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Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3126

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Sunday, February 26, 2017

PRICE

Govt buckling under mounting public pressure – PPP Page 3

…diverting attention from economic chaos, social despair

2 rescued Scotiabank loses during $243.7M in loan Essequibo Coast losses TIP raid … slashes non-performing loans by 50% Page 14

$120 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE: Kato Secondary School

Govt backs down from P5 legal action

Former P8 girlfriends arrested for setting DJ’s house on fire

Page 13

English Sathya Sai Blues bhajan singer finds Guyana connection …her ancestor was source of name for Buxton village Page 12

Sophia residentsP17 called to reclaim dignity of community …as water, roads, power supply commissioned

Linden Councillor walks out of P16 statutory meeting

6-month-old clings to life …in need of liver transplant

P6

International renowned English actress, singer and songwriter Dana Gillespie, a descendant of Sir Thomas Buxton, recently visited Guyana to perform at several Sri Sathya Sai Baba Centres when she made the fascinating discovery of her historic connection to Guyana

Corruption ranking

Page 7

No proof of improvements …score lacks statistical in Guyana – TIGI significance

APNU/AFC P7 functioned better in Opposition – rice farmers tell Agri Minister

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news

SUnDAY, FEBRuary 26, 2017 | guyanatimesGY.com

NEWS

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, February 26 – 05:00h-06:30h and Monday, February 27 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Sunday, February 26 – 16:20h-17:50h and Monday, February 27 – 16:45h-18:15h.

FERRY SCHEDULE Parika and Supenaam departure times - 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily

WEATHER TODAY Heavy to light rain showers can be expected throughout the day, while light cloudy conditions can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to North-easterly between 3.57 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tides: 04:31h and 16:47h reaching maximum heights of 2.66 metres and 2.78 metres respectively.

Low Tides: 10:21h and 22:43h reaching minimum heights of 0.52 metres and 0.42 metre respectively.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2017

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21 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

DAILY MILLIONS 13 14 20 23

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LUCKY 3 6 6 9

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DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

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SunDAY, February 26, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt buckling under mounting public pressure – PPP … diverting attention from economic chaos, social despair

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he People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has dismissed declarations of Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, claiming that charges will be laid against former Ministers of the previous Administration as early as next week.

The Opposition party was responding to comments attributed to Minister Ramjattan in an another section of the media on Saturday regarding a probe conducted by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) into the operations of the National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL).

According to the PPP, while it is ready to “strenuously” defend any such actions brought against members of its Government, this “reckless outburst” of the Public Security Minister is not only a political gimmick but shows that the coalition Administration is buckling against mounting public pressure.

President David Granger highest.

“The Government has buckled and has chosen Ramjattan as the instrument to distract attention from the massive difficulties facing the Guyanese people and the gross incompetence and inability of the Government to address them. So, Ramjattan has been instructed to bring the wine and bread to the circus and Kaieteur News is the ready and willing amphithe-

“It is clear therefore that if ever these charges are brought, they will not be the product of professional investigation but the manifestation of political vendetta and witch-hunting… Theirs is an agenda of revenge, political vindictiveness and vendetta.”

The Opposition pointed out that this Government has long been making threats against former Government officials; however, this most recent utterance highlights inconsistencies within the ruling Administration.

“The President (David Granger) is on record on numerous occasions saying that the forensic audits have not produced evidence upon which criminal charges can be instituted. Similarly, Khemraj Ramjattan, himself, has been quoted in the press only last month as saying that the forensic audits were merely a stock taking excise. Now, the nation is being fed a different story.”

This, the PPP noted, comes against the backdrop of economic chaos, social despair and public pressure upon the Government at its

ater. It is all part of a political and propagandistic gimmick,” the PPP said as it lashed out at the callousness of Ramjattan.

Moreover, the PPP asserted that these “clumsy threats” are coming from the Government when it is not the function of the Government to institute criminal charges, but that of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) which is an independent constitutional office. the According to Opposition, if a Government cannot even understand its role and functions, it can never competently discharge them. It added too that instead of managing and growing the economy, creating more jobs and making the lives of the Guyanese peo-

ple better, the coalition Administration is doing exactly the opposite.

“Rather than admit to their incompetence, try to improve or seek help, they conceal their ineptitude by violating the Constitution and encroaching upon the constitutional mandate of other agencies. It is clear therefore, that if ever these charges are brought, they will not be the product of professional investigation but the manifestation of political vendetta and witch-hunting.”

To this end, the PPP called upon the Public Security Minister and the Alliance For Change (AFC) to answer to the allegations that millions of dollars of bribes are being paid for gun licences and tint permits.

Minister David Patterson, it added, should come clean about the multibillion-dollar scandal at the Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) in relation to the meter contract and the millions of dollars that contractors claims are extracted from them as bribes for contracts which do not go to public tendering.

Furthermore, the Opposition said Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo should also explain how his son-in-law became involved in the privatisation of Skeldon Estate and in the purchase of the two planes acquired by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

“It is public knowledge that the Government is buckling under tremendous public pressure coming from numerous directions.”

This is evident, the statement from PPP outlined, with the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) collapsing; the parking meter fiasco escalating; the economy

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan continuing to contract; cost of living skyrocketing; criminal activities continuing unabated; the D’Urban Park, drugs bond and the twenty other scandals are still fresh in the people’s mind; the public outrage continues to mount against the two hundred odd tax measures imposed on the backs of the Guyanese people, including Value Added Tax (VAT) on electricity, water, health and education services; and the ongoing political and racial discrimination being institutionalised by and in Government.

The PPP continued in the public missive that the coalition Administration appears impotent to deal with these issues, especially that of unemployment and a lack of job creation opportunities.

Against this backdrop, the Opposition is calling on those in charge within the administration of justice, organisations championing the cause of human rights and every law abiding citizen to recognise that the Government’s agenda has nothing to do with the rule of law, due process or justice.

“Theirs is an agenda of revenge, political vindictiveness and vendetta.”

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sunDAY, february 26, 2017

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Editorial

Guyana’s wealth

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ast Friday afternoon and night, the Hindu community of Guyana – representing the largest block of citizens following a particular path to the Universal Divinity – trekked to their mandirs or to the shrines built in their yards to perform the rituals prescribed for “Maha Siva Ratri” – the “Great Night of Lord Shiva”. Containing all of the major world religions and not an inconsiderable number of the minor ones, the festival reminds us that Guyana with its tiny population is truly one of the most multi-religious societies on Earth.

While most Guyanese would boast about their country’s “resources”, they are invariably referring to our physical resources such as bauxite and agricultural land etc. But in reality, the greatest resource any country possesses is its people and the religions of the people are in turn one of the prime values of that resource. But that recognition is sorely lacking and in truth the leaders of this country in all fields, not just the “religious” one, should work to overcome this lacuna by exposing our children in schools to the substantive tenets of the different religions because of the benefits that would immediately flow to the nation.

Take the festival of Shiva Ratri, for instance, which is dedicated to the Lord Shiva, known among Hindus as “Maha Deva” – the Great God: it offers an insight into Hindu cosmology. “Shiva” represents that aspect of the Universal Divinity into which the entire universe and indeed the “multiverses” will become dissolved after billions of years.

During those eons, the universe is kept going by another aspect called “Vishnu” after having been projected out of its quiescent state by the third aspect called “Brahma”. This cyclical process at a cosmic level playing out in an infinite timeline over and over again, should serve to remind mankind that it is indeed grotesque for individuals to fill themselves with pride in their blip of existence. As another religion advises, “Vanity of vanities – it is all vanity”.

What is interesting is the ancient Hindu conception of multiverses emerging, existing and then dissolving and emerging again in an infinite cycle is exactly what modern cosmologists have now concluded is the nature of existence.

Exposure to these ideas by all Guyanese children would not only make their cosmology lessons more accessible, but would be coupled with the moral message of all religions that mankind should not become filled with pride at his puny existence. This message is definitely needed in Guyanese public life.

Another aspect of Shiva Ratri that is very useful to all is based on a story that is associated with the festival. A weary hunter takes refuge one night on a tree and totally inadvertently, performs the several aspects of Shiva’s worship, which earns him great reward. The point of the story in that ultimately, it is the actions that one performs in this world that is important, and not all the wonderful intentions and thoughts that one may have inside one’s head. As Guyanese, let us know each other by our deeds and not our words or our thoughts.

But one of the reasons for this neglect of our religious diversity lies not only in the emphasis of the Colonialimposed official state emphasis on Christianity but also the media coverage along the same lines. And this neglect does not only extend to Islam and Hinduism but also the smaller groups. The loss is ours, as was exemplified by the recent visit of an English “Blues” singer – Dana Gillipsie – who is a member of the Sahtya Sai Organisation, and who performed before packed audiences in locations in Berbice and Demerara including Georgetown.

It turns out she is a direct descendant of Thomas Foulis Buxton, the man who fought for and piloted the Bill for the Abolition of Slavery in the British Parliament. The village of Buxton was named after him. The Lord does work in mysterious ways, but it remains so because of the willful neglect of some.

Ethnic Miao people perform a dance during a local festival in Kaili, Guizhou province, China (Reuters)

Placing the tiger outside the room

Dear Editor, The souls of our ancestors cry from the hallowed grounds of the sugar estates for common sense, the sugar estates in large part constitutes Guyana’s history insofar as it has been written.

Where the lives of our ancestors were identified with the most terrible forms of human oppression as they laboured to eke out a living for themselves and their descendants.

Dr Walter Rodney spoke of cosmic forces in his pro-working class and resistance book; Groundings with my Brothers and noted, “You have to listen to them and you hear them talk about Cosmic Power and it rings a bell.” It is my belief that the Sugar Estates in Guyana carry a cosmic power that could positively influence the lives of the descendants of the enslaved and indentured labourers.

The bloodshed and lost lives of our ancestors should not be further impaled and lynched on an axis of perceived racism and misplaced economic priorities.

Let there be no doubt that the planned closure of several estates is primarily based on racism or colour blind racism, which is being unleashed upon the sugar workers and their families.

Let the labour of our fore parents that took place under the most oppressive of conditions be purposive; and not ending with a willy-nilly contrivance that speaks more to the triumph of racism over Guyanese unity that will cause irreparable harm.

In the Executive Summary of the CoI into GuySuCo, Section 5:45, states “The possibility of closure of some estates based on their comparative low levels of production and consistent loss positions, received much discussion and even debate. In the final analysis, two commissioners supported closure, while the remaining eight opposed such a recommendation.”

Eight of the ten commissioners were against closure of the sugar estates; yet we are now hearing of the closure of Rose Hall and Enmore Estates by the end of 2017.

The first two recommendations by the CoI is not premised on the position taken by a substantial majority of the commissioners as per Section 5:25 of the COI re: Final Recommendations two of six: 1. The privatisation of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), which is a State-owned entity, incorporated and regulated under the companies.

The process should start as early as practicable and aim to be completed within a three year period.

2. As a consequence of (1) above, the State divests itself of all assets, activities and operations currently associated with GuySuCo. So here we have a minority “final recommendation” that allows for the final recommendation to be contrary to the substantive position of the majority of the Commissioners. We can split hairs about closure/ privatisation/divestment/ re-engineering and such like

– the reality is that the final recommendation is purposed to close GuySuCo. A colleague of mine in response to my question on why the Government was closing the sugar estates said “the estates were making big losses”. I asked my colleague if the substantial majority of the workers and families were supporters of the current APNU/ AFC coalition, would the Government have sanctioned the closure of the estates? The answer was silence. We must not call a spade a fork. Racism is racism, plain and simple, colour blind racism or otherwise, and we Guyanese must see estate closures and pending closures, within the racist prism and praxis as foremost drivers in arriving at this deeply divisive and discriminatory action.

We as Guyanese must reject these oppressive actions against the working class.

It is easy to find conditions in Guyana where economic factors can be used to justify repugnant acts, there are multiple such cases in each region of Guyana. Nor should we forget all the international grants and soft loans that have come to Guyana as a result of disruptions in the sugar industry… and evidenced by IDB loan(s) signed in this month of February 2017.

A classic rejoinder of the colour-blind racist is to say: It’s not race, it’s economics…

We must accept that race matters as Professor Cornell West, an American scholar, theologian, and activist noted in his book of the

same name (see page 38) with slight paraphrasing: “How does one undermine the frame work of racial reasoning? By dismantling each pillar slowly and systematically. The fundamental aim of this undermining and dismantling is to replace racial reasoning with moral reasoning, to understand the struggle for freedom not as an affair of skin pigmentation and racial phenotype, but rather as a matter of ethical principles and wise politics… The failure of nerve via the politics of using government power discriminatively, results in our failure to undermine and dismantle the framework of racial reasoning.”

The cosmic forces are within us and the great son of Guyana, Dr Walter Rodney, noted in his epic analysis of the working class, the underemployed and unemployed and the underprivileged in his book Groundings with my Brother: “you get humility, because look who you are learning from”, and I say you have to use the messages emanating from our ancestors who laboured on the sugar estates and ensure that their descendants benefited from our ancestors toil and sacrifice…

Maybe our ancestors once dreamt of Guyana discovering massive oil reserves off the coast of Guyana in the devilish Atlantic Ocean that claimed so many of their lives. There is always a better way, always.

Sincerely, Nigel Hinds

guyanatimesgy.com

SunDAY, february 26, 2017

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News

Kato Secondary School

APNU/AFC manifesto promise

Govt backs down from legal action

Nandlall calls out Govt for retaining ‘no-objection’ role

President David Granger and members of the PPC

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The defective multimillion-dollar Kato Secondary School

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overnment has backed down from the course of legal actions and has decided to grant a disreputable contracting company another chance, by allowing the firm to repair its shoddy works done at the multimillion-dollar Kato Secondary School.

A Government delegation consisting of members from the Public Infrastructure Ministry and the Education Ministry visited Kato, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) over the weekend to consult with residents on the best way forward in relation to the defective educational institution.

Students have been in limbo because no remedial works to the faulty school have commenced since the discoveries of the deficiencies were made.

President David Granger, during an interview on his pre-recorded televised programme – The Public Interest – had posited that legal actions will be taken against the contracting firm, Kares Engineering, to recoup monies that will be spent on fixing the defective school.

He also ruled out the company being granted any further contracts in the future.

But during the visit to Kato, authorities made a decision to have Kares Engineering correct the in-

ferior works conducted at the school.

Sources told Guyana Times that an independent assessment will be done at the building to identify the scope of remedial works that need to be done and then the contractors will be engaged.

Guyana Times was also told that a special committee consisting of members from the Ministries of Public Infrastructure and Education, the region and from the Guyana Association of Professional Engineers will be established to oversee the initiative and to ensure the contracting firm does the work right this time around.

Some three years ago, the previous administration paid close to $1 billion to Kares Engineering Incorporated for the construction of the school, which would have accommodated some 400 children from the community.

However, the Public Infrastructure Ministry had estimated that 60 per cent of the school has defects.

Auditing company Rodrigues Architects Limited, found severe structural defects in the complex, such as crumbling walls, bad timbers, exposed electrical outlets, cracking stairways, and exposed steel.

The auditors said the classrooms were incorrectly placed away from the wind-

ward side and would ultimately lead to hot, uncomfortable classrooms.

Additionally, it was highlighted that the dining room and kitchen could not accommodate the school’s projected number of students.

Safety concerns were also noted since the school lacked fencing. This was especially worrying since the school would be housing at least 250 students in its dormitories.

The company estimated that remedial works would cost a whopping $140 million.

Other options which were being explored by Government included whether Government should stand the expense to fix the school or whether the company that presided over the bad workmanship should be mandated to repair its inferior work.

However Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson had indicated that although the contracting company is willing to remedy the faults, Government is not keen on having them conduct the repairs since they are under investigation.

According to media reports, he had asserted that the company was given many opportunities to correct its poor work, but did not.

ormer Attorney General (AG), Anil Nandlall, has called out the coalition Government for retaining its ‘no-objection’ role in the awarding of contracts, saying that this move is tantamount to corruption, something which both the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC) had accused the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) of.

“They repeatedly called for the appointment of the PPC in order to end Cabinet’s no objection role. They viewed Cabinet’s review of contracts as an act of massive corruption. Now that they are in Government they want to continue that role of Cabinet.

Are they not guilty of the same corruption of which they accused the PPP/C Government?” Nandlall asserted.

The coalition Government had persistently lobbied against Cabinet’s involvement in the contract awarding process while in opposition and had promised to have that changed once elected to Government.

The former AG posited that the relevant Hansards capturing the debate in the National Assembly in respect to the Procurement Bill can be consulted and will support his interpretations. “In my view, the time would have long expired for Cabinet to complete its consideration of those pending matters. Therefore, Cabinet’s involvement in contracts should have long come to an end. My interpretation in relation to the cessation of Cabinet’s role over contracts upon the appointment of the PPC is identical to the inter-

pretation articulated by both the AFC and the APNU when they were in the opposition.”

Moreover, Nandlall recalled that as Attorney General, he spent hours explaining the role and functions of the Public Procurement Commission (PPC), pointing out in great detail that the PPC is not part of the procurement process, but sits at the apex of it with a mandate and jurisdiction to review, hear and determine complaints lodged and to bring greater public awareness to the public procurement system. He added that even his then colleague Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh and many others in the PPP Government, spent hours doing the same.

“This was necessary against an avalanche of misconceived notions and reckless misinformation spewed about the role and functions of the PPC by the then opposition, in particular, Mr Khemraj Ramjattan. They conveyed the hopelessly flawed and misleading impression to the public that the PPC is the panacea of everything that is wrong with public procurement in Guyana and that once the PPC is established then all problems

in relation to public procurement will disappear.”

According to Nandlall, now that they are in Government not a word is heard from the Coalition, even though now there are more contracts being awarded without any resort to public bidding or the procurement system than ever before since the Procurement Act was enacted in 2003.

On Friday, the PPC in response to reports in the media, sought to clear the “misconceptions” about its real functions as a recently established procurement body.

According to the body, recent media reports have contributed to the notion that the PPC has not yet commenced its work, resulting in the continuing role of Cabinet in the national procurement system, whereby it issues “No Objection” to the award of contracts.

However, the body said that since its establishment in October last, it has been carrying out some basic preliminary works, required by the Constitution before it could begin carrying out its mandate, which incidentally does not include the granting of “no objections” to contracts.

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SunDAY, february 26, 2017

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Foundation Maha Shivaratri

6-month-old clings to life …in need of liver transplant

“Fighting for identity is something that is very much in my life” – Ang Lee

Anu Dev

ast Friday was Maha Shivaratri.

Every month there is one day dedicated to worshipping Lord Shiva ("pradosh") but "Maha Shivaratri" is the yearly, ritual worship in a prescribed manner of one of the three major ‘personalised’ forms of the ultimate reality or Brahman that Hindus worship.

We are all projected out of Brahman (making us and the rest of the universe part of God) - and we call that aspect "Lord Brahma"; we are all sustained by and within Brahman and we call this power "Lord Vishnu" and finally after billions of years we all return into Brahman as we call this attribute "Lord Shiva". We are not 'destroyed' as some assert, but subsist in Brahman in 'prayala' until the next round of 'projection'.

We do not ever die - but are children of 'immortal bliss'.

Hindus offer special prayers to Lord Shiva on Shivaratri. In Sanskrit, ‘ratri’ means night and thus, Shivaratri literally means ‘The Night of Shiva’. There are

guyanatimesgy.com

several traditions associated with the night: Lord Shiva performed the Tandava Nritya (the dance of dissolution); he appeared as the Lingam; or he married Mother Parvati. Maha Shivaratri is observed for one night, but the preparations begin the preceding day.

The day before Shivaratri, the house would have been given a thorough cleaningboth inside and out. Hindus literally leave no stone unturned when sprucing up for Shivaratri (and other festivals) because symbolically God is welcomed into our house.

Who would want God to enter a grubby house?

Traditionally, this sacred festival is observed by offering Abhishek or Dhar. This is the several types of liquid offerings that we make to the Shiva Lingam

(literally the “sign” of Shiva as the formless Brahman) - milk, honey, ghee, dahee (yogurt), Ganga jal, coconut water, and cane juice. Each of these offerings has a symbolic significance, but overall they represent a 'cooling of the linga' the desire of our souls to merge with God. So, in observance of Maha Shivaratri, we offer prayers and Abhishek to Lord Shiva.

Friday, thousands would have gone to the Cove and John Ashram, go to their local Mandir or stay home to offer their Dhar and prayers at their Shivala in their yard. My Mom is a Shiva bhakta ( w o rs h i p p e r ) and Shivaratri is always a big occasion in our home.

A growing

number of Hindus make time for Mandir even though they mightn’t always be regular attendees on Thursday night, or Sunday morning. So many Hindus coming together and praying together, putting aside whatever personal differences they might have, to worship the same deities. They also do not eat meat during the Shivaratri period. Some Hindus, like my Mom, even completely give up "salt" food completely, eating only fruits.

The whole point of Mandirs is for everyone, the entire Hindu community, to get involved: everyone has a part to play. Everyone can sing along God’s praises with the bhajans, everyone prays together with the mantras.

It helps Hindus to solidify their identities as Hindus. It helps us to feel that sense of pride and to share that feeling with fellow Hindus.

So I hope all Hindus proudly celebrated Shivaratri on Friday, whether they observed the festival at home or at Mandir.

S

Little Zendaya Kassim

ix-month-old Zendaya Kassim is currently at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) battling for her life as she is in urgent need of a liver transplant.

Kassim must undergo an emergency surgery overseas, which is the only alternative given to her parents by the Paediatric Surgery Ward at GPHC. At birth, Kassim was diagnosed with jaundice.

A couple of months after, the child eyes began to yellow and her tummy started to swell, as such, she was rushed back to the hospital where she was later diagnosed with hepatomegaly.

Hepatomegaly is the condition of having an enlarged liver. It is a non-specific medical sign having many causes, which can broadly be broken down into infection, hepatic tumours, or metabolic disorder.

The relatives, after Kassim’s diagnosis, were informed that after a CT scan on the child, she was in need of a liver transplant as it is the only option at this stage of her condition.

However, Kassim was discharged and sent home after her family was told that the services that she requires are not currently available in Guyana and this would have to be sought overseas.

The family was then advised to start exploring options overseas while a medical report will be prepared.

The grandmother of Kassim spoke with Guyana Times and explained that she, along with other relatives began searching online for a medical facility, which would be able to do the surgery.

The family came across the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital

in India headed by Dr Suresh Kumar Singhvi, who specialises in surgical gastroenterology and liver transplant.

After contact was made with the hospital, the family was told that 21 days in total would be spent at the hospital for the recipient and eight days for the donor which would include a five days stay in the Intensive Care Unit for the recipients and two days for the donor.

The father of the baby, Mohamed Sammer Kassim has agreed to donate to his daughter.

The overall expense for the surgery amounted to US$60,000, which is equivalent to GY$12,000,000.

Thus far the family members have only managed to acquire just over $1 million.

The Public Health Ministry has agreed to donate another million dollars to assist, but has not provided a date as to when the money would be donated. The Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana will also be assisting the family. However, the family is pleading with the public to assist as soon as possible as the baby needs to have the surgery before her ninth month.

Donations can be sent to the Demerara Bank account number 1279280-00100, the Guyana Bank of Trade and Industry account number 0107273-83011, to the Kassim’s residence Block X Great Diamond, East Bank Demerara, or contact with the family can be made through cell phone numbers 216-1795, 602-6268, 6616106 or 604-9388.

The Kassim family would be grateful for any help financially due to the urgency of the operation to save Zendaya’s life.

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sunDAY, february 26, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Corruption ranking

APNU/AFC functioned better in Opposition No proof of improvements in Guyana – TIGI – rice farmers tell Agri Minister …score lacks statistical significance

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overnment should hold back on its self praises over Guyana’s recent rank in the world, with respect to the Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) as the report does not validate that improvements have been made in stamping out the unethical, immoral and other dishonest activities.

This is according to Transparency Institute of Guyana Incorporated (TIGI), which noted also that there is inadequate information to invalidate the competing view that there were real achievements in the fight against corruption.

Guyana moved up eleven places to 108 based on a fivepoint increase (from 29 to 34) in perception score.

But in a statement on Saturday, the local corruption watchdog said any improvement in standing should be celebrated even as efforts are directed towards greater gains in the fight against the scourge.

However, TIGI noted that the difference in the corruption score between 2015 and 2016 lacks statistical significance, even at the 10 per cent level.

“The statistics therefore offer no confirmation of the apparent improvement,” the organisation noted.

TIGI said the statistical test is conservative since the number of surveys used in 2015 and 2016 (four and six respectively) are small.

“But given that this is about the number of surveys rather than about the number

of respondents, statistical significance would be an especially limited way to view the results, since it is unlikely that there will ever be very large numbers of surveys to use. We should therefore rely more on the substantive interpretations of the index,” the body stated.

Additionally, TIGI pointed out that within Latin America changes in government regimes are usually accompanied by a period of goodwill that endure an average of approxi-

ception scores measure perceptions about the absence of corruption and for this reason, low scores are indicative of more pervasive corruption.

TIGI noted that when these scores are converted to ranks, lower ranks (larger rank values) on the CPI indicate relative pervasiveness of corruption.

Measuring corruption As a result, it argued that the index should not be used to evaluate Governments on an

Guyana moved up eleven places to 108 based on a five-point increase (from 29 to 34) in perception score

mately two years.

This, TIGI said, suggests that the change in Government in 2015 would have ushered in a period of optimism that would be evident across several issues, including confidence in Government and perceptions about corruption.

“One can therefore argue that improvement in the 2016 CPI was to be expected. This argument becomes more attractive if the CPI returns to its usual level subsequently…

The argument for real achievements will find support if the improvement holds in subsequent years, ” TIGI said.

Furthermore, the local transparency arm said the per-

annual basis since shifts in perceptions will likely occur when the actions taken begin to result in changes in the experiences of the people.

TIGI expressed that while Guyana’s current rank is unimpressive, the movement in the direction of improvement as observed in 2016 is optimistic.

TIGI said salient issues to be addressed in Guyana include a functional Integrity Commission and Public Procurement Commission, implementation of the promised Code of Conduct for ministers, cancellation of corrupt government contracts and establishment of campaign financing laws.

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cores of rice farmers in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) have vented their frustrations, as well as opinions on Government's approach towards the rice industry. Many of them said that the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government, since assuming Office, has not plugged in the kind of support that is really needed in the Industry for its sustenance.

At a public meeting held in the boardroom of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) at Anna Regina on Friday, rice farmers in presence of the Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, said that the Government served better as the opposition. Many of them were disappointed and dissatisfied at Government's intervention towards the industry.

Spokesperson for rice farmers and Government, Councillor Naithram, said, "Meeting after meeting and nothing is being done, if I didn't persist for Minister to visit then he would have never visited." Naithram said that there need to be a collective and integrated approach in helping to boost the industry. He argued that too often rice farmers are ripped-off by millers and little or nothing is being done from the rice stakeholders’ level to represent farmers’ interest.

As such he called for a review of the rice factory act and for a fined to be levied against default millers.

He said that the Rice Factory Act stipulates that a farmer should be paid within 42 days after his transaction with the miller. He continued to argue that rice farmers are owed up to two years and millers are benefiting.

"We need to review the Act, there need to be consultations, those millers who cannot hon-

AFC Councillor Naithram along with rice farmers at the meeting with Agriculture Minister Noel Holder

our 42 days as mentioned in the ACT should be fined $10 million dollars.”

Naithram said he believes that the success of the rice industry depends on solid partnership from major rice stakeholders, as well as positive investment from the Government’s side. He also told the Minister and his team that the state of the Region Two economy is frustrating and many persons who voted for the present Government are losing confidence.

Low confidence in Govt

Naithram also warned the subject Minister that if the Government does not step up and invest wisely in the industry, then the 4000 votes that came from Essequibo will be lost.

"A lot of rice farmers voted for the Government, they wanted change in the rice industry and to date things are hard if this continue then 2020 elections will be different," Naithram said.

Another rice farmer from Reliance said that promises were made to Region Two rice farmers for better prices and to date prices are less, "when the Government were in opposition they did a better job, they spoke out for rice farmers, but now what is happening the industry is declining and rice farmers are suffering.”

During the meeting, rice

farmers were tense, as many of them were clueless what will be the price for paddy in the new crop.

In responding to the farmers’ plight, Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder, said that instead of Naithram complaining, the Government has put him on to several boards for him to voice his concerns. He questioned Naithram why is he not representing the rice farmers and why the blames are on the Government. He also said that rice is a private partnership between the miller, the purchaser and the rice farmer; the seller.

Holder said that he will take a look at how the Act could be reviewed and called on rice farmers to take millers to court. He also asked them to report non-payments and if rice farmers agree to take millers to court, then he can speak with Legal Affairs Minister to have special Judges and Magistrate's venture to the region to listen to the matters.

Holder said that the Ministry is doing all it can for rice farmers, but Association, as well as other rice stakeholders such as the Guyana Rice Producers Association need to also give proper representation.

Rice farmers at the end of the meeting also requested for the Minister to visit every two months as harvesting period is just two months from now.

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Former girlfriends arrested for setting DJ’s house on fire

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wo women were arrested on Friday for allegedly setting alight the house of Dorrel Romeo, popular known as Deejay Magnum on Sunday last.

Fire ripped through the wooden and concrete structure located at Lot 238 Good Intent Village, West Bank Demerara after it was purposely set on fire.

The two females - one from Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara and the other from Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo - remain in Police custody. Both of them were said to be in a relationship with the deejay.

A Police source confirmed that one of the women, who was implicated in setting the house on fire appeared on a television interview and denied the allegation when it was thrown at her, but the Police, he noted have sufficient evidence to institute charges.

Reports are on the night

Dorrel Romeo, popularly known as “DJ Magnum” whose house was destroyed by fire

of the devastating fire, the two women went to the house of the popular deejay to confront him on a personal issue, but he was not at home. He was reportedly at a function on the Soesdyke/ Linden Highway.

The women waited, but the deejay never showed up.

Out of anger, the deejay’s former girlfriend allegedly lit an object in the vicinity of the back step and the duo left. However, as they

reached a short distance away, they realised that the house was on fire and panicked. Out of fear, they called and taxi and left the scene.

The taxi driver, who collected the women, is reportedly a close friend of the deejay and upon realising that something was amiss, he contacted the Police.

It was based on the information he provided to the Police that led to the wom-

en’s arrest.

The Police confirmed that the Windsor Forest resident give a detailed account of what transpired, but the former girlfriend of the deejay is allegedly holding out that she did not mean to burn down the man’s house.

Guyana Times understands that the suspect was the same woman who posted a video of the deejay handcuffed to a bed on social media.

Meanwhile, on the night of the fire, the deejay explained that his mother who lives in the United States contacted him and informed him of the fire. He and his present fiancé reportedly rushed home only to see his house reduced to debris.

At the scene, the Police received information that two women were seen leaving the yard moments prior to the blaze. Both women are expected to be charged with arson. Police are continuing their investigations.

Moral turpitude…

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…of Cabinet ne of the major clubs the APNU and AFC battered the PPP with was about “corruption” when they were in government, was the latter’s “refusal” to set up the Public Procurement Commission (PPC), legislated since 2003. “The PPP,” the then opposition parties screamed, “did this dastardly act to allow their Cabinet to remain as the sole approver of all contracts over $15 million.”

Now, when one considers the Government gives out billions and billions of dollars’ worth of contracts every month, you’re talking about some REAL MONEY that could be skimmed off the top, said the APNU and AFC. You can’t really blame lots of folks believing where there’s smoke (of hogging a power that shoulda been delegated) there must be (the fire of) corruption. Bun dem!

So in their Manifesto, the APNU/AFC puts the promise of creating the PPC right up there among the promises they’ll carry out in THREE MONTHS if voted in, which they were!

Three months came and went while the Cabinet focused on giving itself fat 50 per cent raises with no PPC insight.

In fact, it wasn’t until a year and a half later, President Granger on Oct 29 finally sworn in the five-person PPC, fully three months after the names were submitted to him.

No rush here - and the “no objection” rule to contracts by Cabinet continued merrily under the APNU/ AFC government. And so we had contracts such as the $320 million one for the warehouse-that-never-was-forPharma to Larry Singh. On the Jubilee Park, while we were assured by Minister Patterson that Procurement Rules were followed, we weren’t told if there was Cabinet “no objection” to the $150 million the Government spent. The good times rolled!

Now here we are, in the year of our lord, 2017, and the Cabinet’s still giving out “no objection” to mega-contracts while the five-member PPC draw their collective $5 million salaries monthly!! And why the heck is that so you shriek, dear reader? Well, first the Government says they still haven’t found a space to house the PPC!! Imagine that!!

A promise to be achieved in the first THREE MONTHS and almost two years later they don’t have office space??

If their story is believed, it doesn’t say much about their logistical capabilities, does it? With all those welltrained military types in every level of Government! But even though we aren’t Trinis, we know a mamaguy when we hear one, don’t we?

But hold it. “Not so!” cried the PPC whose head is Carol Corbin. “The legislation doesn’t permit us to take over the “No objection: role of the Cabinet”.

And all the time, the Cabinet - informed by the PPC has been playing possum! Moral turpitude! …in housing Another area of governmental activity that APNU/ AFC’d accused the PPP of “rampant corruption” was housing. New broom Keith Scott quickly downgraded the PPP’s sale-of-house-lot focus and promised to build 4000 “dream houses” with - their release trumpeted “day-care facilities, functioning playgrounds, proximity to jobs, schools and other amenities that are consistent with improved quality of life in communities.” Well within six months Scott was moved out. Was there any fire after all the smoke?

But by then attention had shifted to CHPA, under octogenarian OR, Hamilton Green as chair. Green announced an even more ambitious $50 billion initiative for 10,000 to build housing units - including duplexes, condos and high rises! Poor folks weren’t building houses on the PPP house lots. They weren’t getting even the subsidised loans the PPP had arranged with the NBS and other banking facilities.

And Green was going to build the homes! But now he and his entire Board has been disbanded and Scott’s successor’s off to Poland.

More fire after the smoke? …and moral blindness Khemraj Ramjattan gloats about PPP Ministers being charged for NICIL-related fraud. But how does he explain his silence about the fraud to rent the bottom housewarehouse in Albouystown?

And your Eyewitness doesn’t mean the fall guy!

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

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Weight gain and loss S

atiricus and company were mulling over the just finished Mash 2017 at their usual watering hole - the Back Street Bar. They hadn’t bothered to go this year to gawk at the gyrations and bodily exposures as was their wont over the years. As Bungi put it, “Things brong!” They looked at the goings on from the TV perched precariously over the glasses behind the counter.

“Dem Ministah put aan some pound, Budday!” Bungi exclaimed in amazement. “But dem can still flounce!”

“That’s not flouncing, Bungi. That’s ‘backballing’,” said Hari. “Flouncing is at Masquerade.”

“Talking about Masquerade, that used to be only around Christmas time,” Satiricus complained. “Now these Masqueraders blocking up the traffic at Mash time, now.”

“But at leas’ dem na gat de bull cow,” confessed Bungi.

“Me bin really friken da when me lil!”

“Well, from the people I saw winin’ down Brickdam,” grinned Hari. “I don’t think we needed cows of any sort!

Bull or otherwise!”

“Now… now,” scolded Satiricus. “Be nice!”

“But I’m serious fellas,” retorted Hari. “Did you see the size of most of those who were Mashin’ down? We have a serious obesity problem in Guyana!”

“Hari, da na Guyana: all a dem who bin a backball a people who wuk wid de guvment,” said Bungi. “Yuh evah see wan fat cane-cuttah?”

“Well I spoke to Cappo last night in New York on Skype,” reported Satiricus. “And that is one cane cutter who put on size!!”

“But he’s not cutting cane anymore,” objected Hari.

“How’s he doing?”

“He says he might come back to Guyana,” said Satiricus. “’E miss abee, na?” said Bungi hopefully, who actually missed his cane-cutting buddy. “’e miss de beer!”

“Naa,” replied Satiricus laconically. “Because Trump hunting down immigrants!” “’E hear ‘bout da ‘merican who shoot wan fariner who look just he?” Bungi wanted to know.

“That’s what made him want to come back,” replied Satiricus soberly. “Even though he’ll lose weight!”

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English Sathya Sai Blues bhajan singer finds Guyana connection …her ancestor was source of name for Buxton village

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athya Sai devotee Dana Gillipsie, who had adapted her singing of Blues to Bhajans after visiting Baba in India over thirty years ago, visited Guyana last week to perform at the local Sai centers in Georgetown, Berbice and other locales, made what to her was a very soulful discovery. Her “great, great, great, great uncle”, who was Thomas Foulis Buxton who was the British MP and Member of the Society for the Abolition of Slavery responsible for the Act that resulted in the Abolition of Slavery on August 1 1834, had been honoured by some of those freed slaved in Guyana when they named their village “Buxton”.

In an interview with TVG, Gillipsie could not contain her excitement at her discovery. She remarked that the extended families that are descended from Buxton meet annually and they always lamented a bit that William Wilberforce had been giv-

Sri Sathya Sai Baba

en the bulk of the recognition for the abolition of slavery. But what Wilberforce actually did, Gillipsie pointed out, was to achieve the abolition of the British slave trade in 1807 and thereafter passed on the mantle to take abolition to its conclusion to Thomas Buxton, who was from a wealthy brewery family.

Buxton had become influenced by the Quaker position on slavery after the abolition

of the slave trade and when he was elected to parliament in 1818 he took the struggle to that forum. In 1824, he succeeded Wilberforce as head of the anti-slavery party in Parliament, continuing the struggle until the Slavery Abolition Act, in 1833, freed all enslaved people in the British Empire.

Ravi Dev, who was on the panel with her to discuss the anomaly of a British blues singer becoming a Sathya Sai devotee, commented that the villagers of Buxton had done their benefactor proud, by becoming one of the premier villages in Guyana, especially noted for educational attainments and cultural retention.

She was very pleased and promised she would mention these facts at the next family reunion.

Informed that a monument to Thomas Buxton in his original constituency of Weymouth was now complete and would be inaugurated in June, she accepted Dev’s re-

quest to ask the organisers to invite some villagers from Buxton to be part of the celebrations.

On her own evolution, Gillipsie revealed that many English rock stars like the Beatles and Rolling Stones were influenced by the Blues which originated in the

Dana Gillespie visits Buxton for the first time

Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton

American South from the experience of the descendants of American Slaves. She had acted in the massive hit play Jesus Christ Superstar in London and moved on to appear in several plays.

After her life unravelled somewhat in the 1970’s she turned to the Blues and became interested in Hindi music which would have been quite common in London.

She adapted a Mohamed Rafi song to her style of Blues singing and produced an album influenced by the music of Pankaj Udhas. She says

that since so many others copy western Music, she was merely returning the complement to India.

As an ardent devotee of Sathya Sai Baba, she has been travelling to many Sai Conferences, giving talks about her meetings with Him, as well as singing many of her spiritual songs. She sang for Sai Baba for eight of His birthdays since His 70th birthday. Her intense voice and energy captures the audience wherever she goes.

One pet peeve she took pains to explain was how oblivious some decisions in the west do not take into consideration of those who are from different traditions.

This was England’s move issue a new 5 pound note to replace the present one which has a painting of anti-slavery activists that included Thomas Buxton with one of Winston Churchill. He peeve wasn’t only the removal of her ncestor’s portrait but that in the note there was a sun-

stance that originated from beef. This was objectionable to Hindus and all vegans.

Devotees of Sai, of course, believe that all the various religious paths all lead to the same Divinity and it all comes down to showing love to all creation - especially one fellow beings. She said that with music one communicated directly with the divinity and with all humanity. Gillespie, having never visited Guyana before and having no knowledge of her ancestor’s connection with Guyana, said she felt at home when she landed.

“As my feet hit the soil, I said to one of the guys picking me up, I said I feel so at home here, so comfortable. It was dark; I had nothing to judge it by. Something happened to my soul, the moment my feet hit the soil,” she explained.

In her final parting comment, Dana Gillipsie promised she would have to return to Guyana.

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Sugar & sacrifice

xcept for the country’s First Nations, we are all here because of sugar. Our fore parents’ arrival on May 5, 1838 was the first of many voyages across the kalapani that brought 239,909 indentured labourers from South and Northeast India by the time the indentureship programme was ended by an Act of Parliament in India on March 12, 1917.

This year marks the centenary of that abolition and the date will be commemorated by Indian diaspora communities around the world. Guyana’s Indian Ryhaan Shah community will be part of the global events that will include religious observances, cultural shows, conferences and symposiums.

Our families, wherever they are today, all stand on the shoulders of the earliest labourers, that immigrant generation who worked on the sugar plantations for a pittance of a wage.

They lived in the logies and worked in the fields doing the backbreaking work and, like the African slaves before them, rose up in revolt for various reasons. These included wage disputes, disagreements over task work, the sexual exploitation of Indian women, and the overbearing behaviour of the overseers.

The idea of Indian docility is belied by the strikes and disturbances that numbered over 100 during the indentureship period and which resulted in the death of some 41 labourers and injuries to many more.

The first recorded disturbance occurred at Plantation Leonora in July 1869 when the shovel gang complained that wages were being withheld because they could not complete a job on waterlogged soil. A confrontation between armed Police and the labourers was avoided, but the ringleaders were arrested, convicted and imprisoned at the Mazaruni penal settlement.

The following year, violence erupted at Plantations Hague, Zeelugt, Vergenoegen, Uitvlugt, Success and Nonpareil, and in 1872, a major disturbance occurred at Plantation Devonshire Castle.

This time, the colonial Police opened fire. Five were killed and several seriously injured. The dead were: Maxidally, Beccaroo, Kaulica, Baldeo and Ackloo. They were the first Indian labourers to lose their lives in the fight for workers’ rights.

In October 1896, another five were killed and several wounded by Police during a strike at Nonpareil. In 1903, six were killed and seven wounded at Plantation Friends, and in 1912, at the same plantation, one worker was killed. He was shot by the manager, RE Brassington, who was charged, but subsequently acquitted of the murder.

A year later, and just four years before the Abolition Act was passed, on March 13, 1913, resistance by Indian labourers at Plantation Rose Hall ended in carnage when the Colonial Police killed 15 and injured 39 in what was perhaps the deadliest outcome of any indenture-era revolt in the Caribbean.

The dead were: Badri, Bholay, Durga, Gafur, Jugai, Juggoo, Hulas, Lalji, Motey Khan, Nibur, Roopan, Sadulla, Sarjoo, Sohan, and a lone woman, Gobindei.

In 1939, at Plantation Leonora, a weeder named Sumintra, identified as a ringleader, was among three labourers who were shot dead during a protest for better wages and lighter tasks for pregnant field workers.

The next deadly confrontation occurred at Enmore on June 16, 1948 when five labourers were killed while demonstrating for better working conditions, fair wages, and for the recognition of a trade union of their choice.

The dead were: Lallabagee Kissoon, Pooran, Rambarran, Dookhie, and Hari. This tragedy has become better known because this was the brutal injustice that brought the young Dr Cheddi Jagan into politics as a champion for workers’ rights.

The colonial carnage continued even until 1964 when on March 6 at Leonora Estate, Kowsilla was mowed down by a tractor during a strike. The tractor driven by a scab was ordered to clear the bridge blocked by the strikers.

Kowsilla bravely stood her ground. She was crushed to death and 14 other women were seriously injured.

African slaves and Indian labourers fought valiantly for justice. Many paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives in the struggle. They are our heroes.

Sugar has been our country’s lifeblood for centuries. It has shaped us like no other industry and is the very reason for the birth of this country we all call home.

Yet the Granger Government seems able to casually toss it aside along with the thousands of mainly Indian Guyanese sugar workers still on the estates today.

This shows a clear disregard and heartlessness for an industry that, more than any other, contributed to our country’s development.

Even if it faces a natural demise, there must be honour and dignity in its dismantling and in the treatment of the workers for history’s sake and for the sake of our heroes and their legacy of courage.

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

Scotiabank loses $243M in loan losses … slashes non-performing loans by 50%

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cotiabank Guyana has managed to cut its losses from loans, including bad loans by almost half when comparisons are made between last year and 2015’s figures. This is according to the Canadianbased institution’s condensed financial statements for the period up to October 2016.

The statements have to be published on a quarterly basis as stipulated by the Bank of Guyana’s supervision guideline No 10, which deals with Public Disclosure of Information.

While Scotiabank suffered a loan loss expense of $446.9 million in 2015, that figure totalled $243.7 million for last year.

The loan loss expense field covers the cost the bank attracts when loans are non-performing. It is normally associated with customers defaulting on loans or renegotiated loans that may translate to lower yields.

Collectively, the Bank’s net income for the year 2016 amounted to $2.4 billion.

This is also a positive indicator for Scotiabank, as their net income for 2015 was $2.1 billion. Tax expenses cost the bank over $1.7 billion for 2016, compared to $1.5 billion the previous year. In addition to loan loss, the bank’s expenses included money which went to salaries and benefits, premises and technology, communication and marketing campaigns, as well as other unspecified expenses. This amounted to $3.1 billion, an increase compared to 2015’s $3 billion figure.

Last year, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had issued a warning to the Guyana Government. Among its concerns had been non-performing loans.

According to the IMF, there was need for heightened vigilance due to increases in non-performing loans. Welcoming the changes to credit reporting legislation, they had encouraged the authorities to continue to strengthen the financial sector’s supervision.

It had also suggested tightening provisioning requirements, large exposure limits, restrictions on certain lending policies and loan classification rules.

Bank of Guyana Governor, Dr Gobind Ganga had told media operatives at a press conference following the warning that the elevated level of non-performing loans, comparable to the levels in the Caribbean, was due largely to the decline in non-oil commodity prices and reclassification of exposes by a few banks.

Dr Ganga had stated that non-performing loans represented about 11.3 per cent of the industry’s total credit portfolio, which was

about 1.3 per cent above the end-December 2015 level. He estimated some $28

non-performing loans are usually fully collateralised with safeguards set up by

remain the focus of intense scrutiny by the Bank of Guyana as we continue to

billion in non-performing loans.

Moreover, the BoG Head pointed out that these

banks. Nevertheless, he noted that this issue is among top priority of the bank.

“Non-performing loans

monitor and encourage financial institutions to implement measures to reduce this level of non-performing loans.”

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2 rescued Younge’s Take during Essequibo That third-term ruling Coast TIP raid

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wo women were rescued on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) when Police, in collaboration with the Trafficking in Person (TIP) unit, conducted a raid in the region.

Following the raid, two persons were also arrested and are under investigation for TIP as Police conducted a raid in the region. One of those in custody is a popular shop proprietor, while the other is a speedboat operator from Supenaam. It is alleged they lured two females at Airy Hall, Essequibo Coast.

Reports are at about 18:00h the two women, ages 15 and 24, were rescued at the Airy Hall bar where they were allegedly forced to work. Both women were taken to the Suddie Public Hospital for a medical examination.

Investigations are ongoing.

This incident follows one occurring in January 2017, when eight alleged victims, some of whom were Spanish nationals, were rescued during two operations conducted on the East Bank and West Demerara by the CounterTrafficking in Persons (C-TIP) Unit of the Social Protection Ministry.

According to the 2016 TIP report, Guyana is a source and destination for men, women and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labour, in the interior mining communities as well as urban areas. The Government of Guyana does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however it is making significant efforts to do so.

uyana’s Court of Appeal recently ruled that the twoterm limit which was inserted into the Constitution after amendments by the Parliament, to curtail the amount of times someone serving as President of Guyana can be re-elected, was unconstitutional.

The bottom line was a referendum was needed so that Parliament could make such a complex alteration to the Constitution simply by a twothirds majority, despite the recommendations of the bipartisan Constitutional Reform Committee of 2000/2001.

This landmark and historic ruling by a majority of the Judges who presided over the case brought by Cedric Richardson, now effectively widens the populace’s choice as far presidential candidates are concerned, while protecting Michael Younge their sovereign and democratic rights.

In fact, it paves the way for the return of Bharrat Jagdeo to the presidency in 2020 if the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) believes that he is the candidate that could propel them back into Office with a majority. Jagdeo would have to first agree in principle that he is interested in being re-elected to Office, despite his recent decisions to return to active politics, and stand for elections as the PPP’s General Secretary after being nominated on the floor of the Party’s January Congress.

He would also have to prepare his mind for the no doubt insurmountable challenges that lie ahead and the neverending attacks on his character, previous tenure, and political stock which will be accelerated by the current regime and its public relations pundits.

It is therefore not passing strange that those who have for long hated the idea of Jagdeo’s return or the PPP’s return to power following the controversial and nightmarish elections of 2015, have resurfaced following the ruling by the Appeals Courts. Before the ink dried on the ruling, agents from ruling A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and its Coalition partner, the Alliance For Change (AFC) were out and about peddling falsities and misinformation aimed at besmirching the character of the Judges who presided over the case hoping that somehow Guyanese at home and abroad who feel that the ruling was bad in law, compromised or flawed.

No lesser a person that People’s National Congress (PNC) loyalist Emile Mervin in his letter to the Stabroek News on February 25, 2016, under the caption “The pieces of Jagdeo’s jig-saw puzzle are falling into place”, sought to suggest that a majority of the people were fearful of Jagdeo’s return to the presidency given his track record, whom he likened to Forbes Burnham’s. He said that the PPP won elections by depending on the numerical strength of its predominantly Indian support base and that sugar workers from that base were also fearful of this “comeback kid”.

Mervin could not be residing in Guyana and if he were, he could not be more wrong. Perhaps it would be good for those persons who share the same mind-set and thinking as Mervin to take a trip around the country in order to listen to the views of the masses. They would find that Jagdeo’s support is growing, despite the continued attacks on his person by the APNU/AFC machinery and talks about jail time and some scheme hatched by him to siphon off State assets before sharing them amongst a select group of businessmen and political allies.

Surely, Mervin knows that the support that the current Government enjoyed in 2011 and 2015 has dwindled not because of Jagdeo’s action, but its own action, inaction, incompetence and divisive politics. The APNU/AFC Government has given Guyanese more reasons not to trust the new kid on the block and to become more resentful of sweet talking politicians, and those who preach ethnic politics under the guise of political enlightenment as well as ethnic solidarity. Also, Jagdeo enjoys more support than other politicians including those who were expelled and resigned in high drama from the PPP to pursue their ambitions with the APNU/AFC grouping amongst Guyanese of mixed and African descent.

Many felt if he had not left the scene in 2011, notwithstanding the PPP’s right to choice its own Presidential Candidate in the person of Donald Ramotar who performed well in the midst of an opposition-engineered crisis during his tenure, the PPP would have not lost its majority or ended up in Opposition. Youths across this country are longing for Jagdeo’s return or the emergence of someone who possesses his frankness and economic competence if nothing else regardless if they are from urban or rural hubs.

The Government and its no doubt learned Attorney General is free to appeal the case at the level of the Caribbean Court of Justice as they said they will do but this would only cement further what is already carved out in stone. The pieces of the current Government’s jig-saw puzzle is falling out of place as Jagdeo is slowly unravelling them because the APNU/AFC regime can fool the some of the people, all of the time but not all of the people, all of the time.

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Linden Councillor walks out of statutory meeting

By U tamu Belle

shifting the law?” he asked the Council. He further stated that the meeting has always been at 14:00h on the last Wednesday of every month. Gasper said while the Council agreed to change the time, it failed to put it to a vote, which is the right thing to do according to law.

He went on to describe the way in which the meet-

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ver the past months, statutory meetings of the Municipality of the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC) have hardly been uneventful, often times with high drama between the Mayor and Councillors.

On Wednesday, Councillor Lennox Gasper lashed out at the Council for hosting what he described as an "unlawful" meeting.

The meeting was chaired

by Deputy Mayor Waneka Arindell, in the absence of Mayor Carwyn Holland, who arrived sometime after due to another engagement. This newspaper understands that the meeting, which is normally hosted at the stipulated time of 14:00h, was rescheduled to 10:00h by the Council, in an effort to facilitate the hosting of Mashramani and Flag Raising activities.

However, Gasper, who arrived late to the meeting which only got under-

Councillor Lennox Gasper

way sometime after 11:00h said he received a call at 10:33h stating that the meeting was called off. He contended that according to law, the meeting was called off half an hour after the time set out by the agenda, adding that there was no prior meeting to facilitate the 10:00h change.

According to Gasper, he was then called again at 10:59h where he was told that there had again been a shift in the time. ”We’re shifting the time. Are we

ing was set up as “lawlessness”, “haphazard” and “late”.

In defending the Council, Councillor Fern McKoy stood up and stated that while Gasper was correct with what he was saying, she noted that at the same time it was her hope that he could understand that because of the nature and importance of

the meeting, the Council had decided to proceed.

“And we have our Mashramani celebrations… our Flag Raising ceremony which we want to accommodate and we have revellers who I think have to practice and all of that. So, my goodly colleague, I hope you understand… that we’re only facilitating this statutory

because of the events…” she said.

This explanation clearly did not sit well with Gasper, who then walked out of the meeting after thanking the Deputy Mayor. Later, he told this publication that statutory meetings have rules and procedures, all of which had been broken by the Council on Wednesday.

Albouystown duo remanded for robbery under arms …allegedly trailed victims from city banks

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wo men, who robbed a man after he left a city bank, were remanded to prison when they appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly.

Mark Prince and Regan Singh both denied the charge, which alleged that on February 17, 2017, at Commerce streets, Georgetown, they robbed virtual complainant (VC), Herman Bello of $488,000 while being armed with a gun.

According to the Prosecution’s case, the VC had just left a Carmichael Street bank, and was proceeding to his vehicle, which was parked on Lamaha Street, when he was pounced upon by Prince, who pointed a gun at him and demanded his bag. According to the Prosecution’s case, Bello in fear for his life, handed over the bag containing the money, two cellular phones and his passport. The man

then reportedly made good his escape, jumping into a waiting car which was reportedly driven by Singh.

An alarm was raised following the incident and the alleged getaway car was intercepted by Police officers along with the two occupants. The items were discovered in the said car and the men were taken to the Police Station. The VC positively identified Prince as the individual who robbed him.

The duo of Albouystown was remanded to prison and will return to court on March 10.

The court was also told that a second charge of a similar offence will be brought against Prince shortly. For that charge, he was reportedly identified as the gunman who robbed Gobin Sukhnandan of $365,000 at Blygezigt after trailing him another city bank on January 21.

news

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SunDAY, february 26, 2017 | guyanatimesGY.com

Anna's

Sophia residents called to reclaim dignity of community

The demon they …as water, roads, power supply commissioned promised to fight W

E

very year, Guyanese look forward to Mashramani as a day of celebration in unity. This year’s anticipation however, dampened under a Coalition that seems intent on breaking the Guyanese spirit of festivity.

In the first year of its mandate, the coalition Government scrapped Mashramani to accommodate the Jubilee celebrations (except for the children’s parade) while in its second year, President Granger tried to ban alcohol on the regime’s new and unpopular last-minute parade route. And as if to mock the moroseness and stagnation of all aspects Anna Correia of current life in society, heavy rainfall shrouded the country in dismal grey, sapping the joy out of the day’s festivities and reducing the numbers of the habitual Mash crowd. Is Mashramani now cursed?

What could drive President Granger into deciding that alcohol should be prohibited on the Mash route is an intrigue.

Perhaps it is the voluntary alcoholism of several high-ranking Coalition members, which pushed him to make such an irrational pronouncement. But if fighting alcoholism is what the President intended, then the better solution would have been to launch a permanent public campaign aimed at reducing the dangers of alcoholism, including during Mashramani, instead of diabolising Guyanese who consume alcoholic beverages and affecting local businesses in the process. The better solution would also involve setting the example within his own Government ranks, but unfortunately, the paradigm of governance in the Coalition is based on the principle of flagrant hypocrisy.

Radicalism and the lack of strategic planning for human and socioeconomic development are what best define the Coalition’s vision. It is a Coalition which, with each passing day, gradually morphs Guyana from a developing democracy to an autocratic State reflective of the will of corrupt leaders; leaders who are either inexperienced in governing a free country or experienced only in running a dictatorship. And it is this unabashed disregard for democracy displayed every single day in Guyana by leaders nationwide, that is demonstrative of the inherent hypocrisy which dictates the not-so-national decisionmaking process under the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC).

Such is the case of pleading against the corruption of the former administration to win votes, but excelling at the art of corruption, while barely making an effort to dissimulate thieving hands in the Coalition. The parking meter fiasco is particularly interesting in this regard, especially since it illustrates the Coalition’s utter lack of respect for democracy, the rule of law, and the people.

Such is also the case of pretending to be a national unity Government when in reality, ethnic discrimination is prevalent in the public sector and in the policies which devastated the traditional agriculture sector, impoverishing thousands of East Indian families. It is also important to observe the growing display of racism by the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) against the Portuguese business community which is now part of the parking meter protest.

The anti-poor, anti-growth policies which continue to deepen the fissures of social disparities across Guyana and ravage businesses are equally synonymous of the hypocrisy of this “national unity Government”, which eventually forced the Private Sector Commission (PSC) to speak out against the absurdities of the regime. The PSC has rightfully acknowledged that the entire country is on a downward spiral due to harsh tax policies and economic measures which when cobbled with the removal of social welfare programmes, have reduced the people’s purchasing power and practically stunted the economy.

But imbibed with its usual arrogance, the Government remains unapologetic and in denial of its trespasses against the country, dubbing all who stand against its blatant corruption, discrimination and autocratic leadership, as being biased. In so doing it continues to turn its back on Guyanese, bulldozing its way to fulfil its agenda while politicising every institution in the country for its own profit.

In less than two years the Coalition assaulted the accomplishments of decades of development – human development initially stalled by 28 years of dictatorial rule which when inherited by a future administration, might reveal to be irreversible with long-lasting detrimental effects and little resources left to provide remedies.

In reality, the PNC-led APNU/AFC regime has proven itself to be the very demon against which it promised to fight during its 2015 Presidential Campaign.

Contact sundayarrow@gmail.com

ith improved infrastructure and seemingly upward move for an improve way of life, residents of Sophia, Greater Georgetown, have been called upon to reclaim the dignity of the community.

President David Granger made the call on Friday when he joined with the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) and the Public Infrastructure Ministry to commission the Sophia water production and distribution, and upgraded infrastructural works (roads and power supply).

Between water supply and road works over a twoyear period, some $865 million was pumped into the community, with additional works slated to continue.

Community members gathered at the new highway double corner, where President Granger and other Government officials addressed them.

Expressing his satisfaction at the progress made so far, Granger urged residents to work towards reclaiming the dignity of the community, which he said was eroded overtime. He said Sophia is known to be an urban legend and a “saga of suffering,

Narco trafficking accused remanded

A

carpenter of Number Two Village, West Coast Berbice, who reportedly had 450 grams of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking was remanded to prison.

Quincy Anthony, 29, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to the charge which alleged that on February 22 at Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara, he had in his possession a quantity of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

Bail was denied and the defendant will return to court on March 9.

President David Granger cuts the ribbon to commission the new water production and distribution system at Sophia on Friday

struggle and survival.” And while it is the largest ward in Georgetown with over 21,000 residents, it is in fact the poorest.

“But do not believe that Sophia is a slum; do not tell yourself that Sophia is a shantytown, or a squatter settlement, it is part of Georgetown,” he told he residents. He said Sophia must reclaim and establish its dignity, by building a community spirit. “You have the size, you have the talent and we will help you to get the resources,” he promised.

The President said that Sophia, which was once said to be the “greenbelt”, has over the last 36 years seen much degeneration.

President Granger said Sophia has to stop being a collection of people from across the country and become a community of people, “a place where you children and old folks will be happy.”

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of the GWI, Dr Richard Van-West Charles, told residents that the mission of GWI remains “to deliver safe, adequate

and affordable water and to ensure safe sewerage systems for improved public health and sustainable economic development.”

The new water production and distribution system supplying the community was completed at a cost of some $44 million.

Also speaking at the commissioning ceremony was Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson who reported a sum of $825 million over a 21-month period being used for the rehabilitation of the ring road in the community.

He said he was pleased to be associated with the provision of lights and roads.

He said there are still much more to be done as there are several cross streets in the community that need to be done.

Following the official ceremony, President Granger and his team walked a stretch of the ring road before turning on to the water production and distribution system where he cut the ribbon.

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sunDAY, february 26, 2017 | guyanatimesGY.com

Inaugural safari underway in Moraikobai

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uyana’s beauty will once again be seen as the inaugural Moraikobai 4×4 Sand Safari was officially sent off from the Avenue of the Republic, at the Rainforest Tours’ Office, despite the inclement weather.

A convoy of 10 vehicles departed at 07:00h on Friday for the indigenous village of Moraikobai, the newest route for a 4x4 safari excursion, organised by Rainforest Tours.

According to Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Indranauth Haralsingh, the Moraikobai Sand Safari was birthed from a scoping mission that was facilitated by the GTA in December. The scoping exercise saw a number of reputable tour operators participating, but it was Rainforest Tours that decided to offer a 4×4 safari to Moraikobai. The indigenous community, in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) has tremendous tourism potential.

The safari team will encounter a sand trail which begins at the Linden/Soesdyke Highway junction and allows for the team to enjoy an adventurous ride as they watch the terrain change from clay to sand. In addition, there is the adventurous aspect of getting stuck and having to find alternative routes to the village.

There are shallow creeks that the safarians will have to cross and conquer before arriving at Moraikobai, Haralsingh said.

“The drive to Moraikobai will allow the visitor to see many species of birds, enjoy wildlife spotting and access several fishing hotspots,” the GTA Director explained.

Haralsingh said that the sand safari presents an opportunity for adventure seeking visitors to experience a different atmosphere and

Vehicles in the convoy

terrain from what can be encountered during the Rupununi Safari. The Moraikobai Safari, which is being held from February 24 to 26, is an ideal adventure trip for persons desirous of a getaway to enjoy an exciting, tranquil, adventurous and culturally enriched experience.

As part of the experience, the team will also be donating a number of books which will aid in the creation of a library for the community; an initiative of the GTA. The library will help the children of Moraikobai to have easier access to school books, tourism publications and novels, among a wide variety of other books.

The GTA will be facilitating other exploratory missions to areas deemed to have tourism potential for the development of short safaris, including the town of Bartica, Mahdia and Wiruni.

The GTA is encouraging locals and visitors to discover and explore Guyana through these safaris.

20 NEWS

SunDAY, february 26, 2017 | guyanatimesGY.com

UG branch to open on Essequibo Coast

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egion Two (PomeroonSupenaam) Chairman Devanand Ramdatt has announced that currently, the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) is presently in negotiations with the University of Guyana to establish a branch of the tertiary institution within the region.

Ramdatt was at the time speaking at the flag raising ceremony held at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground to mark Guyana’s 47th Republic anniversary.

He said he met recently with a team from the University of Guyana and possible options were explored.

The Regional Chairman said a branch of the University of Guyana will provide oppor-

tunities, as well as avenues for young people to enhance their qualifications. He has also acknowledged publicly during his brief address that youth employment is a major challenge within the region; as such, the RDC is tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that youths are qualified and can become more marketable in the competitive world of work.

Addressing the gathering at the flag raising ceremony in the presence of Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix, the Chairman also lobbied for a cultural centre and a agro-processing facility to be established within the region.

Speaking on the country’s Republic status, Ramdatt

said those great leaders; Dr Cheddi Jagan and Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, were visionaries who fought during the struggle for Guyana to become an independent nation and therefore called on all Essequibians to practice their civic duties as citizens for a better Region Two. Ramdatt also called for persons working in the productive sector to be respected, noting that Region Two is an important region for the development of Guyana.

“Don’t preach unity, practice” Ramdatt also echoed called for the Government to work in cohesive efforts for national unity as opposed of using forums to preach unity,

“ I must make it known that there was never a time at the RDC that we have ever been divided on development issues”.

The Regional Chairman further stated that it is his desire for Region Two to be a clean region, not physically but from all social ills, in-

cluding domestic violence and suicide.

He also used the opportunity to lobby for better conditions and opportunities for rice farmers within the region and for a careful assessment to be made in the rice industry.

“We cannot ignore that

the Region Two economy is not struggling, there were a lot of people who were flooded, therefore 80 per cent of 50,000 persons depend on rice. We therefore need a careful assessment in the industry, rice farmers need help,” Ramdatt said. (Indrawattie Natram)

GGMC to continue sensitisation on safe mining practices

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he Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) continues to sensitise miners on safe mining practices as part of its 2017 work plan.

Acting Commissioner of the GGMC, Newell Dennison, said the regulatory body had intensified awareness on safe mining practices to curb incidences of mining deaths last year.

“This year we have to amplify our information and our ability to interact if we are going to avoid having people do some of the same things they continue to do to avoid fatalities,” Dennison told the Government Information Agency.

Special emphasis will be placed on occupational, safety and health and good mining practices. “We’ve got to get that message out: don’t undercut without clearing and de-bushing, don’t get too close to the pit wall

and those things,” Dennison explained.

Miners have made requests to Minister within the Natural Resources Ministry Simona Broomes for more targeted workshops on “the dos and don’ts” of mining to help them improve their practices. The Minister has been travelling the country promoting the syndicate project.

Meanwhile, Dennison is reminding miners that the information they seek on mining practices can also be obtained from any of the GGMC’s mine stations or its headquarters in Georgetown.

The information is free of cost.

At the end of 2016, a total of seven mining deaths were recorded in the industry. The Government through the Natural Resources Ministry has been working assiduously to ensure that mining deaths are minimised in the industry.

sports

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Petra/ Milo u-18 Schools Football…

sunDAY, febRuary 26, 2017 | www.guyanatimesgy.com

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In the other match, North Ruimveldt Secondary went down to Buxton Youth Developers 5-0 with goals from the feet of Kifumbo Goodman (15th and 19th), Shamar Beckles (2nd), Teffrel Campbell (16th) and an own goal in the 61st.

Today, Kingstown Secondary clashes with St Mary’s from 11:00h, followed

by Tucville and Charlestown from 12:30h. Former champs Lodge Secondary will then

oppose East Ruimveldt from 14:00h, after which Morgan’s Learning Centre face St John’s College.

Thirty-two secondary schools across Georgetown are competing for the $500,000 first prize, while second, third and fourth place finishers will pocket $300,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respectively, that will go towards a school project.

Leguan Secondary to victory

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Tyrone Singh (left) and Tyrese Souvenir

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G

oals by Tyrone Singh and Tyrese Souvenir orchestrated Bishops’ High School 2-1 victory over Ann’s Grove Secondary on Saturday afternoon, as the Petra Organised Milo Schools Under-18 Football Championships continued at the Ministry of Education Ground, Caifesta.

In soggy conditions due to the pouring rain, Singh netted in the 54th followed

by Souvenir in the 60th to lead the Carmichael Street unit to their first win after Shemar McPherson had scored in the 12th minute.

Similarly, Masters Academy continued their masterful run as they hammered St. Roses’ High 8-1 via a hat-trick from Calvin Peters who etched his name on the score sheet in the 11th, 44th, and 62nd.

Andel Smith supported with goals in the 37th and 64th while Derwyn George (28th), Randy Smart (51st) and Kareem Caines (59th) being the other marksmen; Joel Morrison 22nd was the scorer for the losers.

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By Ravi Madholall

R

ight-arm medium-pacer Romario Shaw snared six wickets for 12 runs from his allotted three overs to spur Leguan Secondary to a comprehensive five-wicket win in the Essequibo zone nationwide 30-over competition on Friday.

It was the continuation of the 2016/2017 Guyana Cricket Board National School Cricket League tournament.

In a game which was reduced to 15 overs per side because of early morning showers, Leguan Secondary won the toss and invited Parika Salem Secondary to take first strike on a pitch with heavy moisture.

The visitors only reached an inadequate 90-8 off the 15-overs, while Leguan Secondary responded with 91-5 in the penultimate over. Despite Shaw taking wickets with a great amount frequency, Baldeo Singh showed some resilience by scoring 30 runs from 49 deliveries which counted two fours.

When Leguan Secondary chased down the target, Naresh Ragubeer scored an unbeaten 31 laced with three fours while Shaquille Trim chipped in with 14. Wasim Mohamed grabbed two wickets for 13 runs from his

Leguan Secondary School captain Malcolm Cesar (left) receives the winning trophy from Zaheer Zakier, the scorer

three off-spin overs, bowling for the losing combination. Meanwhile, Teacher/ Coach of Leguan Secondary School Viren Chintamani told Guyana Times Sports that the weather was terrible earlier in the day preventing a prompt start, but said the ground staff did a commendable job to ensure play was possible for the maximum 30-overs.

He also explained that his side played good cricket but the batsmen specifically needed to show better application even though they were the triumphant side. “Obviously, I satisfied with the result but I think the guys need to be more determined and batted longer;

yes, it was a shortened game but we need our batsmen to be there not losing five wickets to reach 90 runs,” Chintamani commented.

With Leguan Secondary set to clash with Wakenaam Secondary soon at a venue to be announced, Chintamani expressed confidence the guys will continue to churn out more winning games and keep advancing to next round.

The Essequibo District Zone winners will clash with one of Demerara two top teams shortly. The country-wide final is also set for March 3 to be played at the famous international facility, the Georgetown Cricket Club ground, Bourda.

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guyanatimesgy.com

sundAY, february 26, 2017

Petra/Limacol Round-robin Knock-out Football…

T

Semi-finals shifted to tonight at GFC

he semi-finals of the second annual Petra Organised Limacol Robin- robin Knock-out Football Tournament which were initially slated for Friday has been shifted to tonight at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC), Bourda.

The two matches will pit Western Tigers against Santos from 21:00 hrs, with the earlier match being Guyana Police Force and Winners Connection from 19:00 hrs.

Western Tigers have played unbeaten throughout the entire tourna-

So far, the group stage matches have been very competitive (Marceano Narine photo)

ment , and with their new signing such as Andrew Murray Jnr, Devon Millington, Linden Picket have given Coach Calvin Allen great stability when going either forward or defending. During the round-robin segment, they top their group netting six goals with just three being against.

For the Guyana Police FC, much will continue to be expected Dwain Jacobs and Quincy Holder, who have been in great goal scoring form. Though the lawmen have looked suspect when pressured by the opposition, going forward, they look a really dangerous unit, with Holder especially giving defenders headache by constantly switching from a center forward to left-winger in some matches.

For the other two semi-finalist, though they may not start as strong favorites ,

they both produced steely performances in the quarter-finals. Santos in particular were pushed to the limit by Mahaica Determinators to come from behind and win 2-1. Orlando Ricketts, Orin Yard, Dominque Bobb, and Job Caesar are some of the genuine threats on the ball but their downfall has been finishing the numerous chances they create.

Winner of the event will pocket $500,000 and a trophy while the second, third and fourth placed teams will receive $300,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respectively and the corresponding accolade.

To date, Banks DIH Limited under the GT Beer Brand, Trophy Stall and Star Party Rentals are the other companies that have thrown their support behind the championship.

Admission is $500

India v Australia, 1st Test, Pune, 3rd day

Burnham Memorial Race

Australia victory

3-stage winner to be crowned today

O’Keefe, Smith set up famous

F

ortress India has been sacked. Or should that be SOKed? Not since 2012 had India lost a Test at home, and rarely in that stretch of 20 matches had they even been held to a draw. Last time Australia toured India for Tests they were crushed 4-0. They entered this match having lost their past nine Tests in Asia. Not since 2004 and the days of Gilchrist, McGrath and Warne had Australia won a Test in India. Not even Nostradamus could have seen this result coming.

Australia not only beat India, they thrashed them. Humiliated them. On a dry, turning pitch that should have suited India’s spinners, Steven Smith scored the only hundred of the match and Steve O’Keefe holds up the ball after Steve O’Keefe took as many wickets as R Ashwin completing a five-for in the second innings © AFP and Ravindra Jadeja combined. So many, in fact, against O’Keefe: Kohli lost his off stump. Ajinkya that his 12 for 69 were the best figures ever by a Rahane followed by driving a catch to cover off visiting spinner in a Test on Indian soil. India were O’Keefe, and Ashwin was lbw on review when he humbled for 105 and 107; never had they scored pressed forward to O’Keefe and the ball struck so few in a home Test loss. pad fractionally before bat.

The match was over inside three days, Wriddhiman Saha came and went, also lbw Australia the victors by 333 runs. The series is still to an O’Keefe skidder, and straight after tea the alive, of course, but India have much to ponder last remaining top-six batsman, Cheteshwar over the next week, ahead of the Bangalore Test. Pujara, fell in more or less the same way. India It would be easy to look at pitch and suggest the kept playing for turn, O’Keefe kept rapping toss played a significant role, but that would be them in front with straight balls. Of course, that unfair to Australia, who outplayed India in all is oversimplifying things: he turned enough facets of the game, and more than doubled their deliveries to varying degrees that the straight totals in both innings. In any case, Australia had ones became the danger, when the batsmen won all four tosses back in 2013. expected turn that didn’t come.

No, this a was a victory based on outstanding By this stage, O’Keefe had 12 wickets for the left-arm spin from O’Keefe, whose accuracy and match and a realistic chance of overtaking Ian ability to turn some deliveries but not others Botham’s 13 as the best bowling by any visiting made him a constant threat; on a remarkable player in India. Instead, Lyon ran through the 109 from Smith in the second innings, which remaining three wickets (Cricinfo) some observers said was the best hundred they had seen; on fielding that was not quite flawless but not far off it. And, yes, on what looked from the Australia 1st innings 260 India 2nd innings (target: 441 outside like a mental capitulation India 1st innings 105 runs) from India’s batsmen in both Australia 2nd innings M Vijay lbw b O’Keefe 2 D Warner lbw b Ashwin 10 innings.

10 KL Rahul lbw b Lyon 0 Some late slogging from S Marsh lbw b Ashwin C Pujara lbw b O’Keefe 31 109 Mitchell Starc, who hit three S Smith* lbw b Jadeja b O’Keefe 13 V Kohli* c Vijay b Ashwin 19 P Handscomb sixes in his 30 off 31 balls, helped lift Australia to 285 and set India M Renshaw c Sharma b J Yadav 31 A Rahane c Lyon b O’Keefe 8 441 for victory. They would have M Marsh c †Saha b Jadeja 31 R Ashwin lbw b O’Keefe W Saha† lbw b O’Keefe 5 to break the all-time record for M Wade† c †Saha b UT Yadav 20 R Jadeja b Lyon 3 M Starc c Rahul b Ashwin 30 the highest successful chase in 5 J Yadav c †Wade b Lyon 6 Test history in order to keep their S O’Keefe c †Saha b Jadeja I Sharma c Warner b Lyon 0 N Lyon lbw b UT Yadav 13 unbeaten home streak alive.

0 U Yadav not out not out 2 O’Keefe broke through in J Hazlewood Extras (b 8, lb 4) 12 14 his first over when he skidded Extras (b 4, lb 9, nb 1) 107 285 Total (all out; 33.5 overs) one on to trap Vijay lbw, and in Total (all out; 87 overs) Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-16, 3-47, Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-23, 3-61, the next over Nathan Lyon spun 4-77, 5-89, 6-99, 7-100, 8-102, one in to strike KL Rahul in line 4-11, 5-169, 6-204, 7-246, 8-258, 9-102 , 10-107 9-279, 10-285 and another lbw was given. Both Bowling: Ashwin 28-3-119-4, Bowling: Starc 2-2-0-0, Lyon openers asked for reviews, but Jadeja 33-10-65-3, Yadav 14.5-2-53-4, O’Keefe 15-4-35-6, neither were successful.

13-1-39-2, Yadav 10-1-43-1, I Hazlewood 2-0-7-0 The wicket of Virat Kohli Sharma 3-0-6-0 embodied India’s uncertainty

SCOREBOARD

- stages 2 and 3 ride off today

By Romario Samaroo

T

he final two stages of the 7th Annual Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham Memorial race will ride off today.

With the first stage done and dusted, the second stage will be a journey beginning from Kara Kara on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway with the riders proceeding to the usual Georgetown finishing line in front of the National Sports Commission, Homestretch Avenue. This stage is expected to ride off from 09:00h as riders who are desirous of taking transportation provided will have to assemble in front of the finish line at 05:00h.

Meanwhile, the third and final stage will get underway later in the day from Homestretch Avenue. The riders will proceed to Belfield, East Coast Demerara and return to the place of origin for the finish.

With United We Stand’s Andrew Hicks recording his first victory in the senior category during the first stage of this event, in a time of one hour three minutes and 34 seconds (01:03:34) as the race got underway from New Amsterdam, Berbice and proceeding to Rose Hall, Corentyne before returning to the starting line for the finish.

Hicks will be furious heading into these two stages as he has not recorded a win since, but has been in the thick of things with the other riders.

In the spot light will be Hamzah Eastman of Team Cocos who is heading into these stages

We Stand United’s, Andrew Hicks

Linden Bauxite Flyers’, Shaquel Agard

with wins in the last two races under his belt.

Also amongst the top riders are Geron Williams of Continental, Team Coco’s Jamaul John and Stephano Husbands, Evolution’s Paul Nobrega and Orville Hinds, as well as Team Alanis’ Alonzo Ambrose and Linden Bauxite Flyer’s Shaquel Agard who won the national three stage races last year.

When the race began six years ago, it was done in the form of only one stage before expanding to two stages four years later and it finally expanded to the stage it is now.

The race has always been held in the month of February, the birth month of the late President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham and has always attracted a large field of cyclists from Georgetown, Linden and Berbice.

The winners will be rewarded with cash prizes for the 94th birth anniversary of the former President.

Last year it was Team Gillette Evolution who dominated the race with Raul Leal clocking in five hours, 54 minutes and five seconds (05:54:05) for the top podium spot. He led his club mates, Marlon ‘Fishy’ Williams and Orville Hinds on the podium to underline their dominance.

He won the first stage in Berbice, placed fourth in the second stage (Linden to Homestretch Avenue) and pedalled in second, the final stage from the National Cultural Centre to Belfield and back to win.Belfield and back to win.

Eastman

guyanatimesgy.com

sundAY, february 26, 2017

does it again!

- wins 26th R&R international 40-mile road race

By Romario Samaroo

F

or the second time this week it was or the second time this week it was Team Coco’s Hamzah Eastman who out sprinted a five-man pack as into the chequered flag to cop the coveted first place position.

Eastman did so in the 26th R&R International Ltd’s 40-mile road race on Saturday which used the common East Coast Demerara route beginning in front of the Ocean View Hotel heading up to Mahaica and back.

The talented youngster denied 35 other contenders and braved the heavy winds and showers to complete the journey in a

time of one hour 31 minutes and 36 seconds (01:31:36) as the five riders began the sprint from the University of Guyana access road.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sport, Eastman related that this is all part of his plans in aiming to become the number one rider by the end of the season, already having two wins under his belt.

He added that the race was a challenging one due to the severe change in weather since the last race which was hosted in Berbice and this was evident with a number of riders dropping out before even reaching quarter of the distance.

Eastman led his club mate to the line Jamaul John who came in second while

23

The winners take a photo op with the sponsors and organisers of the 26th R&R International 40-mile road race(Romario Samaroo photo)

Team Evolution’s Michael Anthony took the final podium spot. Continental rider, Geron Williams rode on fourth as Linden Bauxite Flyers’ Shaquel Agard cross the finish line fifth ahead of Alonzo Ambrose and Andrew Hicks in sixth and seventh respectively. The team Coco’s pair collected all six primes going three apiece.

Meanwhile in the juniors’ category, Curtis Dey notched up the win ahead of the Berbice duo of Jason Cameron and Adealie Hodge in that order while Ozia McOlly won the Mountain Bike division.

In the Veterans unit, once again it was last year’s best veteran rider Team Coco’s Junior Niles who secured the victory as he

was trailed by Team Alanis’ Paul Choo-weenam and Evolution’s Stephen Fernandes while Carlton Wheelers’ Jaikaran Sookhai claimed the fourth position.

Speaking at the event was race organiser, National Cycling Coach Hassan Mohamed who extended much gratitude to the sponsor of the event Jacob Rambarran for sponsoring the event for over two decades while it is touted that next year the event could be extended. In addition to that, the coach urged the riders to remain in steady competition but also promote the team effort like approach that the sport supports as he outlined the ram packed schedule for cycling activities over the next few weeks.

Guyanese racers dominate 1st Grand Prix

Guyanese Kristian Jeffrey pulls off three resounding victories on Friday evening in the featured Shifter Kart Pro

By R avi M adholall

A

s was expected because of their familiarity with the track, Guyanese racers dominated the inaugural Motorsports GT Grand Prix which was held on Friday evening at the Motor Racing and Sports Club, in the Capital City, Georgetown. Fans turned out in their numbers to witness some of the country’s finest Go-Kart racers display their skills and thrills in the various categories.

The talented Kristian Jeffrey emerged as the winner in all three allotted races in the featured Shifter Karts Pro Cup.

Despite getting some keen rivalries from his competitors, Jeffery was still able to stamp his authority from the commencement of this race. Several times, the two-time Caribbean Group Four champion led a huge distance. His Guyanese compatriot Elliott Vierra picked up two seconds and a third to be the second best, while Barbadian and Orry Hunte grabbed a second position and a third place to be among the top three in that category.

In the less intense division of the 4-stroke Easy (heavy), Shane Seebarran surged to the two wins, while Rameez Mohamed came in second on both occasions.

Third-place

spot went to Raymond Seebarran and Haniff Mohamed one time each.

Trinidadian Bridget Singh emerged victorious with two victories in the 125cc senior category while Mikail Persaud drove home with two wins in the junior category. Stephon Jeffrey and Terry Singh each had a second place position to complete this category.

Singh may count herself lucky after Matthew Phang, who was leading with a vast gap, suffered mechanical problems in the dying stages of the race and had to pull out. In the 60cc race, Jeremy Tenpow shared the chequered flag two times

with Nathan Rahaman.

In the same division, Paieg Mendonca, Tustin Tenpow and Rahaman came in with a second each. Ravi Singh, the father of Bridget, shared a first each with Stephen Viera and Canadian Daryl Timmers in the 4-Stroke Easy Cup (light), while Vierra grabbed two second positions and Ravi one.

Meanwhile, John Chin, one of the organisers for the night’s activity expressed delight with the way things would have unfolded throughout the night and its build up. He stated that it was a great opportunity for the youngsters to showcase their talent and enthusiasm at this meet. In addition to that, Chin also mentioned that he is anticipating growth with the G-karts and greater participation.

“I think it [is] quite encouraging for the youngsters on the track; I would believe there was that the driving would have been safe and sportsman ship and the track which was redone recently gave the racers the best out of it,” Chin told Guyana Times Sports during the night’s proceedings.

He also reserved special mention for GT Motorsports’ Chief Vishok Persaud, the brain child behind the event and acknowledged that everyone who supported and cooperated will share similar

sentiments.

The event, which was organised by GT Motorsports, received corporate support from Monster Energy Drink, Sun Burst Juices, Stag

Beer, Ray’s Motor Spares, Secure Innovations and Concepts, E-Networks, Superbet, Ocean Spray Hotel, BM Soat, Prem’s Electrical Store and Honda Powersports.

Trinidadian Bridget Singh with her trophies after emerging victorious in the 125cc senior category

Sports is no longer our game, it’s our business

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

Petra/Limacol Round-robin Knock-out Football…

Pg 22

Semi-finals

shifted to tonight at GFC

Western Tigers, Winners Collection, Santos and the Guyana Police Force will all be seeking to make it into the semi-final spots (Marceano Narine Photo)

Eastman does it again!

- wins 26th R&R international 40-mile road race

Pg 23

Team Coco’s Hamzah Eastman out sprints the five-man break-away to win (Romario Samaroo photo)

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Sunday February 26, 2017

Times

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Kanye West to launch makeup for men See story on page 12

Magazine Butterflies: Our critical pollinators

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Scenic Rupununi villages Page 8

The Guyana Digital Tent

HERITAGE LOST

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Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Creating an awareness of Georgetown being Guyanese (1868 – 1913) Page 10

A versatile accessory

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Art and Style

Wearable art

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2 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

FEBRUARY 26, 2017

Times Feature

A beloved, brief life leads to a lifetime of charity

K

eeping the memories of their beloved daughter alive, Kencil and Carolyn Joy Banwarie, both Guyanese, have founded the Emily Faith Charitable Organization (EFCO).

“Losing our three-dayold baby daughter, Emily Faith Joy Banwarie, and coping with that loss throughout the following year was the hardest thing my and wife and I had to go through. We wanted to honour her life by founding this charity. The Emily Faith Charitable Organization was officially launched at Emily’s one-year memorial service on August 6, 2016 in Simpsonville, South Carolina,” Kencil recalled in an interview with Sunday Times Magazine.

EFCO is a small registered non-profit charity with

and Guyana.

“We describe EFCO as the ‘little charity with a big heart’ for the very reason that we believe that our little gifts will make the world of a difference in someone’s life. Since we are a relatively new and small charity, we hope that our work will grow where we can impact more lives,” Kencil noted.

The charity’s main focus is directed towards meeting the needs of children, along with those parents whose children are in short and long term emergency care.

The work EFCO does is expressed in three initiatives, which Kencil and his team hope to do on a continuous basis. The “Spring Cleaner”, “Fall for Girls” and “care packages” initiatives are intended for shipment to Guyana.

The “Spring Cleaner” ini-

Many happy faces who have benefitted from the work of EFCO

Talking about the work of EFCO

a big vision based in South Carolina, U.S.A. Its purpose is to engage in philanthropic endeavours directed towards the relief of children who live in low-income situations and underprivileged communities in the U.S.A.

tiative provides children’s clothing, shoes, books, and toys during the ‘spring’ and ‘summer’. Kencil explained that when ‘summer’ is almost over in the US, persons would “put up their summer clothing for warmer fall and

Kencil (right) shares EFCO's love with these children who are happy to receive footwear donated by the charity

winter clothing”.

EFCO tries to encourage persons to think about donating some of those clothing or ones their children may have outgrown.

These donated items make their way to communities along the Soesdyke-Linden

Highway and the Pomeroon River in Guyana.

The “Fall for Girls” initiative had a collection drive for specifically girls’ items, which EFCO plans to donate to a girls’ orphanage in Guyana.

Additionally, the charity currently donates care packages to two children’s hospitals in Greenville, South Carolina, US. These packages contain basic personal care items, snack bars, and a blanket. Kencil mentioned that the organisation plans on expanding this initiative to include more hospitals in the US and Guyana.

“Emily’s brief life spanned three days in the hospital before she passed away during surgery. Her passing was characterized by a certain silent strength, and we find comfort in the fact that her soul lives on in a more peaceful place, where there is no more suffering.

We find satisfaction that we can do something to honour

her memory so that her life wasn’t spent in vain.

“Losing a child has opened up a whole new world that includes battling with depression and anger, questioning faith and life’s purpose, and dealing with unending grief in a deep and personal way. Being put on this journey has also connected us with lots of other parents who have had to go through the devastating loss of their child, so we understand the immense struggle that their parents have to endure. We are fortunate to be supported by family, friends, and church members who have come alongside us throughout the pregnancy, and birth and death of Emily. Without them, we would have been worse off.

Paying forward the generosity that we received is also a major source of motivation that drives the work of our charity,” expressed Kencil.

Kencil is encouraging kind-hearted individuals to

join EFCO in its philanthropy work by making monetary donations or non-monetary items and services.

Visit www.emilyfaithcharity.org for more information.

“Most importantly, though, if someone has a desire to help out those who are less fortunate then I would say just go ahead and do it even if it’s not through our charity or any organisation. I’ve seen persons travel from Georgetown, walk through a highway trail just to spend a day at an orphanage, and that’s inspiring. It doesn’t matter how small you think your efforts are; you will make a difference in someone else’s life by just showing that you care about their wellbeing. Your little gifts can make a big difference. We are beyond blessed to be supported by our family and friends who help us to achieve our goals,” Kencil declared.

Items in one of EFCO's care packages

guyanatimesgy.com

FEBRUARY 26, 2017

Sunday Times Magazine

3

Times Feature

Entrance to CEIBA

By Dr. Gyanpriya Maharaj

F

lowering plants are stationary and so have a problem getting the sexes together for reproduction. Evolution solved this problem by employing animal, wind, and water as agents to get the sexes together.

All successful pollinators move pollen grains (sperm) from male structures (anthers) of a flower on a plant to stigmas (receptive female structures) on the same plant or another plant of the same species. This process, pollination, helps flowers to become fertilized, which permits development of seeds and fruits that we eat every day.

Although animal pollinators are very important, they are under assault worldwide, but especially in Neotropical countries―due to habitat loss―inappropriate conversion of forest and savannah lands for growing subsistence crops, mining and providing forage rangeland for cattle.

We (Dr. Godfrey R. Bourne and I) have followed population trends of lowland rainforest butterfly pollinators at CEIBA Biological Centre, Madewini, next door to Splashmin’s Ecocampground, for just over 10 years. We are alarmed by gradual reductions of population numbers and the increasing rarity of previously common species.

Most recently, we have focused our research attention on two passionflower butterfly species native to the CEIBA area in the subfamily Heliconiinae

(Nymphalidae),Heliconius melpomene (postman butterflies) and Dryas iulia (flame butterflies) that are currently under threat.

We specifically study the behaviour of these butterflies as they choose their nectar plants, by examining the re-

pathways, and is frequently observed feeding on sweet sage, Lantana camara.

Dryas iulia, or the flame butterfly, has bright orange wings with black margins. The males are typically brighter than females.

This species is usually found

Lantana camara (Photo by Gyanpriya Maharaj)

lationships among flower colour changes, nectar volume, and sugar concentration in wild type sweet sage (yellow, orange, red flowered type), Lantana camara, on pollinator visitation at CEIBA. We also focused on colour preferences of the butterflies, how changing flower colour and nectar food rewards affect butterfly-plant attraction, and butterfly feeding patterns in the wild.

Heliconius melpomene, or the postman butterfly, has black wings with a red blurred patch on its forewing and a yellow line on underside of its hind wing, which curves towards the posterior. This species is often seen singly along forest edges and

in second growth forest and are also often seen feeding on sweet sage.

Lantana camara, or sweet sage, is a common plant at CEIBA, found in open habitats. There are many horticulture varieties of Lantana that have small flowers in a variety of colours, which include white, yellow, orange, red and purple that are often mixed in the same cluster.

In our study we looked at butterfly feeding at wild-type Lantana, which has pink buds that open to become yellow flowers which change colour on day two to become orange, then red on day three and finally, scarlet on day four.

Common visitors to the bright Lantana flowers include ants, carpenter bees, honey bees, black and brown stingless bees, and wasps, but especially butterflies belonging to many families such that many Guyanese classify sweet sage as a butterfly bush.

What we have found

Dryas iulia (Photo by Godfrey R. Bourne)

We found evidence that sweet sage attracts pollinators by advertising its rewards of nectar with specific flower colours that change with time. Yellow flowers, which are the first to emerge from buds, have the greatest

nectar rewards. These yellow flowers on the sweet sage would then change colour to orange and then red, which offers less nectar. Finally, the flowers become scarlet and offer no food rewards.

We observed that the butterflies that we studied in the wild are attracted to flowers that are similar in colour to their wings, therefore the H. melpomene, with its red wings, were attracted to red flowers and the orange D. iulia were attracted to mainly orange flowers. Therefore, Lantana plants use its orange and red flowers to attract these butterflies from long distances.

However, after arriving at the plant, the butterfly would also feed on nectar rich yellow flowers that carry viable pollen grains, which are then transferred from one plant to the other as the butterfly moves, thereby facilitating pollination.

In addition to colour preferences, we also found that butterflies share their food patches with other butterflies and aggressive territorial hummingbirds, therefore, the butterfly species would change their feeding patterns by adjusting the number of visits to plants. Even the time spent feeding at these plants facilitates successful coexisting with their

Heliconius melpomene (Photo by Godfrey R. Bourne)

competitors.

Importance of butterfly research

Butterflies are not just beautiful flying creatures; they are very important pollinators that are very active during the day. Our butterfly species were the most important pollinator agents of sweet sage, and our observations suggest that they are for a host of forest species that have, orange, red, and yellow flowers.

However, regardless of their importance as pollinators, very little work has been done investigating their feeding and, by extension, their pollination and behaviours. Our research,

therefore, sheds light on interactions and complex communication between plants and their butterfly pollinators and provides valuable information on the natural environment as seen through the eyes of our Heliconiid butterflies.

Our research also sheds light on how changes in the habitat - for instance, behaviour of territorial competitors’ and food plant availability (disappearances/reappearances), both effects of habitat destruction - will affect the feeding behaviours and ultimately the survival of our study species. (Cover photos: Dryas iulia and Heliconius melpomene)

4

Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

FEBRUARY 26, 2017

Times Feature

Creating an awareness of being Guyanese

Professor Vibert Cambridge. He is also a recent recipient of Guyana’s Golden Arrow of Achievement, recognised for his years of work and “dedicated involvement in contributing to the preservation of Guyanese culture in Guyana and in the diaspora.”

“W

ho are we?

What has been our journey? What can we become?

And how do we get there?”

Those are the type of questions that may have guided the mission of the Guyana

Digital Tent, a website launched in May 2016 that provides information on Guyana: its culture and its history.

When the website was launched, its main aim, its founders said, was to provide links to materials about Guyanese history, national heritage and the experiences of Guyanese people.

In addition, being free of cost, the site initiators ensured the website would provide easy access to reading materials in the hope that it would assist reading literacy among Guyanese children, youth, and teenagers.

The mission statement, as declared on its website, is “To increase the diffusion of new knowledge regarding Guyana’s culture, history, and people.”

The virtual library was launched as part of the country’s jubilee celebrations in 2016.

In a recent email to Sunday Times Magazine, Dr Vibert Cambridge of the College of Communication Studies, University of Ohio said that the site was de-

Screenshot of homepage of the Guyana Digital Tent website

veloped during an academic semester by Ohio University students in the MDIA 4176/5176 course (Technology, Communication, and Culture) during Spring semester 2016.

The Ohio University’s School of Media Arts & Studies noted too that the content on the 50th Anniversary Webpage was produced by students in MDIA 4176/5176 (Professor Vibert Cambridge) and MDIA 1020: Media and the Creative Process (Associate Professor Eric Williams) for Guyana’s 50th anniversary of independence.

At the launching, Dr Cambridge had also spoken of the significant cooperation between students of the University of Guyana and the Ohio University.

The website was later handed over to the National Archives, who supported the UG students, as part of the plan for the website to be maintained here in Guyana.

This is in keeping with the aim for the website by the Ohio university.

The Guyana Digital Tent is an upgradable site and is expected to continue adding further information to keep up-to-date and relevant.

According to Dr Cambridge, responding to a question on the plans for the website, “Imagination is the limitation!”

Just recently, “a Guyanese resident in the USA enquired about donating digitized copies of “old” Guyanese publications. In the near future, the site should provide links to other specialized Guyanese websites—such as “Guyana Masquerade” which is being developed by the Guyana Cultural Association of New York, Inc.”, he added.

Within the many link sites of Guyana Digital Tent there are also links to other relevant information on the topic being discussed.

To date, the site displays a historical timeline of Guyana along with links to other historical and ethnographical resources.

Additionally, the site offers links to book sources and free online educational sources such as Project Gutenberg, a website providing free eBooks for online reading, and the Digital Public Library of America, among others.

The website also provides links to most local news media as well as international digitized newspapers. Access to local media is subjected to the publication’s subscription policies however.

In addition, the site links to the official Guyana Gazette, while a link to the Berbice Gazette is to be set up.

The website also provides links to websites of other local institutions and agencies related to research, documentation and education such as the National Trust, National Archives, the National Art Gallery at Castellani House, and the education ministry, for example.

Guyana Digital Tent also links to the crazykelvin website that features, among other things, biographies of famous Guyanese/persons of Guyanese heritage.

The site includes some of Guyana’s Parliamentary Speeches, which include speeches from late former presidents Cheddi Jagan, Desmond Hoyte and Forbes Burnham, provided by the Caribbean Press.

The page also offers a downloadable library from

Caribbean Press; this includes some titles from Guyana Classics and other Caribbean Press publications, provided by the kind permission of the authors.

There is also a “Slave database” with links to http:// www.slavevoyages.org, which provides other historical sources on the TransAtlantic Slave Trade. There is a link to UNESCO for indentureship records from a UNESCO project, “Memory of the World Register” as well.

The website also provides links to access “Other Class Projects” which relate to the website’s focus.

The site contains some MS Word documents and PDF formats, and also provides video of the relevant information, all in an easyto-use process.

The virtual library is just one venture for increasing Guyanese literacy and awareness however. Dr Cambridge noted other projects for Guyana: “Last semester (Fall 2016) a group of students developed the mobile app: UG— United Guyana. In addition, [at] the Guyana Cultural Association of New York, Inc. [we] are refining our work program for the 2017 Folk Festival season. We anticipate a site that will aggregate available information on our indigenous heritage.”

With such a wealth of information available on Guyanese history and culture on the Guyana Digital Tent, it is hoped that not just history students and researchers access the site but other Guyanese as well who can educate themselves on their history which could help them understand their identity in the world today.

guyanatimesgy.com

FEBRUARY 26, 2017

Sunday Times Magazine 5

Times Women

Inspired by her late mother, Debbie Houston finds empowerment

D

Debbie Houston

ebbie Houston is inspired by her late mother who passed away with breast cancer in 2015. Now, through her culinary art career and activism work, Debbie hopes to help others deal with the pain of loss, while spreading awareness on breast cancer.

Her mother, Yvonne Houston, died on November 2, 2015. “She had breast cancer for quite some time, but kept it from us and bore all her pain by herself. We knew something was wrong, but she refused to let us in on what was ailing her. It was after she died that my father told us everything,” Debbie recalled in an interview with Sunday Times Magazine.

Debbie took to Facebook to share her mother’s experiences and encourage women to get mammograms and Pap smears. The year her

mother died, Debbie got a mammogram done and detailed her experience on Facebook with the aim of encouraging women, who might be hesitant or afraid, to get tested.

“I did it because like me a lot of women would have been very afraid to do theirs.

After sharing on my experience on Facebook, many women reached out and expressed that they felt encouraged to have theirs done. This led to me offering my counselling services to the Guyana Cancer Foundation as I have been a social worker for 20 years,” Debbie mentioned.

She described her mother as a “phenomenal woman who was very talented, strong and assertive”.

Debbie said being around her made it “easy to emulate her, as she was a very good role model and always taught my sister and me to

With her mom, Yvonne Houston (left)

Debbie (far right) with executive members of the Association of Women Entrepreneurs

be independent and to work hard to achieve what we wanted”.

Debbie said her mother was a ceramist, the owner of an arts and craft store at the Guyana Post Office and a member of the Arts and Craft Association.

Apart from her activism work, Debbie is passionate about spreading happiness through food. Her first experience with food was at the age of eight when she learned to cook on a ‘fireside’ in Corentyne, Berbice.

“I would never forget what I learned that day; it was boulanger [eggplant] with fried fish and rice. To this day it is my favourite meal,” she remembered.

Both self-taught and trained at the Carnegie School of Home Economics in the culinary arts, Debbie described food as her “first love”. She recalled watching her mother and aunt prepare various meals, which motivated her to pursue cooking as a career.

Notably, Debbie is the cofounder of the Association of Women Entrepreneurs organisation, through which she helps with fundraising activities in the promotion of women entrepreneurs.

She is also the owner of a catering business, Glitzy Glamour Cakes, Events Planning and Catering.

Her advice to women is: “If you have a dream and you are passionate about it, the by all means go after it. You may fail on the first try, but never give up. Get up, dust yourself off and go again. I had

failed on my first try at business and wanted to give up.

I was feeling very depressed, moping around, but my sis-

ter gave me a strong lecture and that woke me up. I have been persistent ever since.

Though I still face my share

of challenges, victory prevails because of my dedication,” she declared.

6 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

FEBRUARY 26, 2017

Times Book World The Shaping of Guyanese Literature

By Petamber Persaud

Black History Month

(E

xtract of an interview with Jonathan Adams, August 2016, Guyana.

Adams is the Vice-Chair of the Guyana Reparations Committee. Adams and Eric Phillips co-edited ‘The Guyana Reparations Story’) PP For a long time our history has been written by the conquerors/the colonial powers, mainly Britain, but that history was not the whole truth. Then we started to write our own history and still that was not the whole truth. Whose truth must we adhere to? Must we always, are we always be in the mood of questioning the text? Whose truth must

we believe?

JA Well that’s an interesting question, Petamber.

Through the Guyana Reparations Committee, the CARICOM Reparations Committee had advised the national committees to find the true narrative of the history of the Africans and the Amerindians because the Caribbean reparation is taking both histories into consideration.

What we found out when we began to research the history of Guyana, we found that the African context of that history was missing and what was there was distorted …

PP Or started at a particular time…

JA Well, that’s part of the distortion because subsequently what we found out that the African presence here in Southern America did not begin with slavery but began at least 12, 000 years ago …

PP …Van Sertima’s ‘They came before Columbus’…

JA Van Sertima deals with some aspects of that but he places emphasis on the North American context. There is very little work done on the Southern America context and to Central America. What I talking to you about is secondary sources and not primary sources and herein lies the travesty of justice…

Anyhow, Prof.

Noel Menezes in her book, ‘British Policy towards the Amerindians’, points out that Moruka in the North West was actually Morocco – it was the province of Morocco. And then the other day, I was watching television and learn there is another Moruka in Trinidad.

Now if there is a correlation between the Moruka in Guyana and the Moruka in Trinidad then it stands to reason that the North Africans had trading posts down here in the new world long before the New World came into being. And had it not been that this information coming through Prof.

Menezes, one would have dismissed it as a sort of crank. Interestingly, when Eric Williams raised the issue based on that skeleton, Lucy, [a local newspaper] tried to downplay that date…. So it is a question of whose interest is being served.

PP So my opening statement is not off the mark.

JA No, because facts are facts – I could only be talking to Petamber right now in NCN Studio on Homestretch Avenue irrespective of who says what fifteen years from now that Jonathan was talking to Petamber and Ravi Dev and Eric Phillips etc. – those are only serving a particular person’s interest. But facts remain single in their origin and context. So it is a question of interest.Fortunately, what has happened – and this is part of the history of the new world – when the African came here they came here as nonpersons; they did not have their personalities but through struggle throughout history they have gained positions of influence where they began to look at their own interests.

Jonathan Adams

PP One major omission in the writing of the history of the Africans is that many writers neglected to acknowledge the humanity of Africans as seen through their struggle and persistence and perseverance and triumph…

JA Oh, that is beautiful. But I would prefer – not that I’m saying you’re not right in that context – but I would prefer to use the word ‘resilience’.

You know there is an oral tradition in order to clean my mind of the propaganda that we have been fed about ourselves – what I’m beginning to do is to look to the African continent because they have got histories too.

There is that interesting oral tradition that comes out of Ghana which it is said that when they were putting our fore parents on the ships, that is after experiencing life in the holding pens or baracoons which was bad, so they knew wherever they were being taken to couldn’t be better) … so they were saying to each other as they were being put on the ships ‘by-ana’ which means “we shall flourish”.

That speaks to the spirit of the African, the resolve of the Africans in spite of all they were going through they never lost hope. Why did they never lose hope because they have got millions and millions of years of existence - we go back to Lucy – a skeleton dating back to 3.5 million years so you had to learn how to survive.

So that humanity you speak of, that resilience came from their existence in Africa. Prior to the period of enslavement, Africa was an equal partner in the establishment of international justice/international administration. And if you look at the literature, you would find that much of the international law which was used to govern nations

came out of Africa. So that the Africans who came here were not slaves, they were not non-persons, they were people who came here with the knowledge of how to run empires.

PP How to run empires – how to start villages. Building empires started with the home, the family – let’s talk about the village movement.

JA There is a colleague of mine who objects vehemently when I say our ancestors did not buy villages, they bought estates. For instance, Buxton was an abandoned estate, Victoria was an abandoned, Agricola… these people bought estates for the express purpose of getting into production and also to find dwelling places for themselves as they had made a decision to remove from the sugar estate.

There is something which is not really explored.

I think a number of writers including Walter Rodney and Alan Young, point out that between 1830 and 1850 the Africans spent $2.5m to purchase 25 estates and if you want to find out about their spending power at that time and the amount of money they put in the local economy that $2.5m in current value would be 1.3 trillion dollars.

So these were not people who were small thinkers. They went on to eventually buy approximately 188 estates. And Petamber, this is what I want us to understand that we witnessed the re-establishment of the African capacity to build empires…(To be continued) Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@ yahoo.com What’s happening: Coming in March "Guyanese Writers of Indian Ancestry" by Petamber Persaud.

guyanatimesgy.com

FEBRUARY 26, 2017

Sunday Times Magazine 7

Times Heritage

HERITAGE LOST

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Georgetown

(1868 - 1913)

By Lennox Julian Hernandez

F

riday, March 7, 1913, was a sad day for the Roman Catholic community in Georgetown, and indeed all of the then British Guiana. James Rodway, in a 1920 publication wrote, “This handsome Cathedral, the Glory of Georgetown, was burnt down on the 7th of March, 1913, through a workman taking a coal-pot into the tower for soldering.” Rodway was writing of the earlier Cathedral of the Immaculate Cathedral which stood at the corner of Brickdam and Camp Street since 1868, known also as St Mary’s Cathedral.

Almost 43 years before the fire, their existing church building having become small for the increasing of worshippers, as well as the structure itself becoming in a state of disrepair, Roman Catholics held a meeting on March 11, 1866 to consider the construction of a new cathedral on the same site as the existing church.

Through public contributions and a loan from the government, work started soon

St Mary’s Cathedral from south-west

after. The foundation stone of the cathedral was laid on April 21, 1868, and it was opened on April 13, 1871 (not yet completed) to a design

by Brother Cesar Castellani, Architect. The full opening of the Cathedral was on August 30, 1874. Constructed en-

tirely of greenheart and crabwood, the cathedral was an interpretation, in wood, of the Gothic Revival architectural style then popular in Great Britain and Europe.

Typical of ecclesiastical architecture of the time, the entrance was at the west

Agricola Village, British Guiana

Bird's eye view of Georgetown looking South circa 1900s (New York Public Library)

end and the sanctuary with altar at the east end; the body of the cathedral having a central congregational section (the nave) flanked on the north and south by aisles, similar to the current Brickdam Cathedral.

However, the ground floor plan of the building did not follow the usual design prescription of being in the form of a Latin cross; instead it followed that of an ancient Roman basilica, which had no transepts (the arms of the Latin cross). Indications of its Gothic heritage are the pointed arch (or lancet) windows, the pointed arches to the columns separating the nave and aisle, and the buttresses at the corners of the building. The buttresses continued upwards, over the roof, into decorative pinnacles terminated by small spires.

A fairly large building, the central nave was 160 ft long (including a 40 ft sanctuary at the east end) 40 ft wide and 60 ft high, whilst each aisle was 18 ft wide and had a lower height of 30 ft.

(Rev John Bridges noted that the building could seat 2,000 persons.) The wall space between the roof over the aisle and the higher main roof (the clerestory) had a horizontal series of rose windows to bring light into the nave. The altar end, formed by a threeangled curve (the apse) boasted three large stained glass windows.

Another notable feature of the building was the hammer-beam roof structure (predating that of the City Hall, Georgetown) over the main part of the building. In 1885, Rev Ignatius Scoles, Architect of the City Hall, wrote of the Gothic architecture of the hammer-beam roof and windows: “the hammer beam roof, with its accompanying clere-story, is as fine a piece of gothic design as one could possibly expect to meet in the western tropics; the gothic windows of varied design are in their way perfect iron castings.”

The tower, on the north-

The steeple was also decorated with pinnacles around its girth at each level. The shrine was designed

by Rev Scoles and it was his idea to place it atop the tower. Though the bells were destroyed in the fire, the shrine survived intact and now adorns the western entrance of the new Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (completed 1926).

The interior was richly decorated throughout with paintings and statues, including a large painting of the crucifixion by Rev Scoles, hung at the east end just above the arch of the sanctuary.

St Mary’s Cathedral from north-west

east corner, was completed in 1882 under Bishop Antony Butler who replaced Bishop James Etheridge, the latter having died at sea on December 31, 1877. The tower variously described as being “very handsome” and “the most telling feature of the town” reached 160 ft in height, held the bells and was of the steeple type, composed of three diminishing stories above the main tower and terminated by an open pinnacle in which a shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary was placed.

Altar and stained glass windows of St Mary’s Cathedral

Rev Scoles also designed the richly carved and ornamented pulpit, the marble high altar, the sanctuary and many other internal features, all of which were described as being very beautiful. In particular, another of Rev Scoles creations (in 1880) was a statue of the Madonna and Child displayed in a very decorative frame.

Rev John Bridges, in his book “Men of Faith” (1988) describes the event that led to the devastating fire of March 7, 1913: “A tinsmith unassisted, high up in the tower repairing a leak, upset his coalpot, scattering the burning charcoal over the lofty platform. Having, as he imagined, extinguished all, he came down for the mid-day meal. It needed only a few sparks exposed to the wind at such a height to start a fire burning.”

In a few short hours, the Gothic style Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, the presbytery to the west, and the once pro-cathedral building (1867) to the south-east were lost.

8 Sunday Times Magazine

FEBRUARY 26, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

Times Travel & Tourism

Village benab at Shulinab Village

C

onsidered one of the most pristine and wild regions of the country, Rupununi is a land of beauty and is among the last frontiers for wildlife in Guyana and the world.

On your next visit, experience the vast savannah wilds and rustic life of the Rupununi communities of south Guyana.(Photos courtesy Mr.L.Hernandez)

Sunset outside Rupunau Village near a petroglyph site

100-year-old mango trees line the entrance to Sand Creek Village

A bullock-drawn wood wheel cart is a traditional mode of transport between villages of Rupununi.

In earlier days the wheel/axle would have been greased with cow fat to prevent squeaking

Shea Rock,which carries the name of the nearby Shea village, with typical house in foreground. Important to the indigenous culture, the rock has a large cave which once contained Amerindian pottery and relics. In more modern days Shea residents are known to climb the northern flank to carry out Stations of the Cross.

guyanatimesgy.com

FEBRUARY 26, 2017

Sunday Times Magazine 9

Times Healthy Living

F

atigue is a lingering tiredness that is constant and limiting. With fatigue, you have unexplained, persistent, and relapsing exhaustion. It's similar to how you feel when you have the flu or have missed a lot of sleep.

If you have chronic fatigue, or systemic exertion intolerance disease (SEID), you may wake in the morning feeling as though you've not slept. Or you may be unable to function at work or be productive at home. You may be too exhausted even to manage your daily affairs.

Nearly everyone is overtired or overworked from time to time. Such instances of temporary fatigue usually have an identifiable cause and a likely remedy.

Unrelenting exhaustion, on the other hand, lasts longer, is more profound and isn't relieved by rest. It's a nearly constant state of weariness that develops over time and reduces your energy, motivation and concentration.

Fatigue at this level impacts your emotional and psychological well-being, too.

Fatigue is regarded as having an impact on work performance. Alberta Human Resources and Employment reports that most accidents occur when people are more likely to want sleep - between midnight and 6 am, and between 1-3 pm.

Work-related factors of fatigue may include long work hours, long hours of physical or mental activity, insufficient break time between shifts, inadequate rest, excessive stress or a combination of these factors.

Most of the time fatigue can be traced to one or more of your habits or routines, particularly lack of exercise. It's also commonly related to depression. On occasion, fatigue is a symptom of other underlying conditions that require medical treatment.

Home remedies for dry and damaged hair

A

vocados are rich in vitamins, essential fatty acids, and minerals that will help restore lustre to your hair. Mash a ripe avocado (pit removed) with one egg, then apply to wet hair. Leave on for at least 20 minutes, then rinse several times. Repeat once a week for damaged hair and

once a month for healthy hair.

Put the moisture back into dry hair by warming up 1/2 cup olive oil (do not boil it), and then rubbing it into your hair. Cover tresses with a plastic bag, then wrap everything in a towel.

Let this home remedy do its thing for 45 minutes, then shampoo and completely rinse.

Taking an honest inventory of things that might be responsible for your fatigue is often the first step toward relief. Fatigue may be related to the use of alcohol or drugs; excess physical activity; jet lag; lack of physical activity; lack of sleep; medications, such as antihistamines or cough medicines, and/ or unhealthy eating habits Unrelenting exhaustion may also be a sign of a medical condition or an effect of the drugs or therapies used to

Put the life back into your limp or damaged hair by combining 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar with 2 tablespoons olive oil and 3 egg whites. Rub the mix into your hair. Keep your hair covered for about a half hour using plastic wrap or a shower cap, then shampoo and rinse.

Before the beach or after a swim, protect hair from

treat it. In most cases, there's a reason for the fatigue. It might be allergic rhinitis, anaemia, depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, or some other health condition.

Although food is supposed to give you energy, new medical research suggests that hidden food intolerances -- or allergies -- can do the opposite. In fact, fatigue may be an early warning sign of food intolerance or food allergy.

If you find yourself becoming exhausted after an activity that used to be easy -- for example, walking up the steps -- it may be time to talk to your doctor about the possibility of heart disease.

Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of a hormone imbalance. Excess progesterone can make you sleepy. An underactive thyroid (Hypothyroidism) may be another cause of fatigue.

Extreme fatigue, sluggishness, feeling run down, depression, cold intolerance and weight gain may be a result of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Hashimoto's stops the gland from making enough thyroid hormones for the body to work the way it should. The result is hypothyroidism, or a slow metabolism.

Blood tests known as T3 and T4 will detect thyroid hormones. If these hormones are low, synthetic hormones (medication) can bring you up to speed and you should begin to feel better fairly rapidly.

Other causes of fatigue include sleep apnea, Type 2 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.

Most of us know what it's like to be tired, especially when we have a cold, flu, or some other viral infection. But when you suffer from a constant lack of energy and ongoing fatigue, it may be time to check with your doctor.

harsh elements or chemicals with a homemade rinse of 1/4 cup apple cider mixed with 3/4 cup water to help cleanse hair then follow with conditioner.

If you usually wear your hair in a ponytail, take it out for a few hours a day to give your hair a break. Also, try not to pull hair back too tightly. And never sleep with any sort of accessories in your hair.

Make up tips to know

1. Never put concealer or foundation on your eyelids as a base, it will cause your eye makeup to crease.

2. Use your fingers to apply your foundation if you want sheer coverage and a brush for medium to full coverage.

3. Always apply powder where you are shiniest first–usually your T-zone– with a very light dusting everywhere else.

4. For even lipstick application, start at the cupid's bow and extend out to the corners of the mouth before blotting.

5. Prep lids for any eye look with a matte base eyeshadow that matches the lightest part of your face.

Dust the pigment all over lids and up to the brow bone.

6. Instead of looking straight ahead at the mirror, get as close to it as possible, tilt your head up, and bring your chin toward the mirror. Look down as you apply, starting at the inner corner and working your way out.

7. Sweep the wand through the roots of your

lashes and zigzag as you work your way up.

Nail polish 101

1. Avoid harsh chemicals: Before applying new polish to your fingernails, you’ll want to remove anything that remains of the old nail polish. Instead of using a harsh acetone solution, look for non-acetone nail polish removers. This will keep your nails healthy and shiny. To remove polish without causing damage, be sure to rub polish away with a cotton pad that won’t scratch the surface of the nail.

2. Use acetate press-on nails: While acrylic nails can be damaging, acetate press-on nails don’t cause any harm to your nails. If you have a damaged nail, just apply a quick presson to cover up the damage and prevent nail polish from

seeping under the crack in the nail, which can cause irritation.

3. Always use a base coat: To keep your nails from turning an unhealthy yellow shade, apply a base coat before your coloured nail polish. Start at the white half-moon above the cuticle and apply in an upward motion. Let the base coat dry for 4 to 5 minutes before attempting to apply colour.

4. Apply two coats of polish: For a professional, salon-quality finish, be sure to apply two coats of polish.

Remember to allow each coat to dry before applying the next one. This will help you avoid messing up your manicure.

5. To brighten up yellowish nails, wipe the beds with a hydrogen peroxide-soaked cotton pad.

10 Sunday Times Magazine Times Fashion

FEBRUARY 26, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

A versatile accessory D esigner Sonia Noel has launched a collection of versatile scarves in a variety of colours, perfect for any occasion.

Dubbed the “convertible scarf”, these bespoke designs can be transformed from simple styles to statement pieces.

In an interview with Sunday Times Magazine, Noel said the collection also caters for pregnant women, because they too should look “super sexy”. “[These]designs will help you find your personable style”, she added.

Locally, regionally and internationally, Noel is famous for her sophisticated, versatile designs that can be worn from the beach to the ballroom.

Recently, the designer celebrated 20 years in the fashion industry and will be releasing stylish designs in celebration of her milestone.

For more information, visit Sonia Noel Designs on Facebook or call 684-8129.

(Models featured today are Anasha, Nekchi, Peggy and Ambika)

Correction:But for an unfortunate misprint, the correct name of last week’s featured designer should have read Rishma Persaud.

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February 26 , 2017

Sunday Times Magazine 11

12 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

FEBRUARY 26, 2017

Times Hollywood

pulls out of Coachella Kanye West to launch Beyonce Festival ‘on doctor's orders’ makeup for men B

K

anye West is set to launch a new cosmetic line inspired by his late mother Donda West. Rumor has it that the "Famous" hitmaker has filed legal docs declaring his intention to produce DONDA brand makeup, perfumes, lotion and other cosmetics.

According to insiders, Kanye's cosmetic line will also be for men. "Kanye will have a women's collection and a men's collection," insiders tell Naughty Gossip, "He is a ground breaking sort of guy and believes the future is in men's makeup."

"He wears makeup and so do his friends. He thinks all men are going to be wearing it soon and wants to be ahead of the curve.

Appearance is very important to Kanye. He wants all guys to look great," continue the insiders.

Kanye's application is currently being processed.

However, other sources tell TMZ that at this time he's only filed the paperwork in case something develops.

Back in February 2016, the "Gold Digger" rapper hinted on Twitter that

he wanted to be the next Martha Stewart by creating a lifestyle brand that includes credit cards, cars, wallpaper screens, furnishings, video games, amusement parks, hotels, fitness centers and healthy fast food. (AceShowbiz)

Nick Cannon introduces newborn baby boy

T

he host/rapper has welcomed a new addition to his growing family, and he proudly introduces his newborn to the world. The proud dad shares on Instagram a picture of his cradling the baby in his arms.

He wrote in the caption, "Weeping may endure for a night, but Joy cometh in the morning! No matter how hard the world may hit you, God always reminds us of our purpose! #TrueHappiness. Welcome to Earth Son! Golden 'Sagon' Cannon 2/21/17 #Awakened."

Baby Sagon is Nick's child with ex Brittany Bell. He also shares five-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe with former wife Mariah Carey. He was recently forced to deny rumors about an alleged nasty custody battle with his singer ex. (AceShowbiz)

eyonce has pulled out of performing at California's Coachella music festival in April under doctor's orders.

The pregnant singer was due to top the bill at the annual festival in the California desert on 15 and 22 April.

Organisers have said Beyonce will headline the event in 2018 instead.

"Following advice of doctors to keep a less rigorous schedule, Beyonce has made the decision to forgo performing at the 2017 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival," a statement said.

"However, Goldenvoice and Parkwood are pleased to confirm that she will be a headliner at the 2018 festival. Thank you for your understanding."

The festival, which is based in Indio, hasn't revealed who will replace her.

Radiohead and Kendrick Lamar are still headlining the two-weekend festival.

The British band will perform on 14 and 21 April while the US rapper will top the bill on 16 and 23 April.

Beyonce performed at the Grammys earlier this month, where she showed off her baby bump and took

home two awards.

She won best music video for Formation and best urban contemporary album for Lemonade.

Adele dedicated her album of the year prize to the US singer.

She told the audience: "I can't possibly accept this award.

"I'm very humbled and I'm very grateful, but

Oprah says she ‘wouldn’t have been a good mom for babies’

Jennifer Lopez on dating younger men: ‘It has nothing to do with age’

A

ge is just a number for Jennifer Lopez.

The multi-hyphenate superstar set the record straight about her relationship status and revealed that she has no preference when it comes to how old a significant other is.

“I don’t date younger men. It’s not like you have to be younger, it’s not about that.

You just meet people and if I go out with them, I go out with them,” Lopez, 47, told

Beyonce is the artist of my life."

The 35-year-old and her husband Jay Z already have a daughter, five-year-old Blue Ivy. They haven't said when their twins are due.

Beyonce headlined Glastonbury Festival in 2011, three years after Jay Z topped the bill at the event in 2008. (BBC)

Ellen DeGeneres during an appearance on her show, airing Tuesday.

“If I like them, I like them and if I don’t, I don’t. It’s just about the person.

It’s about who they are, it has nothing to do with age,” the mother of two explained.

Lopez’s last serious relationship was with 29-year-old dancer/actor Beau “Casper” Smart, whom she split from in August after dating on and off for five years.

“I dated Beau and he was younger and that was the first guy ever dating younger than me and then I got labeled right away,” Lopez said about her dating life.

“If they’re older, they’re older. If they’re younger, they’re younger. It doesn’t matter. It’s whether or not I’m attracted to them or not, attracted to their spirit their soul, whatever their energy is,” she clarified.

Most recently, Lopez was linked to rapper Drake but the “Shades of Blue” actress insisted it was strictly a music collaboration.

“We’re just hanging out,” she said when the daytime talk show host projected a super cuddly photo of the pair that prompted DeGeneres to ask, “Is that how you write a song?”

“Actually he sent me a song he wanted me to be on. Yeah, we have a song together.

I don’t know what he’s going to do with it,” Lopez shared. (PEOPLE)

O

prah Winfrey doesn’t have kids of her own, and she’s just fine with that.

The media mogul says she’s a mother figure to the 172 girls in her Leadership Academy, and that’s enough.

“I didn’t want babies. I wouldn’t have been a good mom for babies,” Winfrey, 63, tells Good Housekeeping U.K. in their April issue, on sale March 1. “I don’t have the patience. I have the patience for puppies, but that’s a quick stage!”

Instead, the girls at

Winfrey’s boarding school in Johannesburg, South Africa, give her a chance to be a mother figure.

“When people were pressuring me to get married and have children, I knew I was not going to be a person that ever regretted not having them, because I feel like I am a mother to the world’s children,” she says.

“Love knows no boundaries.

It doesn’t matter if a child came from your womb or if you found that person at age two, 10 or 20. If the love is real, the caring is pure and

it comes from a good space, it works.”

“It is more rewarding that I would ever have imagined,” she says about working with the children at her boarding school. “I was doing this to help them, but it has brought a light to my life that I can’t explain.”

Winfrey — who at age 14 gave birth to a son that died in the hospital a few weeks later — previously spoke about her decision to not have any more children to The Hollywood Reporter.

“If I had kids, my kids would hate me,” Winfrey told THR in 2013. “They would have ended up on the equivalent of the Oprah show talking about me; because something [in my life] would have had to suffer and it would’ve probably been them.”

Winfrey also spoke to Good Housekeeping U.K. about her 42-lb. weight loss, and how she feels “liberated.” “[My weight] has been the go-to comfort for me,” she says. “You use it as your coat and your shield, and it keeps you from doing things.

You don’t have to go to that party because you don’t have a dress to wear and nothing is going to fit you.”

“Now I feel liberated!” she continues. “It’s the thing I have been looking for my whole life — to feel a sense of freedom. The taste of freedom? There is nothing better than that!” (PEOPLE)

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FEBRUARY 26 , 2017

Sunday Times Magazine 13

14 Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

FEBRUARY 26, 2017

Times Bollywood

Akshay Kumar urges fans Saif Ali Khan plans to to be ‘brand ambassadors change son’s name for their own bodies’ B

A

ctor Akshay Kumar is making the most of his presence on social media platforms. After posting patriotic videos with messages for the Indian soldiers and their families, the actor once again took to twitter and posted an inspiring video for his fans.

He wrote: “Before I sleep tonight, thought of indulging in some pillow talk. Sharing with you all something I swear by… do give your time & thoughts (sic).”

Akshay began the video by thanking his fans for praising his films and said he really

enjoys these direct conversations with fans.

Giving the biggest smile, the actor shared how he’s been feeling very light and healthy over the past few days.

Away from the hustle bustle of city life, the actor recently spent 14 quality days in a tranquil Ayurveda Ashram in Kerala.

Without any phone, television, junk food or branded clothes, he admits it was nothing short of a heavenly experience. However, he is evidently surprised at the fact that he was the only Indian present in that Ashram and rest all were foreigners.

Known for his prim and proper lifestyle, Akshay revealed that he has been following Ayurveda for last 25 years and its healing experience remains unmatched. Asserting on the importance of Ayurveda, Akshay feels sad that Indians don’t value this treasure and want to survive on modern medicines, chemical injections and supplements.

Though he’s not against allopathic medicines and its treatment, he urges people to include the traditional ways of healing such as yoga, Ayurveda, naturopathy and homeopathy in their lifestyle.

Furthermore, Khiladi Kumar clarified that he’s not shared this video as the brand ambassador for any Ayurveda company or a centre, rather he genuinely wishes to promote this natural way of healing.

“I am the brand ambassador for my own body and I want all of you to be the same.

Learn to lead a simple and healthy life and you’d always wake up with a smile like me,” he said. (Hindustan Times)

Kangana claims she was threatened over feud with Hrithik

B

ollywood actor Kangana Ranaut has revealed that she was threatened over her feud with Hrithik Roshan.

She said she was often called at “big people’s houses” and told she “will be finished” if she “opened her mouth”.

Claiming the episode is past for her, Kangana has

revealed that she was even threatened over the issues.

“I was called at big people’s houses. I was told if I open my mouth, I will be finished (referring to her career). But it doesn’t make any sense because that chapter is over for me. It is so done and dusted and it doesn’t hold any relevance in today’s time,” Kangana

said when asked if she was told to sort out the issue behind closed doors.

The two stars’ tussle started when Kangana hinted at Hrithik being her “silly ex” during an interview last year. Their feud turned nasty after they slapped legal notices on each other.

Hrithik even asked her to tender a public apology and refuted her claim of the two ever having had a relationship.

During this war of the words between the duo, there were people from the film industry who suggested the national award-winning actress to desist from making anything public.

“I had that (low) phase also but it did not frighten or threaten me because I knew I was not doing anything wrong,” she said. (PTI)

ollywood actor Saif Ali Khan has said he might change his newborn son Taimur’s name once he is a year old, despite wife Kareena’s opposition to the idea.

Soon after Saif announced Taimur’s birth, a raging debate broke out on Twitter over the name given to him by his parents. Many believed Saif shouldn’t have named his son after Timur, the Turkish ruler who invaded India.

Asked if he has now come to terms with the controversy surrounding his son’s name, Saif told Times of India: “I haven’t told anyone about this — I thought for a second about changing his name. For a couple of weeks. And Kareena was a little against it, and she said, ‘People respect you for your opinion and you can’t’...

So I said, yeah, but it’s not about people. I don’t want him to get unpopular.”

He added: “And I still might, maybe when he’s one or two, I might change

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"We aim to rope in public icons to help achieve the target of Swachh Bharat Mission. A campaign featuring Shetty will be rolled out at national level soon," Urban Development Ministry Joint Secretary and director of Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) Praveen Prakash said.

Littering is a major problem in urban areas wherein people, specially vendors or shopkeepers, do not use

write it, it just wasn’t sounding right. It was like I didn’t realise where I live or what I’m doing. So I did think about it. I thought about it, but it was for the wrong reason. If I feel that he’s going to get in trouble in school, I might still change it. It’s a bit late now, though. Or not.

I don’t know.” (Hindustan Times)

Deepika Padukone denies doing ‘Mr & Mrs Smith’ remake

B

ollywood star Deepika Padukone has refuted rumours that she was working in the Bollywood remake of Hollywood movie “Mr & Mrs Smith”.

“Well, let’s set the record straight because there have been a lot of rumours regarding a lot of films I am supposedly doing. I think usually there is a lot of dignity involved when an actor is approached for a film, whether it’s a narration or when an actor saying yes or no to a film,” she said.

Starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, “Mr & Mrs Smith” (2005) is the story of a married couple that is surprised to learn that they are both assassins hired by competing agencies to kill each other.

Deepika was speaking at the launch of Gillette Venus Breeze.

“I had always maintained, when I am offered a film, I’ll talk about it, if not, I’ll never talk about it. All the speculation can go on.

The only film I am doing now is ‘Padmavati’, it’s consuming all my life. When I have something else to talk about I will do that,” she said.

The “Bajirao Mastani” star said, “There is a certain decorum, conduct when you’re offered a film, whether you do it or don’t.

I feel it’s not a very classy thing when untrue information is given out regarding my work.”

After making the Hollywood debut with

Shilpa Shetty is Swachh Bharat brand ambassador

he Government of India has roped in actress Shilpa Shetty as a brand ambassador for the Modi government's cleanliness initiative Swachh Bharat Mission.

The 41-year-old actress will feature in TV and radio campaigns aimed at discouraging people from littering on roads. Soon, campaign posters featuring her will be displayed at various places across the country.

his name in a while, it’s still sinking in, what to do.

Someone in my PR agreed with me, and we drafted a small letter. And when I read it, it was so pathetic, that I cancelled the idea.

Because it was really like, uhh, ‘I’m sorry’, and ‘I didn’t want to offend’ and ‘I’m an idiot’, and you know, I’ve given in to pressure. It just sounded awful. However you

bins to throw the waste, he said. The Ministry has also approached other celebrities like Priyanka Chopra to support the mission, which aims cleanliness and eradication of open defecation by 2019.

Shetty is the latest entrant in the list of the mission's ambassadors like Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, Shankar Mahadevan and Sachin Tendulkar. (PTI)

“xXx: The Return of Xander Cage”, there were reports that Deepika may walk the red carpet at the Academy Awards. However, when quizzed about her Oscar appearance, the actress, clearing the air, said: “That’s an interesting question but no, no.”

“Padmavati” is produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and also features Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor in pivotal roles. (IANS)

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FEBRUARY 26, 2017

Sunday Times Magazine

15

Times Trends

Trending Now

Star of the week

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he most copied and coveted hair styles trending now are the simplest yet most striking styles. Updated versions of old favourites and with a nod toward no-hassle hair, these are the styles made popular on fashion runways today.

The Michael Kors runway look: Tucked behind the ear hair

Side-swept hair on the runways of Zac Posen

Fashion designer Badgley Mischka offers retro waves on the runway

Marchesa presents side-swept fringes on the runway

Jenny Packham offers gorgeous romantic hair: pull back hair at the sides, twirl, secure, and you’re ready for romance

T

revon Shury, known popularly by his stage name Trevon Vibez, was born in Guyana, but migrated to Barbados at the age of one when his parents separated. However, his love for his homeland never subsided. In Barbados, at high school, Trevon realized he was “good at writing music”, so he decided to take up music seriously. He sang at shows, wrote his own songs, and became popular for his trendy dance moves. Though his music career was successful in Barbados, Trevon yearned to be back in his country of birth. This prompted him to return to Guyana to pursue his music career, which he has been doing for over a year. The 25-yearold now aims to “be an ambassador for Guyana’s music industry”.

He expressed: “I love my country and I am happy to be back.” The artiste finds inspiration from Caribbean music icons such as Bunji and Machel Montano. Under local music label DP Records (Darrel Pugsley), Trevon has been producing hit songs. Someof his hits include “Summa”, “Guyanese Girls”, “Twerkit”, “Jammin”, and has seven more songs to be released soon. Trevon’s plans are to be a “brand name and to represent Guyanainternationally, while helping young people through music”. His advice to youths is “trust in God and nothing will be impossible”. Trevon disclosed: “I came from nothing and I am aiming to be someone. I am a father of a son, Isaiah, and I want him to grow up seeing me as a role model and staying out of crime.”

16 Sunday Times Magazine

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FEBRUARY 26, 2017

Times Art

Art and Style

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A collection of artistic jewellery made from driftwood and other types of local wood

nique, handcrafted wearable wood art jewellery by local art/fashion house Dis Is De Place showcases the richness of Guyana’s forestry.

Dis Is De Place, launched in 2013, is a business which creates and markets handmade jewellery and craft made by skilled Guyanese and West Indian craftsmen.

The emphasis is on ‘upcycled’ sustainable products, which are eco-friendly and well-priced.

The Timber Line consists of jewellery made from tropical woods from the forests of Guyana to the driftwood found on the seashores and river banks of our famous rivers.

“All the woods that we use are reclaimed and environmentally sustainable. We source our wood from the Guyana Forestry Commission, which includes over 20 species of beautiful, exotic tropical woods such as greenheart, bulletwood, ulu, mahogany, purpleheart and many others,” said Wayne Barrow, manager of Dis Is De Place, in an interview with Sunday Times Magazine.

Barrow explained that the wooden pendants are of various geometric shapes (circular, triangular, square, diamond and trapezoid) and may even have Zodiac signs and petroglyphs embossed on the surfaces.

He pointed out that wood is a traditional 5th wedding anniversary gift and 90 percent of wooden jewelleriesare purchased by men.

While the entire Timber Line of artistic wooden jewellery is stunning, the fascination comes from examining the ones made from driftwood. The charm and beauty of driftwood is captivating and Dis Is De Place has artistically transformed it into amazing jewellery.

Each piece of driftwood is unique, shaped by nature and the elements, which are reflected in the collection of Dis Is De Place’s driftwood jewelleries.

According to the manager, Dis Is De Place was

founded with the aim of helping local craftsmen and women access a steady income and an acceptable level of empowerment.

From necklaces and earrings to bracelets, each piece of handmade art jewellery showcases the artistic and technical skills of the artists of Dis Is De Place, while making a unique statement onart and style.

This week Sunday Times Magazine features a few pieces from Dis Is De Place’s Timber Line.

For more information, visit Dis Is De Place on Facebook.

"Constellations"

Driftwood chain and earring set

Earrings made from chunks of wood found in Guyana

"Olympics"

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FEBRUARY 26, 2017

Sunday Times Magazine 17

Times Tech

W

ith the iPhone 8 release date still months away, Apple is reportedly set to launch a number of new devices within the next few weeks.

As its next smartphone is not set to be revealed until September, Apple is instead gearing up to refresh its iPhone 7 and iPad Pro products.

According to reports, the company could be set to launch as many as two new iPhones and four new iPad models as Apple looks to keep its customers guessing.

According to Japanese tech blog Macotakara, the surprise Apple launch is set for next month, just weeks

Tech BYTE

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after many leading Android manufacturers reveal their latest products at Mobile World Congress.

Top of the list of new devices is a brand-new iPhone 7 and 7 Plus in an exclusive red colour scheme.The launch would build on the existing silver, gold, rose gold, black and jet black handset options.

This colourful addition won’t be the only new iPhone on show, the sources claim, with a revamped version of the budget-friendly iPhone SE also getting a release.

The new iPhone SE edition will add a new 128GB storage option alongside the existing 16GB and 64GB

handset options already available.

But for tablet fans, the launch could also include a number of new iPad devices as Apple looks to give its premium range a muchneeded refresh.

Four new devices are thought to be being prepped for reveal, including upgrades to the company's existing 7.9-inch, 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch slates.

The new 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch models are expected to just be upgraded versions of the company's existing iPad Pro models, featuring more storage capacity and powerful hardware.

However, there may also

The tech toys of Toy Fair 2017

echnology seeped its way into some traditional standards from Star Wars to My Little Pony, while drones buzzed the conference goers below at the annual Toy Fair, held in New York, USA.

Toymakers travel from all four corners of the Earth every year to showcase their wares, in hopes of getting them into the hands of children.

Here’s a peek at a few of the tech toys that went on display.

UBTECH is pushing out new robot kits this year through its Jimu Robot series which include the US$200 AstroBot, a Wall-E-esque like toy, and its CarBot and TankBot Kits, both $130 and programmable, rolling science, technology, engineering and mathematics lessons into pint-sized playthings for sale

Hasbro knows how much kids want to make their toys talk.

Its My Little Pony Twilight Sparkle will do just that, talk by speaking more than 90 phrases, move its head and one of its feet while also lighting up its horn.

The toy is expected out this fall, priced at $129.99.

Popular toy brand Air Hogs tapped into the resurgence of the StarWars brand to bring its X-Wing vs Death Star, Rebel Assault drones to market. Priced at US$129.99, the toy includes a hovering Death Star and a drone fighter that shoots until it brings down the enemy weapon.

be an all-new 10.5-inch iPad Pro, with Apple able to compress the power of its biggest slates into a smaller body.

Tech news

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Apple has yet to confirm any speculation around the event, but speculation surrounding new iPad products especially has risen in re-

cent months.

The launches had thought to be set for reveal around Apple’s WWDC event later this year.

Apple investigating iPhone 7 Plus that caught on fire

off adapters. In the past, other iPhone models caught on fire due to knockoff adapters.

However, many Twitter commenters are speculating that it may have had something to do with the case she was using on her device. Apple said it was investigating the matter and told Mashable: “We are in touch with the customer and looking into it.”

Olivas told Mashable that she bought the iPhone 7 Plus from the Sprint store in January. And then it stopped powering on recently so she took it to the Apple Store on Tuesday. The Apple Store employees ran some tests and then it started working normally again. But her iPhone 7 Plus ended up catching on fire the very next day.

This is not the first time that Apple investigated an iPhone 7 for reportedly catching on fire. Back in October 2016, Apple investigated a claim that Screenshot of the tweet that Olivas posted an iPhone 7 overheated and destroyed a on Twitter following the incident surfer's car in Australia. And Reddit user morning and her boyfriend caught the inci- Kroopthesnoop shared photos of a co-worker’s iPhone 7 Plus that seemed to combust while dent on video.

The video of the iPhone 7 Plus smoking af- in transit in September 2016.

Olivas handed the destroyed iPhone 7 ter the explosion has been seen about 1.3 milPlus to Apple and was immediately issued a lion times so far, according to Mashable.

It is unclear why the iPhone 7 Plus com- replacement. The Apple Genius Bar employbusted and started smoking from the side, but ee that examined the destroyed iPhone 7 told it most likely had something to do with the Olivas that he had "never seen anything like lithium ion battery inside of the device. Olivas this." Apple is expected to conduct some tests confirmed that she always used her authen- and determine what happened within the tic Apple charger and did not use any knock- next week or so. (Source: Forbes) teenager named Brianna Olivas Recentlyposted a video of her cracked rose gold iPhone 7 Plus with smoke spewing out the side of the device. Olivas said that the iPhone 7 Plus exploded on Wednesday

W

Alphabet's Waymo sues Uber for trade secret theft

aymo, a spin-off from Google's self-driving car initiative, is suing Uber for allegedly stealing its trade secrets.

On Thursday, it filed a lawsuit against Uber and its startup Otto -- a self-driving trucking company -- claiming that the two companies were using stolen intellectual property from Waymo, an Alphabet subsidiary.

The lawsuit underscores the fierce competition in the self-driving industry and how the battle might escalate. By lifting the technology, Uber has allegedly built its own comparable LiDAR system within nine months, when Waymo had been developing the tech for nearly seven years, the company alleged.

"Fair competition spurs new technical innovation, but what has happened here is not fair competition," Waymo said in its lawsuit.

Otto, which was bought by Uber last year, was co-founded by a former Waymo staffer named Anthony Levandowski, who now leads Uber's driverless car division.

However, before he left, Levandowski allegedly downloaded "over 14,000 highly confidential and proprietary design files" from his former company back in December 2015, Waymo alleged.

On Thursday, Uber responded. "We take the allegations made against Otto and Uber employees seriously and we will review this matter carefully," the company said.

18 Sunday Times Magazine Times Home & Cooking

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FEBRUARY 26, 2017

Recipe of the Week

Classic Meatloaf

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or safety and security, metal doors, gates, grills or rails are often a necessity.

While homeowners understand that practicality, some prefer to be rid of the usual linear styles, choosing artistic designs for their homes instead.

Ingredients 1 tbsp. olive oil 2 lb. ground beef 1/2 cup bread crumbs 2 eggs, lightly beaten 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 1 carrot, finely chopped 1 stalk celery, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped 1 tsp. fresh thyme leaves, chopped 1 clove garlic, minced 1 tbsp. tomato paste kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper 1/4 cup ketchup 1 tbsp. brown sugar Chopped parsley, for serving

Curving custom designed iron railings are popular in many homes

Method

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. eat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, celery and thyme. Season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened. Turn off the heat and stir in Worcestershire sauce and tomato paste. Let cool slightly.

Mix vegetable mixture with remaining ingredients in a large bowl into well combined. Press into a loaf pan (or shape into a loaf). Whisk together ketchup and brown sugar. Brush with ketchup mixture and bake for 45 minutes. Spread with more ketchup and bake for another 10 minutes, until the middle of the loaf reaches 155 degrees F. Garnish with parsley. Let cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Makes 1 meatloaf

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Decorative metal gates present much curb appeal

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Greatest Cooking Tips

alt the water when cooking the potatoes for a mash potatoes recipe. The starch granules swell and absorb water and the salt. You won't need to add as much at the end, and your final product will be well-seasoned, not bland.

The best burgers are hand formed using just enough pressure and taking no longer than necessary to form a patty. Don't press, mould, and over work. In your efforts to get a perfect-looking burger, you'll wind up with a tough-tasting one.

If you notice your produce on the verge of going bad, make vegetable soup. Once the vegetables are cooked you won’t notice they are past their prime.

A Security grills don’t have to only be utilitarian

Home Help

ny time two 9-volt batteries touch (on the terminals on top of the batteries), they can create a charge, build enough heat, and burst into flames. There are reports of house fires being started this way.

As long as two 9v batteries are not touching one another on the positive and negative terminal ends — or positioned close enough to one another to create a charge — they’re completely harmless. Ideally, you should keep batteries in their original packaging — because it was designed to keep the battery terminals from touching. If you store batteries loosely in bags or outside of their original packaging, then put a strip of electrical tape over the battery terminals of each 9-volt battery that’s not currently in use. Or, you could put a rubber band around batteries of all one size, making sure that the positive and negative ends are all facing in the same direction.

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FEBRUARY 26, 2017

Sunday Times Magazine19

Family Times

PARENTING

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JOKES

Blind faith man and his friend were fishing on a river bank when they heard a radio report that the river was going to rush up and flood the town. And that all the residents should evacuate their homes and leave the river bank. The man’s friend said "Hey man, we better get out of here."

But the man replied, "I'm religious. I pray. God loves me. God will save me." Confused by this the man’s friend stumbled away to safety.

The waters rose up. A guy in a row boat came along and he shouted, "Hey, hey you! You in there.

The town is flooding. Let me take you to safety."

But the man shouted back, 'I'm religious. I pray. God loves me. God will save me.”

A helicopter was hovering overhead. And a guy with a megaphone shouted, "Hey you, you down there. The town is flooding. Let me drop this ladder and I'll take you to safety."

But again the man shouted back that he was religious, that he prayed, that God loved him and that God will take him to safety.

Well... the man drowned. And standing at the gates of St. Peter, he demanded an audience with God. "Lord," he said, "I'm a religious man, I pray.

I thought you loved me. Why did this happen?"

Obviously irritated God said, "I sent you a radio report, a helicopter, and a guy in a rowboat. What the heck are you doing here?!"

A misunderstanding wo boys were struggling with a huge table in a doorway. They pushed and pulled and upped it and downed it until both were exhausted.

Between gasps for air, one managed to say, “We better give up…’cause we’ll never get this table into the house.”

“Into the house?” screamed the other. “I thought we were moving it out of the house!”

A

T

Last minute minister waited in line to have his car filled with gas just before a long holiday weekend. The attendant worked quickly, but there were many cars ahead of him.

Finally, the attendant motioned him toward a vacant pump.

“Reverend,” said the young man, “I'm so sorry about the delay. It seems as if everyone waits until the last minute to get ready for a long trip.”

The minister chuckled, “I know what you mean. It's the same in my business.”

A

eens are notorious for wanting to stay up late and for not wanting to get up early. Everyone has an internal clock that influences body temperature, sleep cycles, appetite and hormonal changes.

The biological and psychological processes that follow the cycle of this 24-hour internal clock are called circadian rhythms. Puberty changes a teen's internal clock; delaying the time he or she starts feeling sleepy and awakens.

Most teens need about nine hours of sleep a night — and sometimes more —

to maintain optimal daytime alertness.

But few teens actually get that much sleep regularly, thanks to factors such as part-time jobs, early-morning classes, homework, extracurricular activities, social demands, and use of computers and other electronic gadgets.

Sleep deprivation might not seem like a big deal, but it can have serious consequences. Tired teens can find it difficult to concentrate and learn, or even stay awake in class. Too little sleep also might contribute to mood swings and behavioural problems.

(Source: Mayo Clinic)

STORY TIME

Around The Campfire: A Raman Story O nce while traveling, Raman found himself in the company of a group of soldiers.

They were all veterans of war and soon they got to talking about their experiences on the battlefield. One old soldier told of the time he had single-handedly slain seven enemy soldiers. Another gave a detailed description of the manner in which he had held an entire enemy battalion at bay.

When they had finished they looked condescendingly at Raman.

"I don't suppose you have any adventure worth telling," said one of the grizzled warriors.

"Oh, but I have," said Rama "You have?!" said the soldiers.

"Yes," said Rama. "Once while traveling I chanced upon a large tent. I entered and there, lying on a mat was the largest man I had ever seen. I recognized him at once as a dreaded dacoit who had been terrorizing that part of the country for years!"

"What did you do?" asked the soldiers, their interest now fully aroused.

"I cut off his toe and ran for dear life," said Rama.

"His toe?" said a soldier. "Why toe? You should have cut off his head while you had the chance!"

"Somebody had already done that," said Rama, grinning.

By Grammar G.

How is it made?

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T

he English language is peculiar and interesting, and even for native speakers its rules can stump us now and then.

Look at the verb “to make”, out

The Owl Downhill I came, hungry, and yet not starved; Cold, yet had heat within me that was proof Against the North wind; tired, yet so that rest Had seemed the sweetest thing under a roof.

Then at the inn I had food, fire, and rest, Knowing how hungry, cold, and tired was I. All of the night was quite barred out except An owl’s cry, a most melancholy cry Shaken out long and clear upon the hill, No merry note, nor cause of merriment, But one telling me plain what I escaped And others could not, that night, as in I went.

And salted was my food, and my repose, Salted and sobered, too, by the bird’s voice Speaking for all who lay under the stars, Soldiers and poor, unable to rejoice.

-- Edward Thomas

What kids hear unday after church, a Mom asked her very young daughter what the lesson was about.

The daughter answered, “Don't be scared, you'll get your quilt.”

Needless to say, the Mom was perplexed.

Later in the day, the pastor stopped by for tea and the Mom asked him what that morning's Sunday school lesson was about.

He said “Be not afraid, thy comforter is coming.”

A Sunday school teacher began her lesson with a question, “Boys and girls, what do we know about God?” A hand shot up in the air. “'He is an artist!” said the kindergarten boy.

“Really? How do you know?” the teacher asked.

“You know - Our Father, who does art in Heaven...”

If your teen isn't getting enough sleep, there are a few things that you can try to help. For example try to stick to a schedule. Prioritize extracurricular activities and curb late-night social time as needed.

Nix long naps. If your teen is drowsy during the day, a 30-minute nap after school might be refreshing.

Be cautious, though. Too much daytime shut-eye might only make it harder to fall asleep at night. (To be continued).

of which many more constructions can be “made”...

Made from --We would use “made from” to indicate how something is produced or manufactured,

such as: “Plastic is made from oil”.

If the material has been changed (we can’t see it anymore), we use made from.

Then there is Made of , which, the Cambridge Dictionary says, we use when we talk about the basic material or qualities of something.

I.e. “She wore a beautiful necklace made of silver.”

If the material is not changed, we use made of.

Some persons use the term, Made out of . Here it refers to something that has been changed or transformed from one thing into another: “The chairs were made out of old tyres.”

If you are mentioning the parts or materials from which something is constructed, you can use made out of or made of.

Let’s not forget made with, to be used when we talk about the ingredients of food and drink, meaning “using”: “Does cook-up rice always have to be made with coconut?”

Now let’s make sure we have less confusion with these constructions from the verb “to make”.

20 Sunday Times Magazine

FEBRUARY 26, 2017

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Times Sunday Puzzle

I

n English, "re" is a prefix usually meaning "again", such as in "rebuild" (build again). However, there are many words starting with "re" which have a totally different meaning without the "re".

You will be given two definitions, one for a word starting with "re", and one for the remaining word without the "re" (either definition could be given first).

Example: exhausting / ceasing employment Answer: tiring / retiring 1. difficult search / politely ask 2. trustworthy / legally responsible 3. hospital room / prize for achievement 4. back in good health / put something over 5. rhythmic force in arteries / drive back by force see ANSWERS on page 23

see solution on page 23

see solution on page 23

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FEBRUARY 26, 2017

Sunday Times Magazine

21

Times Kids

Creature Corner

GEOZONE

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Life underground

oober Pedy is an opal-mining town in southern Australia that was originally known as the Stuart Range Opal Field, after John McDouall Stuart, who in 1858 was the first European explorer in the area.

In 1920 it was re-named Coober Pedy, an anglicised version of Aboriginal words kupa piti, commonly assumed to mean “white man in a hole”.

More than half its population live

I

f you are a fan of Harry Potter then you may have instantly recognised the last name of E. gryffindori, a newfound spider species whose body shape bears a striking resemblance to the sentient, rhyming Sorting Hat at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

As such, scientists decided to name the spider after the hat’s original owner — and co-founder of Hogwarts — the fictional wizard Godric Gryffindor. Researchers

found the spider in a shrub in the forests of India.

The Eriovixia genus contains 20 species of orb-weaving spider and is widely distributed across Asia and Africa.

Measuring 0.3 inches (7 mm) in length, E. gryffindori shows several distinct differences from other Eriovixia spiders to earn its new scientific name – and its nickname: “Sorting Hat spider”.

Hidden Words Find 6 hidden words in the picture

See answer on page 23

Please see solution on page 23

underground. Temperatures there are maintained at a pleasant 23-25 degrees C throughout the year, compared to surface temperatures that can range from 35° C to the 45° C in the shade in the summer.

From simple homes, called “dugouts” to mansions covering more than 4,800 square feet (450 square meters), churches, art galleries and hotels, underground Coober Pedy has also become a tourist attraction.

The objective of the game is to fill all the blank squares in a game with the correct numbers. Every row of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order. Every column of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order. Every 3 by 3 subsection of the 9 by 9 square must include all digits 1 through 9.

Many shops are located underground at Coober Pedy

Colouring Fun

22 Sunday Times Magazine

FEBRUARY 26, 2017

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FEBRUARY 26, 2017

Sunday Times Magazine 23

Times World

Brazilian cities cancelling carnival; cite security reasons

Mongolian herdsmen use high tech to track their ‘ships of the desert’

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M

State residents have faced looting and violence due to the absence of military police officer patrols

he Rio Times online reports that at least 28 cities in the state of Espírito Santo are cancelling their Carnival festivities with officials claiming a lack of police protection for partygoers.

State residents have faced looting and violence for the past 18 days due to the absence of patrolling by military police officers.

The Carnival cancellations have happened despite the federal government extending the stay of the Armed Forces in the state for another two weeks, according to government news sources.

“The measure is due to the crisis experienced by public security in the state, which

makes the full security of residents and tourists impossible during the Carnival of 2017,” says the press statement released by officials in the coastal town of Piúma, very popular with tourists this time of year.

The mayor of the town of Anchieta, Fabrício Petrit, issued a similar note saying that the city would be cancelling Carnival festivities due to the lack of security.

In the first ten days of the walkout of military police officers in the state, at least 147 violent deaths were reported along with hundreds of reports of looting and destruction of public transportation and retail stores.

Heavy penalties sought for Saudi bakers making underweight bread T Brain Teaser Answer 1. quest / request 2. reliable / liable 3. ward / reward

SUDOKU

4. recover / cover 5. pulse / repulse

KID SUDOKU

CROSSWORD

he Saudi Arabian Ministry of Commerce and Investment (MCI) has stipulated a minimum weight of 510 grams for a bag of bread and violators will be subject to penalties and closure of bakeries under a directive issued by the Council of Ministers.

The stipulation comes after the MCI reported that inspection teams have detected 128 violations among 730 bakeries visited during the past 10 days.

The shortage of bread weight is considered a violation that requires imposing of fines of up to SR3,000, (approximately US$ 800) with possible closure of the bakery, according to the Municipal List of Fines and Penalties, issued by the Council of Ministers.

Those violators who were responsible for baking underweight bread have been summoned for a formal inquiry and have been urged to manufacture the bread according to government specifications.

Hidden Words Answer The words are: Cow Laugh Wow Guitar Orange Iowa

ongolian herdsmen have started using a unique service supported

by China-developed Beidousystem this year to track their camels, stallions and other livestock, media reported on Wednesday.

Studhorses, camels used for breeding and rams are now equipped with the navigation system, so that herdsmen can learn the number of their livestock, their location and living conditions, a senior Mongolian herdsman was quoted by the Science and Technology Daily as saying on Wednesday.

The herding system tailored for Mongolians was jointly developed by Mengke Beidou Electronic Technology Co in Erdos of North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and the National University of Mongolia in Ulan Bator. The system has already been promoted in four

banners (counties) of Erdos.

"Unlike Inner Mongolia, the geographical and climate conditions in Mongolia are poorer, posing bottlenecks for the promotion of the system," said Zhao Lu, a manager from Mengke, adding that the tailored system also uses the Mongolian language.

The herding system is expected to be popularized in countries such as Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, the Science and Technology Daily reported.

Named after the Chinese term for the Big Dipper, the Beidou satellite navigation project began in 1994, some 20 years after GPS, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

A regional Beidou network has taken shape, providing positioning, navigation, timing and short message services for China and several other Asian countries, reports said.(China Daily)

Europeans brought new, deadly ulcer bacteria to Americas

E

uropeans who came to the Americas inadvertently introduced germs — including smallpox and measles — that killed upward of 90 percent of the native people. But now a new study finds that these now-infamous germs weren't the only ones the Europeans were carrying.

The Europeans (and their African slaves) also brought new strains of bacteria called Helicobacter pylori, known to cause gastric

ulcers and stomach cancer, according to an international team of researchers.

The twist is that these "foreign" H. pylori strains didn't kill the local people quickly, like the smallpox virus did. Instead, the strains supplanted the local strain of H. pylori already present in the Americas, and eventually, led to a near extinction of the local strains.

The effects of this may be seen today. These Old World strains of H. pylori now in-

fecting the multi-ethnic populations of the Americas may be one reason why South America, in particular, currently has some of the world's highest rates of ulcers and stomach cancer, the researchers said.

The provocative new study — a mix of anthropology, genetics and public health — appeared Feb. 23 inthe journal PLOS Genetics.

24

Sunday Times Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

FEBRUARY 26, 2017

Fun Times

Archie

Make your relationships with others a priority. Share (March 21- your feelings and plans with April 19) a loved one. Personal improvement is favored, and promises must be honored.

ARIES

Round up those you enjoy TAURUS working alongside and offer (April 20- incentives to ensure you May 20) receive the necessary help to turn a personal project into a reality. Mix business with pleasure.

Be careful when dealing GEMINI with peers, friends and (May 21relatives. Someone who wants June 20) to make you look bad will jeopardize your reputation.

Honesty and evidence are your best recourses.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Dilbert

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Explore the unfamiliar through educational pursuits or travel. Getting involved in something unique will open your mind to new possibilities.

A day trip, retreat or excursion will be enlightening.

Before you start a new project, review the details and make sure you are getting what you deserve for your knowledge, skills and enthusiasm. Once you’re satisfied, celebrate with someone you love.

Let your emotions move you and your intuition spur you to take on new challenges. You have more to offer than you realize. Put some muscle behind your plans and see what happens.

LIBRA Get out and do things with (Sept. 23- people who stimulate you Oct. 23) mentally. Take on physical challenges that test your strength and endurance.

Gravitate toward unfamiliar situations, places and people.

Peanuts

Your creative imagination SCORPIO (Oct. 24- will bring you good fortune.

Nov. 22) Develop something you enjoy doing and find a way to turn it into a prosperous endeavor.

Have fun with a friend or loved one.

Stick close to home and SAGITTARIUS the people you love and (Nov. 23trust.

Travel and matters Dec. 21) involving unfamiliar people and situations will lead to uncertainty, delays and emotional duress.

Calvin and Hobbes

Keep life simple and CAPRICORN your expenditures minimal (Dec. 22- in order to avoid loss. Relive Jan. 19) memories that will encourage you to pursue your dreams.

Follow your instincts and strive to set a good example.

On your mark, get set, AQUARIUS go! Don't look back or hesi(Jan. 20- tate. Make your move with Feb. 19) confidence in order to accomplish everything you set out to do. Personal improvement can be done.

Your intuitive PISCES (Feb. 20- imagination will be in Mar. 20) overdrive. If you let it flow, it will lead to a plan that will improve your standard of living. Personal improvements will pay off.