Speaker’s Youth Debating Competition aims to bring Parliament closer to citizens –

48 Youth Groups Slated To Participate

The Speaker’s Regional Youth Debating Competition was launched on Thursday as part of a series of activities to commemorate Parliament’s 70th anniversary. One objective of this exercise is to bring the law-making body closer to the people.

This year’s competition will see participation of 48 youth groups comprising over 144 persons from each of the 10 administrative regions.

As the carnage continues on Guyana’s roadways, 38-year-old motorist Shamlall Mohess of Stanleytown, WBD was killed on Thursday after he reportedly lost control of the car he was driving and it crashed into a koker along the Belle Vue Public Road, Canal #2 Polder, West Bank Demerara.

Based on reports received, at the time of the accident, Mohess was the only occupant of motorcar PAB 1939. He allegedly was speeding at the time he lost control of the vehicle, which crashed into the koker before careening into a nearby trench and toppling.

“As a result of the collision, the motor car toppled and ended up in a trench on the western side of the road, submerged with the driver inside. The vehicle was later pulled out of the trench by public-spirited citizens with the assistance of a motor lorry. The driver was taken out of the vehicle in an unconscious state with injuries to his head and body,” the Police have said in a release.

Rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, Mohess was pronounced him dead on arrival by Doctor Cameron. His body is at the Ezekiel Funeral Home awaiting a Post Mortem.

Only two days ago, 30-year-old Devindra Lakhraj, a beverage distribution agent of Rahaman Street

Corriverton, and 24-yearold Ronny Persaud, a spray painter of Springlands, met their demise in an accident along the Number 79 Village public road in Corriverton, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

It has been reported that the two men were travelling at a fast rate of speed on a motorcycle that Lakhraj was driving with Persaud as the pillion rider, and neither of them was wearing a safety helmet.

A motorcar occupied by the driver and a passenger was proceeding in the opposite direction along the said road, and the motorcycle allegedly collided with the front portion of that vehicle. These two bikers were catapulted into the air before landing on the roadway severely injured.

Rushed to the Skeldon Public Hospital, they were pronounced dead on arrival.

Police seeking assistance to identify male body found on ECD roadway

The Guyana Police Force is seeking the public’s assistance to identify the body of a deceased male that was found on the public road in the vicinity of Bee Hive, East Coast Demerara last Thursday.

This deceased male is estimated to be between 50 and 55 years old; is five feet, two inches (5’2”) tall, and is slim-built. The body is clad in a multi-coloured plaid shirt; a burgundy, blue and white Hollister-branded T-shirt, and a pair of black pants.

Anyone with informa-

Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, in his opening remarks at the launch of this event, explained that the programme also aims to look at the youth population’s participation in community activities, careers of service to the nation, and to make people more aware of Parliament as an institution.

He said the youth debating competition also provides tens of thousands of viewers of all ages with information on social and national issues.

This is the first-ever preliminary-level competition, and the final 16 groups would advance to compete at the National Youth Debating Competition. About six debating sessions will be held per day on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Speaker Nadir also revealed that there are “some very exciting topics” in this year’s competition. “We asked young people to generate some ideas that they would want to debate on, instead of giving them top- ics. Because if you are going to promote youth participation, at least let it start from scratch. Get organised, and have an input in what you want to debate. Because that also sends signals to those who are older and to who are making policy decisions,” he explained.

Among the topics to be debated are: “Separation of powers work in Guyana”, “Multi-party democracy is the best form of governance”, “Guyana should have remained dependent”, “Carbon credit markets will not last”, “Public service rules are archaic”, “The 40-hour work week is ludicrous”, “Poverty is a mindset”, and “Hinterland regions are incapable of offering job opportunities”.

Further, Speaker Nadir has declared that he is looking forward to “clean debating”, and is happy to see schools showing keen interest in participating.

“This is working. The fact that we are now seeing 48 youth groups starting the preliminary round is an indication that we have done something right,” he rea- soned. The debates will be broadcast live on Parliament’s Facebook page and are expected to conclude in June. Guyana held its first elections on April 27, 1953, Parliamentarians were first sworn-in on May 18, 1953, and the first ceremonial opening of Parliament was on May 30, 1953. tion that may assist in identifying the deceased is kindly being asked to contact the Cove and John Police Station on telephone numbers 229-2019 or 225-6411.

In less than two weeks, the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) will see the return of “Clash of the Titans”, with several big names slated to perform. The event, which was absent for several years, is returning with a bang, and from all indications, the venue will be packed to capacity.

There was only one show held at the venue, and it had an audi- ence of over 25,000. Now, with the return, the promoter, US-based Guyanese Mahendra Ramkellwan, is optimistic that the attendance record would be broken with the return of the music extravaganza. Presently, tickets are available in all three counties: Demerara, Berbice and Essequibo, with several ticketing locations having been set up in each county. Tickets for the event are also available online for overseas fans.

Some big names already confirmed for the show include music legends from Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, the USA, Holland, India, Canada and Suriname.

The GT posse includes Vanita Willie, Nehal B, Vacadi, AW Lyrical, Bunty Singh, Steven Ramphal, and the Shakti String Orchestra, among others. The Trini posse comprises KI and his Band, Ravi B and his Band, Rakesh Yankarran, Rikki Jai,

Neval Chatelall, Veekash Sahadeo, and others.

Neesha, daughter of the famous musical couple Babla and Kanchan, will be coming directly out of India. US-based Guyanese artistes Terry Gajraj, Prince JP, Fiona Singh, Queen Yasmin and others will be performing.

There will also be several bands on stage on the evening of March 18, including the Caribbean Hotshots Band, De Wave Band out of Canada, Freestyle Band out of Suriname, Holland Band, De Jai Master Band out of the US, and others.

General tickets for Clash of the Titans cost $3,000, while the VIP tickets cost $10,000 and the VVIP All-inclusive tickets cost $30,000. The first performer will take to the stage at 19:00h, but the gates will be open from 17:00h.

A strict security presence is expected.

The 2023 edition of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s (GHDS) Holi Utsav is set for Tuesday, March 7 at the Everest Cricket Club Ground. The event which has been absent for at least two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic will see its return on Phagwah Day.

The event is expected to colourful affair with several cultural presentations and stage performances with the headlining act being Neval Chatelal out of Trinidad and Tobago.

Also performing will be Vishale

Sukram, Ganindra, Kishan Sugrim, Sookrane Boodhoo, Rekha Ranglall, Suraj Singh, the Dharmic Nritya Sangh, Feel the Beat Tassa Group, and several Chowtal groups. There will be lots of colour throws and lots more activities for the entire family. Admission to the event is absolutely free.

Meanwhile, on March 4, the Sabha will host its annual Rang Rasiya and Folk Dance Festival at the Dharmic Rama Krishna School, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown (Next to Giftland

Parking Lot). The event will feature dances, songs, skits and other cultural items. In addition, there will be a wide range of sweetmeats, games and Phagwah Items. Tickets cost $1000 while children under the age of five will be admitted free.