Sunday Magazine 02/06/2013

Sunday

Times JUNE 2, 2013

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Showcasing Guyana’s rainforest, indigenous culture

Surama, Iwokrama and Dadanawa Ranch chosen for film locations Page 23

2 Times Sunday Magazine

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june 2, 2013

Times Feature

S

tamps released on an envelope are referred to as ‘Official First Day Covers’ - signifying the first day of release. In addition, information leaflets known as ‘Stamp News’ may also be issued providing collectors and users with the historical background and significance of the said stamps.

Stamps provide a vivid reflection of history through the ages. At the time of issue virtually every stamp has clear historical significance. There are various types of stamps issued for several occasions.

Commemorative stamps honour

important people, events or special subjects of national appeal and significance. Their subjects frequently are former presidents, statesmen, other prominent persons and national shrines.

Browsing the vast collection of stamps and medals of Mr Netram, owner of an antique store in Craig, East Bank Demerara, Guyana Times Sunday Magazine was able to uncover first day covers celebrating Guyana’s independence which were released on May 26, 1966. Mr Netram is very passionate about his collection and was

kind enough to share it with Sunday Magazine.

Postmaster General, Henry Dundas, in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine said that stamps are significant because they highlight a country’s culture and rich history. He added that first covers are still made by the Guyana Post Office upon requests by companies, government ministries, and other entities.

Dundas noted that first covers are mainly made to commemorate momentous occasions and may worth a lot in future years.

First Day Covers celebrating Guyana’s independence in Mr Netram’s collection

Guyana’s Inaugural Flag Raising A national celebration of hoisting the Golden Arrowhead to signify Guyana as a free nation

T

he national expectation was great as were the plans to herald British Guiana into the field of independent nations as the 23rd member of the British Commonwealth.

While the main event was slated for May 25 at the Queen

Elizabeth Park (now National Park), the events to welcome the more than 3000 VIPs and returning Guyanese were planned from Sunday May 22 to Sunday May 29, thus portraying the excitement and extended involvement of people in all parts of the country as part of the historic moment.

The main flag raising ceremony was scheduled for the National Park, but similar activities were also scheduled to be held in other parts of the country with major ceremonies in Essequibo, McKenzie/ Wismar/Christianburg (now Linden) and New Amsterdam.

Adrian Thompson and team also raised a flag at Mount Ayanganna.

Immediately preceding the ceremony at the National Park was the Grand State Banquet at Queen’s College.

With the frolic and fun permeating the nation in all areas, final touches were beThe inaugural raising of ing done for the gala cultural the Golden Arrowhead performance at the National on May 26, 1966 Park entitled "Ours the Glory" under Pageant Director Cicely Robinson. As stated

by Godfrey Chin, over 900 school children, together with performers from the Theatre Guild Dance Group — musical ensembles — the nation's major choral group and steel bands were part of this historical pageant.

This pageant however, was sadly cut by half due to time constraints and the planned tramp and parade the next day around town was rescheduled for security reasons. But this in no way thwart or diminish the enthusiasm of the evening as the thousands in the National Park, standing shoulder to shoulder with little space for movement did not even take the chance of blinking an eye thus missing any of the historic moments.

At 10:15pm Cheddi Jagan arrive with his son Joey and former Minister of Finance, DR. C. R. Jacobs. At 10:30pm the Guyana Defence Force gave a Military Band Display.

At 10:40pm their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Kent other VIPs arrived. At 10:50pm Prime Minister, Forbes Burnham, arrived and embraced Cheddi Jagan to a tumultuous roar of appreciation and applause. At 10:56pm the Guyana Defence Force Band marched off.

From 10:56pm to 11:53pm the pageant continued with display from Majorettes and club wielding soldiers and performances by steel bands.

At 11:53pm the combined bands of the Middlesex Regiment, the Guyana Defence Force along with soldiers from the various regiment and the Guyana Volunteer Force (their last appearance) marched on and arranged themselves around the Guyana flag.

A sudden hush and silence overcame the National Park as 2nd Lt. Desmond Roberts of the Guyana Defence Force and Lt. Jon Klass of the Middlesex Regiment stood before the Golden Arrowhead and the Union Jack.

Watched intently by the thousands assembled, Lt. Jon Klass proceeded to lower the Union Jack. In its place rose the Golden Arrowhead raised by 2nd Lt. Desmond Roberts.

Cheers rang out and a handshake between Sir Richard Luyt, and Prime Minister Forbes Burnham preceded the fireworks display. This first of its kind fireworks display for Guyana, featured a portrait of Forbes Burnham, a map of Guyana, the Kaieteur Falls, and the National Flag among other displays and were done by Brooks Fireworks Ltd. of London.

The first independence celebration has been the blue print for all subsequent flag raising ceremonies. (Taken from ‘Guyana’s 45th Independence Anniversary’ magazine 2011)

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Times Sunday Magazine

3

Times Focus

Independence and Economy PART III Parts I and II printed in the May 26, 2013 Sunday Magazine edition

The Economy: PPP: 1992-2013

T

he PPP took over the Guyanese economy that had been ravaged by the PNC and had just recovered through the IMF-imposed 1989 ERP to a level where the PPP had left in 1964. But it was not a matter of just marking time.

The rest of the Caribbean had marched on and, for instance, the per capita GDP of Barbados was now 20 times greater than ours and we had slipped behind the countries of Sub-Saharan Africa. We were barely above Haiti in this hemisphere.

Our most important resource - human capital was almost completely depleted as 89 percent of Guyanese with skills migrated to OECD countries. Because of the opportunities for rent-seeking (seeking gains from one's position) in state-controlled enterprises, corruption had become endemic in the system. This was to prove one of the major obstacles in moving Guyana forward from its very low economic base.

Growth

But through discipline - and not blind adherence to the IMF-dictated ERP Guyana achieved growth between 1992 and 1997 of almost 7 percent annually.

Sugar, rice and almost every sector - other than bauxite - grew to deliver better wages to the workers. The removal of import controls meant that shops were stocking consumer items not seen in the country for decades.

The PPP government, however, refused to continue with the massive retrenchment in the Civil Service that had been initiated by the PNC and increased spending in the social sector to assist the most disadvantaged members of society. Extreme poverty was slashed by a third to 19 percent between 1993 and 1999 and absolute poverty by 19 percent to 34 percent. These were extraordinary accomplishments and poverty related spending continue to exceed 20 percent which would have further reduced the incidence of poverty.

The PPP redrafted the Privatisation guidelines and began a Phase 2 of divestments with the focus on local investors rather than foreigners, which the PNC had stressed. The gains and profits from privatisation would remain in the country.

Rehabilitation of manufacturing facilities and increased employment were the new watchword. Privatised companies such as the New GPC plunged into cutting edge manufacturing of HIV/AIDS ARV's, for instance, and brought in foreign exchange from exports.

INSIDE Celebrating pregnancy with an artistic Pg 5 experience

Spotlight on ultra-chic accessories Pg 10

SRK to be in sling for six weeks

Pg 14

Removing Debt Albatross

But it was in the field of debt relief, under new Minister of Finance and later President (from 1999) Bharrat Jagdeo, that the greatest progress was made. The short term relief of a bridge loan obtained by the PNC in its waning days, also meant that to service the debt of US$1.5 billion, the country would have to expend 94 percent of its revenues. This was beyond "unsustainable".

The government under Jagdeo, who was a trained economist, was able to secure debt write-offs to such an extent that debt servicing was reduced to a manageable 20 percent. Today, formerly healthy economies such as Barbados and Jamaica have to deal with their debt overhang while Guyana can still continue borrowing.

For Guyana to catch up with its Caribbean neighbours that had surged ahead while the PNC was destroying the economy, meant that it would have to maintain double-digit growth rates for at least two decades. With an average growth rate of 7.1, sustained to 1997, Guyana was poised to achieve this target; only bauxite remaining troubled, even though more than US$23m was injected and debts of US$30 million assumed by the government between 1992 and 1994. The PNC had so destroyed the infrastructure and poisoned labour relations that foreign prospects for its privatisation were skittish. Bauxite continued to be downsized with government providing huge subsidies is electricity and other areas to the residents of the mining town. With the huge

Omai gold mine operating in full swing, gold was picking up the slack in mining.

It was not until the PPP was able to persuade Rusal (Berbice) and Bosai (Linden) that hope was returned to the industry.

The consequences of Opposition Protest: Opposition induced downturn

Following the elections of December 1997, the PNC embarked on a series of protests and street violence that brought economic activity to a halt and plunged the GDP into a decrease of 1.8 percent in 1998. Increased violence from organised gangs, aligned to the Opposition PNC in the following years ensured that growth between 1998 and 2005 averaged a measly 0.3 percent. This period of stagnation has cost the Guyanese economy dearly because the longer we remain mired in the sub-Saharan GDP levels the harder it will be to break free.

Researchers Pg 19 unravel HIV inner shell structure Could lead to new AIDS drugs

Kreative Arts Pg 21

A mandate to help others through the art of dance

Return of Growth

With the government taking control of the violence against the state growth of the economy was resumed - but at a lower average rate of around 4.5 percent between 2006 and2012. This is also correlated with the continued agitation of the opposition so that there is no consensus on the nation working together to build the economy.

While the growth in the last seven years is very positive compared to the declines in the economies of our Caribbean neighbours, we must stress that we need to attain double-digit growth rates to catch up with them. It should be of no comfort that their economies might decline. Sugar, facilitated by the government brought infrastructural development and research has reached its highest production and export figures ever. Sugar, unfortunately, has declined and might have to be reorganised at the least, or even privatised.

For our economy, the government has been trying to reorient it away from the colonial pattern of being primary producers for the developed economies. It has embarked on a Low Carbon Development Strategy that combines the benefits of creating a green economy - hitched to ICT4D (Information and Communication Technology for Development) - that can achieve this goal.

Already its carbon sequestration component has garnered US$250m from Norway for green projects. Unfortunately the Opposition continues its campaign to stymie growth - because its fears its support will dwindle - and they have nixed

the use of those monies to launch the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project that could make Guyana petroleum independent. And of course, also save valuable foreign currency.

The Present Economic Prospects

No Guyanese can deny that this government has made tremendous economic progress since it took over the reins of government. That progress would have been increased by quantum leaps if the Opposition had accepted the political system, which it has shaped more than any other political entity.

There is not a country in the world that can develop if every policy initiative of the government will be opposed in the streets.

The latest refusal of the Opposition to debate the money laundering and terrorism funding bill is a case in point. How can the country develop into a modern economy if its laws in this crucial are not brought into conformity with the internal regime being created. Guyana cannot afford to be branded as a rogue state.

4

Times Sunday Magazine

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june 2, 2013

Times Feature The Dharmic Naujawaan

Empowering youths to develop Guyana

T

he Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha plays its part in ensuring that a forum is always present to develop and nurture youths. One such forum is the Dharmic Naujawaan (DNJ).

This youth arm of the Sabha fosters the development of Hindu youths to meaningfully contribute towards the development of Guyana, through the initiation, facilitation, sponsorship, propagation and implementation of religious, educational, cultural and social activities.

The group was revived on October 1, 2000, and gives youths a sense of belonging, a place to share their views, develop their ideas, become more aware of social issues, tests their creative and artistic capabilities, making them well-rounded individuals.

DNJ allows youths to interact with their colleagues thereby giving them the opportunity to enrich their lives academically, spiritually, culturally and socially. With an executive body of 8 vibrant, motivated youths of different but strong calibre and with a very supportive membership, the group’s aim is not only to follow the guidance of their parent body’s motto, “Action thy duty, reward not thy concern”, but to also live up to their mission statement to “provide support to the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha in the fulfilment of its goals and in particular, foster the development of Guyana through the initiation, facilitation, sponsorship, propagation and implementation of religious, educational, cultural and social activities.”

A body of young professionals- doctors, lawyers, ac-

countants and many othersDNJ seeks to keep busy with numerous activities throughout the year, whether it be activities created by the group or those initiated by the Sabha.

Holi, the festival of spring filled with bright colours and lots of energy, sees the energy of the Naujawaan. The male members sing at the top of their voices in the Rama Krishna chowtal gol, singing not only in Georgetown but also traversing the West Coast to the East Coast to participate in country wide Chowtal Samelans.

The annual Phagwah Mela and Bazaar, held at the Dharmic Kendra, attracts one of the largest crowds and, as such, the Nauiawaan considers it their duty to keep providing new, exciting and entertaining games and activities at the mela. Activities that the Naujawaan provides range from mehendi decoration, artistic face painting for the children and games for young and old, like “hit down the tins”, plinko and hoopla.

Additionally, Indian Arrival Day has always been celebrated with various activities in each community. For the 170th Indian arrival anniversary in Guyana, the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha celebrated in grand style with a two day exhibition and stage show at the National Stadium, Providence. The Naujawaan had a booth at the ground that highlighted important aspects of what the Naujawaan stands for. Their artistic and cultural skills were displayed in the beautifully designed Rrangolis and kalsas. Their thirst for in-

Giving back! Some of DNJ's youths donating blood to the National Blood Transfusion Service.

forming and educating their fellow peers about aspects of their culture took the form of an exhibit of musical instruments. Their social stand was represented by a presentation on HIV/ AIDS and a fun and creative activity was present in the form of mehendi art.

In 2003, the Naujawaan hosted its first Hindu Youth Convention under the banner “Hindu Youths in a Changing World” where they invited youths from across the country to discuss various issues affecting youths in today’s society and to come up with solutions to minimize, if not solve, those problems hence forming resolutions for youths to follow.

Five years later, the second Youth Convention was hosted, this time under the theme “Hindu Youth — Protectors of Our Dharma”.

At the convention, which lasted for two days, a vast number of topics were discussed, issues debated and resolutions made. The main topic was alcohol abuse.

simply by putting up posters and billboards that display important messages.

The cultural dance presentation by the Sabha, Naya Zamana, showcases the talented and energetic minds of the Naujawaan. While some members take to the stage to demonstrate their talent in dance, others are involved behind the scenes with the just as important role of stage management.

The Deepavali motorcade is especially looked forward to by the group. Since 2000,

Distributing clothing and toys during a charity drive

Every year, the Naujawaan Ka Hapta (Hindu Youth Week) reminds youths to be steadfast to Sanatan Dharma and gives them the opportunity to be immersed in various social and community based projects. One activity that the Naujawaan has done annually during that week, and will continue to do so in the future, is the donation of blood at Guyana’s Blood Bank stationed at the Public Hospital. The Naujawaan sees the value of giving back to society whether by donating blood, helping the elderly, giving to the less fortunate or

the group has participated in each and every motorcade.

From the 12 years participating, it secured 1st place five times. Members consider it a challenge each year to create new and innovative designs that also reflect youth related messages.

A timely issue that the Naujawaan is passionate about is the abuse of alcohol.

Members recognize that alcohol abuse is affecting youths today and are speaking out against the selling of alcohol to teenagers, against the usage of the substance by youths, and about the dangers of consuming too much.

Highlighted in many of the Naujawaan’s messages are the consequences of alcohol abuse to a person’s well being, family life, and to society as a whole.

As a central youth arm, the Naujawaan is involved in many outreach programmes which entail visits to other parts of the country to interact with fellow youths and carry out workshops. The Naujawaan supports and encourages other youths to impact positively in society and to form youth groups in their respective communities.

The Golden Om Dharmics (GODS) in Berbice was one

Being creativea group member (left) applies mehendi art to a child's hand at a recently held Phagwah Mela

such group influenced by the Naujawan. GODS is now a vibrant and conscientious group, steadfast in their support of Sanatan Dharma, and engaged in activities that are beneficial to society.

In keeping with its mandate, the Naujawaan always strives to achieve academic excellence and encourages all its fellow youth groups to do the same. Hence, debates are held across the country on topical issues like HIV/ AIDS and alcohol abuse. The group hosts, attends, and in some cases, judges these competitive, educational activities.

In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine , Ananda Latchman, chairperson of the Naujawaan, noted that the group’s future plan is to continue its current work in promoting its activities, culture and religion. Furthermore, she stated, the youth group seeks to increase its membership in order to reach a wider spectrum of youths through more activities.

“Not just a youth, but as a citizen of the country and a person on the whole, we each have a part to play and a responsibility towards each other, to our culture, our religion and to our communities and country. We are the ones that have to maintain our culture today for others to know and enjoy tomorrow. We are also the youths who have to take care of our country now and make others aware of social issues, charities and responsibilities in order for us to grow. Being part of the Dharmic Naujawaan facilitates the fulfilment of these responsibilities. It allows youths to interact in a positive environment with each other and brainstorm ways in which we can give back to our community and also to our culture and ways in which to promote it. For youths to be truly passionate about something and to get involved, they must feel some form of ownership and being part of the youth group and coming up with ways in which to do this has certainly made it possible for the group to reach out to persons and also for us as youths to feel a sense of accomplishment whether its socially or culturally. We preserve and promote both our culture and our social citizenship,” Latchman declared.

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june 2, 2013

Times Sunday Magazine 5

Times Women

P

regnancy is one of the most important chapters in a woman’s life that is greatly celebrated. Through maternity art, artists around the world help mothers commemorate this amazing phase of their lives with intricate artwork done on their “baby bumps”, and local art company Bravo Arts has brought the experience to Guyana.

In an interview with founder of Bravo Arts, Steve Douglas, he stated he had introduced the idea last year, but did not advertise it as much as he is doing now. He had done a couple of tummies and posted them on Facebook where they received positive responses; but he did not pursue this avenue as he was taken up with establishing other projects he was working on.

Then after much research on maternity art and viewing the amazing artwork being done in this aspect of the international art industry, Steve decided he would reintroduce the idea.

“We got our office space, finally, and were expanding our work, and I decided I will see how people would respond to this art once again. Our first model was Rehana Chester who had done body painting before with us. She was very excited to be the first pregnant mother to get this done. From then it caught on to other mothers. With our new office space, mothers are in a comfortable environment where they get their baby bumps artistically painted with an artwork of choice or we help them, and then they get their photos taken at our studio,” he explained.

Steve pointed out that to date Bravo Arts has done about eight different designs and received great responses from the public. Although some men went against the idea of the women baring their pregnant bellies, the mothers welcomed the experience and enjoyed unforgettable moments with their unborn child and sometimes with their husbands.

“This is an internationally recognised feature of the art industry. Many here aren’t familiar with this concept so I would encourage them to do research and see the hundreds who have done this. Also, these decisions are made by the mothers, so I don’t think others should criticize. Then there was the concern about the paint we use being hazardous to health. I was able to dispel such misconceptions because we haven’t received any response from the mothers saying it afAnother body paint option for mothers

Winnie the Pooh for a fun look

fected them in any way. Some have already given birth and are all healthy. The paint is non-toxic and is specifically used for this purpose. It washes off easily and does not soak into the skin,” Steve pointed out.

Speaking to Sunday Magazine, Alicia Smith, who utterly enjoyed her experience with her maternity art, said she worked with Bravo Arts as a makeup artist, and it was a gift from Steve and other artists to get her tummy painted. She added that it was also “the new and hottest thing going on for pregnancy and [I] wanted to be a part of it.”

Steve said that the other mothers shared Alicia’s sentiments, and he personally witnessed the joy they had in the entire experience. The artist recalled that one mother was overjoyed feeling her unborn baby kicking up a storm at the time. It was a treasured moment for both the mother and for Steve.

“We have now expanded the maternity art to include belly casting, where we apply a wet plaster over the tummy to get the shape for about 20 minutes. It is completely safe and is done worldwide. The cast is left to dry for 48 hours and then we do any artwork the mothers want. They can keep the cast as a memorabilia to show their children when they are older.

The cast can be kept for a lifetime if cared properly. There no harmful effects and, of course, these are all tried and true,” he declared.

So what’s next for the art pioneering company? Steve revealed that his team is currently preparing for the local art production “Kiss My Art” to be held June 29 at the Guyana Cricket Club. He is also working on a recycling project where persons can submit old tires and used bottles, and they can be made into functional objects.

“We’re in the planning stages of the recycling project where we will take bottle, tires and other items and recycle them making them into functional items. Through this we want to encourage persons to bring in their recyclable items and we can transform them into creative pieces and ultimately help in the garbage epidemic we face in Guyana. We’re inviting corporate Guyana to get onboard with this significant initiative and help us to beautify our country,” he urged.

For more information on these projects visit Bravo Arts on Facebook or call office numbers 223-0677 or 651-9120.

Local designer Olympia SmallSonaram enjoys the creativity on her baby bump

Special request for a robotic look

Bravo Arts' intricate work on this mother's baby bump

6 Times Sunday Magazine

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june 2, 2013

Times Book World

The Shaping of Guyanese Literature

Breakfast at the Taitt’s*

By Petamber Persaud

Producers: “Growing up Caribbean”, a 13-episode television series; the Caribbean Poetry Project (Cambridge University), and the Ministry of Education with Janice Shinebourne – a silent partner.

Location: Dining room of Cara Lodge, previously the Taitt’s Family Home.

Cast: John Agard, Grace Nichols, Michael Gilkes, Petamber Persaud and the good ghosts of memories lurking within that architectural landmark of Georgetown.

Music: Sounds of Georgetown traffic, car alarms going with Dave Martins in the background.

Story and Screenplay: Petamber Persaud

I

t was Friday May 24, 2013, the final working day of the week before the long weekend holiday to mark Guyana’s 47th Independence anniversary. The holiday fell on Sunday May 26 so that meant, in our context, that Monday would be a holi-

Dave Martins

Grace Nichols

John Agard

Michael Gilkes

day, thereby shortening the work days of the following week.

All off this meant that I had to rush in as much official business as possible.

It so happened that my first business of the day was completed without a hitch, freeing up some precious time. Next business of the morning was set for 1100 hours, so instead of going home and com-

ing out again, I decided to stop at Cara Lodge on Quamina Street, to uplift two books sent to me by Janice Shinbourne.

Here I walked in on Grace Nichols, John Agard and Michael Gilkes sitting at breakfast. The everhelpful maitre d’, Tulsi, offered me a platter of fruits and a glass of juice, so I joined the table.

There was so much to

talk about that the conversation rapidly veered from subject to subject, but at times we would refocus on the engagements that brought us together.

Agard and Nichols were here to launch their recent books at the University of Guyana and also to attend the Caribbean Poetry Project conference to be staged at the International Conference Centre, Liliendaal. The Caribbean Poetry Project is a collaborative effort between Cambridge University and the University of the West Indies. During the conference, Agard (along with other notable poets) would also conduct a poetry workshop.

During breakfast, Nichols was considerate enough to interrupt her breakfast in order to get to her room and return with the books Shinebourne sent me – “Timepiece” and “The Last English Plantation”.

She also brought me her new collection of poems for children, “Sun Time Snow Time”.

Later Agard slipped out to get me a copy of his book, “Travel Light Travel Dark”, returning with word that he just ran into Dave Martins.

In receipt of that bit of information, Gilkes excused himself from the table to meet with Dave Martins – they were preparing to depart Georgetown for the interior of Guyana – the location for the shooting of Gilkes’ film, “Maira and the Jaguar People”.

The breakfast party broke up and we shift to the lobby where Michael Gilkes was already with Dave Martins preparing to head to location for the film shoot.

About 1030 hours, I took my leave from such illustrious gathering of

award winning artists in poetry, film, and music.

But the cameras kept rolling..... *Note: As I prepared this article, the title of a 1961 movie, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” adapted from a novella of the same name written by Truman Capote, kept flashing through my mind. Furthermore, each of us at breakfast was in one way or the other connected to the cinematographic art.

Michael Gilkes is a filmmaker in the process of producing another movie, the first in the series of “Growing up Caribbean” titled “Maira and the Jaguar People: A Story from the Guyana Rainforest.” The Petamber Persaud’s “The Balgobin Saga”

movie will showcase the lifestyle of one of Guyana’s first nations, the Makushi Amerindians.

Grace Nichols’s collection of poems “I Is a Long-Memoried Woman” was adapted to 50-minute video produced by Ingrid Lewis in 1990. The film chronicles the history of slavery through the eyes of Caribbean women in spoken word, song and dance. It shows the conditions on sugar plantations, the unfolding acts of defiance and the rebellion which led to eventual freedom. It tells of the African woman fighting for her space in society.

John Agard”s “Goldilocks on CCTV” was written from a cinematographic angle; just imagine Miss Goody TwoShoes getting caught on CCTV... and Goldilocks caught on camera breaking into a house....

My book, “The Balgobin Saga”, was adapted into a docudrama produced by the Centre for Communication Studies, University of Guyana. So it was not too difficult to tweak with the title of that 1961 movie and come up with a title of this article.

Responses to this author telephone (592) 2260065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com

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june 2, 2013

Times Sunday Magazine 7

Times Feature

Young Professionals

Randy Sanichar - Chemist

Star of the week

By Vahnu Manikchand

R

andy Sanichar graduated Best Chemistry Major in 2011 from the University of Guyana, at the age of 24.

Born and raised in Patentia, West Bank Demerara, Sanichar wanted to be in a field where he can practice what he learnt, and being a chemist today allows him to do that.

Now 25, he is a process chemist at the Chemist Randy Sanichar distillery of Demerara Distillers Limited.

Coming out of school, Sanichar said, he was looking for an industry where he could be involved and create things. “I was not sure where I would end up, but knew exactly what I wanted to do, and being a chemist is one of those fields that allow you to practice and perform your profession”.

After completing his secondary education at the West Demerara School, Sanichar began working at DDL as a laboratory technician for three years before he went to the university, where he acquired a degree in Chemistry.

After his studies, he returned to the distillery where he is currently tasked with the process of converting molasses to rum.

Sanichar explained that working at DDL is like a dream job, since he is allowed to be directly linked and involved in the processes. “At most of the companies in Guyana, chemists are mostly placed in administration positions like being in charge of a lab, but at DDL, I was given the opportunity of practicing my profession”.

He pointed out that working at DDL has helped him to build the drive with regard to his plans for the future. “There is so much to learn in this field and I am fortunate to have the opportunity of working alongside experience persons, who have motivated and guided me to become better at my job”.

Sanichar disclosed that he will be going overseas to complete his studies, that is, obtain a Masters in Organic Chemistry, after which he is will strive to obtain his PHD. He noted that his goal is to pursue studies so that he can create and develop drugs.

“As a chemist,” he added, “you get to practice your profession; people think that chemists just learn the theory, but we get to explore and experiment with the things we learn, and that is the most rewarding part of the profession.”

He advises aspiring chemists to be active and involved in experiments. “In this profession we learn a lot, and it is one of those fields that help you to get answers for questions you may have about things in your environment.”

B

eautiful and sensational Jyoti Hardat, driven by a mission, has begun her journey in vying for the crown of Miss New York USA 2014. Jyoti never viewed herself as a pageant girl and did not think about entering pageants. However, the beauty is driven by a cause which burns brightly in her heart. Wanting to share this with the wider world, Jyoti sought the platform provided through the Miss New York USA 2014 pageant. Her inspiration comes from fellow Guyanese and international pageantry contestant Natasha Prakash who encouraged Jyoti to join. Natasha is known for her participation in the Miss District of Columbia Teen USA 2003. Jyoti’s determination to get into this pageant also stems from the tragic death of her sister who was murdered by her (sister) fiancé. Although broken by the death of her sister and best friend, Jyoti was resolute to become an advocate against domestic violence. For the beauty, dance and gymnastics have positively impacted her life and have made her a well-rounded individual. Jyoti hopes that others would join in her fight against domestic and welcomes all the support from her fellow Guyanese to help her during her journey in the Miss New York USA 2014. For more information on Jyoti’s journey and advocacy, visit Jyoti Hardat for Miss New York USA 2014 on Facebook. (Photo credit: Rick Berk Photography)

8 Times Sunday Magazine

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june 2, 2013

Times Kids Page

Did you know?

I

n Africa the snail is traditionally eaten as food, and as Africans migrate to Europe and North America, they have taken the demand for the snail with them, leading to the introduction of the species in these areas.

Young giant Ghana snails grow fairly slowly.

Their distinctive striped markings have provided them with the label “tiger snails�

T

he giant Ghana snail, (Achatina achatina) also known as the giant tiger land snail, grows to a length of 18 cm (7.1 in) with a diameter of 9 cm (3.5 in), becoming the largest land snail on Earth. Some have been measured in the wild at 30Ă—15 cm.

Like most snails, the giant Ghana snail contains both male and female parts on one individual (it is hermaphroditic). They are generally nocturnal forest dwellers but can adapt to disturbed habitats, and feed on both living and dead plant material.

In the wild they are found in West Africa, in Ghana, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, Togo, Nigeria and Cameroon.

Colouring Fun

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.

please see solution on page 22

MAZE DAZE

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june 2, 2013

Times Sunday Magazine 9

Myth buster: Napoleon was about 5' 6" tall, average height for his time.

By Laurie Triefeldt

During the French Revolution, a young general named Napoleon Bonaparte took center stage. His charisma and superior military and leadership skills helped to make him Emperor of France (1804 to 1815). He went on to conquer and rule much of Europe.

“Napoleon Crossing the Alps” on the back of Marengo in 1800; detail from the painting by Jacques-Louis David

ICELAND

MA RK -NO RW D AY EN-

Norwegian Sea By 1812, Napoleon controlled most of Europe, either directly or indirectly.

UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND

Napoleonic France and his conquered vassals Napoleon’s voluntary allies (not conquered)

SWEDEN

North Sea

RUSSIAN EMPIRE

Baltic Sea DUCHY OF WARSAW (POLAND)

CONFEDERATION OF THE RHINE TIA OA CR

FIRST FRENCH SWITZ. EMPIRE ITALY

Road to the crown During the French Revolution, Napoleon helped to crush rebellions and expand the territories of France (including a great victory over the Austrian army).

AUSTRIAHUNGARIAN EMPIRE

After his Egyptian campaign, Napoleon and his armies returned to Paris and overthrew the French government. Shortly after this coup d’etat, Napoleon named himself Emperor of France.

Black Sea

Adriatic Sea

SPAIN

Coalitions (rivals) never conquered by France

(Disastrous 1812 invasion of Russia pressured France’s collapse)

PRUSSIA

Atlantic Ocean

POR TUG AL

FINLAND (Swedish until 1809, then Russian)

SARDINIA Tyrrhenian Sea Mediterranean Sea

OTTOMAN EMPIRE

Ionian Sea

Napoleon Bonaparte was born Napoleone Buonaparte on August 15, 1769, in the Corsican city of Ajaccio. He was the fourth of 11 children of Carlo Buonaparte and Letizia Romolino.

Napoleon at age 23

Napoleon met Josephine de Beauharnais (1763–1814), and they were married in 1796. In 1810, Napoleon had his marriage to Josephine dissolved and he married Marie Louise, the daughter of Emperor Francis II of Austria.

Josephine de Beauharnais (1763-1814)

Marie Louise Duchess of Parma (1791-1847)

Napoleon enrolled in military school at the age of 10. By 1785, he was a second lieutenant in the French army. In 1793, Napoleon became a brigadier general; and in 1795, he was promoted to General of the Army of the West, and later that year to Commander of the Army of the Interior.

1796: Italian campaign against Austria begins.

Napoleon wins the Battle of Lodi and later the Battle of Arcole.

1797: Napoleon returns to Paris a hero.

1798 May 19: Egyptian campaign begins.

1799: Napoleon becomes First Consul of the new French government.

1800 May 20: Napoleon leads his army across the Alps in the Second Italian Campaign.

1795 1798 July 2: Fall of Alexandria.

July 21: The French win the Battle of the Pyramids in Egypt.

July 24: Fall of Cairo.

August 1: Admiral Nelson and a British fleet destroy the French navy. Napoleon returns to Paris.

1800 1802: New constitution adopted, confirming Napoleon as First Consul.

1803: France sells Louisiana Territory to U.S.

1805 1805: Victory in the Battle of Austerlitz.

1806: Napoleon names his brother, Joseph Bonaparte, king of Naples.

1807: Napoleon creates the Grand Duchy of Warsaw.

French occupation of Portugal begins.

As emperor, Napoleon introduced many lasting reforms that helped bring peace and stability back to France.

He rewrote the French feudal laws, creating a new Napoleonic Code of laws (many of these laws remain in effect).

After bringing stability to France, Napoleon set out to conquer Europe. He took great tracts of land and created a large empire.

When it happened: A brief timeline of Napoleon’s Reign 1804 May 18: Senate proclaims Napoleon emperor.

December 2: Napoleon crowns himself emperor.

1805 March 17: Napoleon is crowned king of Italy.

October 21: In the Battle of Trafalgar, British fleet commanded by Admiral Nelson defeats French.

Reforms

Blind ambition

Married life

Early days

Napoleon was a brilliant military strategist.

1808: Napoleon names Joseph Bonaparte King of Spain and Joachim Murat King of Naples.

1811: Napoleon’s son born.

1812 June 24: Russian Campaign begins.

September 14: Grand Army enters Moscow to find the city abandoned. Army retreats and suffers devastating losses.

1810 1813 Prussia declares war on France June 21: The French fall to Spain in the Battle of Vitoria.

1814 Anti-French coalition army enters France.

1815

1815 March: Napoleon takes control of French army, begins Hundred Days campaign.

June 18: Defeated in the Battle of Waterloo by the British and Prussians, led by Wellington and Blucher.

June 22: Napoleon abdicates.

October 16: Napoleon is exiled to St. Helena.

1820

1814 March: Paris falls.

April: Senate proclaims end 1821 of the Empire.

March 5: Napoleon Napoleon abdicates and dies.

Louis XVIII becomes king.

May 4: Napoleon is exiled to Elba.

1815 March 1: Napoleon escapes Elba and returns to South France.

* Due to space limitations, timeline does not include complete list of battles, treaties and events

However, the conquered nations resented French rule, taxes and forced conscription into Napoleon’s army. These nations (beginning with Spain) began to rebel, and by 1814, Napoleon was forced to step down as the emperor of France.

Hundred Days A year after abdicating, Napoleon returned to Paris and rallied his soldiers. For 100 days, Napoleon again ruled France.

In June 1815, in a decisive battle at Waterloo (in present day Belgium), Napoleon was defeated. He was later forced into exile on the island of St. Helena, where he died in 1821.

In the end, the Napoleonic Empire Wars cost France and its allies the lives of millions of men, and did not gain any lasting territory for France.

SOURCES: World Book Encyclopedia, World Book Inc.; www.pbs.org; www.kidspast.com; www.notablebiographies.com; www.napoleon.org. Map: www.euroheritage. net/napoleonicempire.shtml

10 Times Sunday Magazine

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june 2, 2013

Times Fashion

Chic necklace made from woodsticks

Twisted aluminum pipe creatively made into a fashionable 'statement' necklace

Leather slippers with stained glass accents and matching necklace with acai seeds and glass beads

Beauty from the sea and land- sea glass and ocean pottery make these rings must-have accessories.

Glittery green- a perfect pair of leather slippers and matching necklace

T

Fashionable earrings made with natural stones and other materials

he spotlight is on the recent stylish collections of handmade slippers and jewellery by Guyanese designer Nadia Jabour.

Using precious metals with indigenous materials, Nadia has created a colourful and fashionable collection of leather slippers and handmade jewellery that are ideal to complete any ensemble.

Her desire to “create with a difference” has motivated her to design distinct pieces for those who love a “statement look”. The designer’s unique collections suit any personality and style.

Nadia’s pieces were featured in the June 2010 edition of SHE magazine. She was also chosen to participate in Design Caribbean 2011 in Dominican Republic. Her designs are shipped worldwide and are sought after by other designers to complement their outfits on international runways.

For more information on the collection, visit Designs by Nadia on Facebook.

J

june 2, 2013

LS is an English boy band consisting of members J.B. Gill, Marvin Humes, Aston Merrygold and Oritsé Williams. They originally signed to Tracklacers production company New Track City and then went on to become runners-up of the fifth series of ITV reality talent show The X Factor in 2008, coming second to Alexandra Burke. Following their appearance on The X Factor, JLS signed to Epic Records. Their first two singles ‘Beat Again’ and ‘Everybody in Love’ both went to number one on the UK Singles Chart. The band's self-titled debut album was released in November 2009, and has since sold over one million copies in the UK. JLS won the awards for British Breakthrough and British Single (‘Beat Again’) at the 2010 BRIT Awards. They also won several awards at the Mobo awards for Best song for ‘Beat Again’ in 2009 and also Best Newcomer in the same year. In 2010 they won the MOBO Awards for Best UK act and Best Album. They also went on to win their fifth MOBO Award in 2012 by winning Best Video for ‘Do You Feel What I Feel?’ In 2010, JLS signed a record deal in the United States with Jive Records, and released ‘Everybody in Love’ as their debut U.S. single, but it failed to chart. ‘The Club Is Alive’, the lead single from their second studio album, was released in the UK in July 2010, and earned the band their third number-one on the UK Singles Chart. Their single ‘She Makes Me Wanna’ featuring Dev was their fifth UK number one. As of 2012, their debut album and single has been named one of The X Factor's top ten biggest-selling debut singles and albums. JLS has sold more than 10 million records worldwide. As of 2013, they are the sixteenth richest reality TV stars in the UK.

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Times Sunday Magazine 11

Star Times Hollywood

12 Times Sunday Magazine

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june 2, 2013

Times Hollywood

Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj Kate Middleton planning to throw baby shower? leaving American Idol

M

ariah Carey and Nicki Minaj are singing their swan songs to American Idol.

On Thursday, Carey reTweeted a post by her reps that announced, "W/ global success of "#Beautiful" (#1 in 30+ countries so far) @ MariahCarey confirms world

tour & says goodbye 2 Idol."

Minutes later, Minaj Tweeted: "Thank you American Idol for a life changing experience!

Wouldn't trade it for the world! Time to focus on the Music!!! Mmmuuuaahhh!!!"

The news comes after weeks of speculation that

the entire current judges panel would be leaving the show.

Carey and Minaj followed the departure of the show's top "dawg," Randy Jackson, who said he was looking forward to "focusing on my company ... and other business ventures."

Only the fate of Keith Urban remains in question.

One thing about Carey's departure is certain – she is not leaving without her hands full.

"The rest of this year is jam-packed with Mariah putting the finishing touches on her much anticipated forthcoming album, headlining the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular and appearing in Lee Daniels's The Butler, opening in August," her rep tells PEOPLE in a statement.

(People)

K

ate Middleton is apparently planning to throw a baby shower to celebrate ahead of her new arrival in July - and Pippa Middleton is the organiser.

Despite the tradition being an American one, the Duchess Of Cambridge will reportedly enjoy a party, which will come complete with a cake shaped like a dummy.

The whole Middleton clan is expected to be present at the shower, which is likely to be held at their family home in Berkshire.

Invitations and the specific location of the festivities are being kept strictly under wraps.

A source told on British tabloid: "It isn't royal tradition but Kate isn't a traditional Royal."

A second insider added: "Prince Harry, Kate and William are the Royal Family's link to the younger generation. A baby shower wouldn't normally happen if you're in the Royal Family, but there is now a modern way of thinking.

"It will be a great day for everyone and Kate is doing this with the blessing of the Queen."

Guests at the party are apparently set to receive goody bags filled with candles and other gifts from Jo Malone and The White

Company.

"She is modern and wants a normal life," the source claimed. (Glamour)

Henry Cavill: ‘I was Fat Cavill at school’

H

enry Cavill has admitted that he used to struggle with his weight as a teen-

ager.

The British actor, who is set to take on the role of Superman in this summer's forthcoming superhero flick ‘Man Of Steel’, confessed that he was overweight as a child.

Speaking to Details, he said: "I

was fat... I was Fat Cavill."

Cavill admitted that he "bawled on the phone to [his] mum four times a day" at boarding school and became an "easy target", but explained that he began to shed the pounds when he was cast in The Count of Monte Cristo, joking: "I lost one and a half stone, and I wasn't Fat Cavill anymore."

Cavill also opened up about his intense training regime for Man Of Steel, admitting that he had now relaxed his punishing schedule: "I'm not eating 5,000 calories a day anymore."

He added: "I will say I was a lot bigger as Superman. A lot bigger. I'm not saying how much. It's modesty about the weight - I've always been worried about my

weight - but I also don't want to invite that debate: Henry weighs this, so he's the perfect Superman.

Or, Henry doesn't weigh this, and therefore he's not believable in the role."

The 30-year-old actor also praised his parents in the interview, revealing that they taught him to "believe" in himself.

‘Man of Steel’ is due to hit cinemas on 14 June. (Glamour)

‘Vampire Diaries’ star gets engaged

‘V

ampire Diaries’ star Candice Accola has announced her engagement to Joe King, the guitarist from American rock band The Fray.

The 26-year-old actress revealed that she was set to wed via her Instagram account.

She posted a sun-drenched photo of her and her lover kissing, accompanied by the

caption: "Cheers from the future Mr & Mrs. Joseph Aaron King."

King followed up his new fiancée's announcement by posting another cheery picture of them on his own account.

He twinned the snap, which shows off her large diamond engagement ring, with the caption: "I'm a lucky man."

Friend of the couple, the newly single Nina Dobrev, was quick to congratulate her co-star on Twitter, posting: "DYING RIGHT NOW! SO excited/thrilled/happy/hyperventilating over ur engagement! #matchmadeinheaven I mean.. #matchmadebynina" Dobrev split from her co-star Ian Somerhalder earlier this year after a threeyear romance.

Accola will be a prominent figure in the show again this season, while her fiancé King will be promoting his band's fourth studio album, Paradise, which is set to be released around the same time. (Glamour)

Cameron Diaz dating real-life ‘Iron Man’ billionaire?

C

ameron Diaz is dating Tesla Motors CEO, South African billionaire Elon Musk, it has been reported.

Diaz reportedly bought an electric car from Tesla earlier this year, and has since been seen visiting the company's Californian headquarters on a few occasions. Meanwhile, Musk has also been spotted in Los Angeles "visiting Cameron", an insider revealed.

Twice-divorced Musk most recently split with Pride And Prejudice star Talulah Riley.

Diaz's most recent high-profile relationship was with New York yankee Alex Rodriguez, which ended two years ago.

Entrepreneur Musk - who is also the CEO of space exploration company Space X is cited as an inspiration for Robert Downey Jr's portrayal of Tony Stark in the ‘Iron

Man’ franchise.

Representatives for the pair are yet to comment on the romance rumours.

(Glamour)

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june 2, 2013

Times Sunday Magazine 13

Star Times Bollywood

K

arishma Kotak is a British-Indian model, actress and TV presenter. Karishma began her modelling career at the age of 16 and worked for magazines like Just Seventeen and other projects in England. At age 20, she visited India and realized the huge potential that the Indian fashion and film industry had to offer. She then moved to Mumbai, India, and within 2 months of her relocation, she was selected to work with a calendar published by the United Breweries Group, the 2006 Kingfisher Calendar, which was shot in Australia by Atul Kasbekar. Karishma acted in a few music videos, including a 2004 music video called ‘Me Against Myself’ by BritishIndian singer and songwriter Jay Sean. Her next appearance in a music video was for Sonu Nigam and Sapna Mukherjee’s track ‘Madbhari’ released in 2006. In 2007, she appeared in an EnglishHindi music video titled ‘Belly Dancing’ by reggae DJ Apache Indian. She made her debut as an actress in the Indian film industry in the Telugu film, ‘Shankar Dada Zindabad’, which was released in 2007. The film is a remake of ‘Lage Raho Munna Bhai’ and was received well at the box office, though it failed to make it among the top films of the year in its segment.

In 2010, Karishma made her entry in Bollywood with UTV Motion Pictures’ film ‘Season's Greetings’. This year, she would be seen in the Hindi film, ‘Jo Bhi Karva Lo’, which is scheduled to be released soon.

14 Times Sunday Magazine

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june 2, 2013

Times Bollywood

Amitabh Bachchan inspired by his parents

B

ollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan says that he takes inspiration from his parents.

He said even today his parents inspire him.

"I limit my inspiration to my parents...to my father and mother. My father was a poet and my mother was from a Sikh family and it was very unusual for them to get married in the city of Allahbad," Bachchan said Thursday during an interview with G2: The Global Gujarati magazine's editor Abhinav Aggarwal.

Talking about his relationship with his father, the actor said that he regrets not being able to spend more time with him.

"I live with his works and books. I regret not spending enough time with him.

When he passed away I was

devastated. He passed away when I was 62," he said.

Bachchan referred to his mother as being "strong willed" and "protective". "My mother was strong willed and protective. She was beautiful," he said.

The actor said that he is happy that his entire family consisting of wife Jaya Bachchan, son Abhishek Bachchan and daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan stay under one roof.

"It is convenient that all of us stay under one roof. I think communication is important and I insist that we keep communicating. This brings a feeling of togetherness," he said. (Mid-Day)

Ranbir Kapoor: 'Actors are overrated and overpaid’ R anbir Kapoor has claimed that actors in the industry get far too much credit.

The star can currently be seen acting opposite his ex-girlfriend Deepika Padukone in ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani’ He told the Hindustan Times: "[Actors are] overrated and overpaid, because we get too much credit. Movies are a director's medium and they end up getting less credit than actors. They get the flak if the movie doesn't do well and the actor walks away with most of the credit if the film does well."

In the same interview, co-star Padukone denied that her fellow actors have an easy time.

"I don't think so. As glamorous and easy it [acting] appears to be, it isn't. For us it is a creative thing, so to say that it is overrated or overpaid is a bit much. Our profession requires a lot of dedication, commitment, hard work and focus," she said.

Kapoor has previously said that people behind the scenes in films should get more recognition.

‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani’ producer Karan Johar has said that he wants

the former couple to pair up on screen for another project. (Digital Spy)

‘I am working in Bollywood Poonam Pandey's erotica 'Nasha' to be released in July as per my plan’- Madhuri Dixit

T

he trailer of controversial model Poonam Pandey's debut film 'Nasha' will be launched in the first week of June and the erotica is set for a July release, says director Amit Saxena.

"The film is ready and we are planning to have the trailer launch in the first week on June. The film is set for a July 26 release," Saxena told IANS. This is not the first time that Saxena has wielded the megaphone for a bold film.

In 2003, he wore the director's hat to make Bipasha Basu and John Abraham starrer erotic thriller 'Jism'.

If 'Jism' was about a stormy affair between a Casonova lawyer and a married

woman, 'Nasha' is a passionate love story between an 18-year-old boy and a 25-yearold girl.

"Yes, it's a bold film, but it's basically a simple love story. It's a very different subject and Poonam has done a great job in the film," said Saxena.

For the role, Poonam, 22, apparently gave up her disciplined diet routine and gorged on junk food to gain weight.

The model made headlines during 2011 Cricket World Cup when she offered to go nude before Team India if they won the trophy.

'Nasha' has been produced by Aditya Bhatia. (IBN Live)

A

ctress Madhuri Dixit, who will be seen in two upcoming Hindi films, is happy to work with a new crop of talented actors and says she has been working in Bollywood as per her own plan.

Madhuri is set to stage a comeback in Bollywood after a gap of six years with two projects Vishal Bharadwaj's home production 'Dedh Ishqiya' and Anubhav Sinha-

produced 'Gulaab Gang'. She has also done an item song in Karan Johar's home production 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani', which released on Friday.

The item song, 'Ghagra', features her and new age actor Ranbir Kapoor. "I don't why people call it a comeback. It is a mystery to me. Everyone works according to their plan. The vibe from industry people is positive. People love me and are waiting to see 'Gulaab Gang' and 'Dedh Ishqiya'," Madhuri said.

For 'Gulaab Gang', Madhuri did sing a few lines with her mother Snehlata. "They wanted a voice for a particular sequence, not a proper song. With a couple of instruments playing in the background, they wanted the actress (Madhuri) to break into a song. They wanted to make it realistic, so when the director asked me, I thought about it and agreed."

Madhuri said the artistic talent in her is because of her mother, who has interest in music. "My mother couldn't learn dance but made her daughters learn it. We got those things from her. I took her aside and asked her to sing one line for me (for 'Gulaab Gang' song). She sang and I was like "mom you have made your debut at 80," she said.

Her other project is 'Dedh Ishqiya', directed by Abhishek Chaubey. The first part ('Ishqiya' in 2010) got rave reviews and healthy box office collections. For the sequel the makers have retained lead actors Naseeruddin Shah and Arshad Warsi.

Madhuri is expecting positive response to the sequel as well. (Mid-Day)

SRK to be in sling for six weeks S

uperstar Shah Rukh Khan, who is home after his right shoulder surgery, thanks all his fans for their support and prayer and informs them that he will need six weeks to recover.

Talking of his recovery, the actor said, "For minimum six weeks I have to be in a sling. It will take a bit of time to recover (but will be back again)".

He was talking to the reporters after being discharged from Lilavati Hospital Wednesday.

"Thank you everyone.

I am better now. Thank you very much for being so kind and thinking so well for me, Inshaallah,"

said the 47-year-old.

Shah Rukh underwent surgery Monday.

Reportedly, the surgery was due for some time as the actor wanted to wrap up shooting for ‘Chennai Express’.

Sources close to him said that he got pain in his shoulder while shooting, but he refused to use body doubles for ‘Chennai Express’.

He wrapped up ‘Chennai Express’ May 25.

Shah Rukh is married to Gauri Khan and they have two children, Aryan and daughter Suhana.

For the surgery, Aryan flew down from London to be with his father. (Times of India)

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june 2, 2013

Times Sunday Magazine

15

Times Healthy Living

By Hillary Ramroop

T

Functions

he liver is the only organ in the human body that can regenerate itself after damage. This means that a person can have his or her liver partially removed, and the cells in that remaining portion of the liver will divide until the liver is practically the same size as before.

The liver is the largest organ in the body in terms of weight (3.5 pounds) and carries out a number of functions such as manufacturing proteins, metabolizing carbohydrates and fats, cleansing the body of alcohol, drugs and other harmful substances and aids in digestion and absorption of fats and vitamins. With many organs, such as the heart, a scar replaces

damaged tissue. However, cells of the liver, known as hepatocytes, divide and replace damaged cells so the liver is able to repair itself.

Liver failure

Liver failure occurs when the damage to the liver has reached the point to where the liver is unable to repair itself. Typically, liver failure occurs progressively over many years. But, acute liver failure occurs quickly sometimes even in 48 hours.

Causes of liver damage

According to Web MD, common causes of gradual liver failure are: • Hepatitis B (from blood and certain bodily fluids) • Hepatitis C (from blood and certain bodily fluids) • Long term alcohol consumption, • Hemochromatosis (an inherited disease that results in too much absorption of iron), • Cirrhosis (a permanent scar that forms over normal cells and impedes their functions) • Malnutrition

C

ontraception (also known as "birth control") prevents pregnancy. There are many different forms of contraception. It is important that you be informed and collaborate with your doctor to determine which method is right for you.

Types of Contraception include: Barrier Methods These work by blocking sperm from entering the uterus. These methods include the diaphragm, cervical cap, contraceptive sponges and gels, and condoms (female and male), among others. In order to use a diaphragm or cervical cap, a woman must visit her doctor to have it fitted.

If you choose this method of birth control, you must use it every time you engage in intercourse.

Spermicides and condoms should be used in conjunction with other methods of birth control, such as oral contraception to increase their effectiveness. Side effects for the diaphragm, cervical cap, and sponge can include urinary tract infections. Some women may have allergic reactions to these methods of birth control.

Condoms are the only form of contraception that can aid in the prevention of STDs. Hormone ImplantsThese are thin, flexible pieces of plastic that doctors insert under the skin

Causes of Acute liver failure (rapid liver failure) are: • Acetaminophen (Tylenol overdose) • Viruses like hepatitis A, B, C (in children) • Reactions to certain medications • Ingestion of poisonous wild mushrooms

SYMPTOMS

According to Web MD, early symptoms include: • Loss of appetite • Fatigue • Diarrhoea • Nausea More serious symptoms include:

• Jaundice (causes a yellowish colour in the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes in the mouth) • Bleeding easily • Swollen abdomen • Disorientation • Sleepiness • Coma • Swelling of the leg with fluid (oedema) Cancer can also affect the liver

Prevent liver failure

• Consume alcohol moderately (Remember alcohol is a poison) • Hepatitis vaccine • Eating a proper diet • Practice proper hygiene • Avoid handling blood products

Take control of your body, protect yourself of the arm. An implant can prevent pregnancy for up to three years. This implant can be removed at any time by your doctor. Side effects can include irregular periods.

Hormone Shots- These consist of an injection of hormones by your doctor, which prevents pregnancy for three months. Side effects include headaches, irregular periods, and changes in weight and mood.

IUDs - IUD stands for intrauterine device. This is one of the most reliable forms of contraception. It is a small T-shaped device that is placed into the uterus by a doctor, and works by regulating your hormones to prevent fertilization.

Side effects can include cramping or pain, spotting between periods, and irregular periods. Risks include ectopic pregnancy (when a fertilized egg grows outside the uterus), and pelvic inflammatory disease.

Oral Contraception/ Hormone Pills - Most commonly referred to as "the pill," oral contraceptives work by preventing ovulation, making the lining of the uterus less receptive to implantation, and encouraging cervical mucus to be thick and sticky.

It is important to take oral contraceptives at the same time every day and to not miss a dosage. This ensures its effectiveness at regulating your menstruation cycle and preventing

pregnancy.

If a pill is missed, and you choose to have sex, make sure to use backup protection such as condoms. There are many different types of pills and each has different benefits and risks involved with taking them. You should discuss which one is right

no patch is worn and the woman will have her period. Side effects can include breast discomfort and irritated skin where the patch is worn. The patch prevents pregnancy in the same way that oral contraception does - through regulating hormones. It is important for women that wear the

some procedures can be reversed). For women, sterilization consists of a surgery called tubal ligation, less formally known as “getting your tubes tied.” This procedure involves closing off, tying, or cutting a woman's fallopian tubes so that the eggs can no longer travel to the uterus.

repeated. The ring is only effective seven days after insertion. During the three week period, if the ring is removed from the vagina for more than three hours, it may not be effective. It works in the same way that oral contraception does.

Side effects include discomfort from feeling the ring in the vagina, and problems of the ring being pushed out by the vagina or falling out during sex.

Why Should I Care?

There are many different types of contraception available. While there may be risks involved with using any of them, there are also many benefits, including prevention of unwanted pregnancy, and decreased risk for certain conditions (from acne to Ovarian Cancer). Using contraception is a good way to take control of your body and protect yourself, so that you are engaging in safe and responsible sex. Stay informed and talk to your doctor about which method is best for you.

What Can I Do?

for you with your gynaecologist.

Patch - This is a thin patch that a woman can wear on her arm, butt, stomach, or chest (not breasts). It is worn once a week for three weeks.

During the fourth week

patch not to smoke because smoking increases serious risks such as blood clots.

Sterilization- This is one of the most reliable ways to prevent pregnancy.

It involves a surgical operation to prevent pregnancy permanently (although

Vaginal Ring - This is a circular, thin, flexible ring that is inserted into the vagina. It remains in the vagina for three weeks then is removed for one week (during this week the woman will have her period). The process is then

Educate yourself. Learn about the different methods of contraception that are available to you to prevent unwanted pregnancy.

Talk to your doctor about what the best option(s) is (are) for you, and make an informed decision. (Source: http://www.womenshealthresearch.org/)

16 Times Sunday Magazine

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june 2, 2013

Times Home & Cooking

A tree indoors Ever so often, a home decorating idea pops up that falls outside the box of what we think our home decor should conventionally comprise. These homeowners saw the uniqueness of growing a tree indoors to enhance their home space. Inspired?

Spicy Seafood Stew Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil 1 onion (8 oz.), peeled, halved, and thinly slivered lengthwise 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced 32 oz diced or crushed tomatoes 8 oz potatoes (about 1 in. wide), scrubbed and quartered 1 or 2 fresh hot green chillies; rinsed,

stemmed, seeded, and minced 1/2 tsp ground cumin 1/2 tsp chilli powder 1/2 tsp salt 12 oz shelled, deveined shrimp (31 to 40 per lb.), rinsed 8 oz tilapia, rinsed and cut into 1-inch chunks 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Method: Heat oil in a 5- to 6-quart pan over mediumhigh heat; add onion and garlic and stir often until onion is very limp, 8 to 10 minutes.

Add tomatoes, 1 1/2 cups water, potatoes, chillies, cumin, chilli powder, and salt; increase heat to high and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until potatoes are tender when pierced, 20 to 25 minutes.

Stir in seafood. Cover and simmer until shrimp and fish are opaque but still moist-looking in the centre of thickest part (cut to test), 3 to 4 minutes.

Stir in cilantro.

Spoon rice onto rimmed plates; top with stew.

Simple Pork Pie

A tree dramatically highlighted by white stone and uplighting becomes the focal point of an indoor entrance

Ingredients: 500g good-quality pork sausages 1 apple, grated 1 tbs chopped flat-leaf parsley Pinch grated nutmeg

While technically not indoors, the trees are incorporated in the shade-filled patio of this home that seems like an extension of the house

Method: Preheat the oven to 200°C. Grease a 6-hole muffin pan.

Squeeze the sausage meat out of the casings into a bowl. Add the apple, parsley and nutmeg, then season with salt and pepper. Mix well to combine.

Sift flour into a bowl, add 1 teaspoon salt, and make a well in centre.

Melt the butter with 100ml water in a pan over low heat, then add to the flour and stir to combine.

Add the beaten egg and use your hands to bring the mixture together to form a smooth ball.

Roll out the dough on a lightly floured board, and then use a 10cm pastry cutter to cut 6 rounds from the dough. Use rounds to line the prepared muffin pan, leaving a slight overhang.

Divide the sausage mixture among the muffin holes. Bring the remaining pastry together into a ball and re-roll. Use a 7cm cutter to cut 6 lids from the dough. Brush the overhanging pastry in the muffin holes with a

2 1/4 cups (340g) plain flour 80g unsalted butter 1 egg, beaten, plus 1 egg yolk to glaze Tomato chutney or sauce, to serve

little water, sit the lids on the filling, then fold the overhang up around the edges and press in. Roll any excess pastry into long thin strips and use to run around the edge of each pie to form a decorative seal.

Brush the pies with beaten egg yolk and bake for 35 minutes or until golden.

Cool slightly before removing from the pan. Cool completely before packing. Serve with tomato chutney or sauce.

Greatest Cooking Tips Indoor trees flourish along a wide corridor to present a more spectacular (and radical) interior design

For crisper salads: Place a saucer upside down in the bottom of the salad bowl before filling with salad. Excess moisture will run underneath the saucer and this will help keep the salad crisp and fresh.

If you scorch milk by accident, put the pan in cold water and add a pinch of salt; takes away the burned taste.

Celery: To assure crispness, place in a pan of water with half a lemon, for an hour or two before serving.

Potatoes, boiled with their jackets on, should first be split around the centre to permit the salt to boil through and flavour the whole potato.

Salt beef is improved in flavour if a few small onions and a dessertspoonful of brown sugar are added while cooking.

Home Help To remove rust from chrome, wipe it with aluminium foil dipped in Coca Cola. To polish chrome, use a crumbled up piece of aluminium foil and rub.

To remove stickers, decals, and glue from furniture, glass, plastic etc., saturate with vegetable oil and rub off.

Brooms just purchased should be soaked in strong salt water before using to make them last longer.

A tin muffin pan may be painted with bright enamel and used for serving beverages; glasses won’t tip over and serving is made much easier.

Soak neglected paint brushes in hot vinegar to clean and make them as pliable as new.

guyanatimesgy.com

june 2, 2013

Times Sunday Magazine 17

Times Sunday Puzzle

In front of me, I have level scales. On each side, there are 3 bags. In each bag, there are some marbles. There are 150 Marbles in total. Using the clues below, work out how many marbles are in each bag.

Bag 1 + Bag 2 = 56 marbles Bag 1 + Bag 3 = 54 marbles Bag 2 + Bag 3 = 40 marbles Bag 4 + Bag 5 = 61 marbles Bag 4 + Bag 6 = 37 marbles Bag 5 + Bag 6 = 52 marbles see solution on page 22

see solution on page 22

see solution on page 22

18 Times Sunday Magazine

june 2, 2013

guyanatimesgy.com

Times Creative Writing

By Maureen Rampertab

D

Maureen Rampertab

ressed in black, Night, the guardian of mystery and mischief comes out to play from within the deep shadows; seeing the secrets, lies and wandering souls from the beyond: haunting illusions.

Amit, a security guard, walked along the cemetery road to the backdam where two machines tilling the land were parked. He was assigned to guard the machines that night till morn, a job that took him to different locations in the backdam. Tonight the machines were parked on the dam of a canal, overlooking a cemetery. Amit

had heard and seen many strange things during his night shifts, but he was a brave man; not afraid of unnatural entities.

What he noticed that night, a short distance from his post, was a fresh grave, the flowers by the headstone not yet withered. Someone had been buried there that afternoon: a young mother from three villages away. He had heard about her death, shocking and tragic, another win for the devil.

Amit took out his James Patterson novel from his backpack to read – his silent companion for the night. The hours ticked on and his eyes, not heavy with sleep, shifted regularly from the book to the surroundings, alert to every little sound.

It was close to the midnight hour, when he saw lights approaching from the main road. He stood up and watched as a car stopped and a man walked into the cemetery grounds, straight to the freshly dug grave. The stranger stood with his head bent for a long while then he picked up a handful of loose dirt and scattered it on the grave.

As he turned to leave, he looked towards Amit, a savage look on his face, a look that turned to fear when he saw the flashing red lights approaching the grounds. It was the police, who ended his fugitive reign as they cuffed him and took him away.

Amit sighed and shook his head,

unsympathetic towards the man’s evil deeds. He turned back to his post and drew in his breath sharply. Standing by the fresh grave in the silent posture of a departed soul, a young woman dressed in a long white gown, her long hair decorated with tiny flowers tied loosely at the nape of her neck, a most beautiful illusion of a fair lady.

From where he stood, Amit could see the grief on her face, eyes crying invisible tears. She sat down, her head bent for a long time, and he watched her –so young, so beautiful, life interrupted, sending her soul into the dark world.

The night was becoming old, soon to give away to the dawn of a new day and Amit eyes closed for just a few seconds. When he reopened them she was gone. He packed his bag to leave for the day, but before he did, he picked a bunch of wild flowers and putting it on her grave, said, “I do not know you but I can see your pain. I just want to say sorry for what happened to you.”

The day for Amit later seemed long, and the girl’s ghostly illusion and her sadness imprinted on his mind, her story still hot on the gossip vines.

That night seemed even darker, and from his post, he watched her as she wandered around, probably to ascertain where she was. She looked at him for a long moment and Amit held his breath, though not afraid, he did not wish for a close encounter with anyone from the beyond.

He closed his eyes so she wouldn’t know he had seen her but it was too late. When he reopened his eyes, she was a few feet away from him.

There was a pleading look in her eyes and she spoke in a very soft voice, “I miss my children, they must be crying for me. I need to see them, help me, please.”

For a moment, he wasn’t sure what to say, or if she should say anything at all, but that deep sadness on her face made him forget she was actually a ghost.

“How do I do that?” he asked “I don’t know how to find my way home, guide me please, my children need me.”

“You know you have died, don’t you?”

“Yes,” she said.

“Then how can you help them?”

“It was not my time to die, but my husband thought otherwise, so heaven is not ready for me and until that time I will stay around my children to guide them; the power of a mother’s love, dead or alive, can open doors everywhere.”

He smiled at the words worth more than precious gems. He guided her to her home that night to her children. Tears welled in his eyes as he watched her embrace them. She would now be their guardian angel until heaven was ready for her.

Amit’s night shifts took him further into the backdam, but always when he passed by the cemetery, he would put a bunch of wild flowers on her grave. Never would he forget her beautiful illusion.

Poem The Mosquito When did you start your tricks Monsieur?

What do you stand on such high legs for?

Why this length of shredded shank You exaltation?

Is it so that you shall lift your centre of gravity upwards And weigh no more than air as you alight upon me, Stand upon me weightless, you phantom?

I heard a woman call you the Winged Victory In sluggish Venice.You turn your head towards your tail, and smile.

How can you put so much devilry Into that translucent phantom shred Of a frail corpus?

Queer, with your thin wings and your streaming legs How you sail like a heron, or a dull clot of air, A nothingness.

Yet what an aura surrounds you; Your evil little aura, prowling, and casting a numbness on my mind.

That is your trick, your bit of filthy magic: Invisibility, and the anaesthetic power To deaden my attention in your direction.

But I know your game now, streaky sorcerer.

Queer, how you stalk and prowl the air In circles and evasions, enveloping me, Ghoul on wings Winged Victory.

Settle, and stand on long thin shanks Eyeing me sideways, and cunningly conscious that I am aware, You speck.

I hate the way you lurch off sideways into air Having read my thoughts against you.

Come then, let us play at unawares, And see who wins in this sly game of bluff.

Man or mosquito.

You don't know that I exist, and I don't know that you exist.

Now then!

It is your trump It is your hateful little trump You pointed fiend.

Which shakes my sudden blood to hatred of you: It is your small, high, hateful bugle in my ear.

Why do you do it?

Surely it is bad policy.

They say you can't help it.

If that is so, then I believe a little in Providence protecting the innocent.

But it sounds so amazingly like a slogan A yell of triumph as you snatch my scalp.

Blood, red blood Super-magical Forbidden liquor.

I behold you stand For a second enspasmed in oblivion, Obscenely ecstasied Sucking live blood My blood.

Such silence, such suspended transport.

Such gorging, Such obscenity of trespass.

You stagger As well as you may.

Only your accursed hairy frailty Your own imponderable weightlessness Saves you, wafts you away on the very draught my anger makes in its snatching.

Away with a paean of derision You winged blood-drop.

Can I not overtake you?

Are you one too many for me Winged Victory?

Am I not mosquito enough to out-mosquito you?

Queer, what a big stain my sucked blood makes Beside the infinitesimal faint smear of you!

Queer, what a dim dark smudge you have disappeared into!

By D H Lawrence

Send your creative writing to sundaymagazine@guyanatimesgy.com

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june 2, 2013

Times Sunday Magazine19

Times World

Disrupted Centuries-old frozen genes: plants reviving Modified Plants that were frozen during the "Little Ice Age" centuries ago have been observed sprouting new growth, scientists say mosquitoes no longer S prefer humans

U

.S. researchers have modified mosquitoes to impair their sense of smell, making it harder for them to target people. The development has implications for the management of mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and Dengue fever.

The two main carriers of the diseases, Anopheles gambiae and Aedes aegypti, have evolved to have a strong preference for human odours.

Lead researcher Professor Leslie Vosshall, of Rockefeller University in New York, says this preference is an important factor in making both species of mosquitoes dangerous vectors of infectious disease.

"Because they will tend to go from human to human to human without feeding on other non-human animals, they are perfectly positioned to transmit disease," she says.

The study, published Thursday in Nature, examines how mosquitoes discriminate between humans and other warm-blooded animals.

A key focus of the work is an olfactory co-receptor known as orco, which is necessary to assemble odourspecific proteins (ORs) into an odour-smelling machine.

"When orco is mutated, the mosquito can no longer build olfactory receptors and is therefore impaired in discriminating human from non-human smell," says lead author Professor Leslie Vosshall.

The team used a technology called zinc-finger nucleases, which uses DNA-binding proteins to disrupt the orco gene in the mosquito.

Vosshall says the resultant orco-mutant mosquitoes were "very seriously impaired in preferring human over non-human scent".

The biggest effect was found in the absence of carbon dioxide, says Vosshall. Without CO2 the orco mutants could smell neither honey - an important food source nor human scent.

"When we add back CO2, the mosquitoes are strongly attracted to human scent, but fail to properly discriminate between human and non-human scent," says Vosshall. "This tells us that CO2 is a very important factor in mosquito host-seeking behaviour."

Vosshall says the "main take-away" of the paper is that without orco, mosquitoes show reduced preference for humans.

"The next steps would be to figure out which specific odour-specific ORs are detecting human and non-human odours."

The researchers also looked at the impact of the orco gene on sensitivity to the insect repellent DEET. "Our mutant mosquitoes are completely insensitive to the airborne effects of DEET," says Vosshall. "They fly through a cloud of DEET coming from someone's arm and only realise the DEET is there after they land and touch the skin."

This shows DEET acts on two fronts - via smell and contact.

"Mosquitoes without orco are blind to DEET. But DEET has an important contact chemo-repellent effect.

So any second-generation repellent should be careful to act both on the airborne mechanism and the skin contact mechanism if it is to be effective." (ABC Science)

amples of 400-year-old plants known as bryophytes have flourished under laboratory conditions, and researchers say this backfrom-the-dead trick has implications for how ecosystems recover from the planet's cyclic long periods of ice coverage. The findings appear in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

They come from a group from the University of Alberta, who were exploring an area around the Teardrop Glacier, high in the Canadian Arctic.

The glaciers in the region have been receding at rates that have sharply accelerated since 2004, at about 3-4m per year.

That is exposing land that has not seen light of day since the so-called Little Ice Age, a widespread climatic cooling that ran roughly from AD 1550 to AD 1850.

"We ended up walking along the edge of the glacier margin and we saw these huge populations coming out from underneath the glacier that seemed to have a greenish tint," said Catherine La Farge, lead author of the study.

Bryophytes are different from the land plants that we know best, in

Some of the 400-year-old moss that has been regenerated (Source: Catherine La Farge; ABC Science)

that they do not have vascular tissue that helps pump fluids around different parts of the organism. They can survive being completely desiccated in long Arctic winters, returning to growth in warmer times, but Dr La

Farge was surprised by an emergence of bryophytes that had been buried under ice for so long.

"When we looked at them in detail and brought them to the lab, I could see some of the stems actually had new growth of green lateral branches, and that said to me that these guys are regenerating in the field, and that blew my mind," she told BBC News.

"If you think of ice sheets covering the landscape, we've always thought that plants have to come in from refugia around the margins of an ice system, never considering land plants as coming out from underneath a glacier."

But the retreating ice at Sverdrup Pass, where the Teardrop Glacier is located, is uncovering an array of life, including cyanobacteria and green terrestrial algae. Many of the species spotted there are entirely new to science.

"It's a whole world of what's coming out from underneath the glaciers that really needs to be studied," Dr La Farge said. "The glaciers are disappearing pretty fast - they're going to expose all this terrestrial vegetation, and that's going to have a big impact."

(BBC News)

Researchers unravel HIV inner shell structure

U

Could lead to new AIDS drugs

sing advanced imaging techniques and a super- has to come apart to release its content so that the virus computer called Blue Waters to calculate how can replicate.” the 1,300 proteins which make up the HIV cone“Developing drugs that cause capsid dysfunction by shaped shell, or 'capsid', fit together, US researchers have preventing its assembly or disassembly might stop the virus from reproducing. HIV's capsid is stable enough to profor the first time unravelled the complex structure of the inner protein shell of HIV. tect the virus' essential components, but it also has to The team, reporting in Nature, also disassociate once it enters the cell. Understanding the interface by which it disassociates is imporworked out exactly how all the comComputer model of tant to developing new therapies,” she adds. ponents of the capsid fit together HIV capsid structure Klaus Schulten, a physics professor at the atomic level. Until now who, along with Juan R. Perilla, a postthe exact structure had proved elusive because of the capsid's doc researcher, both at the University large size and irregular shape. of Illinois, conducted the simulations that added the missing pieces to the The finding opens the way HIV capsid puzzle during testing for new types of drugs, the reof Blue Waters, says "That has to searchers from the University happen with really good timing of Pittsburgh said.

It was already known that too quick is not good, too slow is the capsid, which sits inside not good. And this is a moment when you can throw a wrench the outer membrane of the viinto the system. The timing of the rus, was a cone-shaped shell opening of the capsid is essential made up of protein sub-units in a lattice formation. But because for the degree of virulence of the viit is huge, asymmetrical and nonrus. This is where we could perhaps uniform, standard techniques for best interfere with HIV infection.” working out the structure had By physically targeting the capsid, proved ineffective. rather than the virus' DNA itself, researchers believe the virus will be less The US process revealed critilikely to develop resistances. cal interactions between molecules in areas that are necessary for the Zhang says too that other researchers shell's assembly and stability. can now get to work on two possible lines These potential vulnerabilities of therapies. They can try to make the capsid "hyperstable" and unable to separate, which in the protective coat of the viral genome could be exploited by scientists would make the virus harmless to humans, or designing new drugs to tackle the probthey could make it less stable, destroying the virus lem of HIV resistance, the researchers exbefore it has a chance to cause damage. plained.

Her team discovered a "three-helix bundle" within Study leader Dr Peijun Zhang, associate prothe capsid that could make a good target for a drug. fessor in structural biology at the University Of Pittsburgh "When we saw the structure, we found a very critical School Of Medicine says "The capsid is critically impor- interface for the capsid's assembly," she says. "A single tant for HIV replication, so knowing its structure in detail amino acid change will lead to the breakdown of it." could lead us to new drugs that can treat or prevent the inEarlier this year, scientists in the UK developed a vacfection. The capsid has to remain intact to protect the HIV cine against foot and mouth disease that uses a synthetic genome and get it into the human cell, but once inside, it virus capsid to provoke an immune response.

20 Times Sunday Magazine

guyanatimesgy.com

june 2, 2013

Times Tech

I

ncredible technologies are created every day; the things we can do with the technology available are endless. Having a personal assistant in the palm of your hands, ignoring a call or letting the caller know you are busy with a wave of the hand, and even having the ability to see and hear someone in another hemisphere. How many times have you thought, “How do people come up with these things”?

The first step of it all is Programming. What is programming you ask? It’s the process of designing, writing, testing, debugging and maintenance of source code computer programs.

In other words, it’s writing the step by step instruction manual these programs use, so we can do these amazing things on our devices. Just imagine, as a programmer, you have the basic ability and power to make life a bit easier for that businessman who wants a better way to manage is portfolio, that artist who wants his fans to have easy access to him and his work, or that mom busy who needs to manage schedules and activities at work, home and school – you can create a solution for them.

When we have completed programming, we can decide to do desktop programming, mobile app development or both. But for now we’ll look at Mobile App Development since tablets are the favourable choice over notebooks/laptops for many consumers these days. So much so, it’s expected to grow to 229.3 million

units this year, which would be up from 144.5 million units in 2012.

So be assured there is a need for Mobile App Development. With Tablet and Smartphone users increasing every day, you will be in a position to make that commit-

of devices compatible with that OS. ► Test your skills and create apps that provide solutions for so many users. Build a strong portfolio of great project initiatives. ► Have a rounded skill set

ment in the creation of new technologies. ► Dedicate yourself to an Operating System so you can develop expertise in that area to be able to design for the entire line

and be efficient in various platforms or programming languages. Create apps for the various OSes, universal apps that work both on your phone and tablet of the same OS or even hybrid apps that work on the your devices native platform and the web.

The Computer Programming Track available at Global Technology Inc gets you on the path to do great things in this field. First, get a clear and concise theoretical understanding of programming as well as mobile application development.

Once that is done, we get to the good stuff, like using the ap-

plications needed; designing and writing programs. Once you have done the Foundation Development aspect which includes Programming using C and Databases using Access , you can go into Mobile Application Development and/or Advanced Programming .

With Mobile Application dev e l o p m e n t , learn Objective C Programming and App Development for Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android OS. Then there is the Microsoft Certification Level that gets into Web Programming, so the possibility of those hybrid apps can become reality.

There is so much we can discuss on what would be the best option for you in this field. So for those potential future programmers, that’s what you should do, come and have a discussion with us on what you are really interested in so you can get started and make life easier with technology.

Tech News Focus

Microsoft 'U-turn' sees Start button back on Windows 8

M

icrosoft has confirmed a Start button is returning to the desktop mode's taskbar of its Windows 8 operating system.

The lack of the facility - which had been in every previous version since Windows 95 - has been one of the most controversial aspects of the software.

However, it will not offer all the functionality previously associated with the feature. Instead it will bring users to the recently-introduced "Metro" interface.

"We've improved the way you navigate to Start with the mouse by changing the Start 'tip' to be the familiar Windows logo," the company said in a blog post. "The new tip appears anytime you move the mouse to the bottom left corner of the screen, and is always visible on the taskbar when on the desktop."

On current versions of Windows 8, the

start tip would only appear when users hovered their cursor over the lower-left corner of their screen. In the 8.1 update, the area will be more visible.

The Windows 7 Start button triggered a menu with apps and other links Many users had complained that ditching the traditional Start Menu and introducing the Start Screen had made the system less straightforward to use, meaning businesses which adopted it would need to retrain staff.

Microsoft had been stung by claims that the expected reintroduction of a Start button

would mark a major U-turn.

An article in the Financial Times described the move as one of the "most prominent admissions of failure for a new mass-market consumer product since CocaCola's New Coke fiasco nearly 30 years ago" - making reference to the soft drinks company's to ditch a new recipe after overwhelming customer dissatisfaction.

Microsoft later issued a statement saying it was "unfortunate" the FT did not represent the "good response to date on

Windows 8."

Chris Green, principal technology analyst for the Davies Murphy Group, told the BBC he did not think the change would be enough to silence the critics.

"What they're proposing to do is a bit of a fudge. It's the bare minimum to say they've addressed people's complaints while not having to really backtrack on anything."

He said Microsoft faced a challenge in being able to innovative with Windows while also keeping its vast user base comfortable.

"When new operating systems come along, same with major applications, everything moves around. People hate it because they have to re-learn from scratch."

A preview download of Windows 8.1 will be released to the public in June and a final version before the end of the year. Both will be free of charge to existing users.

guyanatimesgy.com

june 2, 2013

Times Sunday Magazine 21

Times Art

A mandate to help others through the art of dance others because we may not be around all the time,” Esther noted.

The couple pointed out that dancing keeps them physically fit and has opened avenues to travel abroad to meet other dancers, which has broadened their knowledge of dancing. They believe that dancing is not just about getting up and moving, but is far deeper. It requires learning numerous techniques that help dancers to be well-

C

rounded.

“Dancing is about discipline, and this is what we teach our students. It’s also a form of exercise so we get them into stretching for flexibility, which is ideal for dancers, and also eating right. At Kreative Arts, we have persons coming to classes solely for keeping fit. I would sometime call my group the ‘sick group’ because we have persons who would get seizures and are asthmatic. Luckily,

these ones have never had an attack because of being trained on breathing exercises. Breathing is an important aspect when dancing and by teaching proper breathing exercises has helped these ones with their illnesses. We encourage persons to get into dancing because it’s a fun and healthy way to keep fit,” Esther encouraged.

For more information on the group visit Kreative Arts on Facebook.

A dramatic piece by Kreative Arts at the local dance production, "Starkast"

reatively using dancing as a vehicle for disciplining and encouraging a healthy lifestyle has been local dance company Kreative Arts’ mission.

The contemporary dance group was started in 2006 by husband and wife Jonathan and Esther Hamer, both choreographers and co-directors who wanted to bring a fresh perspective on the art form in Guyana. The group is known for its creative dance performances and costumes.

she even incorporated the dance moves in her choreography for a school concert.

“The popular dance show, “Soul Train”, was huge, and I even took some dance moves from there. In high school, I would come up with dance choreography and perform at concerts. I got popular, and other schools would request I do school concerts.

Later on, I became a physical education teacher and even started the first cheerleader group in Guyana.

Then I worked with the

Kreative Arts' Esther and Jonathan Hamer

Kreative Arts was initially made up of actors, dancers and musicians, and incorporated all the performing arts. However, some members later went on different paths, and the group refocused largely on dancing.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine Jonathan Hamer noted that his love for the arts, and enthusiasm for dancing inspired him to start his own dance company with his wife, who also shares a similar love and passion.

Jonathan said that his love for dancing stemmed from observing his sister and her dance teacher, a former National Dance Company member Mr Daniels, dancing. Mimicking the dance moves, he began to practice and in time became very good at it. At primary school, Jonathan gave dancing tips to his teacher who was so impressed

National School of Dance and performed at Carifesta in Suriname and Guyana, which were spectacular experiences. I also worked with Classique Dance Company as a school director for over five years, training dancers of all ages,” Jonathan recalled.

Esther Hamer, Jonathan’s dance and life partner, started dancing at just four-years-old, and disclosed that she would dance to anything when she was smaller. When her parents noticed her talent, they decided to sign her up, along with her sisters who share a similar passion for dancing, with the National School of Dance.

“I began dancing with the National School of Dance but took a break off dancing and started back at age 18 with the Crystalite Dance Company. I did a bit of ballroom but mostly Latin dances. I then moved on to Classique Dance Company,

but when I left there, my husband and I decided to start Kreative Arts. I have a natural love for it, and it was a talent I had since I was a child. Through dancing I met my husband and we now have three children- two boys, nine and seven, and my five-year-old daughter. Sharing the same love for something with my husband, in our case dancing, has helped our relationship because we understand the long hours each one has to dedicate to this art. My children also love the arts. The boys are into drumming and singing but my daughter loves dancing,” Esther revealed.

Kreative Arts has, over the years, collaborated with various dance companies and productions, including Naya Zamana, Nitraygeet, and many others. It has about 40 members at present with students from as young as age 3. The Hamer’s dance company also has a subsidiary, GuyDance, which invites professional choreographers and dancers once a month to provide dance training and workshops free of charge for interested individuals.

The dance company also works collaboratively with Deaf in Guyana, teaching dancing to deaf students at the David Rose School.

Esther stated that the art form has significantly contributed to improving the children’s behaviour, and serves as a therapeutic medium in helping them hope with their disability.

“We’re currently working on an upcoming production with the children.

Dancing has helped tremendously with their behaviour. Initially, when I went there, they were very aggressive in getting my attention and with other students. Some of them would harshly lash me on my back to get my attention, but now they are more disciplined and are appreciative towards each other. They have grown beautifully in dancing and we’re currently even teaching some of them to be choreographers so that they too can teach

Young dancers pose in their costumes for a performance at a past Christmas show

22 Times Sunday Magazine

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june 2, 2013

Times Heritage

T

he genesis of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) can be said to have developed from 1954 when the British Colonial Office invited a British professor to investigate “possible measures of social security” for British Guiana residents.

By 1958, his proposals led to a 1963 report analyzing the setting up of a national pension scheme, which in turn led to government in 1964 considering obtaining expert assistance to implement an NIS Pension scheme.

According to the NIS website, in September 1965 Mr. Niall Mac Cabe, a permanent official of the I. L. O., spent four weeks in Guyana meeting represen-

tatives of employers and the Trade Unions, and had discussions with the ministers of labour and social security, finance and economic development, and government officers of different ministries, with the aim of establishing social security for workers.

The resulting 1966 Report was based on the standards of the Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952) (no. 102).

In the agreement with the Government of Guyana, the Director General of the I. L. O. appointed Mr. A. J. M. Petrie, Chief Executive Officer in the Edinburgh office of the Ministry of Social Security (at the time the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance) of the United Kingdom, to carry

Preserving our heritage through pictures

out this mission.

Mr. Petrie arrived in Guyana on July 5, 1966, and on November 22, 1966 the Cabinet considered the memorandum and agreed to the establishment of a national insurance scheme.

There were no parliamentary draftsmen available to assist in drafting legislation, and the expert made a rough draft of a general “enabling” bill. It was hoped that the passage of the Bill could be expedited, leaving the details of the Scheme to be dealt with by regulations. This Bill was presented on December 9 1966 to the Attorney General for his consideration.

Consultations with employers’ and workers’ organizations had produced a broad measure of agreement with the proposals but there were certain differences which kept recurring and it was decided that in order to reach agreement on the details of the Scheme, a working party should be set up immediately consisting of representatives of the government, and pending the appointment of the Board, the employers and unions.

On December 5, 1966, the minister of labour and social security made a public release of the proposals and issued a paper prepared by the expert, which outlined the Scheme in general terms. At the time he invited the employers’ organizations and Trade Union Council each to nominate three members to the working party.

Due to numerous difficulties, the scheme was not set up during Mr. Petrie’s mission, and further assistance had to be obtained from the I. L. O.; this resulted in the appointment of Mr F. B. Matthews. Except for periods of leave, Mr. Matthews was in Guyana from December 8 1968 to June 13 1971.

The scheme came into operation on September 29, 1969 eventually providing sickness, maternity, invalidity, Old Age, Survivor’s and funeral benefits.

Brain Teaser Answer Bag 1 = 35 marbles Bag 2 = 21 marbles Bag 3 = 19 marbles

Bag 4 = 23 marbles Bag 5 = 38 marbles Bag 6 = 14 marbles

To work this out, since there are 150 marbles, and the scales are level, both sides of the scales must have 75 marbles.

If Bag 1 + Bag 2 = 56 marbles then Bag 3 = (75-56) 19 marbles.

So Bag 1 = 35 marbles and Bag 2 = 21 marbles. The same is done with Bags 4,5, and 6. Bag 4 + Bag 5 = 61 marbles. So Bag 6 = (75-61) 14 marbles. So Bag 4 = 23 marbles and Bag 5 = 38 marbles.

Upper Camp Street, Georgetown, British Guiana nd(Postcard)

SUDOKU

KID SUDOKU

CROSSWORD

Cane Cutters at rest. British Guiana nd (Postcard)

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june 2, 2013

Times Sunday Magazine 23

Times Travel & Tourism

Surama, Iwokrama and Dadanawa Ranch chosen for film locations

S

teering away from the much highlighted landscape of beautiful Guyana, actor, director, playwright, dramaturge and film-maker Michael Gilkes and his team are now focusing on showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the indigenous people of Guyana in his upcoming film, “Maira and the Jaguar People”.

“It’s a film inspired by my experiences with Guyana’s indigenous people living in the rainforest.

People seldom visit the rainforest to see the people they go see the landscape. When I was a boy my father took me to Bartica and then we went into the interior. I was amazed as to what I saw. It was like a different country.

I want to show Guyanese what our country looks like.

The people I met, mainly Amerindians, were utterly different from persons in urban areas of this country.

The connection they share with their landscape is totally different from what we see out in the capital city and I would like to show that too,” Gilkes revealed in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine.

The film's story starts off

way in the forest looking for Maira’s elusive ‘flute-bird’.

The ‘jaguar’, its secret discovered, refuses to let them return to the village. They must become ‘karamapichu’ (jaguar people) like him. It finally threatens to attack them. Mairun kills the creature with a single arrow, but dies saving his sister who is able to escape during the fight. The Shaman’s story ends when the ‘lost girl’ is found. Maira's life and Mairun's death are both reconciled through the music of the Shaman’s ceremonial flute, fashioned from the thigh bone of the dead jaguar.

“The cast of the film is mainly Amerindian – something that is being done for the first time. We’re going to shoot this film from the point of view of not only the people who live in the rainforest but from nature itself.

We now have cameras that can do that. There are waterproof cameras that can be placed into rivers and can shoot wide angles up to the surface. It’s like from the fishes’ view. And then we have cameras to capture the rainforest canopy and the point of view of the

Surama Primary School students from which the child characters will be chosen

team are waiting on funding that is vital to see this film come to fruition. The director declared that his team is a brilliant one, and is ready to get the cameras rolling because it is a project close to their hearts.

“The film will be used to not only entertain but to stir up a deepening understanding and concern for the preservation of our in-

The crew arrives at Annai

with the Piaiman (Shaman) telling the legendary story of Maira and her brother Mairun to the children gathered around his benab.

Maira loves birdsong and is fascinated by the flute-like call of a rare bird no one had ever seen. Mairun dreams of becoming a brave hunter. The Shaman tells the listening children “music is life, the gift of the birds: the jaguar people’s gift is death, but both life and death must be welcomed. They are twins.” They (and the viewers) are taken back in time as the story unfolds. Maira and Mairun become caught up in a dreamlike drama of life and death with a talking jaguar when they lose their

trees. Through the film we’ll showcase what the rainforest is really about. We want to take the film not only to the Caribbean but internationally. We want to show what one can find in a rainforest besides hunting and adventure. We want to show the life taking place in a community that is perfectly at peace with itself and its landscape and show a way of life that everyone can learn from,” Gilkes explained.

Gilkes disclosed that the film is scheduled to starting production in November.

Filming will be done on location in the Surama area of the Rupununi, in Iwokrama and at the Dadanawa Ranch.

He disclosed that he and his

terior and the first peoples who live there. We are aiming at a figure of approx.

US$186,000.00, which will allow us to produce a film of exemplary quality. We welcome sponsors, and their contributions will help us to make “Maira and the Jaguar People” a film all Guyanese as well as the entire region can be proud of.

There is also the prospect of international screening for film when a projected series of 13 short films from across the Caribbean – “Growing up Caribbean” – of which Maira is the first, comes on stream in the near future,” he revealed.

Gilkes thanked sponsors Gafsons Industries Ltd.,

Trans Guyana Airways, Noble House Seafood, Cara Lodge, David Dabydeen, Ms. Joclyn Dow, Dr. Yesu Persaud, Toon Boom Animation and CEO Joan Vogelsang for their support thus far.

Additionally, Gilkes

noted that the villagers in Surama will be building an entire village to make it appear as it was in the 1950s.

The villagers have to be paid to get this done. After the film is completed, the village will be used as a museum or as a place where tourists can

stay and experience firsthand what it is like to live in the rainforest. He noted that it will be an attraction which will help to bring in revenue for the villagers.

“These ones are the stewards of the interior and without them we won’t really have a rainforest. They know their survival is dependent upon the survival of the rainforest and so through the film we want to really help in developing their economy. We encourage sponsors to come on board and help to market Guyana not just for its beautiful landscape but also for its beautiful people,” Gilkes encouraged.

“Maira and the Jaguar People” is also produced by Penelope Hynam who has a 25-year career in Canada in film, television, arts administration and writing.

For more information on the film contact Gem Madhoo-Nascimento at gemmadhoo@gmail.com or call 226-0240, 225-53557, 624-8694, 600-5335. (Cover photo of lodges at Surama)

24

Times Sunday Magazine

june 2, 2013

guyanatimesgy.com

Times Last Laugh

By Melvin Durai

C

hildhood obesity is a major problem these days, and I’m not just saying that because someone cracked the seesaw in my neighbourhood playground.

All you have to do is visit any school and you’re likely to spot dozens of kids who have to walk sideways to enter the gym. That’s the only way they can squeeze past the gym teacher’s belly. (If t h e g y m teacher is overweight, you know the kids are in trouble.)

According to the latest statistics, one out of every three American children is overweight –and the othe r two refuse to step on the scale. Many of these children are considered “obese,” as determined by a mathematical formula in which a child’s body weight in kilograms is divided by the square of his or her height in meters, then multiplied by the average number of Kit Kats consumed in a day.

Obesity puts children at risk for a number of health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep disorders, as well as back and hip pain, which, in most cases, is not related to falling off seesaws.

Thankfully, President Obama recently launched a campaign to fight childhood obesity. The campaign, called “Let’s Move,” will try to educate parents about the importance of nutrition and exercise. Obama hopes more parents and children will say “Let’s move” to each other, at least half as often as they say “Let’s munch.”

It’s a good campaign and I wouldn’t be surprised if most families do find themselves saying “Let’s move,” especially as part of a longer sentence such as “Let’s move to the dining room and munch.”

That’s not a bad thing, really. As shown by a study published in the journal Paediatrics, three household habits can help fight obesity among pre-school aged children: (1) eating together as a family at least five evenings a week; (2) making sure children get at least 10.5 hours of sleep dur-

Do we really need a see-through toilet?

ing the week; and (3) placing a large photo of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad inside the refrigerator.

If the Iranian president isn’t scary enough, you might try a habit actually suggested by Paediatrics: limiting your children’s screen-viewing time to a maximum of two hours a day. As any parent knows, this can be a real challenge, because, let’s face it, if your children aren’t watching TV, using the computer or playing video games, they’re lying in bed, staring blankly at the window screen.

Yes, if it isn’t one screen, it’s another. But don’t despair.

Aside from the three habits suggested by the journal, here are a few other steps you can take to fight childhood obesity: Get your children into a sport –- and I don’t mean the Nathan’s HotDog Eating Contest. If you ever watch the National Spelling Bee, you’ll see that even those kids are in good shape.

Why? Because they’re always carrying a dictionary around.

Add some exercise to your children’s daily routines. If they’re addicted to video games, make sure they get some exercise before they play. This is best accomplished by throwing their video game disc into your neighbour’s yard. It’s a great way to increase their heart rate, especially if your neighbour has a dog.

Feed your children fresh fruit and vegetables. In case you’re wondering, French fries are not vegetables, and grape isn’t just a flavour of soda. And believe it or not, you can actually eat black-eyed peas, not just listen to them.

Keep desserts to a minimum. If your children want a Kit Kat bar, make sure they get some exercise first. But please don’t throw the Kit Kat into the neighbour’s yard. The neighbour’s kid is fat enough as it is.

Moving Day

Two 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!”

The excuse

Teacher: “James, why are you late for school?”

James: “Well, y’see, I was dreaming about a football game and it went into overtime.

So, y’see, I had to… had to… stay asleep to see the finish.”

Diagnosis

A woman runs into a doctor’s office and says “Doctor! Doctor! You have to help me!

Everywhere I touch on my body it hurts!”

The doctor replied, “Show me.”

So the woman poked her ankle and screamed of pain. Then she poked her knee and yelled “OW!” She poked her forehead and screamed again.

She was about to continue when the doctor said, “That’s enough, let me think this over.”

He thought for about a minute and said “I think I know what your problem is. You broke your finger.”

Math challenge

“Students nowadays are so clueless”, the math professor complains to a colleague.

“Yesterday, a student came to my office and wanted to know if General Calculus was a Roman war hero…”

The solution

Some engineers are trying to measure the height of a flag pole. They only have a measuring tape and are quite frustrated trying to keep the tape along the pole: it falls down all the time.

A mathematician comes along and asks what they are doing. They explain it to him.

“Well, that’s easy…”

He pulls the pole out of the ground, lays it down, and measures it easily.

After he has left, one of the engineers says: “That’s so typical of these mathematicians! What we need is the height – and he gives us the length!”

First opera

Mother took Willie to his first opera concert. The conductor was leading the orchestra and directing the soprano soloist as well. Willie was greatly interested.

“Mother, why is that man shaking his stick at the lady?” he asked.

“Hush; he is not shaking his stick at her,” his mom whispered back.

“Then what is she screaming for?”

Bad Dog

Once there was a man named Jim, who let his dog out to relieve himself late one night. He watched some TV, and then remembered to let the dog back in. When he opened the door, he was shocked at what he saw! In his dog's mouth was his neighbour’s cat, dead! "Bad dog! BAD DOG!" said the panicked man.

He took the cat away and looked at it. He couldn't bring himself to tell his neighbour what happened, so he decided to clean it up and leave it on the neighbour's porch. He took the cat into the bathroom and washed off all the blood and dirt.

It took him forever. He had to wash it four times to get it all cleaned. He brushed its beautiful white fur as he blow dried it, and put its collar back on. Since it was so dark, he snuck into the neighbour’s yard, and laid the cat down on the porch, in front of the door.

The next day, he was on his way to the car to go to work and his neighbour was outside.

"Hi," he said.

"Hi," replied Jim, nervously.

His neighbour said, "Something weird happened last night."

"Oh yeah? What's that," asked Jim, sweating now.

"Well, my cat died yesterday, and we buried him, and this morning he was lying on my front porch!"

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