per cent of the embankment has been completed to design elevation of 18.29 metres GD, about 8.5 kilometres from the seawall to the conservancy.

He explained that because the

embankment was earthen, it had to be constructed in stages in order to achieve the full height that was desired.

“It had to be done in stages to allow the materials to drain and dry, and also some shrinkage would have occurred during that period.”

The remaining section of the embankment that has to be constructed is currently at an elevation of 17.4 metres GD and works have already begun and are expected to be completed. The NDIA chief disclosed that the mud used to construct the embankment had to be acquired off site and transported by pontoons.

He added that materials used for the embankment were stockpiled since late last year to early this year and were allowed to drain and dry.

Moving apace

This, he said, is speeding up the process as the remaining works on the channel is moving apace, making the year-end deadline a possibility.

However, Wordsworth outlined that the completion of the project is highly dependent on the completion of the eight-gate high-level discharge sluice at the northern end of the conservancy that will release water into the Atlantic

Ocean. He noted that there are various construction works ongoing at that sluice.

The NDIA head explained that he visited the site during the past week and is pleased that work on the outer sluice is moving apace. He noted too that the contractor has put in place systems for night work to be done, which he fully supports since it will ensure that the construction works are completed by the scheduled time.

Wordsworth said during this week, work will be done on the concrete for the bridge. The eight gates have already been completed by the Guyana National Industrial Company (GNIC), and according to the NDIA head, their installation is awaiting the com-

pletion of the works on the outer sluice.

He noted that materials to have the work done have been acquired, and remains positive that with the implementation of the night work, the deadline can be achieved.

Following the 2005 floods, excessive rainfall resulted in Regions Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Five (Mahaica-Berbice) experiencing massive floods. As such, the then Robert Persaud-led Ministry of Agriculture, through the NDIA, commenced exploration of the Northern Relief Channel with the intention of improving the standards to withstand the intensity of hydrological disasters.

The contract for the construc-

tion of the Hope Canal Project was awarded to Courtney Benn Contracting Services, DIPCON Engineering and BK International. The first mentioned contractor was tasked with the construction of the eight-door sluice, while BK International was assigned the construction of the three-gate head regulator.

DIPCON was awarded the contract of the overhead bridge, while the Agriculture Ministry took the responsibility of the excavation of the 10.3km long earthen channel.

The construction began in February 2011 and was estimated to last for 18 months; however, the contractors could not meet the June 2013 deadline. Since then, there have been numerous deadlines set but not met, mostly as a result of the slow pace of contractors. Some setbacks were also experienced with the lengthy time it took to acquire equipment.

The Hope Canal Project will allow excess water from the conservancy to be drained into the canal through a three-door sluice, through the excavated channel into the Atlantic Ocean via the eight-door, high-discharge sluice structure. The completion of the project will see the channel joining the conservancy on its northeastern embankment and then cut across 10.3km of the coast.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall

PNCR Chairman Basil Williams

Former Police Commissioner and current APNU MP Winston Felix

Head of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Lionel Wordsworth is confident that the Hope Canal Conservancy Project will meet its year-end deadline

UG graduates urged to stay and develop Guyana

With Guyana experiencing a high level of brain drain with its skilled workers leaving for greener pastures, the newest batch of University of Guyana (UG) graduates was on Saturday urged to remain in Guyana and work to develop their country.

In a long but lively ceremony, some 1605 students graduated from the Turkeyen Campus before a massive gathering, it was the institution’s 48th convocation ceremony.

The patriotic call was made by recipient of the President’s Medal for Best Undergraduate Student and Valedictorian Joel Samuel Joseph.

He said notwithstanding the abundance of resources Guyana possesses and irrespective of their value, the country’s human resources is paramount.

Wise exploitation of the former, he said, was dependent on the skill of the latter for Guyana to move leaps and bounds.

On this note, he said members of the 2014 graduating class have an important role to play, and this requires them staying and serving their country.

“The realisation of a crucial decrease in graduate migration requires the adopting of a more patriotic and naturalistic approach by our graduates. If we all desert our homeland in pursuit of personal advancement, then where does that leave Guyana as a nation? Who will be here to motive and inspire youths to work hard? Who will be here to intelligently articulate, agitate and advocate for the positive societal change we desire? Who will conceptualise and enforce more bet-

ter and efficient means of functioning within our manufacturing and service industry, our academic arena, our political landscape?”

International Migration Institute (IMI) Research Officer Simona Vezzoli had said Guyana loses more than 80 per cent of its tertiary graduates and skilled personnel to brain drain.

Collective effort

Joseph said in order to change this reality, there needs to be a collective effort by stakeholders, including the graduates, policy-makers and corporate Guyana, to ensure that opportunities are available to keep trained personnel in Guyana.

He noted that initiatives such as easy non-concessionary access to house lots for graduates and in-

in place ‘graduates training programmes’ as he called on other companies to follow suit.

Joseph said the graduates cannot do it alone and require the fullest support and cooperation of those who hold the necessary influence to make the change everyone foresees for Guyana.

The Lindener, who attended President’s College, secured a Grade Point average of 4.0 in securing his Bachelor’s in Business Management.

Stay and serve

UG Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi echoed Joseph’s call for the graduates to stay and serve, pointing out that Government has invested in them, and they should invest in their country.

“It is my hope that you

lift underprivileged children and persons who are differently-abled. Be a mentor to

while they have graduated, it should not be the end of the learning process.

ternships are all incentives to get students to stay and serve.

The Best Graduating Student commended corporate giants such as Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) that have

will express your gratification by contributing to the development of Guyana through effective use of your newly- acquired knowledge. I challenge you to get involved in social development activities that will up-

somebody. Ensure that you contribute to the development of those around you so that together we can build a better and prosperous nation,” he told the graduates.

Professor Opadeyi informed the graduates that

He encouraged them to continue improving their skills as he extended an invitation for them to further their studies at the institution.

“If not a higher degree, you can benefit from a sec-

ond degree that enhances your ability to create employment for others.”

Dave Umar Sarran from the Faculty of Natural Sciences copped the Chancellor’s Medal for the second best graduating student. Meanwhile, the recipients of the Vice Chancellor Special Awards were Roseena Persaud from the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry; Nedera George from the School of Education and Humanities for the Humanities Programme and Bibi Azaad for the Education Programme; Kezia Bess from the Faculty of Natural Sciences; Stephen Shane Veerasammy from the Faculty of Health Sciences; Luanna Hardowar of the Faculty of Social Sciences; Uwe Best from the Faculty of Technology; and Soyini McPherson of the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences. They were all Best Graduating Students for their respective faculties.

President Ramotar hails sacrifices of fallen World War soldiers

Guyana observed Remembrance Day/ Armistice Day, also known as Poppy Day, on Sunday with two minutes of silence dedicated to victims of the First and Second World Wars, and other fallen soldiers during major conflicts.

In keeping with tradition, President Donald Ramotar led the country’s Remembrance Day tributes, by laying a wreath at the foot of the Cenotaph Monument, the national memorial to Guyanese soldiers who lost their lives, in Georgetown, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

The Head of State was followed by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds; Chiefof-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Mark Phillips; Commissioner of

Police (ag) Seelall Persaud; Leader of the Opposition, David Granger; Mayor of Georgetown, Hamilton Green; President of the Guyana Legion, Heads of Mission of the Diplomatic Corps, and a representative each of the Guyana Ex-Soldiers’ Benevolent Association and an Ex- GDF Association of Guyana.

In brief remarks, the President said that it was with gratitude the lives of the fallen heroes are remembered and will forever be remembered.

“We meet again to remember all those gallant men and women who gave their lives in two world wars. We are forever indebted to them for their supreme sacrifice in the cause of peace and freedom.”

Guyanese soldiers served

Dignitaries at the Remembrance Day wreath-laying ceremony

and fought in far off places such as Egypt, France, Belgium, and East Africa.

The Head of State added that Guyana also recalls, with gratitude those, who through the years, have made similar personal sacrifices in the continuing strug-

gle for human dignity, social justice and freedom from all forms of oppression wherever these exist.

“Their example strengthens our resolve to maintain our efforts for a world at peace with justice and prosperity for all peoples.”

He added that together the citizens of the Republic of Guyana rededicate themselves to the search for peace everywhere and “renew our commitment to the development and wellbeing of our beloved country”.

Following the President’s remarks, there were prayers by the three main religious groups. The auspicious ceremony was marked with a March Past at the corner of Main and New Market Streets, where the President was given a military salute.

Valedictorian and recipient of the President’s Medal for Best Undergraduate Student Joel Samuel Joseph receiving the award from Prime Minister Samuel Hinds

A section of the massive gathering at the University of Guyana’s 48th Convocation ceremony held on Saturday

Violent protests in Mexico over student deaths

Furious protesters tried to break into Mexico City’s National Palace during nationwide demonstrations over the deaths of 43 students that has angered the nation.

Protesters on Saturday slammed metal barricades against the door and briefly set it on fire but could not get into the palace, which is mostly used by President Enrique Pena Nieto for ceremonies.

Hundreds of demonstrators also burned several vehicles and threw firebombs at a southern Mexican state’s headquarters.

More than 300 students, many wearing masks, descended on the Guerrero Government headquarters on and burned around 10 vehicles, including trucks.

Mexico was confronted with one of the grisliest tragedies in years of drug violence after gang suspects confessed to slaughtering 43 missing students and dumping their charred remains in a river.

The confessions may have brought a tragic end to the mystery, but parents of the victims refuse to accept they are dead until DNA tests confirm their

identities, saying the Government has repeatedly told them lies.

“It appears that the Federal Government, with great irresponsibility, is interested in closing this matter because it’s all based in testimony. There is nothing definitive,” Meliton Ortega, uncle of a missing student, told

AFP news agency on Saturday.

The case is the toughest challenge yet to face President Enrique Pena Nieto, who took office two years ago vowing to restore order in Mexico, where about 80,000 people have died in violence linked to organised crime since 2006.

Chikungunya continues to spread across Caribbean

The Chikungunya outbreak continues to spread with no sign of slowing down

The United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned that the Chikungunya outbreak in Caribbean and Central and South American countries continues to spread with no sign of slowing down.

According to the CDC, “the painful mosquito-borne disease will likely continue to infect travellers to the Region during the rest of this year and beyond”.

The outbreak, which began last December, has caused an estimated 795,000 Chikungunya cases in 37 countries and territories in the Western Hemisphere as of the end of October, said the CDC in its latest update. It said more than 1600 travellers returning to the United States with Chikungunya have been reported, as of November 4.

Before this outbreak, the CDC said an average of 28

travellers with Chikungunya fever returned to the United States each year.

The CDC estimates that about nine million people travel between the United States and Caribbean each year.

“During Fall and winter, people in the United States might not be thinking about mosquitoes as a risk for diseases. So those who will be visiting the Caribbean or Central or South America should be aware of the risk of Chikungunya in these areas this fall and winter and remember their insect repellent and other tips for staying safe,” it said in a statement.

Dr Roger S Nasci, Chief of CDC’s Arboviral Diseases Branch, said the beginning of Fall means that mosquito problems in the continental United States will be decreasing.

“However, travellers to areas where the Chikungunya outbreak continues are at risk of becoming infected,” he cautioned. (Excerpt from CMC)

Heavy rainfall causes flooding, power outages across St Lucia

Heavy rains caused widespread flooding in St Lucia on Saturday resulting in several fallen trees, blocked roads and landslides.

Infrastructure Minister Phillip J Pierre said low-lying communities along the northern and eastern sections of the island were among the hardest hit by the rains that started on Friday and residents in these areas were urged to

move to higher ground.

Phillip also reported that some areas, north of the capital, were without electricity as a result of a fallen pole.

“We are aware that sections of the capital have also been affected by floodwaters. The Government continues to monitor the situation and encourages all to report any concerns or damage in their area,” Phillip said, adding “while an improvement in

weather conditions is expected later today, we wish to advise those in flood and landslide prone areas to remain vigilant.

“Please adhere to the caution against sea bathing until the weather improves,” Pierre said.

A Government statement said that response teams have been mobilised and are attending to blocked roads and bridges, fallen trees and landslides. (CMC)

Honduran held in Mexican jail returns home

AHonduran migrant who was jailed for more than five years by Mexican Police is expected to arrive in his home country on Sunday.

Angel Amilcar Colon Quevedo belongs to the Garifuna community, descended from African slaves and indigenous groups.

He was picked up in 2009 by Police in Tijuana in Mexico as he tried to cross the border into the United States.

Human rights organisations say Colon was tortured and detained on the basis of his ethnicity. Colon was released in mid-October, but stayed on in Mexico to publicise the treatment he had received.

International human rights organisations worked alongside local rights cam-

paigners to release him.

“I am an example of thousands of people who are in jail today and who do not have anyone defending them.” Colon said.

He said he had been tortured by Police and charged after he confessed under torture to being a member of a criminal gang.

He had later retracted his confession, but his complaints were ignored.

Colon said his mistreatment began after he told the Police he was the former President of the Organisation for Negro Brotherhood of Honduras –an organisation representing the Garifuna people. He says he was kept in a high-security prison with little food, water and medical attention and regularly beaten.

More than 200,000 Haitian children to benefit from improved schooling

The World Bank has signed a grant of US$24 million from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) to help 230,000 Haitian children attend school and receive quality education through tuition waivers and other support.

The lending agency says the grant, signed by Haiti’s Minister of Economy and Finance Marie Carmelle Jean-Marie and World Bank Special Envoy Mary BartonDock, on Friday, complements an ongoing “Education for All project” of US$85 million that the bank manages.

“Poor families at times spend up to 60 per cent of their income on the schooling of their children. These challenges are compounded in rural areas by greater poverty and difficult access to schools,” Barton-Dock said.

“With this support, the bank is not only helping increase the reach of the ‘Education for All programme’, but also improv-

ing the quality of teaching for disadvantaged Haitian children,” she added.

Jean-Marie said the additional financing focuses on the Haitian Government’s priorities to “increase school enrolment and attendance in disadvantaged areas, and improve the quality of teaching.”

In Haiti, over 80 per cent of primary and secondary schools are private, “which makes it difficult for poor families to send their children to school,” the Bank says. Over the last three years, the World Bank, with the support of the Global Partnership for Education, has financed 290,000 school fee waivers for primary students in nonpublic schools, about 237,000 daily meals reaching about 81,000 students per year, and one-time grants for 2824 schools, allowing them to reopen after the 2010 earthquake. (Excerpt from CMC)

TT: Family in pain as baby, woman found in duffle bags

Four men from the Brasso Seco area in Trinidad are assisting Police with investigations after the body of missing oneyear-old Shania Amoroso and an adult female believed to be that of her mother, Jenelle Gonzales, 19, was discovered Saturday.

According to Police, around 10.30h, officers of the North Eastern Division Task Force and members of the Defence Force followed a stench four miles into the Brasso Seco forest where the two bodies were found in duffle bags. The child’s

skull, Police said, was severely bashed in, while the adult had a gunshot wound to the head. There was a navel ring on the adult’s body, but due to the advanced stage of decomposition, Police were not able to positively identify the body.

Still missing are two other women believed to be the child’s grandmother Irma Rampersad, 49, and her 17-year-old daughter Felicia Gonzales, a student of Malabar Secondary School. Police said they will resume their search of the forest.

In a telephone interview

with the T&T Guardian, one of Rampersad’s six daughters identified only as Gail said investigators confirmed that her niece Shania was found dead. Gail said while she has been preparing for something like this since her relatives vanished from their Bleu Road, Brasso Seco, Paria, home, two weeks ago, the reality is nonetheless heart-wrenching.

“We spoke to investigators and what they said was that they found the body of a child and a woman off a precipice...,” Gail said. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

The 43 students went missing after they travelled to city of Iguala on September 26 (AFP)

Children in class at a school in Haiti (www.globalgiving.org)

Around the world

Thousands of balloons released to remember fall of Berlin Wall

Some 8000 helium balloons were released into the night sky over Germany’s capital at the culmination of events to mark the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Earlier, Chancellor Angela Merkel said the fall of the wall had shown the world that dreams could come true. Tens of thousands of people attended events, including a “citizen’s party” at the Brandenburg Gate.

The Berlin Wall was built in 1961 to stop people fleeing the communist East. Its fall in 1989 became a powerful symbol of the end of the Cold War.

The white balloons –perched on 3.6-metre poles to match the height of the wall and stretching for 1 15 kilometres (nine miles) – were released one by one to symbolise its disappearance.

Yemeni PM urges support for new Government

Yemen’s new Prime Minister has vowed to unite the country amid the ongoing political infighting, calling on all factions to support his Government in accordance with an agreement signed last week.

Khaled Bahhah told Al Jazeera on Sunday that his Government would hold together despite the calls for a boycott by the Houthi rebels and allies of the former President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Cabinet, after they were sworn in.

“I know that it is not an easy thing to start in Yemen, but with all the support of the Yemeni people, I think we will be able to tackle all these problems,” he said.

Bahhah also said that his government will respect the implementation of the UN sanctions against three former leaders, including Saleh, who still commands a political following in the country.

The release came amid a massive open-air party at the Brandenburg Gate. Earlier at the party, UK performer Peter Gabriel sang a version of David Bowie’s “Heroes”.

Chancellor Merkel, who grew up in East Germany, and other officials laid roses in one of the remaining sections of the wall.

The day’s events began with a brass band playing, evoking the trumpets which brought down the walls of the biblical city of Jericho.

Catalonia holds non-binding vote on independence

The people of Catalonia in north-eastern Spain are voting in a disputed and non-binding poll on independence.

The Spanish judiciary has ruled the vote unconstitutional, but Catalan leader Artur Mas warned against any attempt to disrupt it.

Spain’s constitutional court suspended earlier plans for a referendum on secession. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said the vote would have no effect and urged the region to return to “sanity”.

Voters will be asked whether they want a Catalan state and whether that state should be independent.

More than 40,000 volunteers are helping to set up

China’s

Tand run the informal exercise. As of 18:00 local time –two hours before the close of polling, 1,977,531 had voted, according to the Catalan Government.

Catalonia is a wealthy region of 7.5 million people and contributes more to the Spanish economy than it gets back through central Government funds. Economic and cultural grievances have fuelled Catalan nationalism.

Pro-independence supporters have campaigned earnestly for a big turnout.

The BBC’s Europe correspondent Chris Morris says many Catalans have always felt that they do not quite fit in a unitary state. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Speaking at the opening of a new information centre about the Wall, Mrs Merkel said it was easy to forget what had happened and it was important to remember it.

“We can change things for the better,” she said.

“This is the message for... Ukraine, Iraq and other places where human rights are threatened.

“The fall of the Wall showed us that dreams can come true. Nothing has to stay as it is.” (Excerpt from BBC News)

“They have signed on paper that they are supporting this Government. So regardless of all their statements, we are considering what has been signed during the meeting with the UN representative,” he said, in an interview with Al Jazeera’s Hashem Ahelbara in the capital Sanaa.

Earlier on Sunday, Bahhah presided over his first meeting with his

“The fabric of Yemeni society would be in danger if the outcomes of the national dialogue are not implemented,” he added.

Commenting on the recent political developments in Yemen, Peter Salisbury, a political analyst and independent journalist, told Al Jazeera: “People just seem to be dissatisfied with the political establishment in general.” (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Shelling rocks Ukraine’s east despite truce

Intense artillery fire has broken out in the proRussia separatist bastion of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine, the worst since a barely-observed ceasefire was signed in September.

Shelling by heavy artillery continued throughout the night and into the early hours of Sunday, and then picked up again later in the morning.

The bombardment appeared to come from areas held by the separatists as well as from positions controlled by the Government forces, and could be heard in the centre of the city, which had a pre-conflict population of more than one million.

The truce, agreed on

violations after separatist elections on November 2 that were condemned as illegitimate by the West. Residents said there appeared to be fighting near Donetsk airport, around which battles have repeatedly violated the ceasefire in a conflict in which around 4000 people have been killed since mid-April. There were no immediate reports of new casualties.

September 5, has looked particularly fragile over the past week, with each side accusing the other of

economic risks “not scary” – President Xi Jinping

he risks facing China’s economy are not “scary”, President Xi Jinping has told global business leaders. In a speech to chief executives ahead of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, he sought to dispel concerns about the economy.

“There are indeed risks (to growth), but it’s not so scary,” he said.

China also announced a deepening of its energy ties with Russia, with the countries agreeing a major new gas pipeline linking the two nations.

APEC is expected to be the venue to announce several international deals among AsiaPacific nations. On Sunday, Xi pledged US$40 billion to improve trade links with other nations in the region.

The world’s second largest economy has had a tough year, held back by a contraction in the property market, slower consumer demand, and unsteady exports.

But Xi pointed out that even if China’s economy were to grow by seven per cent, that would still rank it at the forefront of the world’s economies.

He said the economy remained “stable”.

Official figures released on Saturday showed that growth in exports and imports slowed in October. Annual growth slowed to 7.3 per cent in the third quarter of 2014, the weakest since the height of the global financial crisis.

Xi said China’s economic and social reforms would take time to have an impact, but were irreversible. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Donetsk’s City Council said in a statement on its website that the shelling had damaged residential buildings and that firefighters were at the scene of one of the damaged buildings. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Americans freed from N Korea return home

Two Americans who were released from detention in North Korea, Matthew Todd Miller and Kenneth Bae, have arrived to a joyful welcome in the US.

US Director of National Intelligence James Clapper accompanied the men back, the US has confirmed.

Bae thanked his supporters and said that he had experienced an “amazing” two years in prison during which he had “learned a lot” and lost weight.

US President Barack Obama said he was “grateful” for their safe return. He said it was “a wonderful

day” for the men and their families.

A third US citizen, Jeffrey Fowle, was freed last month and no Americans are now being held in North Korea.

The plane carrying the two men landed at a military base near Tacoma in Washington State late on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters at the Joint Base LewisMcChord, Bae – who is reported to suffer from diabetes, an enlarged heart, liver problems and back pain – also thanked the North Korean Government for allowing him to come home. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Fireworks over Brandenburg Gate followed the release of the balloons

Ukraine said tanks and heavy weapons entered eastern Ukraine from Russia this week (EPA)

China’s President Xi Jinping speaks at Beijing’s National Convention Centre ahead of the official opening on Monday of the APEC summit

VOX POPULI

Delon Sancho – Clerk

“The $10,000 can’t do anything to parents; I think the Government should have invested in textbooks instead. Most parents cannot afford textbooks for their children and $10,000 certainly cannot buy books so the Government should have invested in that.”

PUBLIC OPINION

What the people say about: The Government’s “Because We Care” Cash Grant Initiative

Shamar Alonzo – Student

“As a student, I think the $10,000 cash grant given by the Government is great, but it should have been put into place a long time ago. On the other hand, I also think it is a political move designed to draw people to the ruling Government.”

Rauldon James – Contractor

“The cash grants I think is something good; parents just need to use it for the right purpose and not squander the money. The $1500 school voucher should be increased as well.”

Dianne Bennett – Designer

“Well, I am supporting this move fully. I believe it should have been something that was implanted a while ago, but kudos to the Government for caring for the children and I hope it continues in years to come.”

Troy Taylor – Manager

“I think it is a great move by the Government. But I am concerned as to why parents believe it should be more. I mean it’s not the Government’s obligation, is just because they care.”

I SAY...

Nelan Benjamin – Actor

“Seriously, I think it is a very good idea, because there’ve got a lot of single parents who got a lot of children to look after and I know for a fact that sometimes it is very hard, so the $10,000 project would help a great lot.”

Tracy Griffith – Clerk

“Well, the recent cash grant initiative in my opinion was a good one. And vital in respects to that of children and parents who cannot provide the basic necessities for proper schooling and the $10,000 will definitely go a long way.”

Warren Callender – Customer Service Representative (CSR) at Cheddi Jagan International Airport

“I think it is something good they are doing for the children of Guyana. It starting to show that the Government has become an outlet of hope for the education sector and it shows improvement and (I) hope it will continue in the future.

Keron Noble – Clerk

“Yes, I think it is a good gesture on the part of the Government. I think it is important that the recipients use it for its intended purposes. And I hope they continue to undertake other initiatives.”

Stacia Gravsande –Front office clerk

“Yes, it is a good project to invest in the children’s education. For some parents it will go a very long way. So persons should use it wisely and be thankful for the Government.”

Dequan Bowen – Student

“Ten thousand dollars is not the best the Government of Guyana can do for the children of Guyana; however, it can help in a great way for transportation and stationery supplies. But I do think it is something good, given that it is the first of its kind. But the question is, how long will it continue for?”

Colwyn Murray –Immigration Officer

“It is not a bad move at all, but I think it should be given more often. Two times per year would have been better, since a school year has three terms.”

...is a Guyana Times effort to give expression to issues concerning Guyanese. Every week we will publish views on one issue along with contributors’ photographs. The views expressed in comments published do not reflect the opinions of the Guyana Times Inc. I Say... will be published every Monday

Celebrating the life and work of Navin Chandarpal

Dear Editor, Navin never wavered from his political or ideological convictions, and the scientist he was he never missed the opportunity to provide a scientific analysis of political developments, nor to discern areas for flexibility in applying the appropriate strategy and tactics to a given political

situation. At the political level, he saw as one of his missions in life as a contributor in one way or another to strengthening, consolidating and ensuring the purity of his Party. He dedicated a tremendous amount of time and energy to cadre building and political and ideological development of

Party members. It was in this arena that his teaching and communicating skills were utilized to the max and to the benefit of all those who sat through his lectures. Navin and I worked together in the PYO for years. When he came to work full time at Freedom House as the First Secretary of the PYO, we

became even closer.

The PYO Office at Freedom House, under his guidance and leadership, became a hive of activities, so much so whenever he convened meetings there was no place to sit. Some had to stand.

But he was even more energetic and passionate when his UG colleagues,

Sarwan, Mato, Pandit, Bhulassie, Sat and Bhaggie among others would converge on Freedom House and the debates on youth and student issues would go late into the evenings.

And as though this was not enough, Navin and his team would retire to the “Yip Sin” Chinese Restaurant obliquely op-

posite Freedom House to continue their discussions over several rounds of beers which they thoroughly enjoyed. What amazed me was how these young brilliant men could imbibe the day before and become even more brilliant the next day.

One youth world

Essay written for One World Youth competition, which the writer wishes to share with Guyana’s youths

The dictionary defines Voice as, in its noun form, the sound produced in a person’s larynx and uttered through the mouth as speech or song. It also says voice is a “particular opinion or attitude expressed in words.

However, Voice can also be a wish, a desire or an input that is latent and hidden because of fear of none acceptance.

Maya Angelou states, “Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with deeper meaning.”

And she is right. But if we position Dr. Angelou’s words with the focus for this essay that reads, “How would you give young people a voice in government?”

One would see that it is not only providing young people with words to speak, but it is allowing them the freedom to voice those latent and innate desires or wishes that they and their peers share would become the most effective solution.

Censoring is an evil to the youth that wishes to be heard, for them it is best they’re words are free and released with the emotions that they have infused them with. The statement, “I want to be heard” is loud cry

of protest for the young and it will become the very driver that will fuel this vehicle of Youth Government. Let us open organisations that will give young people a constant and lasting position in the role of governance.

For instance, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child states, “every child has the right to a voice on matters that affects them and to have their views taken seriously”.

This statement will say to you to tell the youth that they matter and they’re position in our country is not under-minded or undervalued. Many psychologists have asserted that if you allow the child a chance to be involved in things that affect them it will increase confidence and boost their morality. Since they will see that they are an important part in their very existence.

So let us give them a chance or let us make them partners of governance, since the decisions being made whether simple or complex will affect them either directly or indirectly.

In addition, we also have to become aware and make them aware that they are the most valuable assets to any developing nation and with that being the said, it is important to start them out

early in the process of governance and leadership. If we show them the face of inclusion, we will see that more young people will come forward and make clear their voice within the government.

Now, this raises another question and that question is, how we can provide a safe and censorship free environment for our young government to take part in governance as a means of giving them a voice.

Conventionally, the youths are engaged in a structured programme for example; youth parliament, youth advisors, young inspectors, young mayor and many others. These programmes promise a voice, promise the opportunity for inclusion in one’s country development and it also promises them that they will rise up as leaders with a sense of impending change.

But these programs are short lived and if this continues with the limitations they have. Young people’s engagement will be short lived and constricted.

However, “Change will only occur when we stop doing what is comfortable; or what seems accepted by society” and not by words or by highlighting the faults and downfalls of others.

Celebrating the life...

Among his peers, Navin was the primus interpares. What made him stand out in Youth, Student and other social gatherings was his ability to excel in telling a wide variety of anecdotes with great skill and wit, especially involving the infamous prankster, “Balgobin” much to the amusement of his audience.

How he was able to store these funny stories in his memory bank always amazed many of us. One of Navin’s greatest legacies was the establishment of the Pioneer Youth League, an organization from which many current Party leaders emerged.

A great Comrade has died. He would have been greater had he had the strength and good health to continue the crusade initiated by Comrade Cheddi for the establishment of a New Global Human Order (NGHO), with a view to securing a resolution binding all UN Member States to commit to the actions called for in support of the establishment of the NGHO.

Navin was a passionate internationalist. He travelled far and wide on behalf of the PYO, and the Party, representing the Youth and Student Movement of Guyana and later the Party at many international fora. These journeys abroad

brought tremendous benefits to the Party in its search for international support and solidarity and to extend in a reciprocal manner the same to the oppressed and fighting people for national liberation, peace and social progress.

During his stint in the National Assembly his contributions were par excellence. They showed no signs of useless trivia or mediocracy. He was easy to follow and what he had to say made sense even to the senseless ones on the opposite side of the House.

Navin, a true revolutionary and internationalist would want us to continue to carry the fight against the inveterate critics, cynics and pessimists not to mention the posturing messiahs and intellectual degenerates who every day continue to revise history and spew their loathsome and disgusting bleatings in sections of the media principally aimed at the PPP/C Administration.

As regards the Party to which he belonged, e Navin would want us to continue adhering to the principle of democratic centralism, to abide by the requirements of Party discipline, to continuously preserve and defend Party unity, firmly oppose all harmful and internal factional behavior, to strictly

But by taking the lead

From page 16

adhere to the provisions of the Party Constitution, and to discipline and get rid of all those undesirable elements who by virtue of their misdeeds do great damage to the image and work of the Party.

Navin would ‘turn in his grave’ were he to learn that Party Members and leading cadres do not combine theory and practice, stay close to the masses, practice criticism and self-criticism, conduct ourselves modestly and humbly, avoid arrogant and rash behavior, abuse power and engage in trickery and deceptive behavior and pursue extravagance and other unhealthy tendencies in our day to day life.

Navin would want all Party Comrades to keep their feet firmly planted on the ground when dealing with current political, economic and social issues, never to be disconnected from the people.

The lesson of 2011 must never be forgotten. Party members whether in Government or out of Government must sincerely and genuinely place themselves at the service of all the people.

As we remember Navin, let us bear in mind that small mistakes can turn into massive problems and minor matters can lead to major incidents that dam-

and standing in the high altitude, as Mount Everest does, to provide young people with a free and outstanding voice that they ever so desire. If we do this, young people will be giving that symbol of hope that preaches their inclusion and need in society.

The voice our young people can take in government is inclusion. Instead of asking for change in them, we can change to include them. Since, we possess the power to create new possibilities, those that are endless, and those that are filled with opportunities. Our voice should be our spirit; desperate to help someone in need, willing to give our last to a greater cause.

So the answer to topic question, “How would you give young people a voice government”, is freedom, inclusion, and the construction of longer lasting youth organisations. This will give young people the chance to see their own necessity in this country’s development. This is how I’d give myself and other young people a voice in government, a voice in the world.

Written by, Ja’asriel Bishop Editing credits, Shawn Kellman

age the Party’s image in the eyes of the people.

In continuing his life’s journey Navin would want us the members and activists of the Party to maintain flesh and blood unity with the people and to always learn from them, breathing the same air as they breath and sharing their woes and distresses and representing their interest at all times.

To his sorrowing wife Indra, his two children Rabin and Geeta, his sisters and brothers and sisters-inlaw and other relatives, I extend deepest sympathies on behalf of the leadership and entire membership of the Party.

Be consoled Dear Indra, Rabin and Geeta that way beyond this time of grief and sorrow, you will always be warmly embraced within the bossom of the Party. Navin’s capacity and talent at poetry, limerick and rhyme were well known.

As we reflect on our dear Comrade let us remember, Ddeath is more universal than life, everyone dies, but not everyone lives”. Navin lived and he will continue to live in our hearts and souls. We shall always remember him!

Sincerely,

Clement Rohee General Secretary, PPP/C

monday, november 10, 2014

Bullying

Bullying seems to be a global issue, and I am sure there are many reasons why people bully However, regardless of why people bully, it needs to come to an end. The bottom line is, we must be able to face the bully and tell him or her to stop.

Let’s say someone is doing some unnecessary teasing or insulting, sometimes a little eye contact with the message “no” is a good way to defuse the situation. The bully needs to know that we are not okay with the treatment we are receiving, and that it has to stop immediately.

Also a little laughter sometimes can help to lighten the tension as well. For example if we show the bully that our skin is too thick for that, there is that possibility that he or she may give up and leave us alone.

Remember that bullies usually try to get a rise out of the person they’re bullying, nothing more than that usually. The bully may still want to keep doing the teasing to get an even stronger reaction, so the key is to don’t raise your voice when telling the bully to stop, because this could cause more provoking.

No matter how challenging the situation gets don’t take steps toward physical violence, because the bully will likely respond with increased bullying, because that will increase the risk of getting in much trouble if caught participating in that situation.

The truth it, though it may be hard to contain ourselves, teasing is only going to make things worse. Another key point is to know when to walk away. For example, if, for some reason, the situation gets risky, it is probably best to disengage immediately, at a certain point, reasoning with the bully isn’t going to make a difference.

Bullies even take the time to bully using social media such as via text, social networks, your website, emails, etc. If this happens, don’t waste your time to respond to cyberbullying attacks, because provocation is not productive, especially in a situation where the bully is anonymous.

In these situations, it’s probably best to save the evidence and don’t delete the threatening texts etc, because these might come in handy if things get worse. However, try to block the bully from sending you any more messages. Block the person on all social media pages and even erase them from any phone contact.

Usually this is enough to discourage the bully from further communication. In some cases, the person can appear as anonymous, if this is the case, marking the email address as spam will be a good choice.

Also change any account settings to make it difficult for any future communication and to find you online and even start using a new screen name including tightening the privacy settings on all social media accounts.

For questions, comments or feedback, email them to mcnarine@rogers.com.

Dear Editor, The United Women for Special Children (UWSC) wishes to thank all supporters and donors for their contribution in making our Annual Pre Halloween Fun Fair held on October 26 at the Georgetown Cricket Club another successful event. Information on our group can be obtained at 623-1155 or 684-9580. The following are our our raffle winners:

Sheet No 1457 - 1st prize: Latchman Narain, 6th Street Cummings Lodge Sheet No 1262 #8 - 2nd prize: Earl Jordan, 109 Laluni Street, Queenstown Sheet No 1775 - 3rd prize: Satyesh Kissoon, 99 Hadfield Street, Werk-en-Rust

Sheet No 1437- 4th prize: Medrick Short, 29 Sister’s Village, West Bank Demerara Sheet No 2006 - 5th prize: Josephine Whitehead

Sheet No 450 - 6th prize: Arianna Pereira Sheet No 118 - 7th prize: Adele Stevenson Sheet No 1091 #8 - 8th prize: Carlton Matthews, 86 Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara Sheet No 91 #10 - 9th prize: Anghika Mahadeo, King’s Jewelry World Sheet No 1527 - 10th prize: Raj Singh, 22 Delhi Street, Prashad Nagar Sincerely, Ann Geer UWSC Executive Committee

Narine Dat Sookram

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

(May 21June 20)

CANCER

Travel should be on your agenda. You can obtain a vast amount of knowledge if you keep an open mind and discuss your opinions with established individuals. This is a wonderful day for learning.

You should take some time to do things for and with your colleagues. You should be able to pick up additional knowledge or skills through courses or apprenticeships. It’s a good time to learn.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN (June 21July 22)

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

PISCES

(Feb. 20March 20)

Added responsibilities may be difficult for you to handle. Do your best to make changes and improvements that will benefit the whole family. Make sure everyone knows that you could use a little help.

Love connections could solidify if you discuss your intentions with your mate. Don’t hesitate to set aside time and find a private place where the two of you can share your dreams.

Emotions may flare up on the home front. Take one step at a time and don’t pick sides. Your practical outlook will win out. Get sound advice from someone you respect.

Travel will lead to new friendships and valuable information. Don’t be afraid to accept inevitable changes in your personal life. They will ultimately be better for you in the long run.

Your possessive tendencies may be difficult for your mate to handle today. Don’t put demands on people you live with or love. Take this time to work on your own issues and give some space to those around you.

nevitable changes concerning your career may surprise you. Stomach problems due to nervous tension are likely. Try to remain calm and eat properly, and set up an exercise programme to alleviate stress.

Your flippant nature will surface if you let your emotions get out of control. You need to get out and enjoy life. Look into activities that will provide you with mental and physical stimulation. THURSDAY'S WORD

Don’t mix romance with business. Gossip will damage your reputation. At this time, honesty and discrimination are your greatest assets, so use them wisely.

You can utilise your discipline to accomplish your personal goals. You have everything it takes to succeed in all your endeavours at this time, so get started.

Emotional problems with family members could stifle your plans. Residential moves or changes will be beneficial in the long term. Follow your instincts. You will be right on the mark with your decisions.

AQUARIUS

GEMINI

PeanuTs

Calvin and Hobbes

dilberT

arCHie

Hinds inaugural winner of Cran-Water 50-miler

Orville Hinds won the first edition of the Cran-Water 50 miler on Sunday which replaced the Island Mist 50 miler that started and ended outside of the Guyana Beverage Company, Palmyra Branch.

Hinds rode the race at a blistering pace stopping the clock at one hour 51mins and 59s (1:51:59).

Raynauth Jeffrey finished second while Robin Persaud was third. Paul de Nobrega finished fourth and Michael Anthony fifth.

Hinds together with Hamza Eastman, Jeffrey, Persaud, de Nobrega, Marlon Williams, Anthony and Christopher Holder started the race at a fever’s pitch to break into the from peloton.

With the other cyclist unable to follow, Hinds and Jeffrey made their move with Hinds sprinting home for the win.

Eastman and Jeffery each picked up two sprint point prizes while De Nobrega, Williams and Persaud each took one.

Anthony was also the first junior to cross finish line while Alanzo Ambrose and Romello Crawford fin -

Guyana fall to Suriname in final volleyball game

ished second and third respectively.

On the distaff side that started at the University of Guyana’s Tain Campus, Mercia Dick was the winner with Christine Matterson and Tashana Dorris taking second and third respectively.

Meanwhile Ray Millington who finished thirteenth was the first cyclist from the Flying Ace

Cycle Club to cross the finih line. He was ahead of Elijah Bhajadder, Audrel Ross and Syborne Fernandez. Prizes were also awarded to those four.

Country Manager of the Guyana Beverage Company Robert Selman said that he was pleasantly surprised that the race had thirty-four starters.

“This is the third year of this event and every year

Kovalev dominates Hopkins

Sergey Kovalev put on a dominant performance, unified three light heavyweight world titles and showed that the “Alien” Bernard Hopkins is human after all.

Kovalev dropped Hopkins in the first round, pounded him throughout the onesided fight and won a shutout decision in a masterful performance before 8,545 on Saturday night at Boardwalk Hall.

Hopkins had made magic at Boardwalk Hall in the past, authoring two of his greatest upsets – his tour de force against Kelly Pavlik in 2008 and his first light heavyweight championship victory against Antonio Tarver in 2006. But there was no magic on this night.

Instead, there was a 31-year-old powerful Kovalev, in his prime, giving a beating to a 49-year-old man who

turns 50 on Jan. 15. In the end, not a single round was even very close as the judges had it for Kovalev 120107, 120-107 and 120-106. ESPN.com also had it 120107 for Kovalev, who took two 175-pound belts from Hopkins to add to his own.

“I’m very happy,” Kovalev said. “This victory was for my son Aleksandr.” Kovalev’s wife, Natalia, gave birth to their first child on October 20 in Los Angeles while Kovalev was away for his training camp. He has not seen the boy since he was born, and it was a motivating factor for him against Hopkins.

While Kovalev (26-0-1, 23 KOs), who went past eight rounds for the first time in his career, scored by far his biggest victory, Hopkins (55-72, 32 KOs) never had been so thoroughly dominated in his 26-year, obvious Hall of Fame

it is getting bigger,” he noted.

According to Selman next year he intends to have the company distribute the beverage along the rout of the race, “we want to add value to this because I see it growing.”

Apart from prize next year the company has promised to have a bicycle as the first prize. (Andrew Carmichael)

definitive defeat.

“I give him a lot of respect,” said Hopkins, who sought out the fight with Kovalev, who few others have wanted to

Young Achievers playing as Guyana male A team fell in to Suriname in the final match of the Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) Tradewind Tankers International Club Festival on Sunday at the National Gymnasium.

Suriname attacked relentlessly during the game, giving the Guyanese men no easy points while scoring at will for a 3-0 win to dominate the match 25-13, 25-12 and 25-11.

Meanwhile in the final female game of the tournament, Suriname pulled off a thriller against French Guiana to win the event 3-2.

the fight to leave HBO for Showtime. “We both would fight anyone and that’s how we ended up here tonight. That’s what brought us to-

career. Yes, Hopkins had lost before, often controversially, but this was the first time he took a physical pounding in a

fight -- including lineal champion Adonis Stevenson, who walked away from a deal for

gether. That’s what the people want to see, one title, one belt, one champion.”

Both teams played masterfully trading shots and points while showcasing excellent blocking during the game that enticed the crowd to cheer with every point scored.

Suriname took the first set at 28-26 while French Guiana took the second set 25-22. The Dutch speaking nation then answered with a 25-23 set win to go ahead 2-1 in the game.

However, the French did not quit as fatigue started to creep in on both sides with French Guiana prevailing 25-22. Suriname was able to claim victory with a 25-18 final set.

Kovalev landed a clean right hand late in the first round to drop Hopkins for the fifth time in his career. Hopkins is known for his ability to take a punch, but Kovalev then rocked him with another right hand just before the end of the round.

Hopkins’ offense was nonexistent. He could barely throw anything or land anything, but it didn’t seem like it was age or slowing reflexes, but rather protection for what would be coming back at him if he let his hands go.

For the fight, Hopkins landed just 65 of 196 punches (33 percent), according to CompuBox statistics, while Kovalev connected on 166 of 585 blows (28 percent).

“I think he’s catapulted himself to the very top of boxing,” said Main Event chief executive Kathy Duva, Kovalev’s promoter. “He is everything we believed he was. It is his goal to unify all four belts, but that doesn’t mean that is what he has to do at the moment. If it happens, it happens. (ESPN)

Orville Hinds collects his winning prize

Sergey Kovalev lands a hard right on the chin of Bernard Hopkins

Some of the action during the game between Guyana (black) and Suriname

Australia march to series win against Windies women

Australia Women wrapped the T20 series 4-0 by thumping West Indies Women by eight wickets in Sydney. Ellyse Perry’s three wickets in four overs, including a maiden, reduced West Indies to 7 for 107 which Australia chased down in 14.1 overs.

West Indies were rocked by early wickets after they opted to bat. Perry struck thrice in consecutive overs with her medium-pace to leave West Indies reeling at 4 for 36. After the top five batsmen scored only 45 runs together, No 6 Shemaine Campbelle top-scored with a run-a-ball 34, featuring three fours and a six, and led them past 100 in company of Shaquana Quintyne, who was unbeaten on 15 off 13. Campbelle was stumped for the third time in the series when she fell in the last over to Rene Farrell.

Australia were hardly bothered in the chase as the openers hammered 81 runs in under 11 overs. The stand was broken when Jess Jonassen was caught for a

33-ball 31 and captain Meg Lanning was dismissed for five in the next over. Going strong at the other end, Elyse Villani brought up her fifty in 42 deliveries soon and struck two consecutive fours in the 14th over before

Perry scored the winning runs with another four.

Perry was named Player of the Match and Jonassen earned the Player-of-theSeries Award for scoring 130 runs in four innings and taking five wickets. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

West Indies Women

Kycia A Knight LBW Perry 4

S Taylor b Schutt 6

D Dottin c Blackwell b Perry 15

S Daley c & b Jonassen 19

H Matthews c Lanning b Perry 1

S Campbelle st Healy b Farrell 34

M Aguilleira*+ c Schutt b Jonassen 7

S Quintyne not out 15

A Mohammed not out 1

Total: 107/7 (20 Overs)

Extras: (lb 1, w 4) 5

Did not Bat: T Smartt, S Connell

Fall of Wickets: 1-10 (Taylor, 1.3 ov), 2-18 (Kycia A Knight, 2.2 ov), 3-27 (Dottin, 4.2 ov), 4-36 (Matthews, 6.6 ov), 5-60 (Daley, 13.5 ov), 6-75 (Aguilleira, 15.6 ov), 7-105 (Campbelle, 19.3 ov).

Australia Women Bowling:

R Farrell 2-0-13-1, M Schutt

3-0-34-1, E Perry 4-1-9-3, K

Beams 3-0-14-0, J Jonassen

3-0-8-2, E Osborne 3-0-130, D Kimmince 2-0-15-0.

Australia Women (Target; 108)

E Villani not out 59

J Jonassen c Daley b Matthews 31

M Lanning* c Quintyne b Daley 5

E Perry not out 5

Total: 111/2 (14.1 Overs)

Extras (w 8, nb 3) 11

Did not Bat: A Blackwell, A Healy+, E Osborne, D Kimmince, R Farrell, K Beams, M Schutt.

Fall of Wickets: 1-81 (Jonassen, 10.5 ov), 2-96 (Lanning, 12.4 ov).

Bowling: T Smartt 1-0-200, D Dottin 3-0-20-0, S Daley

3-0-17-1, S Connell 1-0-70, A Mohammed 2.1-0-230, H Matthews 4-0-24-1.

World’s best in Badminton fails doping test

Badminton’s topranked player Lee Chong Wei has failed a doping test, a senior Malaysian sports official said Saturday.

Lee, who has been temporarily suspended pending a hearing by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) doping panel, faces a potential two-year ban from competition.

Lee insisted he had “never cheated.”

Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) deputy chairman Mohamad Norza Zakaria confirmed Saturday that a test carried out on November 5 in Oslo, Norway, on the “B” sample of an unnamed player had backed up the positive finding of the “A” sample from a doping control at this year’s World Championships in August.

Mohamad declined to identify the player. However, a senior Malaysian sports official confirmed to The Associated Press that it was 32-yearold Lee. The official did not give his name because he was not authorized to reveal Lee’s identity to the media.

Mohamad said the player tested positive for the banned substance dexamethasone, but the associ-

ation believed he was innocent.

“This player is a very dedicated player and an exceptional individual,” he told a media conference.

“We believe this player has never resorted to shortcuts to achieve success.”

Mohamad also claimed dexamethasone was not performance enhancing.

The Kuala Lumpurbased BWF would hear an expected challenge to the finding by Lee and BAM.

Lee, in comments released through a blog by his friend and sports blogger Satwant Singh Dhaliwal, said he was shocked and that he hoped to quickly clear his name.

Lee said the drug was last injected into him on July 18 for a thigh injury treatment, and that it was a “mystery” why it was found in his system after more than a month. Lee was beaten at the end of August by Chen Long of China in the final of the world championships in Copenhagen.

“I never cheated, nor will I ever rely on banned substances,” Lee said. “I am a firm believer of hard work and effort to achieve success.”

BWF president PoulErik Hoyer told the AP in a telephone interview on

Saturday that he doubted there was “any systematic doping in badminton” but added he would “have preferred being without” this case.

Hoyer, a retired Danish badminton player who won major international singles titles in the 1990s, was speaking in Peru at an already planned meeting of the BWF.

“We know that when there is money involved in a sport -- and the money in badminton isn’t very big -there is always someone who wants to take shortcuts,” Hoyer said. Dexamethasone is on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s prohibited list. Substances make that list if they meet any two of the following criteria: They have the potential to enhance sport performance; represent an actual or potential health risk to the athlete; or violate the spirit of sport.

Lee won silver medals at the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympics, as well as at the 2011, 2013 and 2014 World Championships.

He has also won four gold medals at the Commonwealth Games, including the men’s singles at Melbourne 2006 and Delhi 2010. (ESPN)

Hopkins blames race for lack of coverage

Unified light heavyweight titlist Bernard Hopkins believes race is the reason his pursuit of history hasn’t been a bigger story outside of boxing.

Hopkins, who set records as the oldest boxer to win and defend world titles, was two months shy of 50 after facing unbeaten Sergey Kovalev in Saturday’s light heavyweight title unification bout at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

In an exclusive interview with ESPN.com, Hopkins was asked the reason his record-setting run in recent years hasn’t transcended the sport.

“[It’s] because I’m black,” Hopkins said before the start of his media workout at the Joe Hand Boxing Gym. “What do you think if my name was Augustine, Herzenstein, Stern?

Cappello? Marciano? Don’t you understand the conflict of interest?

“If I was any of those names of any other background, I’d be on every billboard and every milk carton and every place to be. If we’re talking ‘American Dream,’ here’s a guy who almost threw his life away and he took this great country’s great attributes and used it -- do for self, work hard and be a law-abiding citizen. I’ve done that for 26 years.”

Hopkins (55-7-2, 32 KOs), who set a middleweight record with 20 title defenses from 1996 to 2005, was released from prison in 1988 after serving nearly five years for armed robbery.

“If you really look at it, I have done the ‘American Dream’ that people have died on boats to come here to live,” Hopkins said.

Bernard Hopkins

“I have done all of that and then you look back and say, ‘Wait a minute, what’s wrong here?’ A lot of people are not bold to say

it, but I am.”

Hopkins is no stranger to speaking out about race. In 2011, he made national headlines for comments about thenWashington Redskins quarterback Donovan McNabb not being “black enough.”

On Saturday, Hopkins faced his most dangerous challenge in more than a decade against Kovalev (26-0-1, 23 KOs), the feared Russian slugger whose 2011 opponent, Roman Simakov, died three days later from brain injuries suffered in the bout.

Hopkins at the time claimed a victory over the favored Kovalev wouldn’t be enough to crack his top three of most significant inring performances. He reserves the top spot for his 2008 upset of unbeaten middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik in a 170-pound catchweight bout.

“That was the greatest moment of my life because it was undeniably white against black,” Hopkins said. “The American story against the thug, even though he changed his life. The convicted felon. So it was me representing an entity that had changed in spite of what they say you should be able to do. But once you do it, they really don’t want you to do it.

“And so I exposed it and I beat him easily after being a 6-to-1 underdog. And, matter of fact, it even went further. I ruined his life. I ruined his career.”

Pavlik was never the same after losing to Hopkins. He surrendered his middleweight title two years later to Sergio Martinez amid troubles with alcohol and retired from the sport in January 2013 at the age of 30. (ESPN)

Stafanie Taylor was unable to contribute meaningfully to the score sheets

Lee Chong Wei

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Kohli and Dhawan deliver series win

Abatting Powerplay that cost Sri Lanka three wickets for 16 runs sucked the oxygen out of an already imperiled innings, and set the visitors on course for a third hiding on the trot. Sri Lanka’s sixwicket loss in Hyderabad surrendered the series to India, who have not only been untested in the three matches so far, but have also discovered potential gems among their secondstring players.

Akshar Patel is perhaps chief among them: He removed three batsmen through the middle overs, while Umesh Yadav struck at either end of the innings to earn a career-best haul of 4 for 53.

Sri Lanka at least had one batsman make triple figures during their innings of 242, but Mahela Jayawardene took little visible joy in his effortless 118 off 124, as a string of team-mates abandoned him during the middle overs. Jayawardene became the fifth batsman to 12000 career runs during the knock, before Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli hit half-centuries to notch career milestones of their own, in India’s innings. Kohli became the fastest batsmen to 6000 ODI runs in his 136th innings, while Dhawan became the quickest India batsman to 2000 runs, in his 48th knock.

It had been Akshar, however, who made the most telling play of the game, taking a wicket in each of his three Powerplay overs to gut the visitors’ middle order. As has been the case throughout the series, it was his fluctuations in pace that vexed Sri Lanka.

Angelo Mathews had appeared settled when the Powerplay was called for in the 31st over. He had reverse-swept R Ashwin powerfully for four a few balls before, but was slow on the pull as Akshar skidded one through and the top edge looped to cover.

Akshar’s flat, fast deliveries in the next over kept Ashan Priyanjan scoreless for four balls, before the mistake was induced. The batsman aimed a heave over mid-on, but managed only to hit it to Yadav, who took a diving catch. Chaturanga de Silva, playing this match instead of Suraj Randiv, attempted to carve Akshar over cover in the final over

of the Powerplay. When he found the fielder, Sri Lanka had slipped from 144 for 3 to 154 for 6. Thisara Perera’s wicket two overs later, embedded them in further strife.

Even before the crumble in the Powerplay, Jayawardene had to launch a rescue effort alongside Tillakaratne Dilshan. The pair rebuilt sagely from 7 for 2 as Jayawardene reverted to perhaps the safest version of his own game by collecting his first boundary via a ramp over the keeper’s head, played sinfully late. Eleven of his 12 fours were scored behind the wicket, and 80 of his 118 made in the same region.

Dilshan scrambled a fifty, but Jayawardene’s next four partners lasted 11.2 overs put together, and soon, having lost faith in his team-mates, Jayawardene was turning down singles into the outfield as early as in the 38th over. Seekkuge Prasanna was put down by Suresh Raina in the slips on 0 and provided Jayawardene slightly better company after that, sticking around for a partnership of 67 before Jayawardene was stummped of an Ashwin top-

spinner. The innings would soon wipe out in the 49th over, with about 60 fewer runs on the scoreboard than what might have made for an interesting chase on a flat Hyderabad pitch. Sri Lanka had recalled Nuwan Kulasekara for this match, but he could find little swing early on, and India’s batsmen quickly settled into a now familiar routine. They laid low for the first few overs, waited for the seam to grow soft, then began to play their strokes. Ajinkya Rahane fell to Thisara Perera’s prolonged short-ball attack, but Dhawan and Rayudu picked up the pace quickly after that, ensuring 62 for 1 was as weak as India’s chase would look.

Dhawan had hit his third successive fifty, and the visitors’ attack had been rendered virtually toothless when the India batsmen contrived a run out in the 25th over - a seething Rayudu having to make the trek back on 35, after Dhawan failed to respond to his call for a quick single. Kohli then arrived and settled in with ease from there, hitting some superbly timed boundaries, particularly when the bowlers strayed too full. Dhawan looked set for a second ton in the series until he got a bad decision on 91, when a Kulasekara shortball took a deflection off his helmet, rather than his bat. Kohli though, breezed ahead at a run-a-ball, raising his 31st ODI fifty and his 6000th run with the same stroke. He was caught at the fence for 53 trying to close out the chase in a hurry, but Wriddhiman Saha hit the winning runs soon after, with 35 balls still remaining. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Sri Lanka innings (50 overs maximum)

MDKJ Perera c †Saha b Yadav 4

TM Dilshan c Rahane b Rayudu 53

KC Sangakkara† c Ashwin b Yadav 0

DPMD Jayawardene st †Saha b Ashwin 118

AD Mathews* c Kohli b Patel 10

SMA Priyanjan c Yadav b Patel 2

PC de Silva c Dhawan b Patel 2

NLTC Perera c sub (STR Binny) b Yadav 1

S Prasanna b Yadav 29

KMDN Kulasekara c Rahane b Kulkarni 7

PLS Gamage not out 0

Extras (lb 3, w 11, nb 2) 16

Total (all out; 48.2 overs) 242

(5.00 runs per over)

Fall of wickets 1-5 (MDKJ Perera, 0.6 ov), 2-7 (Sangakkara, 2.1 ov), 3-112 (Dilshan, 24.6 ov), 4-144 (Mathews, 30.3 ov), 5-148 (Priyanjan, 32.5 ov), 6-154 (de Silva, 34.5 ov), 7-158 (NLTC Perera, 36.2 ov), 8-225 (Jayawardene, 44.3 ov), 9-238 (Prasanna, 46.5 ov), 10242 (Kulasekara, 48.2 ov)

Bowling O M R W

UT Yadav 9 0 53 4

DS Kulkarni 9.2 0 58 1 I Sharma 4 1 14

overs) AM Rahane c Jayawardene b NLTC

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Shikhar Dhawan became the fastest Indian batsman to 2000 runs

Mae’s sweeps 3 categories at Digicel’s table tennis tourney

Mae’s Private School outperformed their peers when the 2014 edition of the Digicel’s table tennis tournament concluded on Sunday evening at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Mae’s ‘A ‘swept three of the five categories in the tournament winning the 11 years and under, the 15 years and the 13 years and under categories to be adjudged the best school of the tournament. Mae’s also places second in the 18 years and under category.

Mae’s ‘B’ team also places second in the 11 years and under category while finishing third in the 13 years and under category.

Meanwhile Queen’s College ‘A’ took the 18 years and under category while winning the novice category to cap off a successful tournament.

Minister of Sport, Dr Frank Anthony at the tournament encouraged the players to continue their dedication of the craft in

NBA Roundup…

Stephen Curry had 34 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Golden State Warriors past the depleted Rockets, 98-87, Saturday night in Houston in a matchup of undefeated teams.

Houston played without center Dwight Howard (flu-like symptoms) and power forward Terrence Jones (bruised right leg), which made things much easier for the Warriors inside. They outscored the Rockets, 56-32, in the paint and improved to 5-0 for the first time since the 199495 season, when Golden State finished 26-56 under coach Don Nelson.

Warriors center Andrew Bogut dominated the glass

hope of one day representing Guyana.

“Congratulations to all of you, we see a lot of good potential and we hope that you continue to play so that you can represent Guyana in the future,” Dr

Anthony stressed.

Events and Sponsorship Manager of Digicel, Gavin Hope was also present at the event and congratulated all the players on their varying successes.

The event was organ -

ised by the

who have already spotted potential talent and will aim to develop the sport with more grass root programmes.

Newcastle too hot for West Brom

Newcastle moved up to seventh in the Premier League with a comfortable win over West Brom, thanks to goals from Ayoze Perez and Fabricio Coloccini.

Perez opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time with a sublime backheel from 12 yards out.

The game was ended as a contest on 62 minutes when an unmarked Coloccini headed in at the far post.

The hosts went close through Saido Berahino in the first half, but faded dramatically in the second.

Newcastle have now won four successive league games for the first time since November 2013, and Alan Pardew’s well-organised side suddenly look capable of challenging for a top-eight finish.

They got their tactics spot on against the Baggies as they mixed controlled possession with an ability to press their hosts whenever they did have periods without the ball.

And, perhaps more importantly, they appear to have found a natural finisher in 21-year-old Perez.

Signed from Tenerife for £1.5m in the summer, Perez’s goals have played a significant part in Newcastle’s recovery from a poor start to the season in which they took until 18 October to register their first win, against Leicester.

Since then, they have also beaten Tottenham and Liverpool, either side of

knocking holders Manchester City out of the League Cup - Perez netting the winner against both Spurs and the Reds.

His instinctive finish at The Hawthorns came at the end of a scrappy first half, which the Baggies possibly edged.

After Newcastle’s Sammy Ameobi had hit the bar from the edge of the area after 10 minutes, Victor Anichebe and Saido Berahino began to link up well and the latter brought a good save out of Tim Krul with a snap-shot. As well as Anichebe and Berahino linked up however, they were not afforded enough support from their midfield players and that enabled Newcastle to cope with any sustained pressure. Newcastle took the lead just before the break when Perez showed the finishing prowess of a seasoned striker to flick the ball past Ben Foster from Daryl Janmaat’s cross.

Dutch full-back Janmaat also created the second when a corner was only partially cleared and he delivered a beautiful ball to the back post where Coloccini met it with a thumping header. West Brom never truly threatened to break down Newcastle in the final half hour, and the visitors almost made their victory margin even more handsome when Perez had a superb volley tipped over by Foster after a good cross from the returning Ryan Taylor. (BBC Sport)

Warriors top Rockets to stay undefeated

in Howard’s absence, pulling down 18 rebounds.

Curry shot 6 for 9 from 3-point range and added five assists and four steals.

Andre Iguodala scored most of his 15 points near the basket, and Draymond Green added 14. James Harden led the Rockets (6-1) with 22 points, and Isaiah Canaan had 21. Bucks 93, Grizzlies 92 — Brandon Knight converted a 3-point play with 1.1 seconds left as host Milwaukee handed Memphis its first loss of the season after six consecutive victories.

Zach Randolph’s layup put Memphis ahead, 91-90, with 1:29 remaining. With 15.6 seconds left, Bucks center Larry Sanders had

his shot from underneath the basket blocked by Marc Gasol, with the ball initially going out of bounds to Milwaukee. After an officials’ review, however, the ball was awarded to Memphis.

Mike Conley was fouled with 8 seconds left, but missed the first free throw and hit the second to make it 92-90. Knight then scored on a drive down the left side, drawing a foul from Courtney Lee. Knight then hit the winning free throw.

Pelicans 100, Spurs 99 — Anthony Davis had the game-winning basket, finished with 27 points and 11 rebounds, and visiting New Orleans held on for a victory over San Antonio.

The Spurs went on a 15-4 run with Tony Parker and Tim Duncan on the bench to take a 99-98 lead.

Danny Green capped the run with three free throws with 12 seconds remaining after he was fouled by Eric Gordon on a wild 3-point attempt as the shot clock was about to expire.

Davis then drove past Aron Baynes for a layup with 6.6 seconds left to seal the win. Kawhi Leonard missed a pair of shots in the final seconds, snapping the Spurs’ fivegame winning streak over the Pelicans.

Clippers 106, Trail Blazers 102 — J.J. Redick scored 30 points and Blake Griffin added 23 as host Los Angeles hung on to de -

feat Portland. Chris Paul added 22 points and 11 assists, Jamal Crawford had 20 points in his first start of the season, and DeAndre Jordan grabbed 14 rebounds.

Damian Lillard led the Blazers with 25 points.

Hawks 103, Knicks 96 — Kyle Korver scored 27 points as host Atlanta sent New York to its fourth straight loss. Jeff Teague had 19 points for Atlanta, which recovered after losing back-to-back road games at San Antonio and Charlotte by a combined 5 points.

Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks with 20 points.

Iman Shumpert had 19.

Wizards 97, Pacers 90

— John Wall scored 18 points and Nene scored 17 as Washington beat host Indiana.

The Wizards held a 54-35 lead at halftime, but had to hold off the Pacers. Indiana outscored Washington, 30-19, in the third quarter to get close, but couldn’t take the lead. Heat 102, Timberwolves 92 — Dwyane Wade had 25 points and eight assists, Chris Bosh scored 24, and host Miami held on in the final minutes to beat Minnesota.

Luol Deng scored 14 points and Norris Cole had 11 for the Heat. Nikola Pekovic finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Timberwolves. (Boston Globe)

Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA)

Some of the action during the tournament

Digicel's Gavin Hope and Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony poses with all the schools at the presentation ceremony

Fabricio Coloccini scores for Newcastle

Phillip George Memorial Basketball Tournament… Stewart nails buzzer beater to lift Nets over Pacesetters

Hodyah Stewart

nailed a buzzer beater with three second left on the shot clock to give the Republic Bank Nets a nail biting win over Trinity Grid Holding (TGH) Pacesetters on Saturday evening when the third edition of the Phillip George Memorial basketball tournament continued at the Burnham Hard Court.

Anthony Austin stepped to the line with three minutes left on the clock with the chance to win the game for the Nets but bricked both free throws, only to have Stewart collect the offensive rebound and bank the shot off the glass to put the Nets ahead 75-74 that eventually won the game.

With the Pacesetters’ top players in Travis Burnett, Royston Siland and Joslyn

Crawford all fouled out, Ruel Ritch stepped out of bounds on a last shot attempt by Pacesetters to win the game which caused wiled celebrations from the Nets’ players.

Mortimer Williams had a game high 22 points for the Nets while Drumson McCulley had 13 to assist in the thrilling win.

The Pacesetters were lead by Randy Richardson with 18 points while Burnett had 14 points in the loss.

Also in double figures for the Pacesetters were Stephon Gillis and Crawford with 13

and 10 points respectively.

Meanwhile in the third match-up of the game, the Bounty Colts wasted little time in getting to work as they routed the Knights 8258.

Dave Causway got his shooting stroke going to register a game high 24 points for the Colts who has developed a brilliant perimeter attack.

Rayon Cummings and Nikkoloi Smith were lights out for Colts as well dropping 21 points each in the win.

Johnson, D’Andrade unstoppable in Trinidad

KLeading the losing side in points was Lloyd Bart with 15 points while Owan Walton contributed 14 to the lopsided score line.

Former national guard and Captain Lugard Mohan returned to the court dropping a game high 29 points to lead the Guyana Masters to a 75-71 win over the Berbice Rockers.

Jason Fraser had a team high 19 points in the loss while Jamal Felix and Michael Bowen had 13 and 12 points respectively.

Earlier in the evening Melanie Patriots never got going losing to Pepsi Sonics 61-81 to complete the schedule of games.

Trevor Smith had a game high 245 points while Nevon Vyphuis and Junior Lovell netted 12 and 10 points correspondingly. Sherlon Legall was the primary scorer for the losers with 14 points.

Tevez’s magnificence caps Juventus 7-nil rout of Parma

Carlos Tevez scored a solo goal with a run which started inside his own half to cap a emphatic 7-0 win for Serie A leaders Juventus over hapless Parma on Sunday.

Tevez, Fernando Llorente and Alvaro Morata all scored twice and Stephan Lichtsteiner was also on target as Juve won their 24th successive home league match.

Juve, who enjoyed their biggest Serie A win since they beat Ascoli by the same score 29 years ago, were already 3-0 ahead when Tevez produced his masterpiece just after the break.

The Argentine, recently recalled by his country after a three-year absence, collected the ball, turned and surged away from Andrea Costa, then evaded two more challenges before side-footing past Antonio Mirante after a 70-metre sprint.

Juventus lead the standings with 28 points from 11 games while Roberto Donadoni’s Parma are bottom with six points after their heaviest-ever Serie A defeat.

Cagliari were their own worst enemies as they missed a penalty and open goal and gave away an own goal in a 1-1 draw at home to Genoa.

Diego Farias gave the Sardinians an early lead but Genoa levelled when Luca Rossettini turned a Diego Perotti cross into his own net.

Cagliari won a 76thminute penalty and Genoa had Stefano Sturaro sent off, but Danilo Avelar’s spot-kick was saved by Mattia Perin

and the ball fell to Samuele Longo who fired wide of an open goal.

Palermo were awarded two penalties, the first converted by Paulo Dybala and the second missed by Franco Vazquez, in a 1-1 draw at home to Udinese, who took an early lead through Cyril Thereau.

Chievo beat Cesena 2-1 to give coach Rolando Maran his first win and lowly Empoli surprised Lazio 2-1.

(Reuters)

elvin Johnson and Lionel D’Andrade continued their hot form in Trinidad by running away with the 2014 edition of the NALIS “Fit for Literacy, Fit for Life” 6.4k run on Saturday in Port-ofSpain.

Johnson clocked 21:22s to win the event of D’Andrade who clocked 21:31s for a close second. Trinidadian George Smith was third in 22:10s.

D’Andrade after the race was quick to note that he is focusing more on mileage rather than speed, “I felt lazy going into this race. I had no speed at all, because right now I am not focusing on speed training, just doing a lot of mileage as I am preparing to defend my title in the upcoming Suriname Marathon.”

The NALIS “Fit for Literacy, Fit for Life” event had 460 participants and was geared towards promoting literacy, health and fitness in Trinidad & Tobago.

Disappointment for Murray to start ATP World Tour

Andy Murray made a disappointing start to his ATP World Tour Finals campaign with a straight-sets defeat by Japan’s Kei Nishikori.

The Briton fought back from 4-1 down in the second set to level, but Nishikori broke serve for a fourth time to win 6-4 6-4.

With six-time champion Roger Federer and in-form Milos Raonic still to play, Murray faces a tough task to claim one of the two semifinal places from Group B.

He will meet the loser of Sunday evening’s match between Federer and Raonic on Tuesday.

After an exhausting sixweek schedule that saw him play 23 matches and win three titles to earn his place in London, Murray could not carry that form into his opening match.

World number five Nishikori, 24, overcame a nervous start on his ATP Finals debut and built the pressure on Murray, who made 28 errors and won just 27% of points on his second serve.

“I didn’t serve well enough,” said Murray. “He was able to dictate a lot of points, especially behind my second serve.

“That was the part of the match where he had the upper hand. That was the difference.”

Murray, 28, had been given a warm reception from the O2 Arena crowd on his first appearance in the UK since Wimbledon, and the Scot looked well set after Nishikori double-faulted to drop serve at 3-2.

The match then shifted momentum dramatical-

ly and it would ultimately prove decisive in a desperate service game from Murray.

Errors off both backhand and forehand sides left him at 0-40, and a wild double fault gave up the game, allowing Nishikori back into the set.

Murray had his chances early on as Nishikori made just 40% of first serves and threw in five double faults, but the Briton could not find his timing on the return.

He was made to pay when his opponent crunched a second-serve return to earn two set points in game 10, and Murray could only find the net with an attempted drop shot on the second.

Dominating from the baseline and consistently threatening the Murray serve, Nishikori reeled off five games in a row and Murray did well not to fall 4-0 down in the second set as he clung on in a nineminute service game.

There has been plenty of evidence of Murray’s fighting spirit in recent weeks, twice saving five match points to win ATP finals against Tommy Robredo,

and another comeback seemed possible when the Scot hauled himself level at 4-4.

A visit from the trainer to give his calf a quick rub might have revealed the strain of his indoor season taking its toll, however, and Nishikori reacted superbly to the mini crisis.

He stopped the rot with a hold of serve to lead 5-4, a brilliant overhead making up for an eighth double fault, and the pressure was back on Murray.

The former Wimbledon champion duly netted a backhand to fall 15-40 and two match points down, and could only fire a backhand long to leave himself facing a battle to qualify.

“It’s harder to qualify when you lose your first match, that’s pretty obvious,” added Murray.

“But unlike the other events, you still have a chance to go through. If this were anywhere else, I would be out of the tournament.

“You need to try to forget about today, work on some things tomorrow, and hopefully play better on Tuesday.” (BBC Sport)

Lugard Mohan

Hodyah Stewart

Nikkoloi Smith

From right: Kelvin Johnson, Lionel D’Andrade and George Smith after the event

Carlos Tevez (blue) brilliant in win against Parma

Kei Nishikori (left) and Andy Murray after the match

Windies to know ICC fate today

West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president Dave Cameron faced the heat over the weekend, when he attended the International Cricket Council (ICC) last round of meetings for the year at the headquarters in Dubai.

The meeting started officially Wednesday but Cameron left for Dubai earlier in the week to have a series of meetings with the

Tdifferent stakeholders, concerning his team’s aborted tour of India last month, due to a players payment structure dispute.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has sent a formal request for compensation following the pull out. They have asked for US$41.97m in damages and indicated to the WICB that this is not the final figure.

They have given the

he ICC has issued a warning against players taking contractual matters into their own hands, as West Indies did in withdrawing from their tour of India, and hinted that the right to play in domestic tournaments such as the IPL could be removed for those who transgress in future.

West Indies effectively cancelled their commitments in India last month due to a dispute between the WICB, the West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) and the players themselves. The WICB faces a claim for millions of dollars in damages from the BCCI and could still be suspended by the ICC, with the matter a subject of ongoing board meetings in Dubai.

The ICC, which has previously stated it cannot intervene in disputes over bilateral series unless it receives a complaint, said that players abandoning tours had the potential to cause “irrevocable damage” that could “adversely affect the financial viability of the sport itself”.

WICB 15 days to respond officially in writing, the steps they are going to take to repay the money.

Just this week as the ICC directors headed to the oil rich Dubai, secretary of the BCCI Sanjay Patel reminded that the BCCI is very serious about the lawsuit and they are going forward to reclaim their money.

Cameron had to face BCCI president N Srinivasan, who is also

the president of the ICC. Cheering the meeting will be BCCI’s representative to the ICC Narayanaswami Srinivasan.

The other ICC members will also have a say and some of them have already indicated that they want both boards to work out the situation amicably. The ICC will also take a formal position on the matter and will reveal this today.

Over the last few days

some of the committees of the ICC have been meeting. On Wednesday last, the women’s committee met and this was followed by another meeting by the chief executives’ committee on Thursday.

The audit committee and the development committee met on Friday. Yesterday, the finance and commercial committee and the governance review committee got together last evening and yesterday the big boys took to the boardroom for their general meeting.

In addition to the West Indies/India issue, some of the other key issues likely to be discussed are the outcomes from the ICC CEC on matters relating to the FTP, playing conditions for the ICC Cricket World Cup, 2015 and suspected illegal bowling actions.

Also recommendations from the executive committee, including in respect of a revised ICC anti-corruption code, a revised ICC antidoping code and an update on the recent work of the Integrity Working Party and an update on the ICC 2015 World Cup. (Trinidad Guardian)

ICC

Several West Indies players, including the ODI captain, Dwayne Bravo, who was at the forefront of the dispute with WIPA, are regular participants in the IPL, although it has previously been suggested that their eligibility would not be affected by the walkout.

The ICC’s chairman, N Srinivasan, said: “It was undoubtedly a sad chapter in our sport. It damaged cricket’s integrity and reputation, as well as affecting confidence within the cricket community, especially that of the fans. The ICC board was determined to address this situation and ensure such incidents never happen again. The ICC is working with the concerned members towards finding a positive resolution and is confident that there will be constructive outcomes for our game.”

West Indies’ decision led to one ODI, one T20 and three Tests being cancelled and the BCCI submitting a claim for $42m in damages. The India board has also suspended bilateral relations with the WICB and threatened it with legal action if its demands are not met. (Cricinfo)

The statement continued: “Players who behave in a similar manner in the future will not only risk breaching the disciplinary rules of the relevant member board and being sanctioned accordingly, but may also put in jeopardy their ability to conclude future contractual arrangements with domestic franchises or clubs in other jurisdictions.”

Dave Cameron Sanjay Patel