Kaneville man found dead with gunshot wound
Victoria miner found murdered on Mahdia trail
Govt holds workshop to examine MDG successes, challenges President Ramotar assures miners of continued support
saturday, march 7, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com
Government has expressed its assurances to continue its support to the mining sector through ongoing collaboration at various levels.
This commitment was expressed by President Donald Ramotar and Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Robert Persaud following a meeting with executives of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) and other stakeholders to explore initiatives and interventions for the sector.
The meeting which was held on Thursday at the Guyana International Conference Centre explored several areas of support which are at various stages of implementation or under review.
The Government reiterated its collaboration with all stakeholders within the mining sector towards the viability and sustainability of the mining sector.
The GGDMA sought government’s intervention following fluctuating global gold prices.
However, it was stated that the challenges fac-
ing the sector can be collectively addressed through continued collaboration and engagements between all stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the GGDMA
has again expressed appreciation for the support provided by the government for the issuance of a fuel import licence, waivers on spares and equipment for the min-
ing sector, access to foreign currency and tax waiver on double cab pick-ups.
In a previous release, the GGDMA had said that operational costs remain the same despite the extended drop in the price of gold on the international market and recommended that Government offer concessions on fuel and certain vehicles to bring some relief to them during this period.
The drop in the price of gold has its many spin-off effects, but a steady dip in price can have very negative effects on mining operations and has been having such effects, the GGDMA said.
Guyana Times had spoken to several small miners who all related that the drop in gold prices has severely affected their operations, especially since the cost of operations remains the same.
“It is really difficult because in some areas if you produce 10 ounces of gold it costs you 10 ounces,” related miner Mark Defreitas.
The young miner’s view that Government should offer some concession on fuel tax was supported by other miners, since they believe it would make a big difference on operating costs.
“We need to get some duty-free concessions on fuel so it can come down to like $60,000 a barrel. Fuel alone takes up about 40 per cent of the production costs and then there are the workers and maintenance.”
“Even though the price is down, you still have to keep producing to keep in the game. And if you are not finding good grounds to mine, then it is even worst. Where I am working, we pay $80,000 to $90,000 for a drum of fuel and an ounce of gold is $220,000.
– passengers signal their disgust
Persons using the Vreed-en-Hoop Ferry
Stelling are still complaining of its deplorable condition, noting that its present state poses a serious threat for travellers.
The landing, being used to embark the boats, is leaning and unstable.
“One of these days it will collapse. It won’t stay like this forever. It really need fixing man, its long now we calling for it fix,” Mary Sattoo lamented.
Sattoo uses the stelling every day to get to Georgetown to conduct her business and often shakes her head in regret at the appalling situation.
“I’m just wondering what they gonna do when it get worse, it’s going to be more hard for them then,” Sattoo stated.
Speedboat Association Vice President Lancelot Moseley told Guyana Times that he is at wits end with the authorities when it comes to fixing the stelling.
Moseley claimed that countless reports were made
to the Traffic Manager and the Harbour Master of the Transport and Harbours Department of the Public Works Ministry, but to no avail. “They keep telling me they will look into it but I’m not seeing any progress,” he said.
The Vice President disclosed that he hangs around the stelling most of the day and often shudders at the ordeal before him.
“People, women especially, are falling down when they try to get onto the vessels, almost all passengers are complaining about this,” he said.
Moseley explained that passengers would complain bitterly to him about their troubles but he lacks the ability to give them any reassurance.
“The passengers would complain and what can I tell them? I don’t even know what’s going on,” he stated.
Moseley is calling on the relevant authorities to urgently execute repairs to the stelling to make it safe for Guyanese to use.
saturday, March 7, 2015 |
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, March 6 – 05:30h-07:00h and Saturday, March 7 – 05:30h-07:00h
The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Friday, March 6 – 16:45h-18:15h and Saturday, March 7 – 05:20h-06:50h
Ferries will be departing the Parika and Supenaam stellings at 06:00h and 16:00h
Thundery showers can be expected in the morning, with heavy rain showers in the early afternoon. Thundery showers will return in the late afternoon, with light rain showers in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 27 degrees Celsius.
Winds: East-North-easterly between 5.36 metres and 6.25 metres per second.
High Tide: 05:26h and 17:44h reaching maximum heights of 2.69 metres and 2.72 metres respectively.
Low Tide: 11:19h and 23:35h reaching minimum heights of 0.49 metre and 0.53 metres respectively at each scheduled low tide
APNU/AFC coalition launch:
“All fluff, no
... Jeffrey, Gaskin
r Henry Jeffrey, former Government Minister and now a political commentator said the “grand” launch of the A Partnership for National Unity-Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) campaign on Wednesday was “full of fluff and no substance”.
He said the speakers provided little information on what they plan to offer to the country.
Jeffrey explained that while the coalition has promised its supporters better living conditions, reduced crime rates and improved education, they have constantly failed to provide details on how they intend achieve those objectives.
“They put out a plan that’s not detailed and that’s unacceptable,” Dr Jeffrey firmly stated.
He reiterated that the party members should be able to provide facts when presenting themselves as a party of national unity instead of leaving the general populace and their supporters in the dark about the plans for the future.
“They are not saying anything. They are basically opening the door for the PPP/C [People's Progressive Party Civic],” he lamented. Jeffrey said that the two parties had a great opportunity to lay their plans for Guyana when they captured the entire nation’s attention with the an-
nouncement of the coalition, but instead, opted to declare various party members’ positions in the coalition and what each party would gain rather than their specific position on developing the country.
Another political commentator Ramon Gaskin has also expressed his deep disappointment with the heavy focus on positions, rather than policies.
According to Gaskin, despite the fact that the two parties have been preaching that they wish to see a Government of national unity and wanted what was best for Guyanese society, this was not reflected during or after their dialogue.
He said it would appear that the political parties were only fighting for positions and their piece of the ‘meat’.
“I noticed that in the coalition talks, they were only talking about who gets what and what goes to whom.
"I am very disappointed with that because in the entire discussions, all they could have said was that this goes to that person, he gets that, she gets this and nothing is said about the needs of the Guyanese people,” Gaskin said.
He noted that it would appear to him that the two political parties seem to have the procedure all wrong and had placed self-interest first, as he strongly believes that a programme or agenda on the
needs of the Guyanese should have first been worked out, before positions and leadership were discussed.
He also pointed out that the coalition never disclosed any extensive information on what direction they would take the country as it relates
to one crucial element: energy.
The Opposition during the 10th Parliament had blocked the Amaila Falls Hydro Energy Project. (AFHEP)
Jeffrey expressed his agreement the APNU-AFC Presidential Candidate David Granger’s cries about an unhappy Guyana. “People are always unhappy with politicians,” he pointed out. Nonetheless, he noted that “unhappiness does not translate to votes”.
He speculated if the coalition gets into power, his supporters will too become unhappy with them in at least six months. Jeffrey said he is optimistic about the coalition, but is disappointed that the politicians failed to present themselves as the winning ticket for a better Guyana.
The newly formed coalition had its official elections cam-
paign launch on Wednesday at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown.
Contrary to what Jeffrey had hoped for, the speakers spoke about the new life the coalition offers in broad generalities without presenting facts. In fact, Granger opted to blame the incumbent administration for the present living conditions in Guyana and to make expansive, extravagant promises.
“The PPP/C has dragged us to the very pit of the human development index.” Granger went on to make promises about a better Guyana.
“The coalition will give Guyanese an education system that will produce citizens of quality who will be happy,
employment opportunities, a security policy that protects our citizens and our territory,” he said.
Prime Ministerial Candidate of the coalition Moses Nagamootoo, at one time alluded to his biblical namesake, and declared May 11, the date for General and Regional Elections in Guyana as the day of “deliverance” for the country.
But later he switched allusions to declare he was one of the “Three Musketeers”.
Editor:NigelWilliams
Tel:225-5128,231-0397,226-9921, 226-2102,223-7230or223-7231.Fax:225-5134
Mailingaddress:238Camp&QuaminaStreets,Georgetown
Email:news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com
Guyanese have a predilection of changing any commemoration not only into a “celebration” but to a “sport”. We had barely finished desecrating Cuffy and his comrades’ heroic revolutionary action of 1763 with our pathetic, pale “wining” imitation of the Trinidadian Carnival (even J’Ouvert!) when we segued into the other national holiday of Holi yesterday.
And of course, we all had a jolly good time soaking, powdering and “abeering” everyone in sight - then feasting on sweets galore.
As a matter of fact, just as with Republic Day, Holi should be celebrated: they both commemorate extraordinary events that inspired positive change in society. But they are also commemorated so that we may remember the events themselves, not as singularities, but as possibly recurring in the course of human development again and again.
In this way, we may be reminded and be inspired by the actions of our forefathers that we could confront similar challenges in the present.
With Cuffy’s action, we were witnessing the capacity of man to overcome tremendous odds in his ever present struggle against oppression and to rise up and confront it. Some may conclude that Cuffy “failed” eventually because the Dutch regrouped and wiped out his rebellion.
But they miss the point - just as we miss the same point today when we only concentrate on the “wining” and the “back balling” on Republic Day. The point is that oppression is latent in every relationship, but if we are exposed to the fact that there were persons in worse situations than ours and they rose above their fetters and faced their oppressors, then perchance we would be inspired to do the same.
In the case of Holi, we had a situation that older Guyanese experienced for decades: a ruler decided that he was “all powerful” and that all the citizens must bow down to him. There were spies throughout the land so that even if a person was complaining to his neighbour about some irritation, word would be carried back to the minions of the ruler and as he put it, “condign” punishment would be inflicted on the unfortunate soul.
The Police were supposed to “serve and protect” the people but in actuality were subverted by the ruler to run the spy apparatus, summarily arrest the fingered transgressors and imprison them.
The ruler insisted that all armed forces officers swear personal fealty to him and if they refused, were either fired or banished to the Gulag in the interior. Religious bodies that did not bow to his will were sidelined from national events and minor denominations offered pride of place at the table.
The ruler took over almost the entire economy, so that in the end, he provided the only substantial employment opportunities. Martin Carter, the national poet who briefly served the ruler as Mister of Information, wrote about “the mouth muzzled by the hands that feed it” after he quit in disgust.
But the story of Holi focusing on the boy Prahalad, reminds us that even the most powerful tyrant can be challenged and taken down - sometimes by someone unexpected. Prahalad was the son of the tyrant.
In Guyana, the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) fought the tyrant from the beginning but because they feared a race war, they confined their activities within parameters that favoured the tyrant. A very brave academic, Walter Rodney, however had no such burden and declared that the tyrant must go by “any means necessary”.
But while Prahalad’s father attempted to kill him, he was unsuccessful, unlike in Guyana where the tyrant had Rodney assassinated. The tyrant died ignominiously on an operating table to deal with what was supposed to be an innocuous throat problem.
The PPP persisted after Rodney’s death and eventually they replaced the tyrant’s successor. Today, the successors to the tyrant’s successors are once again vying for power, claiming they have “changed”.
Forewarned is forearmed.
Dear Editor, Phagwah, the festival of colours, is a time for joy, love, happiness and pure thoughts. To celebrate this joyous occasion some of the beautiful colours which are being used are red, green, blue, orange, pink, yellow and purple.
These colours have great significance and depict a colourful, joyful, beautiful, fruitful and pure life. A colourful positive energy is built around you when these beautiful and rich multi-colours are used in a joyous mood.
Colours have healing powers and are an expression of enlightenment, peace, joy, love and empowerment.
Joy is a nurturing and uplifting energy that connects us to a deeper level. When joy is impacted upon earth it brings healing and removal of negative energies.This bubbling energy of joy that we experience on the day of Phagwah helps humanity to connect with their souls and the universe itself.
This energy actually energizes and cleanses our beings and at the same time permeates the atmosphere with scared vibrations. However, the embodiment of joy must be experienced in the right context to create positivity within the core of our hearts.
Today many people including our youths have concep-
tualized joy in a limited way which is mostly connected to the physical level of our beings.
For instance, most of our youths of today think in order for them to experience joy they have to get involved in alcohol, drugs, teenage pregnancy, crime, conflict, conduct disorder, gangsand so on.
In fact, they are not aware that these negative activities only deplete their mental and physical energiesand connect them to a lower level in consciousness. Occasions like Phagwah and Diwali actually help us to rekindle our inherent qualities and automatically we find ourselves moving into a blissful, beautiful and
positive path. I therefore call upon everyone especially the youths to celebrate Phagwah – the festival of colours in the most joyous and pure manner. Let us use this occasion to empower ourselvesby rejuvenating our divine energies. Let us usher into this year 2015 great wisdom, peace, love and spiritual inspiration. Let us help to build Guyana’s future with new positive and progressive energies so that we can continue to live in unity and love as our motto says – One People, One Nation and One Destiny!
Sandra Lalita Tularam
Dear Editor,
The latest winter storm in the New York metro area impacted on the Phagwah celebration on Thursday as mandirs had low attendance and organizers shortened the celebration.
Some mandirs burnt Holika on Wednesday night (a confusion over the sighting of the full moon) when there was freezing rain, while others performed out Holika Dahan on Thursday evening when some six inches snow (felt like over a feet of snow) fell hours earlier.
Celebration on both evenings attracted small crowds. Celebrants sang chowtaal and smeared each other with ashes after performing havan. At Trimurthi Mandir, holika was burnt in a huge kund outdoor.
Guyanese New Yorkers are expressing relief that Thursday’s major snow storm was probably the last for this winter, although two weeks remain in the official season. Meteorologists say no other
storm is projected for the city over the next couple of weeks.
And at any rate, temperatures are expected to rise above freezing level putting snow fall out of question. The city has experienced a dozen snow storms since January 4, when the first hit the city, wreaking havoc on peoples’ lives.
February is on record for the third snowiest month in history and the most snow the city experienced in that month going back several decades. Each storm caused major air travel disruptions and commuting to and from work.
In addition, it cost homeowners a lot of money to purchase salt to melt the snow on sidewalks and drive ways; homeowners are mandated to clean sidewalks for pedestrians. The major snow storms caused many workers to take time off from their jobs because of the difficulty of getting to work.
And temperatures have been brutally cold from
January till now often dipping below zero, making it even more difficult to do yard chores or make it to one’s job site. Guyanese, as well as others, complain about the sub-freezing temperatures that have been so low that water pipes froze and busted in many Guyanese homes, costing them a lot of money to pursue repairs of not only pipes but kitchen walls as well.
Temperatures plunged on Thursday and Friday reading some 30 degrees below normal. Snow load on roofs also became an issue in recent weeks with some roofs caving under, especially with falling ice and the mix of snow that made the precipitation even heavier; no Guyanese reported collapsed roof as a result of the snow.
Older Guyanese stayed indoors and there were no reported incidents among Guyanese. However, there was one reported death of a 20 year old Guyanese male on Monday found in the snow
in Jamaica, though homicide was suspected. Thursday’s storm was on top of the one on Monday into Tuesday and the icy rain on Wednesday. The storm closed several schools though not public schools. It also forced school openings and early closure of schools in the city as well as triggered flight delays and cancellations. Snow and sleet led to nightmarish commute making driving hazardous and dangerous. There were numerous accidents. Cars slid off the roads in Richmond Hill and in other neighborhoods. Snow drifted in the heavy wind blowing around making clean up even more difficult. Guyanese I spoke with expressed much frustration with mother nature, saying they have had enough of snow and the brutally cold weather. It is back breaking work to shovel snow as I saw Guyanese owners clearing their sidewalks as required by law.
Dear Editor,
My last letter, “What moving forward means to the youths of Guyana,” created a firestorm in the UG students’ circles, with arguments for and against the points I made, but like every fair minded and progressive person, I also listened carefully to the criticisms.
And these are some of the main points: “I am not seeing that youths just want to move forward”; “I am not seeing the corruption and crime in the country”; and finally, “why are so many people migrating from the country”.
I will take the liberty to outline what I, as a young man, see as my future with the PPP/C and why the PPP/C is a better option for Guyana to move forward.
To put things into context, let’s note the famous quote from JFK, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”
As a Guyanese I know for a fact that we do not understand what this quote means to us, since we have always found a way to blame the Government for everything, including our own failure to utilize the benefits available to us from the state. The following is a snap shot of what moving forward means to me, the golden partnership.
Age 21: I realized the need to further my education and have a stable job, so I applied to the public service
for a clerical position, waited one year, then applied for time off to attend UG.
Time off was granted and I started UG wearing a $200 “rubber dinky” and depending on my friends and family to help pay tuition and pay bus fare because my salary was not enough. But I never blamed the Government for that. I was already grateful for the job and the time off I got. For me the Government has already done its part. So I push on with discipline and a goal.
Age 26: I graduated with credit and five years work experience. At this point I am the first in my family to graduate with a degree, so everybody is smiling with pride. Now I am eligible for promotion and I know that no one will drop it in my lap, so I began to sell my idea for getting a promotion (this you do anywhere in the world).
But at this point, this very critical point, is where you begin to feel broken and start finding other things to blame for not getting forward, like the Government.
Age 27: Got that promotion and over the next five years I used the opportunity to become one of the youngest directors in the Public Service, a national leader in my field and the first Guyanese to achieve the UN certification in my profession.
How did this happen? It’s because I persisted with a
Even yours truly is not tired of shoveling snow. As a Guyanese homeowner told me, I’m tired of breaking my back on shoveling and snow blowing”.
The snow led to delays in transportation – trains and buses. People had to drive slowly; cars were observed sliding off the road; tyres lack friction on the snow and in Richmond Hill side roads that are not regularly plowed, cars skidded onto each other.
Guyanese hope, as the weather forecasters stated, Thursday’s was old man winter last hurrah; hopefully it was the last storm. There were so many back to back snow storms that would make even the most strident snow lover to say that is enough as my German neighbour commented.
However, some New Yorkers were glad for the snow; they went playing in it sleighing, sliding, skiing, roller skating, etc. Students also were glad for the snow hoping for closure of schools.
Some Guyanese students I spoke with said they mind the snow at all as they find it enjoyable. What they really mean is they hope to get time off to play and or to watch TV at home. But so far, school was closed only one day end of January.
A Delta flight landing at LaGuardia airport skidded off the runway breaking down a fence barrier and almost landed in the river; six were seri-
ously injured.
from page 4
Although there may not be more storms this winter, the ground situation won’t improve considerably for commuters, shoppers and homeowners. There are piles of snow in front of homes as well as on Liberty Avenue, the main shopping hub and the route of the Phagwah parade.
Parking is difficult because of the piles of snow on parking spots. And walking is also dangerous because of icy conditions on the pavements. And surging temperatures over the weekend could cause flooding where storm drains are blocked with piles of snow and ice.
While Guyanese may have enough of the snow, winter tourist businesses are glad for the snow that was mostly absent in the months of November and December. The snow is good for hotel business, stores selling snow melt, and ski slopes (skiing tourism).
With regard to Holi celebration, the annual parade originally scheduled for this weekend is cancelled. The ground is waterlogged with the endless precipitation over the last two months. Smokey Park is filled with snow.
However, a Holi Samela has been quickly planned for the Maha Lakshmi Mandir on this afternoon in Richmond Hill.
Vishnu Bisram
goal and make sacrifices like every other positive youth would. The Government never got into my way and I never became fully dependent on them. It is what I call that golden partnership with my Government.
It is this partnership that set the foundation for me to further develop overseas in order to return to Guyana and share my knowledge, especially to young people. I am proud to say that it is this very foundation I stand on, when I am leading people from the best universities in the world and giving guidance and expertise to top leaders in my field.
And yes, I do experience and observe crime. But I also understand that crime is not unique to Guyana, especially when a country is in a upward move towards economic security and I also know that we as Guyanese have a role to play and it is not just up
to Government to fix it while we simply throw back and wait.
The point here, my young brothers and sisters, is that the Government has the lesser role to play in your future and the idea of moving forward begins with you. So take your time to truly understand that no opposition or any political party will give you anything more than what the PPP/C has provided and continues to improve on.
The PPP/C has provided the stability and the environment for us to capitalize and develop ourselves. The rest is up to us. There is no salvation from this Opposition. Therefore, you should be very careful when you simply ask for change and not see that all evidence points to you falling into the fire.
Malcolm Watkins
Dear Editor, The Guyana Police Force is responding to an article published in another section of the press on March 5 as the Editorial under the headline “Make it happen”.
A paragraph of the article deals with the alleged sexual assault of a fouryear-old girl by her father in a mining community in the interior and quoted the child’s mother as having “expressed concern that though she had reported the matter and the man was arrested, there had been no followthrough by the Police.
The Police Force wishes to clarify that having received the report of the alleged sexual assault on February 11, the ranks responded and arrested the
child’s father on the very day. He was subsequently placed on bail on February 13.
At the completion of investigations into the matter, the file was submitted to the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on February 18 for legal advice. It was later returned to the Police for further investigations to be conducted into some areas that had been identified.
The investigations have since been completed and the file in this matter is presently in the process of being returned to the DPP for further advice.
Ivelaw
Whittaker Police Public Relations and Press Officer
BY KATHRYN BROWN RAMSPERGER
You’re waiting to pick your children up from school. The mom to your right starts bragging about her son’s straight A report card. The mom to your left goes into copious detail about how her daughter is just “too busy” to sleep at night because of all her extracurricular activities. You hear another mom in the distance droning on about her twins’ latest school awards. You also know the mom and son coming out the school doors recently started their own non-profit.
Sigh.
But what if your child doesn’t have what it takes? What if she’s not the straight-A type? What if he, like most children, performs strongly in some areas but struggles in others academically? Maybe the chances of your child going to college on a scholarship are slim, but does that mean your child is not “successful”?
No way! Because YOUR child has the advantage of something even more important. Research shows that your child’s great personality is a far better predictor of her future success than grades alone.
So, you can relax into that next breath and con-
centrate on cultivating the qualities she or he already has in abundance, many of which future employers are desperately searching for:
1. Emotional resilience
Having to work a little harder for good grades gives children much needed grit that is lacking in the today’s “entitled” child culture. Children who repeatedly hear they are brilliant or “perfect” struggle more as school presents increasingly challenging material. These children come to believe that intelligence is a finite commodity and, if things don’t come easily, they quit trying. A resilient child wants to learn and doesn’t worry if she doesn’t understand something the first time. She keeps trying without beating herself up over it. So, concentrate on congratulating your child for effort instead of outcome, or a great study session instead of a test score.
2. Intellectual curiosity
Children who are eager to learn are invaluable assets to a company because they think outside the box. They look at learning from unconventional new points of view.
Today’s corporations are looking for this kind of mind
because they need people who can generate revolutionary and industry re-defining ideas. People rarely learn this kind of problem solving from a book; they learn it by doing (trial and
thetic, she may enjoy a trip to a museum. If she’s a visual learner, she may want to read more about a subject online, or create art about a subject she’s learning in school.
error).
Look for ways to add to your child’s curriculum with multiple modalities, and learn what kind of learner she is. If she’s more kines-
3. Open mindedness
College professors lament needing to teach core concepts all over again to incoming freshmen – be-
cause most high school advanced courses actually speed through a challenging curriculum just to say they covered it. Even more frustrating, these new college students resist this repeat teaching because they believe they “already know it all.”
A student committed to a lifetime of learning is a welcome addition to any classroom. He doesn’t worry that he doesn’t know an answer or has to ask a question, because he knows that, of course, there is always more to learn. To cultivate an open, eager-to-learn mind, try having a family discussion at dinner time making sure there is no judgment allowed.
Encourage differences in opinion and stress that everyone’s opinion is valuable, interesting, and significant to the conversation.
4. Kindness
5. Discipline
Slow and steady wins the race. If your daughter learns from mistakes and figures out how to balance her time, she’s ahead of the game.
Recent research shows “hard work and discipline contribute more to school achievement than IQ does.” These studies prove that consistent effort that leads to gradual progress outlasts last-minute cramming for a test or not needing to study much at all. Encourage her to study in small bits daily with breaks (building the habit of self-discipline), and add fun activities to her routine to help her remember what she’s studying and bring learning to life.
Just because your child isn’t running a non-profit at age 12 doesn’t mean he’s not creating change. He has a wide group of friends who depend on him. Make time to get them together more often, or let them choose a charity they’re passionate about, and organize a day they can volunteer there. Whether it’s kindness to his community or just kindness to his friends, recognize your child for being kind, as well as smart.
6. Confidence A college admissions rep or a job interviewer is not going to ask your daughter to recite Hamlet or finish a Calculus problem. They are more inclined to accept a person who can work both independently and on a team, who displays confidence that she can handle a challenge, and who knows how to learn.
Let her start speaking up for herself now with teachers and other authority figures. You might also want to role play with her as she gets older for future interviews, which will also help her feel prepared and confident to embrace that college acceptance or job offer.
So, next time you happen upon another maternal bragging session in the schoolyard, know that you and your children are just fine. Persistence, creativity, and compassion lead to empowerment and success –not only in school, but in life.
Of course you want to support school performance, but teaching children how to learn and how to thrive socially are just as important. If we let our children’s teachers lead them through the facts, figures, and essay writing, we can concentrate on lessons they need to learn outside of the classroom.
With this team approach, our children end up more well-rounded, successful, and happier.
(Yahoo! Parenting)
Guyana’s Ambassador to the US and the Organisation of American States (OAS) Bayney Karran earlier this week made his petition to become the next Assistant Secretary General (ASG) of the hemispheric body.
He also used the occasion to lobby for campaign finance reform - something which the body had been working on Caribbean countries to implement. Here in Guyana efforts to have such reforms in place have been stymied giving rise to a dubious group coordinated by Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall - Funding a United Committee for Opposition Presidency (FUCOP).
Opposition leaders have all denied ever drawing down from the fund, claiming that they do not know what FUCOP is or how it came into being.
In a release the OAS said that the Permanent Council of the organisation received presentations by the two candidates proposed by the member states for the position of Assistant Secretary
General. The election of the Assistant Secretary General is scheduled for March 18, the same date on which the next Secretary General of the Organisation will be elected. According to the rules, new candidates can be presented until the same day of the election. The order of the presentations was determined by lottery.
Karran who is running against, Belizean Nestor Mendez to replace the current SG, Albert Ramdin referred to the basic pillars of the OAS-democracy, human rights, security and development- and how he would seek to strengthen the role of the OAS in each of these areas.
On the issue of democracy he stated that the capacity of the General Secretariat must be enhanced to monitor, anticipate and head off potential threats to constitutional order in member states, by refining early warning systems. “We need to support efforts aimed at campaign finance reform, constitutional reform and institutional strengthening
while at the same time increasing our assistance for election processes and for the promotion of good governance,” he said.
Moreover, he added that in the future political environment of the region “member states should be prepared to welcome the participation of the Government of Cuba in the councils of the hemisphere,” and commented that the initiative by the United States and Cuba to normalize relations “has the potential to significantly improve the tenor of future political discourse in the region.”
Karran also said that on the issue of combating inequality and promoting integral development “the OAS has a fundamental obligation to assist member states to overcome the scourges of poverty, inequality and underdevelopment”.
“Our smaller and more vulnerable States, which comprise a substantial component of our membership, are not satisfied with our level of accomplishment in this area in spite of some significant successes,” he noted and highlighted the need to be more proactive in addressing these challenges.
“If elected as Assistant Secretary General, I would work closely with member states to find ways to raise more resources and to channel them into low-cost, highimpact development programs, with emphasis on education,” he asserted.
Speaking of the pillar of multidimensional security, the Guyanese diplomat encouraged extending the organisation’s work to ensure that public security is addressed more comprehensively.
“The OAS must continue to build hemispheric networks of cooperation, sharing of experiences and capacity building in order to combat the scourge of transnational criminal organizations,” he said, and added that the
OAS can play a central role in moving the Hemisphere closer to consensus in the war on drugs and on immigration issues.
Ambassador Karran also referred to the strengthening of the Inter-American human rights system and highlighted that the General Secretariat should exert efforts to ensure that the system is improved and strengthened.
“This can commence with a renewed dialogue under the new administration starting with the human rights institutions and the member states,” he said, and expressed his intention to formulate proposals to ease the friction between member
Guyana’s vision for the future of the OAS includes strengthening dialogue and collaboration with member states and greater synergies with financial institutions and with subregional groups.
He also proposed creating a program of dialogue and consultation between the various subregional groupings to promote understanding and consensus on issues of common interest.
“Member states would like the next administration breathe new life into the Organization and they are concerned that the influence and authority of the OAS would diminish unless it is given a fresh impetus,”
states and the system.
On the issue of the relationship between the Secretary General and the Assistant Secretary General, the Ambassador from Guyana said that they “must have an intimate working relationship based on mutual trust, mutual cooperation and mutual respect”.
“They must be at one with regard to the mission and strategic objectives,” he said, and added that it would benefit the Organization for the Assistant Secretary General to play a strong and well-defined political role.
The Ambassador of
he said.
Karran also included specific initiatives related to the modernisation and management of the OAS, including increased mobilisation and efficiency of resources; strategies for increased effectiveness and coordination in monitoring the implementation of mandates emerged from the Summits of the Americas; the establishment of the Office of an Ombudsman; a re-evaluation and re-articulation of the role of the OAS national offices; promoting an initiative to create a more dynamic relationship with
Permanent Observers; addressing issues of representativeness, transparency and trust in the field of human resources; and institutionalising the mechanism of regional coordinators, which “has been considered a valuable tool to manage negotiations and to facilitate consensus building”.
Following the initial presentation of the candidate of Guyana, the representatives of Ecuador, Venezuela, El Salvador, Chile, Brazil, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Guatemala, Mexico, Suriname, Nicaragua, Colombia, Dominica, Canada, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Peru, Barbados, the United States and Bolivia took the floor during the exchange with Ambassador Karran.
For his part the Permanent Representative of Belize to the OAS, Nestor Mendez, highlighted that the OAS is today faced with a "golden opportunity, a unique moment", one that comes only once every decade.
"A moment when we will be ushering in a new leadership, when we will be finishing a strategic plan, when we will be transitioning to a new administration. It is a moment, an opportunity for change. I want to invite you to seize the moment.”
To transform the Organization and build on the basis of the consensus around the Strategic Vision, said Ambassador Mendez, the input of everyone will be needed.
“This joint undertaking approach, this collective ownership of the InterAmerican System cannot be overemphasized. We are here, all member states because we want to be here, because we see value in this Organization which binds our membership and anchors our relations on the founding principles and purposes of the OAS,” he added.
Relatives of an East Bank Demerara (EBD) resident are left with several unanswered questions in relation to an incident whereby his body was dropped off at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre on Thursday evening.
The dead man has been identified as Shem Padmore, 28, of Love Bird Drive, Kaneville, EBD. At least three stab wounds were found on the man’s back. According to information received, the now dead man left home on Thursday evening to purchase fish and chips and never returned.
At about 23:00h, his reputed wife received a call from a hospital staff informing her that he was taken to the medical facility. As she arrived at the hospital, she saw Padmore also called “Otto” lying on a stretcher.
Stacy Carmichael, the man’s cousin told Guyana Times that they are trying to ascertain what occurred and the circumstances that would have led to the young man’s death. The relative explained that based on reports gathered from the hospital, her cousin sustained three stab wounds which
caused damage to critical body organs.
One of the stab wounds, she disclosed punctured his heart, another went to the region of his kidney and the last went through his left side. “We got a telephone call from his child mother who told us that she was contacted by the hospital…We don’t know what happened but we will be pursing the matter to the fullest,” she added.
She expressed her anger at the hospital security, claiming that they should have held onto the two persons who dropped off her relative on Thursday evening. “I just can’t understand that two persons took a body in a car, dropped it off at the hospital and the security or any other official did not collect their names”.
Carmichael went on to say that his mother resides
in Barbados and would be travelling into the country shortly, and is hoping that by the time she arrives, the Police would have additional information on the incident.
The Police in a release stated that at about 22:00h, two men in a vehicle dropped off Padmore at the East Bank Regional Hospital and left. Upon examination, they recognised a gunshot injury to the back.
The relatives of the dead man are calling on anyone with information about his death to contact the Police. Padmore’s body is at the Lyken’s Funeral Home awaiting a post mortem examination.
He leaves to mourn his two children, ages two and five months; his mother and siblings. The Police are continuing their investigation.
AVictoria, East Coast Demerara (ECD) miner was viciously chopped to death during a suspected robbery during Thursday night into Friday morning along a trail leading to Dickman Hill Backdam, Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).
Charles Major, 57, of Lot 386 Victoria Village, ECD, was found with several chopped wounds about his body by passersby. He was taken to the Mahdia Hospital Mortuary, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
According to information reaching Guyana Times, the man who owns a mining camp in the area for the past 15 years was quiet, thus leaving colleagues and relatives in a state of shock.
Shaundell Major, the youngest sister of the dead man, told this newspaper that they received a message at about 9:00h on Friday morn-
ing about her brother’s death which she described was “unbearable.”
She explained that a niece, who resides in the mining community, initially telephoned her and related the horrific news while explaining that his body was severely chopped. The family, she added, later learnt that he was killed during a robbery.
The young woman went on to say that she attempted to contact him all day on Thursday to share some good news. “I wanted to tell him that I bought a car and I want him to come out to part take in the celebrations. I called him all day and the phone rang out and thought that he would call back but he didn’t…I thought that he didn’t have credit and called again but the phone went unanswered,” she explained.
It was only until Friday morning that she received the devastating news. In tears,
the woman stated that the family is in a state of shock. They last spoke to him about three weeks ago. She noted that another brother and her nephew travelled up to Mahdia to make arrangements for the body to be transported to Georgetown.
Thelma Major, the mother of the dead man told Guyana Times that she is not too well and upon receiving the news of her third child’s death, she
got weaker. The elderly woman, who had several leaves in her hands, said that she was at home on Friday preparing her church clothes when she heard her daughter’s phone ringing.
As she answered, she recognised her granddaughter’s voice asking to speak with “Shaundell” but as she enquired if anything was wrong, she sensed some fumbling in her voice. Nevertheless, she handed over the telephone to her daughter and as she collected the message, she knew something was wrong.
“After she came off the phone, she related the news to me… I couldn’t take it… My son does not trouble anyone for him to receive such a brutal death,” the woman cried. She is hoping that the Police investigate the matter thoroughly.
The man leaves to mourn his five children, mother and siblings.
Ramjattan so wants to be "somebody". Fretting that he's not in the AFC and PNC/APNU coalition picture, he just had to show he "matters". So even though he only snarls "haul yuh ass!!" to this paper, he spilled his guts to the Stabber.
Back in WWII there was the caution against the dangers of German submarines - "loose lips sink ships" . Well, without any doubt, Ramjattan's loose lips are going to sink the AFC's ship in Berbice
There was the crude and crass racial explanations for his decision to merge with the PNCR/APNU. He claimed he was caught between his Indian Berbicians deserting at elections time because he joined up with the Afro party and his "Afro Guyanese" execs jumping ship right now because he didn't join up with the Afro party. Is this guy for real??
You mean he lost faith in all those principled Indians he'd converted to "multiracial politics"?? And by joining with the PNC/APNU wouldn't they be creating "multiracial" nirvana?? At least that's what his buddy Nagamootoo's saying!
And then, does he really believe that Nigel Hughes, Cathy Hughes, Raphael Trotman, Patterson, Williams et al, would really betray their commitment to multi-racial politics and meld themselves into the Afro party??
Oh ye Ramjattan of little faith - they'd never do that!! They are all honourable men (and woman)!!! They would've stuck with Ramjattan even though he stiffed them of the AFC's Presidential nomination by unilaterally (and illegally) dumping the party's rotational principle. That's how much they love Ramjattan.
Ramjattan was also powerfully swayed to the coalition because of his guarantee of 12 seats, three Vice Presidents and 40 per cent of the Cabinet. He, of course, is going be one of those Vice Presidents. He knows Vice-Presidents are preceded by sirens the same as the President!
But it seemed the clincher that sealed the deal for Ramjattan was he discovered that Granger was - as he gushingly declaimed - "an officer and a gentleman". He didn't elaborate as to how Granger displayed those qualities to him. The "officer" part we know aboutGranger was the officer Burnham chose to head the GDF in 1979 when Rodney was creating inroads in that bulwark of Burnham's rule.
The "gentleman" part?? We'd reported before that Ramjattan and Nagamootoo were impressed at Granger's self control as not to pick his nose with his fingers - as THEY were wont to do. Nagamootoo even rolled his boogers between his thumb and index finger!
Notice there was nary a mention as to whether the alliance was in any way beneficial for Guyana. It was all about the AFC and Ramjattan. So what else is new??
...with PNC/APNU
Granger's speech at the official launch of the AFC/ PNCR/APNU coalition was interesting for several reasons. Ramjattan's "officer and gentleman" quoted his words on "happiness and suicide"!
Now Granger has to be a real gentleman to only not tell Ramjattan that he was talking "bollocks" but he actually repeated his ridiculous statement. Your Eyewitness is reminded of the old British definition of a "gentleman": a fella who says "excuse me" when his wife farts.
But Granger also slipped up and revealed what Ramjattan and Nagamootoo have been standing on their heads for three years denying: that they'd been in bed all the time with the PNC/APNU. And that no matter what good policies the PPP/C came up with the AFC would've never supported them - even though that was what they'd told the folks in Berbice.
Ahh...what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.
...and youth complicity
The AFC's betrayal of their supporters and the new Youth Group being funded by the IRI is all part of the same effort to get rid of the PPP/C by any means necessary. Didn't Ramjattan and Ramjattan boast about being funded by "the Americans" since 2005??
Phagwah or Holi is cited as one of the best celebrations in Guyana.
Guyanese of all walks of life celebrated this vibrant Hindu festival all throughout the day.
This Kaleidoscope of colours is often displayed in the open streets, outside temples and within homes. People visit their families and friends to throw colours on each other then share delicious Indian delicacies, foods and drink.
A trip through the streets in Georgetown on Phagwah
day showed accurately, the love and unity that compliments Phagwah celebrations in Guyana.
Persons were seen fetching huge pales of water, eagerly looking for someone to drench. Some found joy in throwing the bright Phagwah powders in the air, while others used it to make creative patterns on each other’s body. Others messily dabbed the colourful dust all over smiling faces.
Children squealed with glee as they freely ran around the streets spraying their water guns load-
Marking International Women’s Day 2015 (March 8th), leaders from the United Nations’ three Rome-based food agencies gathered to remind the world that women farmers play a central role in achieving food and nutrition security. At the Rome event, leaders from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP) shared testimonials of their innovative interventions that have empowered rural women, and in doing so have contributed to food security and nutrition. They also highlighted that promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment can significantly strengthen efforts to reduce rural poverty.
This year’s event also marks the 20th anniversary of the landmark Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995 (Beijing +20). IFAD President Kanayo F. Nwanze delivered the opening keynote address pointing out that as men in developing countries migrate to urban centers or shift to better-paid work, a “femini-
zation of agriculture” has occurred with approximately half of the agricultural workforce worldwide now made up of women.
“Women are the backbone of rural societies as they grow and process food and make sure their families are well-fed and well-nourished,” Nwanze said. “Too often, rural women are doing the backbreaking work.
To improve women’s social and economic status, we need more recognition for the vital role they play in the rural economy. Rural women need more opportunities to participate, improve their skills, gain access to assets, and be involved in agricultural production and marketing. Let us all work together to empower women to achieve food and nutrition security. For their sake, and the sake of their families and communities.”
Ertharin Cousin, the Executive Director of WFP, highlighted the innovative Purchase for Progress (P4P) initiative, which connects smallholders to markets and in five years tripled women’s participation in P4Psupported farmers’ organizations in 20 countries. “Using WFP’s market power, the or-
ganization directly and positively impacted the lives of 300,000 women,” Cousin said.
“By purchasing crops traditionally cultivated by women, such as beans and soya, WFP demonstrated the key role rural women play as we work together to achieve a world with zero hunger.
While acknowledging the success of this programme we must scale up the lessons learned to ensure greater opportunities for more women.”
Marcela Villarreal, Director of the Office for Partnerships, Advocacy and Capacity Development in FAO, stressed that food security overall would improve significantly if women were empowered with the same opportunities that men have, and sounded a warning about the position of rural women, in particular.
“While significant progress has been made in improving the lives of women since the Beijing conference, we’re concerned that rural women are lagging behind in every development indicator – both behind rural men and urban women,” Villarreal said. “In the 20 years since that conference, we have not achieved enough for this group of women who play an
ed with abeer (colour stainers) and creating wondrous memories of this colourful occasion.
Traditionally, the morning of the holiday is marked by the use of water in celebratory activities while the afternoon is typically celebrated with the throwing of powder and the spraying of sweet scents.
For its annual Phagwah celebrations, the Indian High Commission in Guyana hosted a special programme at the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC).
In attendance were
should always be words which others can use to describe Guyana and urged them to ensure that the country is never divided.
Organiser of the event, Yog Mahadeo, related that the annual event was aimed at promoting love and unity among Guyanese and he was happy that this became a reality at the event. Mahadeo however told the crowd that this shouldn’t only be for Holi but for every other day of the year.
important role as food providers, and we need to step up our efforts to enable them to reach their full potential.”
Rural women have generally less access than men to productive resources and services. This gap imposes real costs on societies in terms of lost agricultural output, food security, and economic growth.
Events throughout the year to mark Beijing +20 provide an opportunity for the Rome-based UN agencies, the international community as a whole, and national governments to reflect on progress, flag remaining gaps, and renew their commitments to gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Despite the historic agreement of the Beijing Platform for Action by 189 governments in 1995, no country in the world has yet achieved gender equality. The gender pay gap is just one example of inequality that affects women worldwide.
President Donald Ramotar, First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, as well as A Partnership for National Unity Executive Basil Williams joining in on the fun.
Over at the Inspire Inc annual Phagwah show at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara, scores of people of all ethnicities and religious backgrounds gathered to celebrate the festival which is renowned for bring people together.
East Indian, Chinese, and Afro-Guyanese all packed the parking lot of the stadium as they danced and sang to the lively music, sprinkling their colours everywhere, ensuring that no one left the parking lot without some colour adorning them.
President Donald Ramotar who graced the event, in brief remarks, told the large crowd that the message of Holi was an important one and it should always feature in the lives of all Guyanese.
He related that unity, love and togetherness
The Hindu Dharmic Sabha, who hosted their annual Phagwah event at the Everest Cricket ground, Carifesta, Georgetown, also recorded a large turnout.
According to President of that religious organisation, Dr Vindhya Persaud, Phagwah is a time for love and brotherhood to prevail and as such, this occasion should be used by all to put all differences and negativity aside and to live as the country’s motto urges “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”. Communities such as Albouystown, Alexander Village and Kitty were not to be left out of the celebrations as a walk through those villages showed that they too had attracted large numbers of persons. Despite the differences in celebrations, one the love and togetherness was truly alive throughout the nation.
Phagwah signifies the triumph of good over evil – the triumph of Lord Vishnu over the demon King Hiranyakashipu who had repeatedly schemed to kill his own innocent son, Prahalad, who demonstrated a commitment to goodness, humility and the ideals of his faith.
Aserving member of the Guyana Defense Force (GDF) is thankful for life after he was shot at thrice by a known character while celebrating Phagwah in Albouys Street, Albouystown, Georgetown.
The sergeant, Mark Pierre, 35, of Lot 34 Albouys Street, was listed in a stable condition and was up to late Friday evening seeking medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC).
According to information received, the shooter, “Orellie” discharged at
least three rounds in the direction of Pierre which grazed him to his face, foot and hand. The law enforcement officer is still traumatised.
His mother, May Pierre told Guyana Times that she was at home when she received the news that her son was shot and was taken to the hospital. She saw Pierre moments prior to him joining his friends on the road to participate in the celebrations.
She added that this is not the first time; her son was the target, recalling about a year ago, her son was stabbed several times
by a man during a football game. She is not sure the motive for the shooting incident but is thankful that her son is alive and well.
“My son is a blessed child…they want him dead and the lord is protecting him…,” she noted. An eyewitness explained that they were all playing with powder and water when a car pulled up and it appeared as though the driver was upset that there were people blocking the road.
All of a sudden, she explained that three gunshots were heard which
saw the crowd scampering for cover. As they looked closer, she saw Pierre lying on the roadway with his hands to his head. Blood, she added, was everywhere. As they picked him up, he realised that the bullets had just grazed him.
The shooter reportedly left the scene in his motorcar. The mother of the soldier described the shooter as a ‘nuisance to the city”. The Police have launched an investigation into the alleged shooting incident.
Pierre has been in the arm for the past 15 years.
APartnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change (APNU+ AFC) have extended “Happy Phagwah” greet-
ings to members of the Hindu family and to all Guyanese. Today as we celebrate Phagwah we reflect on the vibrant colours used in
the tradition of Holi which symbolizes the glory of rain after severe drought and hope that the challenges we face as Guyanese will soon be replaced by re-
newed dreams of a brighter future.
Our beautiful Guyana like the spectrum of colours is a unique blend of several peoples united as one. May the colours of this day wash away all hatred and bitterness and may showers of peace, happiness and togetherness fill our hearts. It is time Guyana…it is time for unity. Happy Holi.
It never good to do bad tings to people pickney. It does always come back to haunt yuh and mek yuh can’t sleep when night come. And some times de same bad tings does happen back to yuh own pickney when time come. That is because de bad tings yuh do in life does stay wid yuh fuh a lifetime, and even in de next life. So what goes around does come around.
People used to look out fuh other people pickney just like dem own pickney. Old people coulda holler pun dem, put a couple of lash pun dem back side, tell dem big buddy and big sissy plus dem parents, and then send dem home.
Teachers coulda do that too. Yuh never used to hear bout pickney and dem mother and father beatin up teachers in school like nowadays. Old people seh after one time is another time. That is how times does change.
Even people mouth does change. Who woulda tink that Rum Jhaat and de Nagga Man woulda change dem mouth and start to hug up and kiss up Green Jah? Some body seh when Nagga and Green Jah was kissin, Rum Jhaat was dribblin, and it wasn’t football.
Dem people in Berbice waitin fuh Rum Jhaat and de Nagga Man though, and dem might try to change dem mouth again. But no matter how much large dem walk wid, it ain’t gon change any ting elections day.
Navin de judge ain’t gon change nutten fuh Auntie Bibi and Uncle Smallie either. Uncle Smallie used to play like he was Daddy Biggie at one time. He was playin father, sweet man and teen man all as one man.
But Uncle Smallie fuhget that only de Almighty can tek life. Now Uncle Smallie and Auntie Bibi gon learn how to live another life fuh de rest of dem life. He shoulda never do bad tings to people pickney.
Ting-a-ling-a-ling…friend tell friend…mattie tell mattie! But then some people like Auntie Bibi does do bad tings to dem own pickney!
Araid on Golden Fleece vendor’s home
large scale cash crop farmer of Golden Fleece Public Road on the Essequibo Coast is saddened after he found out that his house was broken into by unknown thieves.
The incident occurred Thursday morning. The burglars gained entry through the front door. Dharamraj aka Palo, said that thieves carted off US $1400, 1000 Euros , $110,000GYD, a mobile phone valued $50,000 and a silver cricket band with 8 gold rings valued $140,000.
The forty-nine year old, vendor said that the thieves also stole a hand bag which contained his driver’s license, bank card and his identification card. Relating the story, the vendor said that he left home around 03:00h Thursday to sell at the Anna Regina
Market. He said around 10:00h his wife left for the market, however when she returned, the lock on the front door was broken and the entire two-bedroom house ransacked.
An immediate check revealed that the money and jewellery were all missing. The woman related that the thieves gained entry by breaking the lock with a garden fork.
Ranks of the Suddie Police Station have initiated their investigation.
As the Millennium Development Goals’ (MDGs) 2015 deadline approaches, the Government of Guyana held a workshop which involved Government officials and the relevant stakeholders to examine the successes and challenges which persist in relation to the achievement of some of the goals.
Guyana has made tremendous progress towards accomplishing almost all of the MDGs including, MDG3, gender equality and some of MDG7, environmental sustainability goals. However, there are some challenges with MDG5, maternal health.
According to Finance
Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, who addressed the participants of the event held at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC), MDG5 was the subject of attention as a result of which the Government engaged the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and received support in developing an MDG acceleration framework which highlights prioritised actions that will see Guyana achieving the goal.
“Gone are the days when we can say we are at the half way point. I have no doubt that we undervalued the luxury of time… time is no more because 2015 is upon us, and we are rightly and justifiably
The DNA samples taken from the headless corpse found at Cummings Lodge in September, 2014, which were sent to Trinidad and Tobago to be tested, have returned and proved to be that of former MFK Trading boss, Mohamed Feroze Khan.
With this revelation, the work of the Police Force has just begun with its Criminal Investigative Unit doing everything in its powers to solve the murder of the businessman. At present, it is battling to solve three executions that occurred in two weeks, and with an additional murder case to be investigated, the Police Force has its work cut out.
Guyana Times understands that the DNA results for the headless corpse were collected on Thursday and the family of Khan was immediate-
ly informed. This came as no surprise to the family members who knew from the inception that the remains were those of the missing businessman.
The decomposed, headless corpse was found on September 22, 2014 at Old Road, Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown. The head was reportedly found by workers attached to the Public Works Ministry who were weeding in the area. It was reportedly in a black plastic bag and was being carried by a dog.
Upon the discovery, the men went to the area from where the dog came and stumbled upon the body.
The businessman who resided in Venezuela after selling his Hadfield business left that country on August 21, 2014 to visit his Guyanese attorney. He was expected to spend five days in Guyana and return to his three children and wife. After his disappearance, his family members contacted several of his friends, but no one had seen him.
After the discovery, relatives of the businessman turned up at the Lyken Funeral Home and positively identified the remains as those of Khan by the underwear and a belt that were found on the corpse. Investigators believe that the man was beheaded before his body was dumped in the area.
On July 9, 2014, the 54-year-old businessman was shot to his abdomen by a gunman at La Grange,
West Bank Demerara in a failed execution attempt. It was reported that a business deal had turned sour.
At that time, he claimed that he had sold a property, but the buyer wanted to rob him of millions and he thought that the execution attempt might have been orchestrated by the buyer. Khan left the business world about six years ago after he received death threats.
Now that the DNA samples have confirmed that the remains are those of Khan, it will be handed over to the family to facilitate a burial.
judged regarding whether we have achieved or not achieved,” Minister Singh noted.
Dr Singh further noted that in a modestly resourced country “you can fly in an airplane for five hours and in a boat for three hours and walk for another five hours and still wouldn’t reach the most remote village, and when you get to that village, there are families with primary school age children, children bearing mothers and people who require medical treatment…In today’s world, we don’t have the luxury of saying that remoteness of those communities exempts them from receiving the much needed services. They are not exempt from the MDG framework, and I don’t enjoy the luxury of saying that be-
cause they live far away… remoteness is not an excuse for exception for development or specifically the MDG framework.”
Guyana is not without very peculiar challenges and, must be commended for achieving as many of the goals it has achieved. The Minister said that these goals were closely associated with Government’s priorities, and incorporated in the national policy-making framework, which would have helped significantly.
“So where you have a sector plan or strategy that incorporates explicitly that target that relates to that sector and that plan becomes national policy and informs policy and resources mobilisation and national budget allocation…becomes a part of the bread and butter of the sector,
then you have the first prerequisite of success,” Dr Singh further explained.
The Minister also acknowledged its development partners, especially the UNDP which has played a major role in ensuring these goals are met. Minister Singh concluded by highlighting that the MDG8, “Develop a global partnership for development” is still the most unaccomplished in the entire MDG framework. “It is to the collective shame of the global community, that 45 years later, only five or six developed nations of the world are remotely close to meeting that obligation, and most of the developed world are woefully short in falling when it comes to meeting this obligation.”
Meanwhile, UNDP Representative, Khadijah Musa spoke of the UNDP’s role in supporting countries on their developmental path, and in Guyana, it has supported the Government in developing its MDG progress in 2003, 2007 and 2011. The organisation is committed to supporting the Government in publishing its progress report by the end of this year. She urged the participants to tell their story and to not hesitate to be both critical and positive and contribute to the Government’s effort. The MDGs provide a structured framework of development goals, within which the major development challenges as it relates to quality of life are contained. (GINA)
The Guyana National Youth Council (GNYC) has asserted that its membership consists of persons from across the diverse political spectrum and has taken umbrage against the recent comments about its bona fides by the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and its youth arm the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO).
However, the PYO has distanced itself from the group and has called on them to provide the names of its members who are part of the GNYC.
The PYO and the PPP/C had pointed out that the GNYC is affiliated with the Opposition parties and was using their partnership with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to secure executive power.
“The PYO believes that
Europe, the Middle East, Honduras and Venezuela, the International Republical Institute (IRI) has worked through youth groups tilted to the Opposition to effect regime change.
Rohee said the decision to engage the GNYC in getting more youths to vote was not made by the seven Commissionere at GECOM, and as such steps should be taken to have the “imposition" on the electorate of Guyana addressed.
“This matter was never under discussion by the GECOM. The PPP/C rejects this and the imposition on the electorate. The matter should be brought to the highest level for review and discussions. We are concerned that officials at GECOM have entered into a formal relationship with this body,’ he said.
paign is to encourage youth participation and to provide spaces for young people to engage with all political parties, as well as GECOM, with a view of understanding the mandates of all parties, the voting processes, and the right of young Guyanese to participate in processes that impact on the development of Guyana.
The GNYC, via a press release, highlighted the importance of young people’s participation in the political process.
“The methods through which society educates them about their roles and responsibilities as active citizens are therefore critical. Nurturing a sense of citizenship is fundamental to building sustainable democracies and the GNYC hopes to continue to encourage this through our work,” the re-
the GNYC has deeply rooted political interests and affiliations to Opposition groups in our society which are trying desperately to access executive power through dubious means,” the organisation said.
Additionally, Clement Rohee, General Secretary of the PPP/C had said that the organisation claiming to represent Guyana’s youth has no authority to do so.
“As far as the PPP/C is concerned this youth grouping is a creature of external interference through the US LEAD (Leadership and Democracy) Project and is nothing more than a group of partisan persons who are attempting to hijack the name Guyana National Youth council,” he said.
GNYC has partnered with GECOM with the aim of implementing a national voter education campaign for the upcoming General and Regional Elections. The PYO has since been calling on GECOM to break its formal arrangement with the GNYC.
As far as the PPP/C is concerned, this youth grouping is a creature of external interference through the LEAD Project and is nothing more than partisan persons who are attempting to hijack the name Guyana National Youth Council,” stated Rohee.
In North Africa, Eastern
In an invited comment, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the GNYC Tiffany Daniels noted that the actions taken by the PPP/C and PYO are uncalled for. She reiterated that the Council consists of members from the People's National Congress/Reform (PNC/R), Alliance For Change (AFC) and PPP/C youth groups.
“We have members from all political parties,” Daniels asserted. In response to the PYO’s call for clarity on the selection of members for the GNYC, Daniels stated that when the selection process was ongoing, the PYO showed up for one meeting and never returned. "Consequently, only individual members of the PYO became members of the GNYC whereas, the PNCR and AFC youth groups are on board the membership," she said.
Willnotdisclose When prompted for statistics on the distribution, Daniels said she is not at liberty to disclose that information.
“The GNYC will not release its members personal details, political affiliations, or otherwise,” she asserted.
Daniels also denied being affiliated with the PNCR youth group. “I have never been a part of any political group,” she said.
The voter education cam-
lease said.
The PYO said GNYC will abuse their power to secure executive control for the Opposition, but Daniels claimed that the Council cannot conduct or perform any related activity without GECOM’s presence. “They have to be present to make sure we are not biased,” she asserted.
The GNYC is non-governmental organisation (NGO) established in September 2014 after consultations with youths and youth serving entities which began in early 2013.
Daniels said the organisation does not have a firm organisational structure. She explained that, since they are still in the process of recruiting people, the Board of Trustees has decided to wait until International Youth Day on August 12, to elect executive members for the Council.
But the PYO said it is illegal for a registered body to operate without a properly constituted board and executive.
“The fact that the GNYC turned out to have no structure is consistent with what the PYO and the PPP/C have been saying,” an official of the PYO said in an invited comment.
Further, the official said that “it shows that the entire organisation has serious problems”.
The National Assembly has approved legislation formally abolishing the death penalty in the Dutch-speaking Caribbean Community country.
But the legislators raised the highest prison term limits from 30 to 50 years in what is seen as a compromise to amending the Criminal code. Parliament also scrapped conditional release for people convicted of capital crimes. Convicts doing time for murder, manslaughter, sexual offences or major drug crimes are now no longer eligible for release after serving three quarters of their sentences.
Justice Minister Edward Belfort had initially suggested that that maximum jail sentence be increased to 30 years, but parliamentarians deemed it necessary to send an even stronger signal to criminals.
Crime has been on the rise and parliamentarians argued that criminals were exhibiting almost sadistic behaviour, often leaving victims dead or gravely injured.
They favoured hiking the maximum jail sentence instead to 50 years, “for crimes that would otherwise be punished with the death penalty,” the National Assembly said in a statement.
Suriname has not implemented the death penalty since 1927, but the capital punishment remained included in the country’s Criminal Code
“The punishments for major crimes have been increase. That is a clear signal,” said Ruth Wijdenbosch, the Vice Chair of the National Assembly said at the end of the meeting.
She was among the parliamentarians who worked
to have the death penalty removed from the criminal code. Suriname has not implemented the death penalty since 1927, but the capital punishment remained included in the country’s Criminal Code. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)
Afresh Police probe has been ordered into how several Supreme Court documents came to be discovered in the Port of Spain office of attorney Mark Seepersad in 2010.
An initial investigation was launched after Seepersad found documents which he believed belonged to the High Court in his office in 2010. Seepersad said the documents were among several items left behind by Attorney Gerald Ramdeen
when he (Ramdeen) vacated the office in October 11, 2010. Seepersad and Ramdeen had shared the law chambers at Unit 1, 27 Stone Street, Port of Spain, but he (Seepersad) decided to dissolve the partnership.
An initial Police investigation into the discovery of the court documents unearthed no criminal wrongdoing. In a statement on February 13, the judiciary said the matter “was referred to the police in
November 2010, and “after the interview of various individuals, no further police action in the matter was found to be warranted.” Ramdeen said he hoped the Judiciary’s release would put an end to this matter. But Seepersad insisted that he was never interviewed by the police during their investigation and was unaware they had completed their investigation into the matter. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)
Renewable energy on Barbados may get a boost from the Swedish Energy Agency.
This was hinted at recently when Sweden’s ambassador to Barbados, Claes Hammar, paid a courtesy call on Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Senator Maxine McClean.
Hammar said the department, which falls under Sweden’s Environment Ministry, focused on the creation of resilience in the energy sector against climatic effects, the strengthening of the energy system
and the better detection of climate changes.
Stating that it was affiliated with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, he said Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, as well as Dominica, stood to benefit, along with Barbados.
“It’s about providing a bit of resistance for energy systems. I’m very happy Barbados is one of the four countries… There is no commercial intent from our side. It is mainly to see what can be done to create more resilience and that’s the main focus,” Hammar
said. Mclean said the project would be of interest to the island’s ministries of health and energy.
“I know that we have been doing quite a bit of work from the perspective of the legislative environment. We’ve passed certain legislation in relation to the national grid and providing incentives both at the commercial and domestic level. So, we are doing quite a bit of work and I am happy… For us it is important, when we look at our energy bill,” she explained.
Peace talks between South Sudan’s Government and rebels adjourned Friday with no date set for the next meeting, a mediation official said.
Fighting erupted in December 2013 after a political dispute in which President Salva Kiir sacked Riek Machar as Deputy President.
East African intergovernmental body IGAD, which organised the talks, will issue a statement later on Friday, the official said.
The fighting has killed more than 10,000 people and driven more than 1.5 million from their homes. The conflict runs along ethnic rifts that pre-date independence.
On Thursday, the mediator said the talks had extended to Friday to allow the two sides to finalise details of power sharing.
An African Union report, yet to be officially released,
calls for Kiir and Machar to be barred from a transitional government and for the oil-producing country to effectively be placed under AU control, sources and a draft of the report said. (France24)
Amob of several thousand people broke into a high-security prison in India, dragged out a rape suspect and killed him, officials said on Friday, adding that police had to impose a curfew to restore order.
Rape has been a particularly emotive crime in India since 2012, when a student was raped and tortured on a bus in New Delhi and later died. The government has banned a documentary about that attack, re-igniting debate about gender inequality.
The mob attacked the prison late on Thursday
in the North-eastern state of Nagaland. The man, a 35-year-old Muslim businessman accused of raping a woman, was dragged out and hauled naked through the streets and beaten to death.
“Security personnel at the jail were overpowered by the mob,” said the state’s chief minister, T R Zeliang. One person was killed and several injured when Police fired on the mob.
A curfew was imposed in the district late on Thursday and remained in force on Friday as the situation was “still tense”,
District Police Chief Meren Jamir told Reuters.
Most people in Nagaland are Christian. Violence against women is widespread in India where a rape is reported on average every 21 minutes. Acid attacks, domestic violence and molestation are also common.
There were 309,546 crimes against women reported to police in 2013, up from 244,270 the previous year, according to the National Crime Records Bureau. These include rape, kidnapping, sexual harassment and molestation. (Excerpt from Reuters)
Top Sierra Leone athlete arrested after found living rough in London
Sierra Leone’s top sprinter, who vanished after the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow last summer, has been arrested after he was found in an emaciated state, living rough on the streets of London.
was arrested for overstaying his visa. He is currently being held at Walworth Police Station in Elephant & Castle. A police spokesman said: “He will be held here overnight and processed by immigration tomorrow morning.”
Since the Guardian published the article hundreds of people have been in touch to offer support, and a petition has been set up on change.org to support him. A new gofundme campaign for Jimmy has also been started in the US.
Pakistani authorities have renamed 107 schools after the victims of last year’s massacre at a Peshawar school. More than 60 schools in Peshawar are among the institutions now bearing the names of victims of the attack.
Most relatives approved of the gesture, but one parent told the BBC he had not been contacted. Taliban gunmen killed more than 150 pupils and teachers at the school on 16 December.
Since then authorities have promised to crack down on militants.
Teachers have been given firearms training and are now able to carry weapons in class. The KhyberPakhtunkhwa provincial government announced they would rename the schools late on Thursday.
Mushtaq Ghani told the BBC it was meant as a memorial to the victims, but also as a message to the militants that they cannot stop
education.
“These children, teachers and other staff died because they wanted education, which the terrorists don’t want them to have,” he said. At the same time, the central government said it would confer the highest civil award for bravery on all of the victims.
The Government has paid two million rupees (US$20,000; £13,000) to each bereaved family. (Excerpt from BBC News)
Archaeologists and officials have expressed outrage about the bulldozing of the ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud by Islamic State militants in Iraq.
IS began demolishing the site, which was founded in the 13th Century BC, on Thursday, according to Iraqi officials.
The head of the UN’s cultural agency condemned the “systematic” destruction in Iraq as a “war crime”. IS, which controls large areas of Iraq and Syria, says shrines and statues are “false idols” that have to be smashed.
“They are erasing our history,” said Iraqi archaeologist Lamia al-Gailani.
Nimrud lies on the Tigris river, about 30km (18 miles) South-East of Mosul, which IS controls.
Many of the artefacts found there have been moved to museums in Baghdad and overseas, but many remain on site.
BBC Middle East correspondent Jim Muir says the attempt to destroy Nimrud is already being compared with the Taliban’s demolition of
the Bamiyan Buddha rock sculptures in Afghanistan in 2001.
As well as destroying artefacts, Islamic State also trades in them - and the trade is one of its key sources of revenue.
IS “assaulted the historic city of Nimrud and bulldozed it with heavy vehicles,” the tourism and antiquities ministry said on Thursday.
It said the militants continued to “defy the will of the world and the feelings of humanity”, calling for a UN Security Council meeting to discuss how to
protect cultural heritage in Iraq.
Nimrud covers a large area, and it is not yet clear whether it has been totally destroyed, our correspondent says.
But a local tribal source told Reuters news agency: “Islamic State members came to the Nimrud archaeological city and looted the valuables in it and then they proceeded to level the site to the ground.
“There used to be statues and walls as well as a castle that Islamic State has destroyed completely.”
(Excerpt from BBC News)
Canada has committed a “grave violation” of aboriginal women’s rights by failing to adequately investigate their numerous disappearances and murders, a United Nations committee said in a report on Friday.
between 1980 and 2012.
Jimmy Thoronka, 20, his country’s number one 100m sprinter, and tipped by some for a big sporting career, disappeared at the end of the Games last August. Along with several other athletes he failed to return to Sierra Leone, and until now his whereabouts had been unclear.
Speaking to the Guardian before he was detained, he described what has happened to him since he vanished.
At approximately 7pm on Friday Jimmy Thoronka
The homeless youngester also revealed his feelings at discovering the devastation Ebola has wreaked on his family back home, who had adopted him after the death of his birth parents. “I was very excited to be coming to the Games in Glasgow,” he said. (Excerpt from The Guardian)
The UN’s Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women said the Canadian police and justice system failed to effectively protect Aboriginal women and hold perpetrators to account.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said last year that 1017 aboriginal women had been murdered
“Aboriginal women and girls are more likely to be victims of violence than men or non-aboriginal women, and they are more likely to die as a result,” committee members Niklas Bruun and Barbara Bailey said in a statement.
“Yet, despite the seriousness of the situation, the Canadian state has not sufficiently implemented measures to ensure that cases of missing and murdered aboriginal women are effectively investigated and prosecuted.”
The report is an embarrassment for Prime
Minister Stephen Harper’s Conservative government, which is expected to call an election for October. Harper has resisted calls to set up an inquiry, saying the situation should be viewed as crime, not a sociological problem.
Bruun and Bailey visited Canada in 2013 to research allegations by non-governmental organisations. They concluded that Canada violated articles of the UN’s convention for the elimination of discrimination against women, including their rights to equal protection, effective remedy and adequate living conditions.
(Excerpt from Reuters)
saturday, march 7, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com
Paediatric Resident of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and member of the Kidney Foundation Management Committee, Dr Areefa Alladin said that kidney failures among Guyanese have been increasing drastically, resulting in a higher number of kidney failure related deaths.
As such, leading up to World Kidney Day on March
12, the Kidney Foundation of Guyana will embark on a series of extensive advocacy activities aimed at educating the general public on this growing health issue.
“The general population is not aware of the functions of kidneys,” Dr Alladin commented, explaining that the kidney can still function until 80 per cent is damaged, which by then, it is usually too late to reverse the damages.
Therefore, she stated, as with many other health issues, early detection can
prevent kidney failures, and eventually save lives.
“Patients with diabetes, hypertension and other chronic diseases need to be screened regularly on their kidney function,” the doctor stressed.
She explained that by screening regularly, patients will know their status and be better informed about their bodies, thus enabling them to make wiser health decisions.
In a case where it is confirmed that a patient is developing kidney failure, she or he will be able to better manage their lifestyle, thereby preventing serious problems.
Guyananotequipped
In urging Guyanese to get screened more often, the doctor explained that Guyana does not have enough specialists to deal with serious kidney failures.
“Guyana is not equipped with specialists. We have one nephrologist at the Georgetown Hospital, a consultant nephrologist and this is just central, we’re overwhelmed with dialysis here and most of the patients are diabetic patients and we know most of the people have diabetes and they are not aware of the dangers.”
Dialysis is a process of removing waste and excess water from the blood and is used primarily as an artificial replacement for lost kidney function in people with renal failure.
Dr Alladin said there is a great demand for dialysis in Guyana, which reflects on the burden of kidney dis-
eases in the country.
But she explained that dialysis can be too expensive for the average Guyanese.
Therefore, the doctor stressed on the need for people to have active and healthy lifestyles. She observed that many Guyanese with chronic illnesses, especially those with an ancient mindset, only use their medications when their problems are surfacing.
The doctor noted that this is a bad practice, and urged that they use their medications as prescribedwhich are normally daily doses.
“Ten years from now we’re hoping to see a reduced number of deaths from kidney failure.”
Deathof6-yearold
Meanwhile, Dr Alladin reflected on the death of six-year-old Mark Anthony Inniss of Strathspey, East Coast Demerara, who recently died of renal failure.
In fact, Dr Alladin was one of the doctors who helped managed the child when he was admitted to the Georgetown Hospital.
She explained that the child was “swelling” and his parents simply thought he was gaining weight.
Dr Alladin said this is a classic example of the silent symptoms of kidney failures.
Inniss had been in the care of a doctor at a private hospital for three years, after which he was referred to GPHC.
Reports indicate that Inniss had begun showing signs of swelling and the doctor at the private hospital had advised the parents
Lions donate $170,000 to Nations’ scholarship fund
The Lions making their donation to the School of the Nations Subsequent to an elegant fundraising dinner organised by the Diamond-Grove Lions Club in collaboration with the Georgetown-Stabroek Lions Club, the bodies succeeded in raising $170,000, which they wholeheartedly donated to School of the Nation’s scholarship fund. Upon receiving the financial contribution, the school’s Vice Principal Mischka White expressed, on behalf of the institution, sincerest gratitude to the organisations for their generosity.
With the completion of that aspect of their project, next in the lineup for the Lions would be to donate a bundle of stationery supplies to the St Stephen’s Primary School.
to place ice on the affected area.
After following those instructions and witnessing no effective results, the doctor at the private hospital reportedly told the family to take the child to GPHC.
Dr Alladin explained that when the child arrived at the hospital, he was already in “a terrible condition” and there was little the hospital could have done to save him.
“It’s very, very sad that we can have a six-year-old patient dying in Guyana
from kidney failure and its even sadder because the family notice he was gaining weight, they thought he was gaining weight but he was swelling…he deteriorated rapidly,” she lamented.
The doctor said persons should use this unfortunate incident as a wakeup call, noting that they should not undermine the dangers of kidney problems, even in children.
“We have quite a few children we’re treating
The FAO Food Price Index declined to a 55-month low in February, dropping 1.0 per cent from January and 14 per cent below its level a year earlier.
Lower prices for cereals, meat and especially sugar more than offset an increase in milk and palm oil prices. The FAO Food Price Index averaged 179.4 points in February, down from 181.2 points in January and 208.6 points in February 2014.
Its ongoing decline - to its lowest level since July 2010 - reflects robust supply conditions as well as ongoing weakness in many currencies versus the US dollar, which appear set to continue, said Michael Griffin, FAO’s dairy and livestock market expert. “The first thing to flag is the favourable outlook for production of a number of crops in 2015,” he said. “Stocks are also very strong” for most cereals, he added.
declines observed in the other rice varieties.
The FAO Sugar Price Index averaged 207.1 points in February, down 4.9 per cent from January, the sharpest move of any commodity. The drop reflected optimism on production prospects in Brazil after recent rainfalls, as well as India’s announcement it will subsidise exports to boost sugar sales abroad.
The FAO Meat Price Index averaged 187.4 points in February, down 1.4 per cent from its revised January value. Beef and mutton prices declined, largely due to a stronger US dollar against the Brazilian real and the Australian dollar. Pig meat prices rose for the first time in eight months, helped up by the European Union’s decision to provide aid for private storage in the sector.
right now with kidney failure. It is high, it is very high,” she said.
Moreover, since its launch in March 2011, the Kidney Foundation has finally succeeded in setting up its official office in the Guyenterprise Building, located at 234 Irving and Lance Gibbs Streets, Georgetown.
For more information, persons can contact 2269874 or 651-7149 or e-mail kidneyfoundation@gmail. com.
Additionally, in leading up to World Kidney Day, the Foundation will be airing programmes on TVG Channel 28 on Sunday March 8 at 21:00h and on Wednesday March 11 at 14:00h, during which doctors would be discussing the impacts of kidney diseases and related health issues.
Also, the foundation will be embarking on a number of other awareness activities to educate the entire public by distributing flyers and posters, sending text messages and by all means possible to spread the word to people all across Guyana.
a hike in Indonesian domestic bio-fuel subsidies expected to stoke demand - even as soy oil prices continued to decline given prospects of bumper soybean harvests in South America.
FAO’s Food Price Index is a trade-weighted index that tracks prices of five major food commodity groups on international markets. It aggregates price sub-indices of cereals, meat, dairy products, vegetable oils and sugar. The FAO Cereal Price Index averaged 171.7 points in February, down 3.2 per cent from January, with booming prospects for wheat output explaining the bulk of the decline. Rice prices were more stable, with aromatic rice quotations increasing markedly, compensating for much of the
The FAO Dairy Price Index rose for the first time in a year, averaging 181.8 points in February, representing a 4.6 per cent increase from the previous month. The increase was driven by milk powders and reflects both a seasonal slowdown in European output as the quota for the season draws to a close and a crimped supply from New Zealand and Australia. Cheese quotations remained largely unchanged.
FAO has further raised its estimate of 2014 world cereal production, now seen at 2.542 billion tonnes, amounting to 20 million tonnes or one per cent higher than in 2013. The bulk of the increase reflects wheat production gains in Argentina, Central Asia and Europe. With the 2015 winter wheat crop already developing in the northern hemisphere, FAO forecasts that production for the year would amount to 720 million tonnes, or one per cent below the record output of 2014, discounting normal yields in the European Union and Central Asia after strong levels last season. Globally, 1.107 billion tonnes of cereals are forecast to be used for food consumption in 2014/2015, resulting in a slight increase in average per capita intake to 153.3 kilograms. Cereals used for animal feed are anticipated to grow by 4.0 per cent and account for 877 million tonnes. FAO forecast for world cereal stocks at the close of the 2014/2015 crop seasons has been raised by about eight million tonnes since last month to a 15-year high of 631 million tonnes, with part of the revision resulting from reviewed estimates of previous years’ stock levels in China and Ukraine. FAO Food Price
The FAO Vegetable Oil Price Index averaged 156.6 points, up 0.4 per cent from January. This reflected a sizeable rise in palm oil prices - resulting from recent floods in Malaysia and from
On Saturday last, seven enthusiastic young women vying for the title of Miss Global International Guyana were officially unveiled to the public at the Roraima Duke Lodge, Duke Street Kingston.
The event took the form of a cocktail reception and saw several high class designers’ outfits from a number of well known designers
including QP Designs by Quinton Pearson, Duo Collection by Natalya and Nadia Thomas and Nachle Designs by Hashim Alli and Melicia Partab.
Renowned designer, Randy Madray also launched his 2015 Swimwear Collection.
Also entertaining the crowd was the Naya Andaz Preforming Art and Melissa "Vanilla"
Delegate # 1 – Faydeha Cathylyna King
Faydeha Cathylyna King was born on February 3, 1993 and attended the Springlands Nursery, Corriverton Primary, Skeldon High School and School of the Nations.
Modelling captured her attention when she won the Miss Corriverton 2011 title. She then participated in the Guyana Model Search in 2012 and was one of the top 10 models.
She went on to participate in the Miss Guyana Jamzone 2013, pageant and was awarded first runnerup and finally came in third runner-up in the Miss Guyana Universe, the same year.
The following year King represented Berbice in the Miss Bartica Regatta Pageant 2013 and was crowned queen.
During her reign her life was highlighted through interviews and activities. “I am a very easy going, yet spontaneous and fun person. Love doing make up, shopping and music being my tranquility”.
Delegate
The sun was setting on the July 31, 1990, when the wail of a bouncing baby girl pierced the confines of the Woodlands Hospital in the capital city of Georgetown in the beautiful country of Guyana.
She embodies the traits of a positive, ambitious and assiduous young woman who is determined to become one of society’s leading ladies and leave a legendary mark on the world. She also has a passion for the art form of dance; and is a member of Classique Dance Company since the age of six.
Jefford participated in Miss Guyana Talented Teen 2009 where she was placed third and secured the Miss Body Beautiful prize. She also holds the title of Miss Guyana Earth 2010. At the pageant she walked away with the prizes for Queen of the Catwalk and Miss Body Beautiful.
In addition, she participated in the Miss Guyana Jamzone 2011 pageant and secured the third runnerup spot and again received the prize for Body Beautiful. Regionally, she represented Guyana at Miss Caraibes Hibiscus 2010, Miss Caribbean Culture 2011, Miss Jaycees 2012 and Miss Carnival 2014.
Seistra Allen is a determined 21-yearold, who’s currently a final year student at the Barbados Community College pursuing an Associate Degree in Theatre Arts, which she is passionate about using it as a tool of therapy for children who endured hardship by showing them that there’s hope for a better tomorrow.
She enjoys having family time, cooking and travelling. Seistra is a worship and youth leader of her church which pushed her to a fast maturity also helped to develop her leadership skills. Which she believes has made her the strong, eloquent and responsible young woman that she is today.
Allen is no stranger to pageantry at the age of 17 she captured the first runner up prize at Miss Teen Universal pageant and that same year was a finalist at the Miss World- Guyana 2011.
Roberts who were all backed by Emcees Radio and Television personalities Wr Reaz and Tonya Singh.
The moment of great anticipation was the highlight of the evening when the Franchise CEO and PRO Hashim Alli and Melicia Partab reveal the beauties all who were hidden in a Cylinder made of fabric.
Holding proudly their Guyana National Flag and gorgeously dressed in Duo Collection and Rockerz Design the girls executed a routine to ‘Arrowhead’- by Courtney Noel after which they introduced themselves.
The crowned queen will represent Guyana at the Miss Global International 2015 pageant slated for June 23 – 27 in Panama.
Delegate # 2 – Alicia Nichola Bess
Twenty-five-year-old Alicia Nichola Bess stands at a massive six feet. She is the girl who never walks when she can run, who possesses a humble personality filled with ambition, and the qualities of generosity and thoughtfulness.
Alicia, who is the reigning Miss PJD2 Caribbean Queen 2014, ventured into the world of pageantry at the age of 21 as a way of becoming a more rounded young woman within society and won her very first pageant Miss East Bank Supermodel in 2010 and was placed 1st runner-up in the Miss Republic Bank Caricom Pageant in the same year.
She continued her passion for pageantry by placing 1st Runnerup in the Miss Bartica Regatta Pageant 2013 while simultaneously winning Miss Congeniality in the same Pageant.
Alicia is also the winner of Miss Guyana Jamzone 2013 where she won People’s Choice, Best Body, Best Gown and Best Smile and later went on to place 1st runner-up in the Miss Jamzone International Pageant 2013. On October 6, 2013, Alicia copped the prize of 1st Runner-up in the Miss Guyana Universe Pageant 2013, rounding off her pageant year of 2013 with a bang.
Nalicia Ramdyal was born in Guyana and ventured to the United States at the age of five. She is a full-time college student who is extremely ambitious about her education and the goals set for her future.
Aside from her studies, she does kickboxing and enjoys working out.
Nalicia also competes for pageants and she is a freelance model aiming to become a professional model. She is currently holding the title of Miss Woodhaven, the community that she is more than honoured to represent.
One thing she enjoys is devoting her time being involved in community and volunteer work. Being the determined young women that she is, she never gives up on her goals. Nalicia was a State Finalist for the Miss New York USA 2014 pageant and she also represented Guyana for the Miss Caribbean Queen Pageant and placed First Runner-Up.
Nalicia puts her time and effort into helping others out as much as she can. She is a Women’s Right’s Advocate and one of her main platforms is shedding light on Domestic Violence. She has met with many different organisations to take action on domestic violence awareness and she is always looking for avenues to help the cause.
Nineteen-year-old Shalisa Harripersaud stands five feet, two inches tall and is employed as a secretary for the Operations Manager also Acting Secretary for the Managing Director of DIDCO TRADING. She is presently pursuing my diploma in the Business Management field at the Business School.
If chosen as the ambassador for Miss Global International, she would aspire her fellow Guyanese on Guyana’s Tourism, enlighten them on what Guyana has to offer and advance Guyana’s boundless natural resources. She has walked the catwalk for designers such as Rockerz by Jason Shurland and Nachle Designs.
She enjoys modelling, reading, making others smile by her congenial personality and spending quality time with her friends who inspired her to enter the pageantry since she has traits as a Queen and a smile that will rouse the crowd.
Although she has no experience in pageantry, she plans to ecstatically represent her country with the knowledge gained from her country and would use her skills to further her pageant career and hopes to receive the support countrywide.
Shameeza Wong has a diploma in Public Communications from the University of Guyana and a Certificate in Directing stage plays- Merundoi Inc. 2012 She is a versed stage play director, and a stage and film actress. Her hobbies include writing play scripts and poetry, cooking, designing, experimenting with graphic software, photography, researching, travelling, meeting new people etc.
Wong is no stranger to the stage since she recently competed in the Miss West Indies 2015 in St Maarten.
The 7th edition of the Miss Renaissance Pageant will be held on April 4 at the National Cultural Centre which will see 12 women vying for
the title.
The pageant serves as a catalyst to reeducate the public about the beauty, creativity, cultural awareness, and ac-
Age: 45 years old
Accomplishments: After graduating from the St. John’s College, she furthered her studies in Information Technology at the University of Guyana and later attended Houston Community College in Houston, Texas.
There she achieved a diploma in Esthetics, among other credentials. She recently developed a passion for the arts, voice over and announcements.
With a God given talent to nurture, she took the challenge of birthing five amazing children ranging from 25 to 4 years old. Her believes that that she can do all things through Christ who strengthens her.
complishment of matured Guyanese women aged 30 and older.
These women are expected to thrill the audience come pageant night. As is
customary, Guyana Times Entertainment will be featuring the delegates over the next few weeks.
Age: 35 Years old
Children: One
Qualifications: Graduate Diploma in Education (Administration)- UG
Bachelor Social Science Degree (Communication)- UG
Certificate in Computer Studies –UG IDCE/ NATI
Elementary Cake Decorating Certificate
Profession: Teacher
Jeanne-Jeffrey hails from the ancient county of Berbice.
East Bank residents are in for a treat this even ing when one of the biggest car and bike shows is held at the Diamond Market Tarmac, Diamond, East Bank Demerara.
The event will see cash and other prizes to be won in more than 20 categories. These include, Best Graphic; Best Lighting; Best Interior; Best Theme; Best Antique; Best Air Brush; Best Bicyle; Best Motor Bike; Best Techinician; Cleanest Sound; Loudest Bicycle; Loudest Car Extreme; Loudest Suv/Mini Van Mini Extreme; Loudest Suv/Mini Van Extreme; Loudest Bus.
Berbicians were thrilled by the energetic performance of the legendary Jamaican deejay, Tony Matterhorn when he performed on Sunday evening in New Amsterdam.
Events and is labeled ‘Night of the Champions Car and Bike Show’.
Several entry forms have already been submitted and plans are moving apace for an event which is expected to be epic. Application fee is $3,000. Tickets for the event are available at Cheap Shop Diamond, Cell Phone Plaza, Vreed-en-Hoop and
Electronics, Strathspey, East Coast Demerara. Apart from the displays, there will be music by 71 Sound System.
“Night of the Champions” is sponsored by Smart Choice Auto Sales; Platinum Party Rental; King Panel; Vick and Son’s Wash Bay and Shopper’s Super Store among others.
The dancehall-reggae deejay and sound system selector gave Berbicians a glimpse of ability when he took to the stage in the wee hours of Sunday morning.
His one-hour performance was mixed with renditions of some of his hit songs and popular dancehall, reggae and R and B tunes.
Matterhorn (Dufton Taylor Jr.) took the stage to a cheering crowd and immediately dished out his hit song “Dutty wine”, much to the appreciation of the many women at the front of the stage.
The dancehall icon delivered a spirited twenty-minute performance before going to the controls to direct the party. Many were surprised to see Matterhorn as a deejay and keeping the crowd entertained. He left the crown spellbound with his pet talks.
The event took place hours before the Berbice Mash Tramp on Sunday.
By TreisTon Joseph
Guyana’s top juniors will hit the track today for the much anticipated Carifta Games trials at the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) ground, Camp Ayanganna.
The biggest junior rivalries will be settled today and on Sunday when Guyana’s best collide.
All eyes will be on South American youth gold medalist and National’s 100 metres record holder Tevin Garraway when they collide in the boy’s under-20 200 metres.
Garraway is set to win the boy’s under-20 100 metres while Yaw is the definite favourite for the boy’s under-20 400 metres.
However, the 200m between the two is argu-
third wicket.
Blackwood was eventually dismissed, caught at the wicket off left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul but not before combined to repair the damage in an 87run second wicket stand, which blunted Guyana’s attack.
Permaul then took full advantage on a slow turning pitch to removed Campbell on the stroke of lunch. The 21-year-old hit four boundaries and two sixes in his 69-ball innings.
Skipper Tamar Lambert and Chadwick Walton avoided any further loss and by the end of the first session, Jamaica were 1093. The pair defied the odds to flourish after the break and dominate the session somewhat, added 76 runs for the fourth wicket.
However, they squandered their advantage when Lambert gave Permaul his
ably the hottest race of the two day meet as Garraway boasts phenomenal leg speed, power and a brilliant curve while Yaw has serious strength, bottom end speed and deceptive leg speed.
The collision between the two athletes will be the event to watch as the race can go either way, depending on the athlete in the best form since both have their strengths and weaknesses.
Carifta triple gold medalist Cassey George will also be on display at the meet and is the clear favoruite to win the girl’s under-18 800, 1500 and 3000 metres at the event if she so chooses to participate in the triple.
Another, stiff rivalry will come in the girl’s un-
and striking seven boundaries.
, Kenisha
Phillips and Avon Samuels in the 200 metres event.
While Mitchell and Phillips will vie for top honours in the 100 metres and Sampson, Samuels and the talented Natricia Hooper in the 400 metres, the 200 metres is the race of the when all four females match strides, only Hooper will be missing from the event since she will be involved in the triple jump.
It’s a close race to call since all the females involved are highly talented, but the female with the best turn on the day will more than likely walk away with the event.
Meanwhile a number of other talented athletes are also expected to participate in the two day meet with a hope of Guyana’s team for Carifta Games in April.
Walton, who is playing his first game of the tournament, remained steady, carving out his 16th halfcentury, facing 115 balls
At the interval he was unbeaten on 52, while
Brandon King, who joined him after Lambert’s dismissal was on 19.
JAMAICA 1st Innings
S Thomas c Vishaul Singh
b Barnwell 1
J Campbell c Chandrika
b Permaul 48
J Blackwood c wkp Bramble
b Permaul 54
*T Lambert c Chanderpaul
b Permaul 34
+C Walton lbw b Permaul 58
B King st Bramble b Bishoo 27
D Bernard Jr st Bramble
b Bishoo 1
D Jacobs lbw b Bishoo 6
J Dawes b Permaul 13
M Mindley c wkp Bramble
b Bishoo 4
O Browne not out 0
Extras (b6, lb6) 12
TOTAL (all out, 80.3 overs) 258 Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-88, 3-109, 4-185, 5-230, 6-233, 7-236, 8-241, 9-246, 10-258. Bowling: Beaton 12-1-45-0, Barnwell 4-1-28-1, Deonarine 8-0-34-0, Permaul 31.3.-877-5, Bishoo 25-7-62-4. GUYANA 1st Innings R Chandrika not out 16
A Fudadin not out 18 Extras (nb1) 1
TOTAL (without loss, 9 overs)35
Bowling: Mindley 4-117-0, Dawes 4-1-130, Bernard 1-0-5-0.
The visitors then collapsed from 230-5 to 258 all out, losing six wickets for 28 runs.
Permaul trapped Walton leg before wicket 58 before leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo produced a superb spell, removing King, Dave Bernard Jr (1) Damion Jacobs (6) and Marquino Mindley (4).
Permaul wrapped up the innings when he bowled Jason Dawes (13) as the Jamaicians failed to cope with the spin and bounce of the wicket.
Play resume today at 10:00h, and admission is free.
Barbados has arrived for the much anticipated clash with Guyana set for today at the National Park Rugby field from 16:00h.
The game will be Guyana’s first in their defence of the North American Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) 15’s title.
The Bajan team arrived around 15:00h on Friday at the Ogle International Airport and had a scheduled practice session at 16:30 as well before their game today.
Guyana took the day
off after a few weeks of intense training and will be ready to take on the visitors to start their title defence successfully.
Meanwhile Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) has released the names of their 27 member squad but will name their final squad on the day of the game s as to keep the competitive juices among their players flowing.
The Guyanese squad reads: CyonKitt, Ryan Gonsalves, Claudius Butts, Joesph Rahaman, Avery Corbin, Allain Crawford, Kevon David,
Rickford Cummin, Rondell McArthur, Theodore Henry, Richard Staglon, Jason Tyrell, Phabion Joseph, Godfrey Broomes, Dwayne Schroeder, Peabo Hamilton, Jose Felicien, Lancelot Adonis, Leon Greaves, Jamal Angus, JermaineProwell, Grantley Williams, Akeem Fraser, Troy Bascom, Blaise Bailey, Ronald Mayers and Delroy Gordon.
The Management team will consist of Grant Stuart, Clinton ClarkCoaches, TD Angus Thompson, andPhysio Barrington Brown.
World Cup co-hosts New Zealand and Australia would be the best semi-final and final opponents for South Africa, according to Shaun Pollock.
Former South Africa captain Shaun Pollock would love to see his country secure Cricket World Cup glory by defeating cohosts New Zealand and Australia in the latter stages of the tournament.
The two host nations are the bookmakers’ favourites to triumph in the 50-over showpiece, while South Africa have also been tipped by many to prevail in the final on March 29.
Pollock, captain of the Proteas for the 2003 World Cup, believes AB de Villiers’ team would welcome the opportunity to face New
NBA roundup…
Shaun Pollock
Zealand and Australia in the knockout stages. “I think it would be an awesome experience to be
in the semi-final against New Zealand, who are playing wonderful cricket and are being led well by
Brendon McCullum,” said Pollock.
“That would be really good. I think the South Africans would be excited about that as well.
“When you play these tournaments you can look at it and say ‘it would be nice to have an easy path and sneak through’ but I think what they really want to do is play the best teams along the way.
“If they went on to win a World Cup I am sure they would love to play the two hosts. There would be nothing better for them than to meet New Zealand in the semi-finals and Australia in the final.”
South Africa can book a place in the last eight of the World Cup with victory over Pakistan in Auckland on Saturday. (Digicel Sportsmax)
Russell Westbrook set career highs with 49 points and 16 rebounds, and added 10 assists for his fourth consecutive triple-double, helping the Thunder defeat the Philadelphia 76ers, 123118, in overtime Wednesday night in Oklahoma City.
Westbrook became the first player since Michael Jordan in 1989 to post at least four consecutive tripledoubles, according to STATS, and the first since Jordan that same year to post backto-back triple-doubles with at least 40 points.
Westbrook wore a mask and a headband after having a bone in his right cheek fractured last Friday against Portland. He had surgery Saturday and missed Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Isaiah Canaan had career highs of 31 points and eight 3-pointers, and Jason Richardson added 29 points for the 76ers.
Cavaliers 120, Raptors 112 — LeBron James scored 29 points and matched a season high with 14 assists, Kevin Love had 22 points and 10 rebounds, and Cleveland held on to beat host Toronto.
Kyrie Irving scored 26 points, J.R. Smith had 15, and James Jones 14 as the Cavaliers won their second straight.
Spurs 112, Kings 85 — Kawhi Leonard had 21 points and San Antonio punctuated its return from a nearly monthlong road trip with its largest home victory of the season.
Tony Parker added 19 points and three assists while guiding the Spurs to 53 percent shooting. San Antonio had five players in double figures and everyone scored.
Pelicans 88, Pistons 85 — Anthony Davis had 39
Russell Westbrook
points, 13 rebounds, and 8 blocks in his first game back from a right shoulder sprain, and host New Orleans won for the sixth time in seven games.
Davis hit two midrange jumpers in the last 1:14, the second with 18 seconds left, to hold off Detroit in a frenetic game that was close through the second half.
Hornets 115, Nets 91 — Al Jefferson and Gerald Henderson each scored 19 points, Marvin Williams had 18, and Charlotte routed host Brooklyn in a key matchup in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Mo Williams added 14 points and a season-high 14 assists for the Hornets, who rode a blistering start to their third straight win, breaking a tie with the Nets for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East.
Nuggets 100, Timberwolves 85 — Kenneth Faried had 18 points and 14 rebounds to help visiting Denver win its second straight since firing coach Brian Shaw.
Will Barton scored 17 points off the bench and the Nuggets outscored Minnesota, 52-28, in the paint to make interim coach Melvin Hunt 2-0 since taking over for Shaw.
Grizzlies 102, Rockets 100 — Marc Gasol made a jumper with 0.1 seconds left to give Memphis the victory in Houston.
With the game tied, Gasol blocked James Harden’s layup with 6.4 seconds left to give the Grizzlies the ball back for his winner. Gasol finished with 21 points.
Suns 105, Magic 100 — Brandon Knight had 28 points and seven assists in his best game for Phoenix, and the Suns overcame a
15-point deficit to win in Orlando.
Pacers 105, Knicks 82 — George Hill scored a seasonhigh 21 points, and Rodney Stuckey added 17 to help host Indiana rout New York.
Warriors 102, Bucks 93 — Stephen Curry shook off a rough shooting night to make three straight 3-pointers early in the fourth quarter to help host Golden State beat Milwaukee in its return from a season-high, six-game road trip.
Heat 100, Lakers 94 — Dwyane Wade scored 25 points and added six assists, Hassan Whiteside grabbed 25 rebounds, and host Miami rallied past Los Angeles. (Boston Globe)
t Lucia’s Prime Minister Kenny Anthony has taken a different stance to many Caribbean leaders regard to the West Indies’ abandoned tour of India in October 2014. Anthony believes those players who quit the tour over a pay dispute with their union, the West Indies Players Association, should have been fired.
“For my part, I would have started with a new fresh team,” said Anthony, who was speaking at the CARICOM Leaders Lecture series, hosted at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine campus earlier this week.
Anthony also believes regional politicians have no
place interfering with the administration of the sport.
“The WICBC are not answerable to the people of the region,” he said, adding that once the board’s structure was changed, the politicians should have left it alone.
Anthony also suggested that the problems facing West Indies Cricket were symptomatic of a larger problem facing the Caribbean.
“It is a crisis of our institutions, our societies, our economic models, and our governance,” he said.
“What is happening in the Caribbean now, especially the Eastern Caribbean, is traumatic. It has never happened before – never!” (Digicel Sportsmax)
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West Indies T20 captain Darren Sammy has agreed a short-term deal with Nottinghamshire to play in this season’s NatWest T20 blast, county officials have announced.
Sammy will fill the second overseas slot during a two-week period in which Notts play four Blast matches, from May 31 to June 12.
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He could also return for the knockouts, if Notts qualify.
“I’m looking forward to coming to England and experiencing T20 cricket with Nottinghamshire,” said Sammy, who played six matches for Glamorgan in the Blast last year.
great crowds, and I can’t wait to get started.”
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“The Outlaws have a reputation for playing exciting cricket and have some hugely talented players. Trent Bridge is an excellent venue known worldwide, with
Sammy is one of the most powerful lower-order strikers in the game, scoring at 152.99 in T20 internationals while chipping in with his medium-pace bowling.
The St.Lucian cricketer made his only Test centu-
ry at Trent Bridge on West Indies’ tour of 2012, a time when he was captain in all three formats. He was bought for £300,000 by Royal Challengers Bangalore in this year’s IPL auction and will captain St Lucia Zouks in the CPL. (CMC)
from back page
The lackadaisical manner in which it happened galled. There was no frantic calling, no flailing arms, no what-the-hell-are-youdoing-Chris reaction from Samuels. Only Gayle could have been lazier than Samuels. Even though he took only one step out of the crease, Gayle reached his ground after Samuels had strolled in. It is possible Samuels, who left the field justifiably angry, sacrificed his wicket even without realising it.
Gayle was angrier and began hitting everything he saw. Only on extremely rare occasions do you succeed with such low-percentage cricket. Friday in Perth wasn't one of those occasions. It has been a while since Gayle has done well against good, short fast bowling, and he eventually top-edged Mohammed Shami to deep forward square leg.
In the first over of the match, India hardly went up when Gayle had faintly edged one through to the keeper. A cheeky storyteller might even put it in the same bracket as Lloyd dropping Boycott.
Teamwork, cricketing nous, and the skill to take singles were all missing. What makes such sixor-nothing batting even more ridiculous is that West Indies are highly likely to enter a three-way tie for the last two qualifying spots from their group. There was no attempt to bat sensibly to minimise the run-rate damage.
West Indies have stayed alive in the tournament thanks to Simmons, Ramdin, Sammy and Russell, but previously their repairs began around the middle of the innings. Here they were asked to do the job from the 10th over onwards. The Indian bowlers and fielders have been the
heroes of their campaign so far. The fielders slipped a little, dropping two half chances and two regulation ones, but the bowlers were not going to let West Indies back into the contest.
Jason Holder, the 23-year-old captain of the sinking ship, resisted with his second consecutive fifty, but West Indies faced only 44.2 overs. How they would have wished they had batted the whole quota once the bowlers began to drag India back. Jerome Taylor was exceptional mixing outswingers and short balls, Holder was steady at the other end, and Kemar Roach quick at first change. Russell, too, made good use of the bouncer. Taylor got rid of Shikhar Dhawan through a wide inbetween length, and Rohit Sharma through a perfect outswinger. Virat Kohli not only steadied the chase, he threatened to run away it
until Russell got him on the hook. Ajinkya Rahane fell to a controversial catch behind the wicket, Suresh Raina hopped around before edging one that was short and wide, and Ravindra Jadeja fell to the hook again. India were in a spot given Dhoni's recent form, but with a comfortable asking rate he got time to play himself in. Coolly, he absorbed pressure, saw off the threatening bowling, and the runs began to flow by themselves. It was India's eighth consecutive win in World Cups, equalling their longest streak. More importantly one of the best finishers in the game rediscovered his touch, sealing off a difficult chase for the first time since July 2013. Fittingly this made Dhoni India's most successful captain away from home. (Cricinfo)
West Indies
D Smith c Dhoni
b Mohammed Shami 6
C Gayle c M Sharma
b Mohammed Shami 21
M Samuels run out (M Sharma/Kohli) 2
J Carter c Mohammed Shami
b Ashwin 21
D Ramdin+ b Yadav 0
L Simmons c Yadav
b MM Sharma 9
D Sammy c Dhoni
b Mohammed Shami 26
A Russell c Kohli b Jadeja 8
J Holder* c Kohli b Jadeja 57
J Taylor c & b Yadav 11
K Roach not out 0
Total: All Out (44.2 Overs) 182
Extras: (lb 5, w 16) 21
Fall of Wickets: 1-8 (Smith, 4.5 ov), 2-15 (Samuels, 7.2 ov), 3-35 (Gayle, 8.6 ov), 4-35 (Ramdin, 9.1 ov), 5-67 (Simmons, 18.1 ov), 6-71 (Carter, 21.5 ov), 7-85 (Russell, 24.1 ov), 8-124 (Sammy, 35.4 ov), 9-175 (Taylor, 42.6 ov), 10-182 (Holder, 44.2 ov).
India Bowling: Mohammed Shami 8-2-35-3, U Yadav 10-1-42-2, R Ashwin 9-038-1, M Sharma 9-2-351, R Jadeja 8.2-0-27-2. India (Target; 183)
R Sharma c Ramdin b Taylor 7
S Dhawan c Sammy b Taylor 9
V Kohli c Samuels b Russell 33
A Rahane c Ramdin b Roach 14
S Raina c Ramdin b Smith 22
M Dhoni*+ not out 45
R Jadeja c Samuels b Russell 13
R Ashwin not out 16
Total:6 wickets (39.1 Overs) 185
Extras: (b 1, lb 3, w 19, nb 3) 26
Did not Bat: M Sharma, Mohammed Shami, U Yadav. Fall of Wickets: 1-11 (Dhawan, 4.1 ov), 2-20 (RG Sharma, 6.6 ov), 3-63 (Kohli, 14.6 ov), 4-78 (Rahane, 17.5 ov), 5-107 (Raina, 22.5 ov), 6-134 (Jadeja, 29.3 ov). West Indies Bowling: J Taylor 8-0-33-2, J Holder 7-0-29-0, K Roach 8-1-44-1, A Russell 8-0-43-2, D Smith 5-0-22-
Gold and Diamond trading company, Dinar Trading, on Friday injected sponsorship to the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation for their upcoming tournament from March 20 – April 5.
Managing Director of the company, Iqbal Hussain noted that the sponsorship is not only to help develop the tournament but also his
company as well.
“I think as we try to establish ourselves, it’s important that we give back, especially to sports in Guyana and it’s something any company would do actually. We would support a lot of sporting discipline, not just football, and we will continue to do so” Hussain stated.
In addition, Hussain mentioned that due to being
with the tournament for the past three years, “supporting the tournament is something we’ve grown accustom to.”
The Directors of the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation, Aubrey “Shanghai” Major and Kashif Mohammad thanked the company for their continued support.
The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) recently launched the Ramnarine Appiah memorial T20 cricket competition for second division teams from the East Bank Berbice, New Amsterdam, East Canje and No 19 area.
President of the BCB Anil Beharry, thanked his friend Mukesh Appiah for his kind gesture and the confidence he has shown in the work of the board.
He promised that the
tournament will be well run and full of excitement.
He added that the board despite its limited resources is making sure that cricket is played at all levels throughout the county.
Beharry said that he is working hard on securing sponsorship for a three-day cricket competition.
Competition committee of the BCB, Carl Moore said that this competition will replace the Bobcat sponsored tournament.
The long awaited final of the 2014 Republic Bank (Guyana) Ltd sponsored Inter Zone Under-17 cricket competition in Berbice will be played today at the famous Albion Sports Complex.
After several postponements due to the unpredictable weather and other unforeseen reasons, the match will commence at 09:00h and will feature the best young cricketers in the County with Lower Corentyne set to clash with New Amsterdam/ Canje.
Lower Corentyne with
start as slight favorites but a stiff challenge is expected from the lads from the East Bank BerbiceNA/Canje area.
Lower Corentyne who defeated Upper Corentyne in the semi final has a strong batting line-up led by National Under-17 player and Captain, Brandon Persaud.
He will receive support from Adrian Sukwah and Matthew Hardial. Pacer Sylus Tyndall will spearhead the bowling with support from all rounder Joshua Harrichand and
He added that the teams will be divided in four zones with the winners going on to the knock out phase.
The winner will take home cash incentives and a beautiful trophy.
The Board Secretary Angela Haniff echoed the sentiments of Moore and Beharry. Clubs are side to make contact with Carl Moore as early as possible on 614-8364 or call the board office on 333-2375.
Suraj Dookhna.
NA/Canje on the other hand will have in their line-up several allrounders such as Kevon Sinclair, Steve Deonarine, Joel Seetaram, Junior Williams and Sasenarine Sukhu. The BCB junior selection headed by Leslie Solomon will witness the game, which will give the players the final chance to create an impression on the mind of the selectors as the BCB concludes preparations for the upcoming Inter County Under-17 tournament.
The Guyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA) has called two emergency general meetings for today.
According to a release from the GHRA a number of topics are set to be discussed. Among other topics to be discussed are race meets for the rest of the year, reviewing race meets that were completed, registration and affiliation of the various clubs, classification and reclassification of horse, jockeys, trainers and horse owners association and payments and the new rating system and new racing rules.
Other issues affecting horse owners and the present position with the horse racing legislation will also come up for discussion.
The release states that all the clubs, their representatives, jockeys, grooms of all the major stables and horse owners are expected to be in attendance.
GHRA recognizes the short notice, however due to the priority importance assigned to these issues, decided to schedule now rather than later. We hope horse owners will use this opportunity to address pending issues and resolutions.
The first meeting is scheduled for the Rising Sun Turf Club, Arima Park West Berbice beginning at 11:00 hrs and is expected to be attended by representatives from the GHRA, horse owners and or representatives from the West Berbice half of Berbice going back to Georgetown.
The second meeting will be held at the Port Mourant Turf Club, Corentyne Berbice and is expected to be attended by representatives of the GHRA, all horse owners on the eastern half of Berbice. Starting time is 13:00h.
By Rajiv Bisnauth
The man attempting to dethrone
Dave Cameron as President of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Joel Garner said cricket development, performance and governance of the sport will be his top priority. But for that to happen he must first cross the hurdle when election for the regional entity is held today in Kingston, Jamaica.
The Barbadian will seek to become the first Test cricketer since the late Sir Clyde Walcott to head the (WICB).
Former captain Clive Lloyd was unsuccessful in his bid to claim the top position when he failed to get a seconded for his nomination in 2013.
As part of the AGM, elections will be held for the position of President and VicePresident of the WICB.
Garner, is currently the President of Barbados Cricket Association (BCA). It is the second time that Garner will be seeking to become President or VicePresident.
In 2013, his attempt to win the Vice-Presidency ended in a 4-8 defeat to Emmanuel Nanthan.
Nanthan is being challenged by Trinidadian Baldath Mahabir for the Vice-Presidency this time.
By tReiston joseph
President of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Aubrey Hutson tried to clear the air with regard to the Leonora Synthetic track opening set for March 27.
After a release from the AAG that highlighted, AAG will only have 30 minutes of track and field during the opening, sparked wide spread ridicule from the athletics fraternity.
However, Huston stressed that the plans for the opening are not set in stone, “Let me be clear the AAG was never given 30 minutes for track and field… we just had discussions with the minister (Dr Frank Anthony) and Neil Kumar (Director of
Sport) of what they would like to see at the opening at it was simply as suggestion but to say the AAG was given 30 minutes I cannot agree with that,” Hutson noted.
Noting that it was a suggesting, Guyana Times Sport questioned Hutson on whether or not such a suggestion should have been made.
“After discussions with both Kumar and Anthony we decided to set up a committee to plan for the opening which has not been done as yet so it really isn’t in the books that 30 minutes is all we have, it was just that our PRO guy who I related some of the info to sent out a press release which was not intended,” Hutson stated.
Meanwhile Hutson did note that the AAG would
like to see track and field have a full meet at the opening.
“What we would like is to have a full track meet… we know that all the ministers and the president will be there to make their speeches but after that we
should be allowed to carry on a full meet into the even if it goes up to 10,” Hutson mentioned.
In addition, Hutson side stepped Guyanese track legend Aliann Pompey who blasted the AAG and the government for the time limit.
“We would love to get in the local talent here for the March 27 opening once they are available but what we also talked about was bringing in two stars that can show us what this facility we have can do instead of going for the high profile stars such as Usain Bolt,” Hutson noted.
Further, Hutson revealed that while there is no set date one when plans will be finalised for the opening of the track, March 27 was still set as the date for the opening.
However, indications are that Cameron is well placed to win 8-4 with two votes each from Windward Islands, Leeward Islands, Guyana and Jamaica, with Garner collecting two votes each from his native Barbados and Trinidad.
Today’s elections has been dubbed as the biggest in history for the WICB since observers believe that if Cameron wins, the challenges of West Indies cricket will remain, as he does not have the capability or the approach to deal with them.
Cameron and his VicePresident Emmanuel Nanthan are both in their first terms as President and Vice-President, but their tenure has been tainted by the recent fallout with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), over the aborted tour.
The embattled WICB President was also heavily criticised when he retweeted a call from a fan to “pension off” star opener Chris Gayle.
There have been calls for Cameron to step down, including from the Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves.
Several prominent cricketer administrators and pass cricketers believe the decision for Garner to challenge Cameron is a right one.
By Rajiv Bisnauth
Jamaica failed its spin examination as the Guyana Jaguars surged ahead at the end of the opening day in round eight of the West Indies Cricket Board’s Professional Cricket League (PCL) Regional Four-Day Competition at the Guyana National Stadium.
Left-arm spinner, Veerasammy Permaul and leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo combined to destroy the Jamaicans for 258 all out before the home team close the day on 35 without loss, with Rajendra Chandrika on 16 and Assad Fudadin unbeaten on 18. The hosts trail by 223 runs.
Permaul grabbed 5-77 in 31.1 overs, while Bishoo claimed 4-62 in 25 overs.
Test players Jermaine Blackwood and Chadwick
Walton stroked half-centuries along with John Campbell 48, Tamar Lambert 34 and Brandon King 27, were the main contributors against a well oiled Jaguars bowling attack.
Earlier, the Jaguars omitted fast bowler Keon Joseph and all-rounder Raymond Reifer from the starting eleven.
The Jaguars made an early breakthrough with the wicket of Shacaya Thomas. The right-hander was caught in the gully for one, flaying at a steep ball on his off stump from Christopher Barnwell (128) in the day’s second over.
Jermaine Blackwood joined John Campbell and greeted the Guyanese attack with aggression, smashing a 48-ball 58, inclusive of nine boundaries.
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India were given their first scare of the World Cup when West Indies reduced them to 78 for 4 and 134 for 6 in a chase of 183, but MS Dhoni shepherded them through to an eventually comfortable win with four wickets in hand and 10.5 overs to spare. West Indies finally displayed some grit and fight with late-order runs and some penetrating quick bowling, but the damage done by Chris Gayle at the start of the match was too much to undo.
Sunil Gavaskar's 36 off 174 in the first World Cup match of them all. Geoffrey Boycott's 57 off 105, which might or might not have featured a deliberate dropped catch by Clive Lloyd, in the 1979 final. Two of the worst innings played in the tour-
nament's history, in terms of the detrimental impact they had on the team. Gayle put them to shade with his refusal to run singles, accounting for at least one-and-ahalf wickets, before trying to make up for those by going on a blind hitting spree, which accounted for him too. By the time Gayle was done, West Indies were 35 for 3 in nine overs. Denesh Ramdin played one on next ball, and there was too much time left to bat for the usual rescuers, Lendl Simmons, Darren Sammy and Andre Russell.
In Gavaskar's defence, India were chasing 335 in the 19th ODI of all time, which is a bit like chasing 334 in the 19th Twenty20 international of all time. Gayle's only defence can be his fitness. He is an extreme-
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ly skilled batsman and can be great fun to watch when in full flow. But it is clear he is not fit and is not looking to run runs. That Gayle still plays every match no questions asked underlines a serious lack of players who are available and those whom the selectors are willing to pick. Purely on fitness
grounds, it is hard to imagine any other team in this World Cup selecting a selfacknowledged injured cricketer.
When you are such a player's opening partner, you'd better not be in poor form. The two gentlemen mentioned before Gaylegreat Test batsmen both
of them - will tell you that when batting is tough, the best place to be is at the nonstriker's end. Poor Dwayne Smith, struggling with his pull shot, looked to get just there with nudges and dabs, but Gayle kept sending him back. Immediately after Gayle had turned down a third easy single in the
first five overs, Smith edged a ball he should have been watching from the other end.
In came one of the laziest runners between the wickets, Marlon Samuels. Cue more cricket lacking urgency. Pressure kept building. Gayle offered a half chance to third man, which Umesh Yadav couldn't hold on to. Now with Yadav bowling, Gayle provided another chance. The top edge went high in the air, but fell short of mid-on. West Indies could have strolled an easy single, but Gayle was oblivious to the world around him.
Samuels jogged through for one, saw Gayle was not moving, touched the bat down in the crease at the striker's end and began to jog back. He had jogged oneand-a-half runs by the time the ball reached the stumps at the non-striker's end. Gayle had taken one-and-ahalf steps by then.
Those who know Samuels' history with poor running and his role in a fair few run-outs in his time didn't miss the irony.